Story Snippet! Sunnydale!

(Hiiii! As I am slowly working on multiple porjects at once, I felt like it was a good idea to share a snippet of one of the other long projects I am working on. Haunting in Sunnydale features my trans-masc German Sheppard OC Shane as he moves to a new town where things are a bit weird. This is a horror project, that I am hoping to turn into a series one day! Fingers crossed!)

(This is the first 2.1k(?) words that introduce us to Shane, his family, and one of their unsettling neighbors.)

Shane Sheppard stared out the window of his step-dad’s van, humming along to the music coming through his one earbud. His family was moving to a new city, and it only felt right to join them. Wilson, his golden retriever step-dad, had suggested a wonderful college in his old hometown that appealed to Shane’s desire to stay near them.

The idea of going to a new setting excited Shane and he was looking forward to a change in scenery. Wilson always talked about his hometown, nestled in a valley, surrounded by tall woodsy mountains. It sounded quaint, small, and almost comforting.

It was way better than his old hometown, Chicago. Too many buildings and noise. Plus, there were too many painful memories back there. His birth father and his stupid backwards ways.

The divorce was such a welcome breath of fresh air, and Shane had no desire to stay with his dad. But things were still rough. Bullying, financial struggles, and poor grades plagued him throughout his middle school life.

But things changed when his mother met his step-dad. Wilson was a handsome and kind EMT, and Kayla (Shane’s mother) was a nurse. They met one day after Wilson brought a burn victim to the hospital, and the rest was a classic love story. Shane was thrilled to have Wilson in his life. He made his mom happy, and he made Shane feel so seen and valued. He’d been a huge part of Shane’s transition into the man he knew he was.

“Dammit!”
Shane felt his little brother accidentally elbow him in the side as he lost another game on his phone. He glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and took out an earbud. Kurt was his younger brother. The perfect example of Wilson and his mom’s love for each other. He had always wanted a brother as a kid, and he was very happy with having him around now. But Jesus, he was annoying sometimes.

“Kurt!” Their mother turned to glare at him. “I know you did not just say that word!”

The Shepherd/Retriever mix’s ear flattened on his head and he gave her a guilty smile. “I didn’t say anything! It was Shane!” He pointed his finger at Shane, purposely poking him in the nose.

“Please don’t drag me into this.” Shane grumbled, then glanced at their mom, raising his eyebrow. Surely, she wouldn’t buy that.

Her eye shifted over to him, then back to Kurt. “Stop trying to start trouble, you.” She pointed at Kurt, then pointed at her eyes, indicating that she was watching him.

Kurt grumbled under his breath. “… wanna go back home.”

Shane slowly pushed the younger dog’s finger away from his nose. “Smooth.”

Kurt growled, baring his teeth at Shane as he turned back to his phone.

Kurt wasn’t very excited to move. Shane could understand that. His brother actually had friends that he didn’t want to leave.

Shane didn’t have that pleasure. He really didn’t socialize with the people from his old school except for the few he knew from band. And even then, it wasn’t all that much.

Shane turned away to look back out the window. Sunnydale would be different. He was in college now. He’d make friends. He’d go to parties. He could live it up and be himself. At least he hoped he could.

As he watched the passing mountains and trees, he realized how dark it was getting. He sat up straight and looked down at his watch. It was 12:30 PM. How was it this dark outside?

“Ey, Wilson? Where’d all the light go?”

“Huh?” His step-dad looked at him in the rearview mirror.

“The sun. There’s barely any light outside.”

“Oh!” Wilson grinned, “It’s just how it is down here. The mountains and trees cut off most of the light to the valley. You’ll get used to it.”

Kurt groaned as his phone died and he leaned back against his seat. “It’s going to be so boring here, dad! Why couldn’t we stay in Chicago?” He whined.

Their mom turned around again. “We’ve already told you. It was too crowded, and your father kept getting sick.”

Sick was putting it mildly. Whatever health issues Wilson had been experiencing were bad enough to break his calm and pleasant demeanor. He’d hide himself away for days, till he was able to work again.

Shane always figured it was allergies or the city air getting to him. It was a bit odd how often it happened, but it wasn’t Shane’s job to medically analyze Wilson. He wasn’t a doctor.

Kurt grumbled next to him. “That’s not fair.”

Wilson let out a nervous chuckle. “Good to know where your priorities are at kiddo.” He teased his son, as his gaze shifted to glance at Shane in the rearview. “How do you feel, bud?”

“Good!” Shane gave Wilson a confident smile. “The college looks really promising.” Shane had looked at the college’s website so many times. He was excited to get on track to pursue a degree in film-making.

Wilson narrowed his eyes. “And what about the social part of going to college?”

Ah. Fuck. Wilson had him there. He gritted his teeth. “I’m sure I’ll be fine. You made friends while you lived here. I’m sure I will too.”

“Mhm…” Wilson didn’t sound convinced.

And Shane wasn’t convinced either. He wasn’t a very social person, but it wasn’t entirely his fault. His style and tastes were more alternative than others he had encountered. Not that he felt like it was uncommon or weird. He just had a hard time assigning himself to certain labels and niches. He had a weird sense of style and a quiet personality. He liked dressing in dark colors and coloring the fur on his head. He had several piercings. In fact, people used to make fun of him for looking like a vampire.

He really hoped that this college would bring him in contact with people just like him.

From the way Wilson always talked about his hometown, Shane felt good about his chances. There seemed to be a lot of colorful personalities there, Shane couldn’t wait to get out there and explore the town for himself.

