Gray. The only description for such an old, decaying, dead house. Shudders cracked and peeling off the frame like the bark of a dying tree. The siding warped and paint chipped to reveal an even darker foggier gray. The weather didn't help to brighten the scene with thick dark clouds looming low and close enough together that the sun ceased it's existence. Amongst the gray was a tan brittle and dry lawn that helped tie together the perfect eerie location. And yet, despite these factors two residents were determined to make this rotten eye sore their home. Oblivious to the certain health hazard the building was screaming to be and ignorant to the rumors and whispers that spread of things lurking within the structures shadows. Skeletons no one cared to exhume from the closets within. They brought little with them. Perhaps on the run from a life not worth living or maybe just deciding on a new albeit decrepit adventure. Their rumor to soon add to the growing list this home inspired.

The first to exit the classic vibrant red 1980 Cadillac eldorado was a woman with equally vibrant auburn hair. It cascaded in tight tendrils curled to perfection down her back and bounced in unison with each click from her black cross strapped heels. Her posture was composed, confident and her red lips held the expression of a temptress willing to do whatever it takes to make it to the top. A small smudge on the left corner of her plump lips showcasing her passion for love. The only other passenger to appear was a well dressed man in a suit tailored to allow others the chance to know his worth at a glance. Powerful and in control, partnered together with a person worthy in attitude to give it right back. They had two cases holding their belongings as they made their way up the worn stone pass to the large solid oak door. He wrapped one arm around her curved waist clad in a tight fitted cocktail dress, black as night to balance out the overwhelming amount of red. And of course, to match seamlessly with his suit and jet black hair styled into a purposeful mess.

He kissed her, rough, full of a burning passion. The buds of romance trailing in the wind after them. The door was opened with a slow yearning screech and the two entered the mysteriously furnished home. Every surface was clad with a thin white sheet to prevent the eventual existence of dust, yet the two paid no mind as they glided over worn floorboards screaming with each step then up the crooked staircase that yelped louder than any would deem reasonable. But it was an old house riddled with the stress and the secrets it's previous owners stashed away from prying eyes. The second floor was simple, one room accompanied with a typical dingy bath. Their bags hit the floor followed by the coverings of the bed followed by a black cocktail dress. That evening the house was filled by a different set of moans, ones that did not belong to the wind lightly caressing the house as it rolled by. Hours passed and the two now remained silent as she kneeled by the bed quietly folding what little she had and storing it in the drawers beneath the matress they'd just become acquainted with. His case sat open centered on the rooms floor with no intention of changing it's position. A howl disturbed the silence as the wind picked up outside.

"Think it'll rain?" Her voice was soft as she carried on with her task glancing briefly at the man whose hands were behind his head, eyes closed and legs sprawled on the bed.

"Don't know, Quinn. Hasn't rained this side of Cali in years." His eyes remained closed as his deep gravely voice answered.

"I think it'll rain." She stated placing her hands on the bed and boosting herself up. At this the unfamiliar thud of thunder shook the unstable house. "Told ya."

Quinn meandered towards the only window, the curtains rolling in dull waves away from the opening. She pushed down on the crumbling wood struggling to force it shut. Another roar of thunder hit as she grunted during her attempt. Then came the sudden flash of lightning causing her to jump back in shock. Right into a solid chest she wasn't expecting. Quinn released a small startled scream as she scrambled away only to realize it was her partner standing so close so suddenly.

"Holy hell, Cas. You scared me." She placed her hand to her chest with a small sigh.

"It's just a storm, Quinn. Nothing to get so worked up over." Cas pulled the window close without any sign of struggle before turning back to her and wrapping both arms around her waist. He placed a tender yet forceful kiss to her exposed neck before resting his chin there. They swayed back and forth in silence enjoying each other's company as the first drop of rained tapped the window before another thousand more descended. Beneath the white noise of a the storm a distinct creaking sound resonated from the staircase. Quinn tensed up as she began to feel uneasy.

"Cas?"

"Mm?" Was his mumbled response.

"You sure about this place?" Her voice displayed her sudden suspicions. Cas grabbed her arms and twirled her around to face him before tucking her into his chest.

"It was cheap, Quinn. I know it looks pretty bad but, there's nothing I can't fix. Little bit of paint here, some remodeling there, it'll be brand new. Just for us." He gingerly placed a kiss to her forehead to ease her nerves.

"It's just...I've heard that-"

"Whatever you heard is bullshit. It's just a house." He led her toward the stairs. "Let's check out the rest of it."

Quinn followed, reluctant, yet excited . The stairs groaned with every step, alerting the empty space below of the new inhabitants. The faint sound of shuffling came from below and her eyes shifted quickly toward it. Nothing was visible. Quinn's gaze darted around as she tensed. At the base of the steps was a large living room where they each took time to remove the sheets covering old furniture. There wasn't much, just a book case, coffee table, and a love seat. Next to the opening to the kitchen sat an antique grandfather clock that appeared to be broken. The kitchen had all the basics including a table that sat in front of another, smaller room for laundry.

Quinn suspended her growing suspicions as she marveled and inspected each area. "It's quaint."

