‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’.

Okay, so following that logic, I’m not nuts. I’m just really just flattering my older sister. A lot. And I’m not quite sure what she did for such a flattering act, ‘cause this is just really nuts.

(###)

Ley’s car stopped a block away from the boarded up Victorian mansion, engine growling noisily in the otherwise quiet night. I squirmed anxiously in the back seat, dressed against my will in a beautiful and expensive short Gothic style dress.

Ley glanced back at me and smiled, flashing a thumbs up at Emily, who sat in the passenger’s seat. After I gave them a weak smile back they hopped out of their seats and through their respective doors. A moment later the doors at my sides swung open and two grinning and giggling girls grabbed my arms. I shivered.

“You scared?” Emily asked. I shook so my head so hard the quaking traveled down the full length of my body.

Ley laughed, a look of pure humour crossing her black lined eyes.

“I meant it! I’m not scared!”

“Scared-y cat,” Ley teased. The two of them exchanged a loaded glance, small smirks gracing their lips. Then Ley turns to me, her expression returning to blank.

“You know the rules, right?”

“Yeah,” I grumble, still fuming. “Go into the house, search and video tape a little shot of every room, stay inside for the week, and head out with the most expensive souvenir I can find, right?”

“Yeah, that’s it. Just don’t mess up the dress.” Ley warned. “Mom will so-o kill me if it doesn’t come back; and if she kills me, I kill you.”

I nodded. They waited, and for a moment I wished I could ask for a more reasonable outfit; because when Ley said ‘kill’ she sure as h-e-double hockey sticks meant it. But as I thought it over, I realized that no matter what, theses two jerks were going to get me into one stupid outfit or another.

“Okay, I’m ready.”

Each girl grinned and grabbed one of my arms; Emily on the left and Ley on the right. We all turned towards the towering Victorian goliath and began walking. Once we got to the rusted front gate, they both let go.

“You’re on your own from here, squirt.” Emily said. I nodded. I could feel my heart pounding as I stepped forward. My emotions were a mix of sheer terror and a startling confidence.

I started to climb the fence.

The fence was thick iron, covered in rust and chipped black paint, and stood about nine feet straight up. The first steps were easy, my feet placed firmly between crossed and curved metal bars.

But the higher I went, the more I realized just how much this fence was meant to keep people out. The convenient foot holes became more spaced out and less frequent, and every new handhold seemed to bear more spikes than the last.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of pulling, pushing, heaving, tugging, and wrestling with my skirt, I made it to the top. For a moment, all I did was rest, perched precariously on top of the fence, surveying the landscape from a bird’s eye view.

On one side, Ley and Emily stood, surrounded by the warm glow of a dirty street lamp, waiting expectantly for what I would do. Ley had her arms crossed over her black long sleeved shirt, the words “Vampire Goddess” coiled around her left arm. Emily was the exact opposite, dressed in a conservative knee length skirt and wilder blue-jean jacket. Their minds were so different, that when put together, the two could cause and endless amount of evil.

On the other side of the gate however, it was dark, and the only thing standing in waiting was the dead and leafless trees. I swallowed. The iron fence, the darkness, the trees, all of it screamed “go away” at rock concert volume. And I wanted to listen. I didn’t want to be here, copying my crazy sister’s antics!

For a moment I swayed towards the street, listening to that cowardly voice in the back of my mind. And then there was another voice, quieter, but still demanding. It wanted to stay, prove to the world that Katherine Mary Heraldson wasn’t a scared-y cat. And so, I swung my legs over, pushed myself of the fence, and into the darkness on the other side of the gate.

“We have to head back now, Kat! See you in a week!” Ley called excitedly. I waved, shocked that I was actually standing within the fence. My legs ached dully from my impact with the ground.

As I watched the two girls run off, a thought occurred to me. I was alone, for a whole week, inside the scariest mansion I had ever seen.

“You better come back for me, Loraley!” I screamed.

Ley waved from over her shoulder, just as she hopped into her car. Then they drove away, leaving me with only the stupid black dress and a video camera.

I.

Was.

Alone.

(###)

Feh. I feel like being short today. It’s just a first chapter, and I don’t feel like it needs anything else.*Shrugs* I haven’t an idea where this is going. Maybe... you have some suggestions?

If you read all the way here, review. Please?

-Azori