I had many ideas I wanted to explore, mostly about things I had learned with Melanie. Despite my editors protests, my next book was a compilation of horror stories for kids, with the main character named after her.

After that everything became easier. I stayed in the house, not only because I loved the place, but because I would never be comfortable with someone else living here. After all, so much of my life had happened there.

As for Melanie, she is still buried next to the house and I can see the place from my office. I look towards it from time to time, when I feel sad or depressed.

---

Just as I finished working for the day, I heard a knock on the door. I smiled to myself, and after closing my laptop, I went downstairs. I checked myself on the mirror on the way, and they I opened the door.

“Hello Natalie! How was your day?” I asked the 13 years old girl that was waiting behind the door.

She was tall and thin, all legs and arms, through her body was starting to turn into that of a woman.

When she saw me her face lit up with joy, and I took her hand, leading her into the house. We talked for a bit as we sat on the table, eating some cookies. She told me about school and her mom’s new boyfriend, how much she hated him, and how she missed her real dad.

When it got dark outside, I took her hand again and I led her upstairs, into my room. She jumped onto the bed, laughing nervously as I closed the door behind us.

“I think you are overdressed, Nattie.” I told her.

As she undressed, I opened the dresser, taking out a few toys that I wanted to show her and then I grabbed my camera. It was time to add another video to my collection.