1940

The water trickled slowly down the stream in a fast but silent flow around and the rocks. Lailey sat on the side throwing little pebbles into the water, each plonking with a light splash. She watched the ripples grow small to big and disappear just as quickly as they evolved. The hot summer sun shining between the trees was playing on her skin and her hair. Now and then the wind would lightly rustle the trees but that and the water was thew only sounds that could be heard. Right now to Lailey it felt like nobody else existed but her and she were the last person left on the earth. But she didnt feel lonely she liked her own company. Sometimes she felt nobody understood her and everybody else wasnt as deep as she was. If they were if everybody felt like they were trapped than the world was much more complicated than she thought.

Like he mother said she shouldnt worry after all she is a 15-year-old girl. How hard can life be?

Lailey was not sure what the time was but it seemed like it was late afternoon, according to the position of the sun in the sky it was slowly descending to the west. It will be dark in a matter of hours. She knew her mother would want her home soon, but she was reluctant to go as she enjoyed sitting here and relaxing. Being lazy she knew if she went home she would have to do house work. But who would want to do chores when you could sit beside a river throwing rocks and flicking the water with your toes. Lailey closed her eyes and let her legs and feet into the water. She was so comfortable she could almost fall asleep until a sudden splash in the water ruined her daydream and water went all over her. Looking down at her wet clothes stunned she heard a giggle from behind the tree on the other side of the river.

Hey you! she yelled. Not sure who it was that wet her and scared the day lights out of her. She stood up and yelled once more Hey! Only another giggle in reply. She grunted in frustration and started to walk across the river but she reached the end when a boy jumped from behind the tree the pushed her backwards into the shallow water.

Howie you idiot! she screamed My mother will kill me because Im wet He just stood there with a quirky smile on his face. I hate you she said. She got up and he reached down to help her only to push her back down. Once again falling on her backside in the water. He laughed and just looked at her. His big brown eyes were lit up like fire and his smile spread across his face showed that he was enjoying this. Lailey winced in pain and took a deep breath and got up. This time refusing his help she brushed herself off and tried to hop out and onto the dry land where he was standing above her.

Here let me help you he said politely.

No way am I not falling for that she said sarcastically.

Nah, Im sorry she could tell he was serious and with a grin took his hand. She had known Howard for years he always played tricks on her and just annoyed her. She saw him all the time as he was in the choir with her brother and they were friends. He really frustrated her as his antics were not only annoying but he always did it to her. He was a year older than her and for some reason Laileys mother was never really fond of him. Didnt know why even though he annoyed Lailey he was very well behaved around adults and everybody else seemed to like him. Grabbing his hand she flashed him a smile and pulled him into the river with her. They both went down and he just looked at her stunned. But Lailey turned around and headed back to her side of the river.

Hey! he said, but she kept walking he yelled over and over again. Lailey ignored him and headed towards home with a big smile on her face. For some strange reason she felt like she being followed, she didnt want to turn around in case he would jump on her she so kept walking. Nearing to her house he jumped behind a tree smiling and puffing like her ran all the way here. Scaring her again she jumped.

Will you stop that you are going to give me a heart attack! she yelled at him.

Cant you take a joke?

I have to go Im tired and have to be home she began to walk past him and stood in front of her. He smiled at her and she looked into his eyes which were directly looking into hers. Lailey began to feel uncomfortable and the expression on his face changed.

Look I have to go she said avoiding his glance.

Fine he said giving up, good evening and good night Howie gave up stood out of her way. She walked past him not looking at him. Not let the ghost bite She turned around and gave him an angry and hurt look. He knew Malcolm dwelled on the ghost in the basement and how dead body was buried down there. Even though it was probably a lie but Lailey felt there was something weird down there and for years since Malcolm first mentioned it she had been having nightmares. She had gotten over them but recently her sleep had been disturbed.

So just turned around angry and stormed off. Howie realised he had hurt her

Im sorry I didnt mean it Lailey! But she ignored him. That night not only did he mother tell her off for her clothes being dirty but she had another nightmare. This time she woke up petrified and all sweaty. For the rest of the night she cried softly so no one would hear her. She felt alone and scared not because of her nightmares but the fact that she had no one to talk to and to comfort her. She knew if she discussed her problems with anyone she knew they would find it silly and childish. But to her it wasnt. Her heart was so empty and she stayed awake all night.

Chapter 5

You look horrible Laila, are you all right? Her father asked her the next morning looking concerned. Lailey just smiled she was tired and didnt really want to discuss how she was feeling with anyone. At breakfast she just said nothing while her mother instructed her about what was needed to be done today. Lailey would be joining her parents to town, while Malcolm would be doing his chores. Lailey hated going with her parents into town it was boring and she had to carry heavy items they purchase while in there. As well as the stopping for chit-chat with various people they knew. This time Lailey didnt argue or put up a fight, she sat in her fathers truck all the way to the town market.

Followed her parents all around the market with a heavy head. Hardly looking up at people her mother kept pinching her.

Stand up straight, look up she would say in her ear. Every now and then they would stop to talk to people they knew. First it was Carmel Lewis, the town gossip queen she was second to Mrs. Wilson in rumour spreading. Celia was always willing to stop and chat to her. Lailey too would listen on who was who and what was happening. It was never really interesting, but occasionally there was something juicy. Not today though. They also saw Mrs. McGregor and Briony, Briony invited Lailey over later and she accepted. Mrs McGregor was buying alcohol which she tried to hide so that people wouldnt talk about her husband and his drinking. Especially from Carmel Lewis, after she knew the whole town would know the next day. Hours later they got home for lunch and Lailey was exhausted and went to lie down in the lounge room couch. A little later she awoke up realising she must have gone to sleep, no body had awoken her. Unusual her mother would tell her off for lying on the couch so she got up and walked around to see who was here. Her mother was sewing in the study.

Feeling better dear?

Yes, how long have I been asleep?

Three hours, are sure you are not sick?

No mother just tired

What have you been doing?

Oh nothing really, I just have been feeling tired lately, no reason Lailey smiled and walked away. She had her lunch late and decided to make her way to go and see Briony. Walking out of her home she saw Howie and the Wilson twins outside the house on the pouch waiting for Malcolm. She decided to ignore them, but one of the red haired twins said something she couldnt make out but they all laughed accept Howie who just looked at her and watched her walk. His expression was blank and she couldnt read him nor understand what he was thinking. But she rolled her eyes and knew he was mocking her.

Hi Laila! Briony greeted her answering the door. Lailey walked in and followed Briony to her bedroom. Briony was constantly happy and giggled all the time secretly. Not in a way to insult people but she had her own little world like Lailey the only difference was Brionys world was full of happy and uncomplicated things. Not noticing Laileys off tone Briony began to entertain her with the wonderful world of cosmetics and hair styles. Laileys hair was long brown the curly, she never actually did anything with it maybe tied it back but now Briony was introducing what she called style With all her glamour magazines her mother gave her.  Lailey flipped through the magazines, there were pages of beautiful women either looking elegant for a man, or cleaning and cooking for a man. Her head began to spin and she was still tired. She only stayed at the McGregors for a short time, and on her way home she saw the boys once more. This time no one said anything due to Malcolm being there. Howie stopped and looked at Lailey she caught his glance and he flashed a half smile to her as if in an apologetic way. But she shrugged it off and continued to ignore him. After all he was just a boy like the rest of them. But little did Lailey know that he watched her walk home and he saw in way that one else did and only his eyes gave away the hidden feelings he had for her.