Greensville

I step out of my cozy bungalow unto my cobblestone pathway into the if not dead street. The cold making my teeth clatter together as I walked along the driveway.

My gaze locked on the two storey house next to my little bungalow, the 'available for sale' sign has been replaced with a giant 'sold' sign. I felt bad for whoever bought this house.

Mrs Edgar Sccorch, the kingpin of the EEARS - 'Edgar Elite Association of Rumours Spreaders' that's what I call them. It's a really nice name and it pretty much sums up what they do. They are the 'eears' of this boring town - Anyway, Edgar had told me a while back that the owner of the house had murdered his wife and two kids in it. Which I find really hard to believe because it's like the cliché story of the house next door and moreover Greensville is the most uneventful place on earth but she had sworn on her wedding ring that it was true. If you knew Edgar, her wedding ring is the only truthful thing about her.

Penny Drive is even worse, my neighborhood is the most quiet and boring place in this whole town. Every family knows each other, not like inviting each other for anniversary dinners dinners but just hello from afar with bright smiles. As I said, boring which is why I'm surprised as to why anyone would want to live here. Maybe he or she likes quiet and uneventful or he or she is just alone like I am.

The only person I'll say is fun here is Mrs king, she throws meaningless parties almost every week. I won't be surprised if she had married a rich man,murdered him and stolen his properties not leaving anything for his children. The woman pretty much owns the largest house in the whole town and has this dark aura surrounding her, not to mention being that young for her age -she's sixty and still looks like a super model. Rumours has it that she is a descendant of the Salem witches, another farfetched rumour but judging by the way she looks, it's possible. But if I wasn't weird, I'll say witches never existed.

In a small town with an almost countable population -1,859 to be precise , the women stay home to carter for their children not failing at their side jobs. Their side jobs being gossiping and spreading fake inexistent rumors while their husbands get minimal wages and put food on the table.

Nothing pretty much happens in this boring little town as I've said. well, except for that one time Tammy Cougar stole her neighbour's mailbox and claimed it as hers. The issue till date isn't settled.

When I pass their houses sometimes, I see Tammy with her binoculars waiting for Mrs Lopez to come take the mailbox back so she has a reason to stir up some drama, not like drama in this town isn't something boring either. They'll probably call the sheriff this time and the can get to the bottom of the whole thing. Every one knows the mailbox belongs to Mrs Lopez but no one will support her because one time a rumour floated around that her thirteen year old twins stole from Gary's, the only convenience store in Greensville. No one really knows what they stole and it was just a rumour.

I've heard some about me too but nothing beats the one that I am a widow that's why I wear clothes twice my size and keep to myself but my personal favourite is the one of how I was once a whore but now keeping a low profile because I've caught some infectious disease. Apparently the disease also transferred to my cat poppy which resulted to her death.

Yes, nothing beats it.

Those who believe stay away from me but the smart ones know this town well and how they start unbelievable nonsense out of the blue.

As I was saying, I feel sorry for whoever wants to move into this town. It's like every horror story where a cute innocent family move into a haunted house or a house with so much sins and they all die but I get front row seat because I'm their neighbor.

Greensville is a small town and it's really cold here. This only time Mr sun shows it's face is towards the end of summer and that just happen for two days and sometimes three before Mr snow comes back to attacking us with frostbites. It's an unending circle every year but I don't mind, it's helps keep me in check but you'll understand why later.

I snuggled my man sized in xxl sweater closer to myself, it doesn't really restrict the cold because I need the cold to render my powers ineffective. I continued my walk to my bookshop/tea parlour. An odd combo but it's a people's favourite. Most families here aren't too big on caffeine that's why at 'Juli et Tea' -silly name but people here seem to find it catchy" ,we offer varieties ranging from guava tea (best selling) to green tea (least selling).

The bookstore is just a little space by the corner which holds the classics and some average romance novels.

The bells jingle as I pull the glass door open, not forgetting to change the 'closed' sign. Not too long my first customer arrives, Mr Bone. A very nice old man, he cares about everyone which is too good to be true.

"cold day Julie " he said as he pulled his coat off. Snow flakes falling to my clean floor from his action.

"yes Mr Bone. The NEWS says the snow will be knee deep today, kinda bad for business you know? " I move away from cleaning the tables to help him to a chair. He had seen better days, his sight isn't that good anymore. " you're a little late today, Therese Wouldn't let you leave? " I asked. Therese is his wife and that old lady is very protective of him, she means well though.

"yes dear. Talking my ear off about the snow. She doesn't want me to talk a walk. She even offered to make me some tea but I don't think I'll be comfortable if I don't see you in a day. " he sent me a wide grin.

"you know I would have been at your doorstep because I would be worried too Mr Bone. The usual? "

He nods and I make my way back behind the counter to prepare his ginger tea. I smile at him as I made his tea, he has been like a father to me since I moved here seven years ago, always checking up on me like one of his even Therese is just as nice.

I made my way to him as soon as his tea was ready," same as usual? "

"yes same as usual Mr Bone" I replied as I left him to his thoughts.

