Eerie Eden

By Luna Elizabeth

Eumelia Harper is new to the town of Eden, but she's quick to find friends in Morgan, Annie, and Moira. The four of them discover something strange that they have in common: they're all having dreams about a woman that calls herself Eden. The dreams are more comforting than the lives they live, and Eden begins to tempt them to stay. But when people they dream about die in the dreams, they end up dead in real life, and the girls fear what Eden might do to make them stay...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Luna Elizabeth
• Release date: Jan 10, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215168769

Luna Elizabeth

Writing was one of my favorite things to do when I was a little thing, and I thought up lots of short horror stories. This went on for years, eventually turning into long stories that went from horror to murder mysteries to fantasy that I shared on the internet until eventually I started self-publishing them.Spooky things are my thing

Book preview

Eerie Eden

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Published by Luna Elizabeth

Copyright 2023 Luna Elizabeth

To following dreams and fighting nightmares

And to finding those tiny pieces of happiness

This story contains scenes of abuse, self harm, and suicide, and descriptions of suicidal thoughts, violence, and gore. Be careful reading on.

One

The Precious Heart

The little house stood alone. It was painted a light shade of sky blue that was chipped and dirty, mostly near the bottom. It was only a little away from the dirt road where all the other houses were, very near to the vast forest behind it. The white fence that surrounded the house had chipped paint and some of the pieces were missing, leaving sharp wooden tips sticking up. Behind the house, there was a stepping stone path that led straight into pitch darkness; those tall, thin trees and their green leaves blocking out the sunlight on the path that led into the forest, making it look like creepy things were hidden within.

There was a tall, thick tree standing only a little away from the blue house, with a moldy old rope tied tightly around one of its branches, a dirty wooden swing swaying slowly in the breeze, creaking. It seemed that a child once lived in this house, but the swing was so old it was probably a very long time ago.

Eumelia Harper frowned at the abandoned blue house so near to the dark forest, looking so sad and lonely.

How do you like your new home? Her mother sounded a little breathless beside her, holding one of her hands to her chest, her next breaths coming out in wheezy little gasps.

New home. That’s what they were calling this sad, abandoned little place. Eumelia wanted to cry.

But she swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked her eyes, forcing a smile as she looked at mom. I like it, she hated lying, but she would do it right now. She didn’t want to make her sad.

Mom smiled back at her. We are going to fix up that fence, and then plant so many flowers out here. I can’t wait to hang my chimes and put my decorations out.

Eumelia’s smile turned into a real one then. They would manage to make this sad place pretty. She shouldn’t hate it, because it wouldn’t stay like this. They would make it into a real home in time. Mom would never let it stay this way.

Hey, Danielle? Dad’s voice called from behind them. He was taking boxes out of the car and setting them in the grass. Was this everything?

Coming, mom called back. Hey, have a look inside. She reached into the pocket of her long, thick white sweater, handing Eumelia a key. Keep the door open for us.

Okay, Eumelia took the key.

Taking a deep breath, Eumelia went to the house. Her hand was shaking a little as she tried to get the key into the lock. She missed a few times, poking the door with the tip of the key and chipping a little of the white paint off.

"Oops," she breathed. When she finally got it in, she turned, and pushed the door open. It creaked loudly as it slowly opened, groaning as if it were some animal in pain.

Eumelia looked at the inside from where she stood in the doorway: a big, empty room. There were white curtains hanging in front of all the windows, the bottom of one of them flowing a little in a breeze. It must be open a little.

Eumelia went inside, the wooden floor creaking a little under each step she took. The walls were painted white, and looked very clean. She looked to the right side, where there was an opening in the wall that led into the small kitchen.

Eumelia walked to the other end of the room, where there was a very short hallway. There were two doors on each side, and another door at the very end. The one at the end was open, and she saw it was the bathroom.

She opened the door to the left side. An empty room with light green walls. She tried the door on the right side, and it was exactly like the other room, only smaller. The walls in here were freshly painted a light shade of blue. This would be her new room, because it was smaller, and she didn’t have much stuff, anyway.

Eumelia went inside, looking around. Dad had said that every room had been freshly painted, and she did really like the light blue walls. Blue was her favorite color.

The bottom of the white curtain was fluttering a little in here, too. She went over there and opened the curtain, letting the sunlight shine in. She was about to fully close the window, but it wasn’t open even a crack. Standing here, she couldn’t feel a breeze from the outside, either. She frowned, wondering what was making the curtain move like that. A draft, maybe?

She could hear dad’s voice outside saying the moving truck was coming down the road with the rest of their stuff.

