It had been only a day after moving into the cottage that I was at Collinwood and Carolyn asked me how I liked it. I told her it’s fine, just what I need, private and away from other people. She asked what I had against other people? When I answered, “Nothing,” she said I just didn’t want to have anything to do with them. I told her I’m not as antisocial as she was making me sound.
She giggled and said I had to admit I was a bit on the withdrawn side. I admitted as much and she asked why. I told her I just seem to function better, that I seem to solve my problems better when I’m alone. She asked if my problems so different from other people. (If she only knew.) I told her I thought we were just going to have a little drink to celebrate me moving into the cottage.
She apologized for being too inquisitive again and raised her glass to my new life in the cottage. My… new… life. I raised my glass, then told her that I wouldn’t be seeing her for a few days. She didn’t understand, so I told her I was leaving later today and going away for a while. She asked if it was something that came up suddenly. I told her I was sorry. She said she was, too; she had planned a day for us Sunday’ She was going to surprise me. I suggested we make it the following Sunday or during the week.
Then Amy entered the room. I asked how she was doing and she replied that she was much better than yesterday. I kissed the top of her head as she asked if we’d be seeing a lot more of each other now. I told her I sure hoped so and that we could thank Carolyn for that. Carolyn commented that she shouldn’t be thanked for something that’s her pleasure.
Suddenly Amy opened her eyes wide and stared at Carolyn, who asked if she said something wrong.? Amy asked her if she was going away. She replied, “Of course not” and asked why she asked that. Amy said it was because of the star on her face. She had seen it on only one other person and that was her cousin Joe. She said now he was gone away, and she hoped it didn’t mean she would go away, too.
A feeling of dread hit me in my stomach. Carolyn looked in the mirror and asked Amy if she was making some sort of joke, that she didn’t see anything on her face. Amy insisted it was there, just like it was on Joe’s face. She asked me if I saw anything. I said, “no” and Carolyn asked if neither one of us saw anything, why did she? Amy said she don’t know and apologized for upsetting her. Carolyn said she wasn’t upset; just baffled. She told her she must have ESP or something and Amy asked if that was bad. Carolyn said, “Of course not” and told her to run along and play.
After she left, Carolyn said she realized children are supposed to have vivid imaginations, but… I interrupted her, asking to be excused because I had to leave. When she asked why, I replied that I stayed later than I thought and should be on my way before dark. She thought I was upset about her and asked if it was what Amy said. I didn’t exactly lie, but I dodged the question by saying I just had to go, that I had things to do. She asked when she would see me again and I told her a few days and that I would call her when I got back. I rushed out.
When I returned to the cottage, I sat by the fireplace for a few minutes thinking about what to do, growing more and more restless. I decided to pack a suitcase but couldn’t stay focused. I stared out the window a while, then the phone rang. I almost answered, but didn’t, returning to my suitcase. Finally, it stopped ringing. I looked out the window again and my body suddenly contorted. I stumbled. I grabbed my bag and headed for the front door but saw Maggie peering inside. She asked to be let in because she had something to tell me about Amy.
I reluctantly opened the door and she asked if I was all right. I told her I must have fallen asleep. She explained that Amy was not feeling well and would like to see me. I couldn’t go to Collinwood now! I told Maggie I was just getting ready to leave and motioned toward my suitcase. She then told me that Amy had fainted. Fainted?!?
Maggie asked me to please come up to Collinwood and see her for a few minutes. My reaction must have been troubling because she asked me what was the matter. I told her she had to go back to Collinwood… now. She asked what she was going to tell Amy. I lied and told her I would be there in a few minutes.
She left and I stared into the mirror. It was too late to go anywhere of my own free will. I looked out the window at the full moon and began writhing in pain. That’s the last clear memory I had before I transformed and began tearing the place apart. As if I was dreaming, I vaguely recall running through the woods, my brother’s tombstone, and Carolyn’s sweet voice asking, “Chris, is that you?”
Classic Horrors Club 
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