Chapter Text
Chapter 1: I call it fate
It all started with an ad in the paper. In need of a roommate please inquire within. Four hundred a week in payment to tenant. Then the address, 2986 SW Sunnybrook Ave.
She had been down on her luck for some time, about at the end of her rope actually. She was eighteen and out on her own. Turns out that the falling out with her parents was not the worst thing to happen to her...She moved in with a friend who was already bunking with her older cousin. It was ok at first—the constant parties, and the alcohol was one thing. But then her stuff started to disappear next then the cops crashed the house one night and now she was on the streets with barely anything.
She had dropped out when she left home. Her dad telling her she needed to grow up and stop acting like a child. Her mom wanted her to pull up her grades so on and so forth…parent crap. She wasn’t going to let them see her like this. She ended up moving a few towns over to Mayfair, the area was a different scene than the bustling city—a quiet suburb that faded out into an old farming community. Nice and quiet.
Maybe she could turn around from here. Hell who knows. She had found the paper in the gutter rain smudged, crinkly, and yellowed from the sun. It had been there a while. There was no stipulations on who could inquire but the promise of a four hundred a week was nice, no way she would be out of poverty but she would have some money—and a roof over her head. That’s what she needed but she wondered if this was some sort of elaborate bait in a trap. And if it wasn’t then would she still get that money if she found a job 1,600 dollars a month would be living meager.
Her brain might be warring but her feet sure weren’t she was following the street signs towards SW Sunnybrook. Her well-worn tennis shoes scuffed and holes in them padded the concrete street and walkway with care. Dirty jeans that were spotted with mud and general outdoor filth. Her shirt smelt like it needed to be incinerated and she was sure that she should join it. Knowing she reeked as well. Stringy greasy auburn hair hung down her back long and unmanaged. She had been on the streets for almost three weeks. A ratty hoodie covered the grimy shirt. It was oversized she had grabbed one in haste it wasn’t even hers.
Joyce knew that she looked a mess—looked like something the cat spat up. She felt her eyes tear up missing home somewhat but never admitting she wanted to go home. Never she would rather die on the street than let her parents know she failed…but she guessed dying out here would be the same thing huh?
She noticed as she went the houses became more ornate and larger—sprawling yards she felt like literal dirt here…oh no was this some rich old person who was paying for companionship? Or some brat kid who needed a nanny? Damnit she should have known it was too good to be true!
Now hold up—you don’t know that, hell you apparently you don’t know anything, why don’t we just see what it is—you know if you leave now and give up it will nag at us for the rest of our lives… she sighed listening to her mind argue this opportunity.
She came to the address as the sun was starting to set. The house was in one word—not there—well it was but at the end of a drive way that turned and twisted in a heavily forested area. From the looks of the wrought iron gate encompassing the massive grounds, she was having her doubts…this place looked abandoned. She spied the grass overgrown almost to the point of obscuring the drive way.
There was a callbox…
Swallowing hard she reached out with a trembling hand and extender her finger hitting the button. To her surprise it lit up…so if there was power then that was a good sign right? She waited staring intently at the speaker as if it would lash out like a feral animal. When it gave a snap of static she yelped not realizing she was holding her breath. She took several steps away from it and clutched her shirt over her heart—good god!
“Uh—Hello?” a deep voice sounded surprised someone rung the call box at all.
“Um—I—my name is Joyce—I—I was inquiring about the –ad?” what are you doing idiot; you sound like you are asking a question!
“What Ad?” the voice was defiantly masculine and loud… she winced had she gotten the wrong house? Or was the person who lived here now not the one who had the ad out.
“In need of a roommate please inquire within four hundred a week in payment to tenant. 2986 SW Sunnybrook Ave.” she read the ad instead of explaining herself she could practically hear the guy smile on the other end of the speaker.
“Oh that ad—“ the mirth in his voice was shocking... oh god this was some sort of entrapment scam—she was going to be drug to a basement and skinned or something…Instead of explaining anything else the gate just suddenly opened she yelped out as she heard a deep chuckle from the call box. “Walk up the path you can’t miss it.”
She wondered if he could see her somehow he seemed to enjoy her discomfort—or he was laughing at how she looked—perfect next victim she looks like some homeless loser no one will miss her. She swallowed hard always being a sucker for something sort of new adventure as she started up the drive and she heard the squeaky gate start to close behind her.
Locked in…
The house didn’t look better than the gate. She winced…or eccentric shut in? She thought looking at the mess of the yard—after her half mile hike up the hilly drive she saw what looked like a scary haunted manor.
Dude it’s a ghost house… she shook her head and continued on she had to stop it. It was probably some eccentric guy who loved his privacy and he needed her to get groceries or something…though if he loved his privacy why would he need her? And the way everything was online shopping nowadays a guy could live a completely shut in life and be comfortable doing it.
