Hey, this is my first story so I hope its ok. The next chapter is really when the story starts; this is kind of the background information you need to know. Or else it might get a little confusing. Please read and enjoy.

Fifteen years ago

Once upon a time their was a small country town named Oakwood. It was a lovely country town with green fields, small shops and a friendly atmosphere. Every morning until the town slept, people were happy and cheerful. To them there was not a better town out there. The town had only two exits so many of the towns people were use to seeing travellers pass by and always greeted them enthusiastically. Though this town was very poor, the people didn’t seem to mind. Everyone got on perfectly and together they had enough to keep the town well supplied. There were no secrets or double crossing. The most respected people were the Monty’s. They were the only rich people in the town and lived in a huge mansion at the edge of Oakwood between the two mountains. They also happily provided money and support to anyone in need. The Monty’s were a middle aged couple who lived quiet reserved lives with their grown up 21 year old son John and their teenage daughter Ariel. The services the Monty’s hired were simple townsfolk who went home each day. With the exception of young Stephan. He was 18 and was the Monty's stableboy who lived in the sheds by the stables. He had moved here when his father died and went home every Tuesday to visit his poor mother. Being young and inexperienced it was hard for him to find a job. He needed the money to provide an income because his mother was unable to work. The Monty’s had gladly took him in and provided him with shelter and food, as well as enough money to help his Mum. No one quite knew why the Monty’s with all their fortune remained in a small town when they could live somewhere more glamorous but the Monty’s always exclaimed that they had grown to love Oakwood and its people.

Yet this gleeful town was soon to be struck with a depressing and mysterious incident. One dull and miserable morning the whole town was woken up at dawn in a most unusual way. It was the yells of Mrs Thompson the Monty's kitchen maid who had roused the town from their sleep when she came screaming down the street shouting at the top of her lungs that the Monty’s were all dead. It took a while for Mrs Thompson to calm down but eventually they were able to get more information.

“They were all sprawled out on their lounge floor.” She told the town.

“The mother was at the entrance and the father looked like he had tried to protect Ariel. John looked like he had been taking care of the fire.”

“Oh the poor dears why them, who would do such a monstrous thing” cried out one.

“Why them” sobbed another.

Soon the whole town had herd the news and they all gathered at the gate of the once glamorous house and caught sight of 4 bodies being removed. Police and investigators from all over had been called in to catch the culprit. They tried to find the killer but it was no hope. Their were no clues only a dirty set of foot prints leading from the front door to the Lounge yet the killer must have vanished because their were none leading out. All four Monty’s had been shot once in the head. There was also another question. One of the Monty’s precious swords was missing but that could not be motive for such a crime. The sword was not very valuable. And either could be theft because except for that artefact none other of there possessions or jewels were missing. They were no living relatives to the Monty’s. Well none that they knew of anyway. The Police questioned everyone in town and everyone gladly gave their opinion but it was no use. No one had seen or heard a thing. Everyone except Stephan was interviewed for he had disappeared. People started to suspect that he was the culprit, and a lot forgot that Stephan adored the family and wasn’t capable of such a crime. Other’s simply figured he was killed to and didn’t say or think much on the subject. Most however forgot about him altogether. Poor and quiet Stephan rarely talked to any one since the death of his father except to his mother. In fact he worked all day so no one but the horses and cattle ever saw him. For the next few days all the town could talk about was this mysterious death. Everyone was eager to have their say and many rumours went around but none were even close to the truth. Yet one thing had change. The mansion which was once the highlight of their town was now just a huge house on a hill that people stayed clear of. It was if blanket of darkness had covered it, like some evil presence now lived their. Eventually the Monty’s were buried and their death remained unsolved. No one made a fuss of any other murders, including the young girl who had been found in a ditch four months later. She didn’t even arouse suspicion. Other events were ignored to and no one but his poor mother ever wondered about Stephan’s unfound body as the town returned to their daily lives.

Years later the house still stood their yet its grand appearance was fading. The once beautiful house now was covered in dust and weeds and always looked dark and forbidding. It was unoccupied for no one ever stayed more than a night without renting a hotel or leaving town. They said that the house had an eerie and spooky feel about it and odd things happened. Ghost sightings, unexplained sounds, spooky events and earthquakes for example. One young couple had woken up to see their six month son floating in the air, supported by a bright light. They had actually started a protest to get the house pulled down but no one was very keen on going anywhere near it. No one in the town ever questioned these people. For they to had a strange feeling whenever they looked at the house and there heart would pump fast every time they drove past there driveway. Soon the police were investigating disappearances, all which had been last seen entering the house. In fact Oakwood stated to develop a bad reputation. The best the town could do was ignore it. These days the person who owned it never used it and kids started playing pranks on the so called haunted house. Mainly because their parents, the image of the horrible day still fresh in their minds, had forbidden them to stay away. The ones who did were the smart ones. But most didn’t. They would throw tones at the windows but it just rebounded off not even leaving a crack, they would shout names and run around the house yet they were hesitant to go near the front door. They even dared each other to go in but they never came out the same. They would re appear a couple of hours later, with no memory of what had occurred inside. The house had changed them. Other children who had run out screaming would say they felt earthquakes or saw a body. One child even stated that a boy had tapped him on the shoulder and chased her away. Yet most children who had tried to enter couldn’t get in. It was like the house had sealed itself. Was it keeping things out or keeping something in. Well it wasn’t until the body of the local postman was found that the house was banned from the public. Not that anybody minded.

A/N: Thanks I hope it was ok and that you liked it and please please review.