Eumelia went back outside to help carry the boxes in. The light ones that she could carry, anyway. Dad and the movers brought in all the heavy furniture: the couch, kitchen table and chairs, and their mattresses. When everything was inside, they sorted the boxes, bringing the kitchen labeled ones to the kitchen, and Eumelia found the boxes marked Emi and took them to her room.

She set the boxes at one end of the room, and opened them. One was filled with books; mostly fantasy books, her favorite kind of stories to read. There were also books about music. The other was filled with all her sketchbooks, markers, pencils, and colored pencils.

Here it is, safe and sound, dad said, and she turned around. She grinned at him, seeing that he was holding her violin case. She went over there and carefully took it from him.

I’m going to bring in your bookshelf now, he said. Where would you like it?

Eumelia looked around the room from where she was standing. She wanted her bed to be in the center, so the bedside table would go next to it. And her dresser would go by the closet. So the bookshelf could go in the other corner.

Over there, she pointed.

Got it, dad nodded, giving a thumbs up.

Eumelia set her violin case down against the wall, and dad brought the bookshelf in, setting it in the corner.

Um, Elias? Mom called from the other room. Eumelia could tell by the sound of her voice that something was wrong. Dad could, too, when he whispered, "uh oh."

They went to the living room, where mom was frowning. She clicked a light switch on the wall. Click click. Nothing happened. The electricity isn’t working.

Dad sighed, covering his face with his hands. Damn. Add that to the list of things to do tomorrow. It was supposed to be turned on yesterday.

At least we don’t have any food that needs to be refrigerated, mom tucked a few strands of her light brown hair that came loose from her bun behind her ears. We’ll just light candles for tonight. See, and you two always make fun of me for collecting candles.

Dad nudged Eumelia’s shoulder lightly. I hope you regret making fun of your mother’s candle obsession now. She saved us.

Eumelia giggled. We are happy that you have three whole boxes dedicated only to candles.

"Two boxes, Eumelia, mom rolled her eyes, and dad chuckled. Now, let’s set up the mattresses and the kitchen table while we still have the sunlight."

Then for dinner we could check out that little diner we passed, dad said.

Mom nodded. Does that sound good, Emi?

Yep.

We need an early night, anyway, dad patted Eumelia on the shoulder. You get to check out your new school tomorrow.

Yeah, Eumelia said quietly. She wasn’t really looking forward to it, and her stomach fluttered every time she thought about it. She wasn’t ready for tomorrow to come.

Before dark, dad drove them to the diner. Eumelia watched out her window as they drove down the dirt road with all the houses, to the cobblestone road that led to a few shops and restaurants in town. There was a Pizzabro, a pizza place that had a mascot showing a slice of pizza wearing sunglasses. Creamy’s Ice Cream, which Eumelia wanted to try, because she loved ice cream, and the place they were going to, Delilah’s Diner.

"Oh, I’ll go to Goodies tomorrow," mom said, pointing to the grocery store across the street from the diner, Goodies Grocery. We need some food in our new house.

They went inside the diner and sat down at a bench by the window. Mom and dad looked at the menu. Eumelia only took a peek at hers. She wasn’t that hungry. She quickly decided she would just have a hamburger.

Hello there!

They all looked at the woman that stopped by their table. Some new faces! She smiled. Are you folks just passing through, or here to stay?

Eumelia looked at the lady for a moment. She was short, really short, and skinny. She had short black hair that reached to her chin, and bangs across her forehead. She was wearing a white apron over her white t-shirt.

Here to stay, mom smiled back at her. "My husband got a new job here. We just moved into the house at the end of WillowWood Road."

Oh, that cute little blue one? The waitress clapped her hands together. "It’s been empty forever! It’s so nice there’s a family to brighten it up again! Welcome to Eden!"

Thank you! Mom said, "um, oh! Delilah! She pointed to the woman’s name tag. This is your diner?"

Yes it is! Delilah folded her hands behind her back. Just opened it up last year.

Delilah looked at Eumelia then, and Eumelia quickly looked away, looking down at her hands on her lap. It was so awkward meeting new people, and this lady felt kinda… weird. Who is this beautiful little lady?

Our daughter, Eumelia, mom softly brushed one of her hands through Eumelia’s hair. I’m Danielle Harper, and this is my husband, Elias.

Nice to meet you, dad said.

Wonderful to meet you all! Delilah said. Eumelia could still feel Delilah’s smile even though she wasn’t looking at her. Have you folks decided what you’ll be having?