Even despite this sort of knowledge in her face she still walked up the pathway and onto an almost dilapidated porch to the door and run the bell…it sounded sick as well. She felt her heart beat pick up again and not from the exhaustion she was feeling from the walking up here but nerves.
“One moment.” She heard someone shout from inside and then the door opened on its own accord she was expecting to see the guy standing there or some attendant—but no one.
“Uh…”
“Come inside, make yourself at home.” he sounded pleasant but his voice wasn’t coming from a speaker.
She looked around feeling her skin prickle with some unknown feeling of fear. It was like some sort of creature was watching her from the shadows ready to pounce on her when she turned her back. The house was dark some lighting seemed to be on a timer and Joyce noticed that there was a thick layer of dust on everything. The door closed behind her as she jumped forward her mind was on high alert for such a benign looking space.
“Uh I wish I could show you around but the Doctors orders are for me to stay in bed for a while…I hope you don’t mind looking around for yourself?”
“Oh uh no…”
From where she was standing she could see a set of stairs going up—dark and spooky looking in this dim light. A living room to her left and another small hall past the stairs a small hall table held pictures and she was drawn to them. Walking over she picked one up it looked like a happy family. A mother, father, and two young boys were smiling back at her. It made her homesick and she quickly sat the frame down—she had the overwhelming feeling of being an intruder.
“That’s my family—oh I’m so rude. I’m Brent Driscoll. My mother Charlotte and father Rod both deceased now. So it’s just me...”
How was his voice traveling through the house like this—there was no signs of speakers in the house…it was like he was everywhere at once, or like he was in the room with her.
“I’m Joyce Mayhall.”
“I will let you get settled…oh! Washroom is upstairs right off the landing, and you are welcome to pick any room to that will suit you. The closets have clothes in them, they might be a little big but I’m sure you want to change.” she felt her face darken…he was commenting on her filthy appearance.
For a sick guy he sure didn’t sound like he was sick at all…she nodded as if he could see her and with the creepy feeling headed right up to the stairs and to the bathroom. She hoped to god he couldn’t see her in there.
She was in heaven! Crisp fabric softener smelling towels, a clean bathroom, running water and a toilet! She stripped her clothes and jumped in thrilled again when she saw a menagerie of different soaps and hair products. She took a long hot shower, and left feeling like the weight of the world was off her shoulders.
Wrapped in a fluffy towel she saw her reflection in the mirror—she looked so much better—a confidence booster as well she smiled for the first time in a long time. She felt whole again. Her long stringy hair bounced back with loose curls her bangs still in her eyes she brushed them to the side. Her cheeks were still hollow from sporadic meals some days not even having a bite to eat.
The thought of food made her stomach rumble and she went to walkout of the bathroom and then felt her cheeks go red. It was like he could see her before—what was going to keep him from peeping while she went to a room—and where was his room? From what she could see the parts of the house she could see it was very tiny looking on the inside but looks huge outside…
Rushing out of the bathroom with a bundle of clothes in her hands and her shoes she dove into the first room she could find. Flicking the light switch with her elbow she saw a king sized bed—a huge desk and a large picture window there was a seat built in and then built in book shelves that dominated the wall the window was on… floor to ceiling.
She had found her bedroom…wait. This still sounded too good to be true her host—Brent had not told her about this arrangement she hadn’t signed anything binding either…
“You know I am surprised you stayed this long…” the large voice boomed again. She screamed dropped her filthy clothing and clutched the towel to her.
“Ah—Sorry.” He apologized and dropped his voice to a low roar.
“C—can you see in here?” she tried to keep the alarmed tone out of her voice but it wasn’t working. He must have cameras!
“N—no! I just heard the water stop…I’m so sorry—when you get settled well talk—just go to the parlor when you’re done. I know you must be hungry and tired so I promise I won’t keep you long.”
She could visualize the guy waving his arms and blushing profusely but that was just her own mental image—she was intrigued and now slightly in fear of her wellbeing…he didn’t seem like a bad guy just incredibly awkward. She waited for him to say anything else but his loud rumbling voice never came. Joyce breathed a sigh of relief and flicked her free hand through her hair and realized she was trembling—the other hand had a white knuckle grip on her towel.
Dropping her clothes in the corner she went towards the set of drawers and started to go through them her cheeks heated up as if she was doing something wrong or the fact she realized she now had no undergarments.
Opening the drawers she found socks, undershirts, and men’s boxers. Oh god was she in his room? It would be dumb of her to think that he would have women’s clothing right? She would have to accept it for now and go to the store as soon as she had some money from this arrangement.
This was no worse than practically living in the garage when Becky took her in right? Yes this was a lot better she didn’t live in a garage for Pete’s sake and she wasn’t homeless either. She spied the closet grabbed a few of the items and went inside. She didn’t think he was a peeping tom but she was not going to take the chance either.