Cas nodded in agreement. "Perfect for two." He fiddled with the clock, twirling the hands which caused a steady clicking. It didn't chime as he wound it and once his hand wavered the clicking stopped. "The clocks absolutely busted."

Quinn approached the books on the case, ignoring Cas as he continued to fiddle with the antique. The shelves were stocked and she admired each spine as her fingers trailed their embossed titles. One was blank, which intrigued her and, as she tilted it to inspect it, she felt a gust of cold creep steadily past her. Her flesh trembled standing on edge as if the air itself was an incoming danger. She teetered the book for a moment—she could tell it was a journal of sorts. The curiosity called to her, begging her to ignore the chills that seemed to cling to her bones. And just she decided she would pluck it from it's cozy place, Cas spoke.

"Let's get some sleep so we can tidy it up in the morning."

The book crisply ripped itself from her fingers and fell back into place. Her eyes were wide with shock. Did that just happen? The cold dispersed quicker than it had appeared. Her throat burned.

"I'm going to get some water. You head up first." Quinn placed a kiss on Cass’ cheek before he strided back up the steps. The groaning of the wood seemingly louder than before.

Her eyes burned through the space surrounding her. Quinn had always been a sceptic to these situations, but she'd always seem then to be true. There must be something here. There had to be. She felt the burning stare being given right back from a dark corner of the room.

The door shrieked open as Quinn opened it to the slapping sounds of rain hitting the ground. She sighed at the distance between the door and the vehicle. If only they’d had the forethought to bring the case in before the rain started. Quinn darted to the car, quickly throwing open the trunk and ripping a bottle from the case, then rushed back to the home as fast as her feet would take her. Despite her speed, her hair was already soaked when she got back into the relative safety of her new house. She stopped before the doorway, the door hung ajar as she had left it in her mad dash. The rain continued to drench her as she looked forward, puzzled. It looked as if all light had left the house. She stared into a black abyss. She shook her head. “Get ahold of yourself.” Quinn said to herself. She couldn’t stay out here all night. And as the flash of lightning blinded her surroundings, she made her decision and forced her feet to take her back inside, despite the knot in her gut growing tighter.

The eerie feeling from earlier ate at her as she felt the sensation of watchful eyes boring into her skin. Quinn sauntered into the kitchen and flicked the switch. The bulb in the kitchen hummmed a low tune before flickering on and back off. She rolled her eyes and sat her bottle of water on the small table in the kitchen. She uncapped it and quenched her thirst, nearly draining the bottle before letting out a satisfied sigh. She glanced back at the switch as the light continued to flicker and walked over to it. She flicked it off. Her eyes were met with an unforgiving void. There was nothing here, no strange sounds, just that off putting feeling at the edge of her awareness. Even so, it felt sinister. She felt her skin prickle up in goosebumps and she quickly made her way back toward the stairs. Cas was up there. He was safe.

Cas was comfortably lounging on the bed without a word as she took another swig from her water bottle and placed it on the nightstand. Cas glanced up at Quinn as she entered. “You’re soaked.”

“I needed water, we didn’t have water.” Quinn said, more edge in her words than she meant.

Quinn felt water drip from her hair and roll down her cheek. “Okay? Well, there should be some towels in the bathroom and a change of clothes. Why don’t you dry up.”

Quinn nodded and went for the bathroom. Her foot reached over the threshold and stopped. In the corner of her eye she saw a silhouette. Like something evading right on the edge of sight but always vanishing when you try to focus on it. But something deep down told her she didn’t want to try to focus on it. Like if she looked at it, really looked at it…

She pushed the thought out of her head. She closed her eyes and shook her head. She pressed on into her new master bathroom. She wouldn’t let some silly feeling keep her from falling in love with this fixer-upper. Quinn flipped the light switch and, for once, the light worked. No flickering, it just worked. She peeled her clothes from her body, the rain forcing the fabric skin-tight against her form. She disposed of her shirt, then her bra, and took the towel from the edge of the yellowing bathtub and dried herself, patting her neck, her breasts, before wrapping it around herself and sitting on the edge of the tub, listening to pitter-patter of the rain off the roof.

After she was dry, she shrugged on her underwear and, as she was securing the clasps on a pink lace bra, she saw it again.

There, in the corner of her vision, she saw a silhouette. She felt her eyes wandering toward it, but she always averted her vision before she could focus on it. She felt terror gripping her chest, her breath quickening. She finished up and pulled a long shirt over her head and quickly exited the bathroom.

“Cas, the bathroom is going to need work,” Quinn started. But as she exited the bathroom and looked over at Cas, there it was again. Her breathing picks up as she quickly averts her gaze again. This time, she heard it giggle. She saw it approach her at the edge of her vision, giggling. The thing wickedly grasped a strand of Quinn’s auburn hair. Lightning filled the room followed by the crashing of thunder. The room went dark, the lights being forced off from the storm. Then silence.

“Cas?” Quinn said, her voice shaking. She stood there in nothing but a big shirt. The room felt oppressive. She approached the bed slowly, the darkness crushing in around her. As she approached, she realized the bed was empty. Cas was gone. And from the stairs she heard something giggle.