CHAPTER ONE:
"You guys, I think we outdid ourselves.." Kevin looked around the newly redone mansion, "Seriously, this place looks brand new.."
"I think we did a good job," Howie answered back, "this place looked like shit before we got through with it...I'm quite proud of myself actually."
"I know, I am too," Brian sat on the new sofa and laughed, "but I still can't believe that lady just GAVE Nicky the deed to this place."
"It's weird, I know," Kevin added, "and she kept freaking out whenever she looked at him, but she couldn't be a fan, she's like eighty years old!"
"I'm not that ugly am I?" Nick asked only half joking.
"Yeah you are doughboy," Grinned AJ.
"I wouldn't be talking if I were you freaky spice!!" Howie gave AJ a playful shove and they began to mess around, shoving each other lightly and giggling like grade school children.
The house that Nick had just got was actually a mansion. A elderly lady took one look at Nick, shoved the deed into his hands told him to take it. The guys were at a real estate office helping Nick search for a home. He decided to check out the house and see if it was to his liking, which it was.
The mansion, a Victorian style white and blue trimmed home, stood three stories tall not including the attic and basement. It was stunning with an extended roof that looked as if it could have two more stories added. A huge cupola stood in the middle with two smaller ones at the sides. A verandah stood in both the back and the front of the house. Tall green vines wove their way up the sides and onto the huge weeping willow trees that stood on either end. The boys had redone the house and helped Nick move in. After they finished, they stood there staring amazingly at their own handiwork.
"Hell, I like it," AJ said, "now let's get some grub!"
~ Three Weeks Later ~
Nick blew dust off the top of the box and sneezed loudly. "Damn dust," he muttered. He was in the attic looking at some old things that were left behind by the previous owners. As it turned out, the last people that had lived there, were alive in the late eighteen hundreds. The family had moved out after their son had died a mysterious death while playing a piano concert at the house. The idea of someone dying in the house creeped Nick out, yet it excited him, and he wished that the mansion was haunted.
He gazed around, loads of unforeseen things cluttered the dusty attic. Some with old white sheets draped over them. A small window that faced the front of the house was the only light and ventilation Nick had. He wheezed and sneezed as he felt his allergies creeping up on him.
Nick got up and began walking around the attic. He stopped by a huge tapestry that was hanging from a wall and studied it. It was of a tall waterfall over a lake. About twenty mermaids and about ten merman were swimming in it. The colouring and detail made it almost look real. He leaned forward and ran his hands over it, but leaned too far. Nick fell onto the tapestry, but was surprised to see there was no wall and he lay at the bottom of a stair case.
Standing, he dusted himself off and walked up the stairs and into the most poignant room he'd ever seen. Elegant antique furniture sat around the room under white sheets which Nick pulled off. Huge windows sat facing east and south with one big one facing north. He wondered why he didn't see the windows from outside. As Nick looked into the corner he saw an even better sight. He ran over to it in complete amazement, and gasped at it's beauty.
* * * * * * *
It was common for Kevin, Brian, and AJ to often hang out at each others house. More so then recently, the house of the week was Nick's. Even if he wasn't home, the boys would come over and make themselves comfortable.
Howie, who lacked a house himself had opted to be Nick's housemate instead of finding himself a home. Nick was pleased to not have to live in such a gigantic house all by himself. He took a room on the second floor several rooms away from Nick's.
Downstairs in the library, the same day Nick explored the attic Howie was reading a book when he heard the prettiest but most eeriest sound. Beautiful piano music floated down from some where in the house. It was classical, and perfect in tone. However, Kevin, who played the piano wasn't there, and as far as he knew, there was no piano in the house.
Howie put down his book and walked into the kitchen where AJ had helped himself to Nick and Howie's food and was having an afternoon snack. "AJ, you hear that?"
"Yeah D., I do...Who is it? Kevin's not here.."
"I dunno... But it's creeping me out!" Just as the words left his lips, Kevin and Brian walked into the house, and then into the kitchen with puzzled faces on.
"Did one of you guys buy a classical music tape?" Kevin asked dropping his bag on the floor. It landed with a loud thud.
"No, and we don't know who it is either," Howie answered.
"It just like, started.." AJ added, and then as suddenly as it started, the music ceased. "And stopped..." he finished, a frightened look on his face.
"Whoa, this is creepy." Howie said.
"Wait-a-SEC here," Brian started, "we're all getting freaked out over nothing!"
"Over nothing??" AJ exclaimed.
"Yes, over nothing," Brian said, "we're probably imagining it. To stressed out from touring. And don't say anything to Nick.."
"Why?" They all asked.
"Why? Because he'd think we're weaklings and make fun of us! That's why! You know how Nick is! He looks for anything to tease us about!"
"True enough," Kevin said, "we all agreed? Not to tell Nick?"
"Yeah!" They all said in unison. And each went back to what they were doing. And was calm. Until the music started again...