Oh, the tomato soup for the two of us, said dad. Eumelia?

Hamburger, she mumbled, hoping her voice was loud enough for them to hear her.

Coming right up! Delilah took their menus and finally walked away.

Eumelia was quiet while they ate. Mom and dad kept talking about all the things they had to do tomorrow. When they were finished, Delilah came back to their table. I hope to see you all here often!

Definitely, dad said.

For you, Eumelia, Delilah held her hand out.

Eumelia stared at Delilah’s closed hand, and then she felt mom’s hand on her back. Go ahead, Emi, she said quietly.

Eumelia held her hand out, and Delilah put something in it. It was a black crescent moon with tiny silver stars shimmering on the wrapper. There was a moon shaped chocolate underneath this pretty wrapper. "I hope you like Lune’s Moons, Delilah smiled. They’re my favorite."

Oh, she sure does! Mom chuckled. What do you say, Eumelia?

Thank you, Eumelia looked at Delilah, who nodded at her. They’re my favorite, too.

I’m so glad! Delilah patted Eumelia on the head, and Eumelia felt heat on the back of her neck. It was a little embarrassing. See you all next time!

They made it back home before sunset. Mom lit some candles for light, and started to unpack stuff in the kitchen while dad worked on the living room. After helping mom in the kitchen, Eumelia took a candle to her room and unpacked her nightgown for tonight, and clothes to wear for tomorrow: her favorite black tights, and a light blue dress that reached to her knees, with short puffy sleeves and a white bow on the collar.

She ate the piece of chocolate the lady from the diner gave her earlier, and unpacked some of her favorite books, setting them on the shelf. A creak in the doorway made her look over her shoulder. Mom stood in the darkness of the hallway. How are you feeling?

Okay, Eumelia answered, tucking her hair behind her ears.

Let’s get ready for bed, okay? We have a long day tomorrow.

Eumelia nodded.

Good night, mom said. Don’t forget to blow out your candle.

Good night, Eumelia told her.

The door creaked as mom pulled it closed, leaving it open a little. Eumelia changed into her white nightgown, tied her hair back into a braid, then lay down on the mattress on the floor.

She watched the little orange flicker of the candle, the only light in the darkness, besides the pale light from the crescent moon in the sky shining through the window. Her room was almost pitch dark by now. She hoped the electricity would be on tomorrow. This room felt so much bigger in the dark.

As she lay there watching the flickering flame, sadness weighed on her chest. She missed her old room, her old town, her old school. She hadn’t had any friends, but at least she knew everyone, and got along with her classmates. And now everything was suddenly so different, and she was scared.

She breathed heavily when the tears burned in her eyes. A creak on the floor behind her made her give a little gasp, and she looked over her shoulder. It was too dark to see anything, but she had the creeping feeling that she was being watched.

She turned her head, and gave a jolt of shock when she saw a pale face in the darkness, peeking around the doorway, big dark eyes watching her.

Eumelia gasped and drew back, but then the face was gone. She stared at the spot, breathing heavily with her hands over her heart thudding in her chest.

Her throat was sore and dry when she swallowed, but there was no way she was getting up and creeping through this dark house for a glass of water.

She pulled the blanket up to her chin, breathing shakily as she lay back down. This place was new, and the dark was scaring her, so she was just making herself scared. It was stupid.

She wanted to fall asleep quickly, to hurry and be out of this dark silence and wake up to a bright new morning.

She leaned to blow out her candle, but a draft from somewhere blew it out first, leaving her in pitch darkness.

Eumelia was walking through a forest. The trees were thin, birds sitting on the branches, chirping their little songs. The grass was green with little stepping stone paths leading different ways, the rocks were mossy, and blue anemone flowers were blooming around everywhere, her favorite flower.

She saw two little white rabbits chasing each other ahead. Everything was so pretty, and she felt so calm, and there was a warm feeling in her chest, and she couldn’t stop smiling.

She made her way over to an apple tree, sitting down underneath it. At the sudden sound of running water, she lifted her head to see a little stream suddenly right in front of her that wasn’t there just a second ago.

She listened to the water and looked at her hands, seeing that she was holding a shiny red apple. Before she could take a bite, there was a voice beside her.

"My, aren’t you just so precious?"

Eumelia turned her head. Suddenly, there was a woman was sitting next to her, her face pointed and thin and pale, and her eyes dark and black, her hair long and black and straight. She immediately made Eumelia think of a witch.

