Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 34206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
The principal held his hands up. “You see, they’re not famous for being the houses that they are. Beautiful though they are, it is what they do to the people inside them.”
“What do they do?” He didn’t have time for riddles or crap. He wanted to get home and spend time with Teal. He thought seeing her every day at school would be more than fine, but it would appear he also wanted to be able to touch her, to kiss her. This was real torture.
“The houses have a special gift for bringing couples together.”
Jaxson couldn’t help it, he burst out laughing. “I’m sorry. I thought you were being serious.”
“I am,” the principal said. “Quite serious. This has been going on for decades. Whenever neighbors enter those houses, weeks, months, even a few years, but the years part is kind of, I don’t think it has taken that long, they always end up a couple. Married. In love.”
“I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Look into it,” the principal said. “I have seen a lot of magic happen. Quite a few of the town has.”
“I don’t believe in that kind of thing.”
“Some people believe the houses are cursed. Others believe in magic. Some believe it is all a load of bullshit.” The principal laughed as he went bright red. He held his hands up. “Anyway, enough from me. I’ve spooked you enough. Good to have you on board.”
Jaxson watched him leave, and as he did, he didn’t like the feeling in his gut. What the hell had just happened?
He and the principal had barely spoken. The interview had been short and sweet, even the tour of the school had been uneventful.
Shaking his head, he took a deep breath and then looked back at his desk. He tried to read through the assignments, but nothing was registering in his head. Hitchcock’s words reverberated around his mind.
In the end, he packed away his work, closed up his briefcase, and made his way out toward his car. The rain had stopped, but he wasn’t taking any chances. Once inside his car, he checked his cell phone to find that Teal was already home.
He wanted to see her. What Hitchcock had told him had shaken him.
After turning over his ignition, he pulled out of the school and drove toward his home.
He didn’t pay attention to the surrounding area. Didn’t care for it. He knew there was a park and field not too far from where he lived, but again, he didn’t care for it.
Jaxson pulled into his small driveway and climbed out of the car. As he did so, he noticed someone leaning against the hood of a car. He looked vaguely familiar.
Go talk to him.
After slamming his door closed, Jaxson made his way over to the strange man who merely watched the houses. Was it a burglar?
“Who are you?” Jaxson asked.
“Oh, hi, sorry, I’m Hector Carter. I lived in that house before.”
Jaxson realized that was why he recognized him. “Is there something wrong?”
“No, nothing wrong, just trying to get an update.”
“An update on a house you sold?” Jaxson asked. “Do I need to call the cops?”
Hector held his hands up and shook his head. “Whoa, no, hell, no. You don’t need to do that. Surely, you’ve heard all the rumors and stuff. You’ve lived in the house a few months.”
Jaxson stared at him, again with the whole houses thing.
Hector groaned. “Has no one told you?”
“Why don’t you tell me what I’m supposed to be looking for, and I’ll tell you if that’s what I’ve seen or not.” Jaxson didn’t have a clue what was going on with everyone today. Why were people suddenly interested in his home?
Hector ran his fingers through his hair. “Okay, can I ask you something?”
“If it’s an explanation as to why you’re stalking a young woman who lives next door to me, then yeah.”
“There it is. That spark.” Hector looked so excited. “I can’t wait to tell Elizabeth and my wife, but she doesn’t think I should meddle.”
Jaxson rubbed at his temple. “What … spark?”
“You’re feeling it, right? For the daughter?”
He clenched his jaw.
“You don’t have to say anything. But I get it, so get it, and there are guys before you, and women before … the woman, you’ve got to follow that shit, okay. You’ve got to follow your heart. It’s all true. The houses and stuff. You will find your true love there. Your soul mate. Your reason for fucking breathing. This is all real. Trust me, as a guy who has been through it, and heard all the stories from a woman who has seen it all. I mean, there have been hitmen, bikers, deputies, I think there has even been a band, but I don’t know. There has been a lot of good that has come from these houses, and I just needed to check that everything is going according to plan.”