The closet was huge—a walk in with tons of men’s clothes…well at least there was a variety. Maybe he was expecting a man as a roommate? She decided to just wear a pair of draw string shorts over her boxers and grabbed some forgotten rock tee in the back of the closet and presented herself. Fingering her hair again she managed the soppy locks and took her towels back to the bathroom. Leaving the soiled clothes for later in her room, she needed to ask him where the laundry room was.
Walking down the steps barefoot she felt like he was going to suddenly appear again and she went to the right off the stairs and found a modest kitchen, through the dining room, and thank god the washroom. Opening the fridge her stomach growled again wincing at the pain it caused her she spied the contents. Expecting to find expired milk and some rotten lunch meat she found she was wonderfully surprised.
Everything imaginable was in there…she didn’t know where to start. After some mental breakdowns of joy she settled on a sandwich she didn’t want to overload her stomach and then barf all over the place she had to prove to this guy she was not some worthless homeless girl who needed a place to crash. She—she didn’t want to be that kind of person anymore.
Joyce ate quickly and then put her plate in the sink to take care of later. Walking over to the parlor—or the living room she flicked the switch on and took a seat on the sofa. Cleared her throat and spoke up. “Brent?”
“Ah there you are well I hope everything is to your liking.” He beamed.
Joy looked around the room and again there was no one—she was hallucinating wasn’t she? She rubbed the back of her neck and studied the space harder was she losing her mind there was a disembodied human voice in the room with her loud and startling but no physical body or speaker to represent it.
“I have to be losing my mind…” she spoke out loud she might as well own this insanity thing.
“What?”
“I’m in a haunted house or tripping on something too diabolical that I am having a lucid conversation with a ghost…or invisible man.”
“I know it seems strange now but—well let’s not worry about that right now shall we?”
Who says shall we anymore? She rubbed her face she knew that sandwich was not a hallucination that had been all too real.
“Well can I ask a few questions?”
“Sure—“
“Not that I am not grateful for this hospitality and all but…”
“You are interested in the money…right?” he sounded annoyed.
“Hey now—don’t put words in my mouth…money is great and all but I noticed something—or somethings…”
“Which are?”
“Well the house—it seems rather small compared to what I saw outside…”
“Ah well, the house has been in the family for a long time—and with it just being me now some of it has fallen to disrepair and it’s not safe for human occupation at the moment. It’s in the process of some renovations.”
“Oh—“
“Don’t be shy—you said somethings…”
“Well that explains the unlived in feel and the lived in feel I got from here…”
“I have been ill recently can’t keep up with the dust bunnies and all.”
“I’m sorry to hear that you are ill…is there anything I can do?”
“Well no not right now all I need is rest.”
“Was there someone here before me—the bedroom I was in had a lot of recent clothes in it…”
“You found Joel’s room…” he sounded distant.
“Joel?”
“My brother—deceased…a few weeks ago I’m afraid.”
“Oh my god…”
“No—its ok he was sick too, we were taking care of one another for a long time—he was the reason there was an ad in the paper, he said when he died he didn’t want me to be alone…I had our physician Vincent pull it after the first visitor—seems like I missed one.”
Not only was she free loading off this sick man who had lost his family but she was now a burden! She was stunned silent eyes wide Joyce slapped her hands over her face and leaned back in the couch—“I feel like such an idiot.” She muffled the cry.
“Oh come on don’t be like that!” he cried out causing a tremor to go through the house. She yelped sitting up and looked around wildly his voice had caused the house to—shake? “Sorry.” He whispered.
She felt suddenly sick to her stomach she was wearing his dead brother’s clothes… “M—maybe I should leave—god this is horrible. I had no idea—I should have known this wasn’t real.”
“I—I won’t keep you against your will—but maybe Joel was right I needed someone to talk to—needed a roommate…I’m willing to give it a try if you are.”
She paled—she looked like a ghost herself she was starting at the ceiling for some reason while she answered him. “ You might not want me to stay—since I’m damaged goods…”
He chuckled. “You might not want to stay after you meet me…”
“Wha—what does that mean?”
“Might as well get it over with…take the hall by the stairs at the end there is a door go through it, it’s where I am.”
“Wh—where you are?”
“Yes. If you decided to stay after that then I will make sure you have a comfortable life here money and all.”
She sighed leaning forward to place her elbows on her knees. “Look I know what you might be thinking—since I’m…homeless and all—but I didn’t respond to the ad just for money.”
“Then why did you?” the voice sounded shocked.
“I don’t know really it was like a little ray of hope…I found it in a gutter and it felt like I needed to come here.”
“So—divine intervention huh? Sorry if I offend but I don’t believe in that sort of thing…why he did this to me and why he would take my family away the only one who really would accept me for what I was.”
“I call it fate take it how you like—“ she smirked.
“Alright so will fate take you to the door you came in with or through one you have never been through?”