I remember when I used to dream up fairytales, the woman didn’t turn her head, but her eyes shifted to look at Eumelia, her pale lips not really smiling, but curved a little upward. Eumelia’s stomach fluttered, and she drew back a little. It was so… unsettling. But the thing about fairytales, precious heart, is that they always hide a cruelty deep within them, don’t they?

What do you mean? Eumelia asked.

They appear as pretty flowers and birdsong and happiness, something made of beautiful dreams, the woman gestured around to the forest, all of the things she listed surrounding them. "And yet, they are always filled with darkness and dread and death, aren’t they?"

Before Eumelia could think of anything to say, she felt something warm and wet on her hand, and looked down. The apple she was holding had a bite mark even though she hadn’t tasted it, and a dark red fluid was flowing out of it.

With a gasp, Eumelia tossed it, and it rolled, leaving a trail of red in the green grass. See? The woman was looking at the apple. Nothing is ever as beautiful as it seems. But don’t worry, precious heart… The woman’s eyes followed a blue butterfly that fluttered by. It landed upon one of the blue anemone flowers. Because you won’t remember that.

I don’t… I don’t understand.

It’s nice though, isn’t it? The woman’s voice was so soft again, and even though she wasn’t whispering right into Eumelia’s ear, Eumelia had the sensation that she was, and it made her shiver.

Um, yes, Eumelia agreed with her, because she wasn’t really sure what else to do.

If you could stay here forever, would you?

Eumelia almost said yes. But then she thought of mom and dad, and she would miss them too much. So, she shook her head instead. I would miss my family.

"Hmm," the woman hummed. Eumelia noticed there was a black cat suddenly sitting on the woman’s lap, its eyes such a deep blue that Eumelia felt lost in them. Had it been there just a second ago? Eumelia couldn’t remember, and her mind felt too tired to think about it.

Eumelia realized then that she was dreaming. But even though she was dreaming, she suddenly felt tired, like she was about to fall asleep. Who are you? She managed to ask the strange woman.

Eden.

Like the town, Eumelia tried to say, but her voice wouldn’t work, and her eyes were feeling too heavy to keep open. They closed, and she fell into darkness again. In that darkness, she heard the woman’s voice speaking so close to her ear that it made Eumelia’s skin tingle uncomfortably.

"Until you dream again, my little precious heart."

Two

The Troublemaker

Moira Flynn put her hand over her mouth to hide her yawn before she leaned her elbow on her desk, setting her chin in the palm of her hand, sighing softly, hearing Mr. Rourke’s voice but not really hearing what he was saying.

This kinda happened all the time. Moira tried to focus, but her mind always wandered to something else. She didn’t know what to do about it.

The teacher stopped talking when the school principal, Mr. Harrison, stopped in the doorway. Hello, everyone, he greeted the class with a wave and a smile. You’re going to have a new friend in class soon, and I’m showing her around today.

He stepped inside the classroom, still smiling, and looked at the doorway. Why don’t you introduce yourself?

Moira watched the doorway, but no one came inside. Then she saw her take a tiny step forward. It was a girl with long, pale blonde hair that reached to her elbows in little waves, wearing a blue dress. There was a skinny brown haired lady standing behind her with her hands on the girl’s shoulders, urging her into the classroom.

After taking a deep breath, the girl came into the classroom, almost tripping over one of her own feet, and stopped at Mr. Harrison’s side. Her hands were folded in front of her, and she was looking down at the floor. She was so pale, but her cheeks were flushing red right now.

Would you like to tell your new classmates your name? Mr. Harrison put his hand on the girl’s shoulder.

The girl took another deep breath, like she couldn’t get enough air. Moira kinda felt embarrassed for her. The girl stuttered her name, but Moira didn’t understand what it was. It looked like she wasn’t going to repeat it any louder, either, and always short on patience, Mr. Harrison spoke loudly.

Eumelia Harper, Mr. Harrison introduced her to the class. Won’t everyone give her a warm welcome?

Welcome, Eumelia, the class chimed, a few enthusiastic voices among the monotone ones.

"What kind of a name is that?" There was a mutter from somewhere, followed by a giggle. Moira eyed the girls seated a little away from her, two identical girls with golden blonde hair. The Hamilton twins. The fake nice one, Isabella, mumbled, such a silly name, with a roll of her eyes, and her sister, Fiona, chuckled, along with two of their other friends.

Eumelia bit down on her bottom lip as she kept staring down at the floor. She wasn’t going to survive this school, that was for sure.

We look forward to having you join us, Eumelia, said Mr. Rourke, with a tired look in the direction of the giggling girls.

I look forward to getting to know you! The girl with short red curls sitting at the front