Eclipsed

Prologue

    Gravel crunched under the tires of the old Chevy truck as it pulled to the shoulder of the road. Dirt and dust covered the vehicle in a thin, tan film, which blew up in a cloud when the door slammed shut. A man walked up the road and to the driveway, standing by the rusted metal mailbox. His eyes grazed over the scene before him, shifting his weight as he analysed his surroundings.

    Before him stood a grand stone house, at least four stories high. Ivy grew in bushes, and climbed over the walls and windows, twining along the shell like tentacles. The wooden front porch with steps leading to the door creaked at any change of wind and shuddered at any pressure. A rusted metal knocker ornate the door, which was peeling, plain wood shown underneath a blood red paint. next to the frame of the door, brass numbers hung loose on nails. 

    Jackson Scott peered down to the crumpled paper in his hand, the paper containing all the information on his next case; the Browns. Scrawled in almost illegible handwriting read the address; 326 Jenara Ohio. Population, 221. Jackson confirmed these numbers with those by the door, then shoved the paper into his back pocket. Looking around the barren landscape, Jackson took a breath and headed to the stairs. Just as he had progressed towards the first step, a black figure erupted from the bushes, startling Jackson back a few steps. When he looked up to the source of his fright, he spotted a petite cat perched on the porch railing, cleaning its paws quite meticulously. Jackson shook his head and let out a breathy laugh as he made his way up the rest of the stairs, patting the felines head on the way up. Breathing in sharply through his nose, Jackson steeled himself and grasped the knocker and rapped it sharply twice. The man stepped back, waiting. Jackson fiddled with his watch, checking and re-checking the time. Finally, the door swung open, and a small girl poked her head out the door. She grinned a gap toothed smile and squealed, running back inside. Jackson, his mouth still agape to ask the girl if her mother was home, stepped back and waited, again. He listened as the soft footsteps turned into a pair coming towards the door, then a trio. The door opened again, this time the willowy figure of a woman filling it. She looked rather ragged and exhausted, but was still very beautiful. The woman smiled tentatively, and gestured to Jackson.

    "You must be Mr. Scott," she said, her voice husky as if from crying, "Please, please, come in. There is much we have to discuss." The woman ushered Jackson in, closing the door behind him. Jackson looked over his shoulder as the last light of day was cut off by the heavy wooden door.