I spent the rest of the day in my office since there was no one in the shop. I ordered some books and cleared up my shipments which wouldn't be here till the next week because of the heavy snow.

****

After ten minutes of struggling in the snow to get home, I finally reach my door step. The NEWS had been right about the heavy snow. Like I had thought, business had been really slow today. Apart from the old man, only three other familiar faces came in. I doubt I'll even open tomorrow.

My little homey three bedroom bungalow welcomed me into its warmth. I had intentionally left the heater on this morning to avoid walking into a chilly house. I make my way to my bathroom first to get rid of my clothing. I looked at myself in the mirror, admiring my sapphire eyes. I love a lot of features about myself but I love my eyes more. I am not ugly, no not at all. My milky skin, my bright blue eyes, my lengthy brunette hair and my thick sumptuous body makes me above average which makes it difficult not to draw attention but I love myself and I enjoy being by myself.

I make my way to my kitchen, naked as the day I was born. Since I live alone, I like to walk around the house with no clothes on. My house didn't have a lot of windows, its really comfortable for me. My microwaved some leftover lasagne, ate and resumed to the sitting room as I caught up on my favourite show just like I do everyday before calling it a night and escaping into dreamland.

⚪⚫⚪

The next morning I was woken up by the sound of voices and a little child's cry. I tried to go back to sleep but they wouldn't let me. With their whiny little devil orchestrating my disarray. I paid no mind though, since I was still very sleepy until the worse happened.

A very loud horn resonated in my room, I'm pretty sure every house on the block heard and thought it was judgement day. I scrambled out from under my covers to my dresser. I quickly put on some winter leggings and a bright red sweater. I didn't forget to pat my hair down before storming out of my room in the direction of the front door ready to give an earful to whoever had the guts to wake me up.

With the little lighting, I find my way out of my dark house to my front door. Just like I expected everywhere was covered with snow. Thank God my house was kinda elevated or I would have had troubles getting outside. I shivered and wrap my arms around myself before my gaze could finally settle on what was happening. I could see a moving van in the distance and two young girls dressed very similarly, they wouldn't be a day older than ten. They both have their raven hair packed similarly, even with their backs turned to me, Its hard to miss that they were twins. They entered the next house hand in hand.

Guess they are the neighbours.

The little devil still hasn't stop wailing. Right in front of my house, a silver minivan was packed. The windows had been rolled down with a screaming baby in it, boy did he have some set of lungs. As I walked closer, we locked gazes and he reached for me with his tiny chubby hands when I got to him. His cries died down with hope I would help him out. I felt pity for him, he probably is cold and want some warmth but I can't just grab an unknown baby.

Sorry buddy, I can't just grab you without you parents permission. It doesn't work that way.

When he noticed I had no intention of carrying him out, a frown took over his features and his lip wobbled.

Oh no.

He started screaming again, not moving his eyes from me. Without giving it any second thought, I opened the door and reached to unbuckle him from his car sit. Immediately he was out, he rested his head on my shoulder and calmed a bit.

"you are a troublemaker, aren't you? " I said to him, patting his back gently. After a second, he raises his head and smiles at me. His two tiny teeth out in display. He is a pretty baby, especially when he smiles like he did just now.

"lets go look for mommy"

With him placed nicely on my hip, I walked to their doorstep. It was kinda weird though, I've been living in this town for years and no one has ever moved this house. I've never had a reason to walk up the porch before and it made me feel a little uneasy but when I looked at the little man on my hip, I shoved it down and tackled the door with fervent knocks.

"I'm coming" a little voice shouted, not too long she pulled the door open and looked at me confused.

"Is this your brother? " I asked her calmly, before she thinks I'm a kidnapper.

She nods still confused.

"can I see your mom? "I asked again but instead I was met with silence. I ask again," your mom, can I talk to her"

"Don't worry Amber, I've got this" A voice said from behind the girl. She turns in the direction the voice came and walked away without sparing me a glance.

Rude.

Finally , a man stepped forward and reached for the baby. Skeptically, I let him have the little boy.

"Thank you for bringing him... " He paused, since he didn't know my name.

"Julie"

"Thank you for bringing him julie" he said, bouncing the baby in his hands. No smile no nothing, just a stiff look like he had rehearsed it too many times.

He was about to go back in when I stopped him." Its not safe to leave a baby out in the cold like you did and I would appreciate it if you tune down the noise and move your vehicle -"I stopped and pointed to the minivan packed in front of my porch"away from my porch" with that I walked back in the direction of my house not looking back for a bit.

I guess I wasn't expecting my new neighbours to be cold and closed off. I wasn't expecting them to invite me in for a cup of coffee either, but they could at least be nicer. I did save their baby.

But one thing that stuck to my head the most was the man. His dark eyes and his chiseled jaw. Heat pooled between my thighs and I shook my head to get rid of my dirty thoughts.

"you're going to hell Juliet. Having impure thoughts about a married man? Definitely going to hell"

<>

Thank you for reading.