In 1989, James transferred to the 11th grade. It was his first and last year at the new school. James was a boy hungry for knowledge. However, due to his difficult personality, he had not yet found a girl who suited him. But his parents — Lombard and Lina — had already found a girl they liked, or rather, in-laws they approved of. The girl's name was Mari, and she came from a very wealthy family. That was why James's parents liked her. Though Mari was quick and hard-working, James did not like her, for she was neither beautiful nor intelligent.
The following year, James graduated from school. Four years later, he completed university. He was offered a position as an assistant in a scientific laboratory. It was there that he first met a girl named Anna. Anna studied economics. She did not understand physics or mathematics well, but her thoughts were clear, her character independent, and her gaze sharp. Every time Anna spoke, James gave her his full attention. At first, he thought it was just ordinary interest, but as time went by, the feelings in his heart grew stronger. Eventually, they fell in love.
For the first time, James decided to follow his heart. He wanted to make a decision based not on his parents, society, or others, but on what he truly wanted. He told his parents he had fallen in love with Anna and urged them to agree to the marriage. His parents opposed it, as they still wanted Mari as their daughter-in-law. But James firmly replied, "If I marry, it will be Anna — or I won't marry at all." His parents had no choice but to agree.
One evening, in the university courtyard, James quietly looked at Anna and said, "I want to spend my life with you. I want to correct the mistakes of my past and now choose my own path. Will you marry me?" Anna showed no surprise or doubt. She nodded slowly and smiled. Her eyes shone with trust and calm love.
They married. The wedding was simple. Neither James nor Anna liked extravagance. Surrounded by close friends and mentors, they held the ceremony in a small garden. Though his parents had been against it at first, James remained steadfast in his decision. "This is my life. I will run it myself," he told his mother.
They bought an old but peaceful house on a quiet street in Dunwich and moved in with James's parents. Dunwich was not a famous place; there were few people, and the houses were cheap. For the in-laws, who longed for peace and fresh air, it was perfect.
Fifteen years passed. James and Anna had a son, whom they named Jeck. Jeck was now 15 years old. Yet even after all these years, James's parents still wished Mari could at least become a second daughter-in-law. Because of this, arguments broke out in the house almost daily. If Anna made the slightest mistake, they would tell James, "See? The girl you chose is useless; Mari would have been better."
One rainy, stormy evening, as usual, an argument erupted. Lomard went outside to bring in some tools left in the yard. It was around eight o'clock. He went down to the basement.
Less than a minute later, a scream rang out from below. Everyone rushed down, but strangely, there was no sign of Lomard — alive or dead. Since everyone else had been together at the time, none of them could have done it. They searched for him for a long time but found no trace.
Life in the house changed. Every evening at eight, strange things happened: bloody words appeared on the walls reading, "You killed me." It felt as if someone was watching them. Fear gripped them, and they stayed together, but the fear never left.
Questions arose: — Why were such words appearing on the walls when they had all been in the kitchen? — Where had the body gone that night? — Who was doing this?
Three months passed. James and his family could not forget Lomard. They even began to suspect each other. James's mother believed Anna was responsible, while Anna blamed jealous relatives. James accused the neighbors.
Six months later, James's mother died in her sleep. They left her body in the house and went outside to call for help. No one stayed inside because they were too afraid. When they returned, the body was gone. Even the police could not find it.
That night, more bloody words appeared on the walls. When you tried to sleep, someone would whisper in your ear, "You will die soon."
One rainy, windy day, Anna disappeared. James and his children searched for her in the basement. Finally, they found Anna hanging. They buried her. Now, the walls bore the words, "What did we tell you?" This phrase was repeated over and over at night.
The next day, James found a wet letter in the yard. It read:
"Dear family, I know I am no longer with you because I took my own life. I was deeply troubled, and I troubled you as well. You may not understand, but the writings on the walls, the suffocating feelings — they were all because of me. Yes, I — foolish Anna — killed our father and mother. You may say Lombard was with us that night, but I had hired someone to kill him. The body was taken to a secret room in the basement. The entrance to the room can be found by pressing a unique item down there. As for Mother, I poisoned her medicine. The same man hid her body. The spirits will not leave us in peace until the bodies are buried. So, if you wish to live in peace again, find the bodies and lay them to rest. Farewell, from foolish Anna."
James read the letter, his heart filled with both anger and pity. He showed it to his son. Together, they found the secret room in the basement. Indeed, there was a device there. When they pressed it, a wall opened, revealing two bodies — James's parents. They took the bodies out and buried them.
From then on, the house became peaceful. They married off their son Jeck. But their hearts had grown cold toward the house where so much had happened, so they moved to a new home.
And so, our story ends