The sign for “Welcome to Burkecsville” hung crooked, faded by years of sun and neglect. My hands, clammy with nervous sweat, clutched the seatbelt. After hours of driving, this was it – my new “curse.” My dad, bless his oblivious heart, beamed at the dilapidated house across the street.

“And there’s our house!” Mr. Hernandez declared, pointing with unshakeable optimism. “Let’s go, Serena.”

I just wanted it to be a horrible nightmare. My gaze drifted to the house opposite ours, seemingly uninhabited. Then, a flicker. A movement in one of its dark windows. My breath hitched.

“What was that?” I mumbled, more to myself than to him.

“Great,” I added under my breath, my annoyance outweighing the lingering fear. “I’ve only been here a few minutes and I’m already freaking out.”