Jinan, July 2000
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"Shit, How funny life is? I'am back to this town!"
Yes, it was about 3 years ago when she said never come back to this town, but now here she is, Ellie Tan who is 28 years old and 169 cm tall, has pale skin with a long black hair, standing in front of an old house with all her luggage, dead tired after a seven-hour drive from Beijing. The house looks nothing like what she imagined when she rented it over the phone after found it on a newspaper and also the paint was kinda peeling from the outside.
"He totally scammed me!, and where is he? He should be here by now. I'm so tired, and I'm about to turn into a fried egg if he doesn't show up soon!" While flipping her long black hair over her shoulder.
Besides her complaining, suddenly she heard an old man's voice coming closer behind her back
"Oh, you must be Ellie. Sorry, are you waiting too long? I hope I didn't turn you into a fried egg," he joked with a awkward smile
She turned around.
"Jamie? Yeah, I'm Ellie. The one you spoke to last week about a house" Ellie smirked,
"Damn, I thought he wasn't here yet."
"I was just messing around. Can we look at the house now? " she said, trying to shift the conversation and breaking off the awkwardness.
"Yes, let me help you to take a look of a house," Jamie replied.
They going in and the moment she stepped in, everything changed. It was surprised her because by the outside the house looked old and kind of creepy, but inside… it actually felt warm. Cozy, even. The furniture was a bit outdated, but everything was clean and well-kept—like someone really cared about the place.
Jamie helped Ellie look around the house and showed her the kitchen, the living room, and also the last room that might be for here which is her room.
"And this one it's gonna be your room." Jamie said, pushing open a door.
The room was nice. Spacious. A double bed sat neatly against the wall, a desk by the window, and a comfy-looking couch in the corner next to a shelf stacked with books. The soft lighting and wooden floor made it feel surprisingly inviting.
She turned to Jamie, raising an eyebrow.
"Wait—my room? I saw another bedroom in this house. Why'd you say this one's mine? I'm just a little confused… is someone else living here too?" Ellie asked,
"Yeah, this is your room. The other one's already rented out to another girl," Jamie replied casually. "But don't worry, it's just the two of you in the house."
"What? I know he scammed me" , Ellie thought
"I think there's been a misunderstanding," she said, trying to stay calm. "I thought I was renting the whole house."
"Really?" Jamie blinked.
"Yeah. I saw the ad in the newspaper. It looked like the whole house was up for rent—not just a room." Ellie replied.
"Oh—yeah, that might've been my mistake. Actually I'am only renting out rooms, and there's other girl already took other one just next to your room, I can't just kick her out," he said with a shrug.
"This old man is seriously testing my patience," Ellie thought
"So… do you still want the room?" Jamie asked, watching her expression.
"Do I even have a choice?" Ellie muttered under her breath.
"I'm already here. I don't want staying with my parents, and it's also hard to find another place on such short notice."
She sighed.
"Yeah, I'll stay. And about a price? I think it should be lower, right? Since I'm only renting a room not a house" with her stiff smile
"Yes, don't worry about that. Alright, I'll let you get comfortable. And I think the other girl isn't home yet—you'll probably meet her later," Jamie said before leave.
Now she's alone, Ellie looked around the house again before heading into the living room last, drawn to the soft lighting and the peace. She flopped onto the couch and turned on the AC beneath her, letting the cool air soothe her nerves and trying to relax a little bit after all this situation.
"Should I try to find another place?" she wondered.
But she didn't have time to think long—soon until she drifted off to sleep.
Hours passed. The sun dipped below the horizon, and the house fell into silence.
And suddenly there a sound
Creakkkkkkkkkk...….
The front door opened.
Ellie blinked awake.
BAMMMMMMMM
It slammed shut.
"Who's there?" she called out, her voice sounds a little bit rough from sleep.
"Are you a new tenant?" Another voice that came from the shadows—calm, distant.
Ellie sat up, rubbing her eyes. her gaze drifting toward the dim light lit front door and that's when she saw her