Kayla cheered and pointed out into the night, towards a small sign that marked the city limits. “Look! Welcome to Sunnydale!” She grinned back at them.

Kurt groaned again, louder this time.

Shane ignored him as he looked out the front windshield as the dim lights of the town came into focus. His tail started to wag. Oh wow! This was it!

Buildings started to slowly move past the window as they drove into the town.

Shane excitedly moved to look out the window as he looked out at the town.

The dim light made everything a touch eerie, which didn’t bother Shane all that much. Some of the passerby on the sidewalk turned to watch them drive by.
Some of them gave him a friendly wave, but others watched with stone cold stares. Shane shivered, feeling himself become unable to turn away from them.

Kurt suddenly perked up and looked out of his own window. “Oh! Donuts!”

Shane glanced over to Kurt’s window and tilted his head as he saw the bright neon sign. “Scream-Filled Donuts?” He read aloud.

“Oh! That looks so cool!” Kurt started bouncing in his seat. “Dude! Mom, Dad! We need to go there! Can we go please?”

Shane looked past Kurt, as Wilson opened his own window to look out at the shop. A peppy, muffled pop song could be heard blasting from inside, accompanied by some flashing purple lights.

“Hm… That place looks new.” Wilson turned to look his wife, raising his brow.

Shane watched as his mother slightly shook her head.

Wilson nodded and cleared his throat. “Maybe later, boys, okay?”

“Awwwww! Come on!” Kurt crossed his arms and sat back in his seat.

Their mom turned, offering an apologetic smile. “We’ve got to get to the new house and unpack.”

Shane pursed his lips and took one last look at the donut shop. That place looked fun. He’d have to try going there soon.

After a few minutes, they pulled into the driveway of their new home. It was a two story tall house, that was reminiscent of haunted houses that you would see in any old seventies cartoons.

Shane loved it. The energy of the house felt so alive and full of potential. It was a shame he wouldn’t be spending too much time here.

Though, he had two weeks until the semester started. He could easily make the most of it.

As Wilson put the van in park, Kurt and Shane piled out of the backseat.

Shane stretched his arms over his head and grunted, then he put his paws on his hips. “I like this house. It’s nice.”

“Apparently the house is over two hundred years old.” Kayla said with a smile as she opened the trunk.

“Two hundred and thirty two, dear.” Wilson grinned as he grabbed a box from the trunk.

“I said over!”
Wilson laughed and looked to the boys. “C’mon kiddos! Let’s get these boxes inside.”

Kurt raised an eyebrow as he stared up at it. “Are we sure no one was murdered in this house?”

Wilson let out an awkward laugh.

Shane laughed along. “Oh, Kurt. We need to stop letting you watch true crime shows.” He ruffled the fur on his brother’s head.

Kurt pushed him off. “Stoooop!”

Shane giggled, putting his paws in his pockets as he went to get a box from Wilson.

Wilson grinned at him and placed a box marked “Kitchen” in Shane’s arms. Then he grabbed another box, and headed toward the house.

As Shane walked toward the house, he felt a cold chill wash over his body and he froze. His eyes trailed over to the house next door.

“Well, hey there!” A friendly voice called out to them.

Shane saw a German Sheppard sitting on his porch with a mug of coffee in his paws. He rocked slowly in a rocking chair, that Shane could swear he heard creaking despite the distance. His smile was warm, but his eyes scoured the four of them with great interest.

Wilson turned to house, also seeming a bit caught off guard. “Oh! Hello there.” He tilted his head. “I’m sorry. Who are you?”

The German Sheppard grunted as he stood and walked to the edge of his porch. “Oh! I’m Diego.”

Wilson’s guarded frown slowly disappeared, though he still looked nervous. “Oh! What happened to the Wilcox family?”

Diego frowns, tilting his head. “The Wilcox family?” He leaned over the railing of his porch and bit his lip. “Huh… I don’t know that name.”

Wilson’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean? They’re the ones who lived in that house, last time I checked.”

“I’m so sorry, son.” Diego sighed. “I’ve been living in this house for nine… ten years now. I never got the chance to meet the family who lived here before I did.”

Shane could see Wilson’s shoulders tense up. Clearly, the Wilcox family very important to him.

“Okay… Diego, what was it?”

“Aye. Diego Ahriman.” The sheppard looked between the four of them. “And who are you fine folks?”

“Wilson Sheppard…” Wilson seemed distracted. He gestured behind him towards Shane and Kurt. “This is my family.”

Diego gave them a lazy salute. “Well, welcome to the neighborhood!” He stood up straight and stretched, “Well, I figured I’d just say hello and introduce myself. Ain’t so often I see whole families on this street.”

Once again, Diego seemed to study each of them with his eyes. Shane could have been imagining it, but when Diego locked eyes with him, he could have sworn he saw the older canine’s nostrils flare.

“Thank you…” Wilson turned to Shane and Kurt. “Come on boys, lets get inside.”

Shane was all too eager to turn away from their new neighbor. Something about him rubbed him the wrong way. Even though he seemed nice enough, something just felt… off. He couldn’t put his finger on it.

He tried to shake off the feeling as best he could. After all, he was in a new place.

He followed Wilson to the front door.

He could really change his life around, for the better, here.

But as he climbed the porch steps, he couldn’t help but glance over to Diego’s porch again. The canine was watching them, a grin on his face.

And once again, Shane felt a chill run up his spine.

(Let me know what you think! :D)