Justin Thomas was driving up to his new house. He knew this was not a normal day as his life was forever changed once the divorce was agreed upon. It was a messy affair in which he was able to walk away without paying alimony and most of the money. The only thing Justin relented on was the house, and most of the possessions in the house. To him it was a deal since all the stuff in the house reminded him of his ex-wife, and it was now something to be forgotten.

Justin pulled into the road his new house was on and let his attention drift away from the past to the present, and the house he just bought. Using his 401k and some money from the sale of a few things he got in the divorce, he was able to buy a small one bedroom house in the country. It was away from the world and far away from the problems of the past. Justin was so excited with the pictures online, that he purchased it through a broker without ever having seen it. The purchase was a risky gamble that could blow up in his face, although the broker reassured him of the value of the house.

Not one for buying stuff online, the broker was able to send as many pictures as possible, and Justin was not about to make the trip from two states away. It was a quick buy and now he was pulling into the road of his new life.

With a job transfer secure, Justin was thankful for his company having offices in multiple states. Even though it was a mundane phone job that required him to field customer calls, it was a job. It was a job that gave him weeks of vacation and benefits. Those weeks of vacation were being used up with the move, but some would be left over to settle into the new house.

Justin drove further down the road and noticed it was a dirt road used by a nearby farm as well. There were no houses on the road as it had a nice view of a cattle farm to the right. As the drive continued, he saw two houses at the end of the road. The one house was at the bottom of a hill, while the one across the street from it was the one from the pictures.

The new neighbor's house sat at the bottom of a small hill, and on top of the small grassy hill looked like an old abandoned church. The steeple still had the cross on top of it, but the siding, shingles, and paint was all in need of repair.

Justin pulled into his new driveway and stared at his new life as it began to finally sink in. Other than his neighbor, he was miles from another living person. His desire to be alone after his divorce had come to fruition, as the abandoned church seemed like his love life, used and broken.

The week Justin spent moving in he met his new neighbor. George Henry looked to be in his eighties and was keen on finally having someone move in. Justin noticed the house he bought was brand new, and was a modular house that was moved on to the property by the farmer who owned the farm he lived near.

Justin was happy to have both someone to talk with, and even help move boxes when needed. For an elderly man, George seemed quite apt at lifting heavy objects. Although Justin was happy about living alone, the companionship of George seemed to help the transition. In the following weeks, he and George would soon become fast friends.

The move seemed easier than Justin could ever imagine. Within a week he was settled in and ready to go back to work. The next few weeks his life turned around as his new coworkers were just as friendly as his neighbor George. Although it was the same job in a new location, the drudgery of coming home to a wife that ignored him seemed a distant memory now.

Justin was more than happy to accept George's constant invitations for dinner as they both seemed like they could use the companionship. George was always a gracious host and would make dinner most nights. Justin felt guilty about the not cooking as much, but was always bringing over beer or wine for dinner. Even when Justin offered to cook, it was George who seemed to be constantly in his kitchen. Justin even joked about George being a short order cook in the service, although George gave no information or mention about being in the military, so Justin never brought it up again.

As the weeks turned into months, Justin settled into a normal routine. The strange neighbor with an abandoned church in his backyard became a friend with whom he spent nights with conversing over dinner about everything from politics to faith. It was a symbiotic relationship as both were lonely, and Justin enjoyed the casual conversation.

Justin knew there was something off about George but just could not put a finger on it though. Not wanting to rock the boat of the relationship they had, Justin knew it was not normal for all conversations to be about him. Justin even tried to be blunt and asked how old he was, and if he had family. George laughed and gave a vague answer of, "The past is where it needs to be, and it is never pretty."

Justin felt that George needed more time to open up, and that he must have lived such a solitary life, that would only unfold with time. Knowing that the conversations were about him, gave the feeling of counseling with beer and food.

*****

It was a quiet cold night. The Friday morning was hours away as Justin was walking over to his neighbor's house with a six-pack of beers clutched in his fingers. This was a normal night to him, and George his neighbor, and new friend.

Justin walked into George's house expecting the dinner smell to hit him like it did almost every night. The running joke was that George was feeding the homeless in the town and did not want people to know it was him.

Justin stepped inside and all was silent, only the cracking of the floor was making noise. "Hey, George you awake? We didn't even get to drinking yet and you're passed out. I swear there were no beers left when I was last here, and now you're out cold."

George's house was a small house just like Justin's and after a very quick look, George was not here. Justin questioned himself as George's old Buick was still in the driveway, and the stove was not even turned on. The pasta was out, but the pot near the stove did not even have water in it.

After another quick look, Justin noticed the back door was slightly ajar. His eyes ventured towards the old church on top of the hill in the backyard. It was set away only a couple hundred feet, but he could see the distinct glow of a light.

The night sky was good enough for Justin to make the trek up the side of the hill towards the lighted church. He quickly thought about what George was doing in there, and then thought about springtime coming, and having George asking him to help mow the incredible yard he owned.

Getting to the double door, Justin could see the door on the right was cracked about a foot. The light was coming through from both the door and the window at the far end of the church. Stepping in, he could see the pews were perfectly placed, and there was almost no signs of wear or tear. It was like old age had stopped at the door for this unused church.

Justin could not help but look up to see the ceiling of the old church, and it was just as nice as the rest of the inside. Although lacking in ornate wood, it had an old world charm about the whole place. The pews were both clean and varnished as were the wood floors. Justin knew deep down that George had to be cleaning this place almost weekly.

With a look of amazement, he wondered how and why George did not tell him that he kept the old place in perfect condition only on the inside. The questions flooded in his mind to the point of trying to keep track of which one to ask first.

Stepping in further and looking down the aisle, Justin's heart stopped. He saw a pair of legs sticking out by the set of first pews. Knowing exactly who they belonged to, Justin rushed over to see if George was still alive.

George was lying face down and was cold. Moving his lifeless body to his back, Justin fought the frantic heartbeat of having his friend and neighbor dead in his arms. As he moved him over Justin could see the aged and worn features of his face. He never really noticed until just now as he fought back the tears of cradling him.

The ambulance was called and the county mortician showed up just as quickly. Justin watched from only a few feet away as his only friend was carted out of the old church. Nobody really spoke as George was moved to the waiting ambulance. Holding back the emotion, Justin thought of who to call, and what to do. George never spoke about friends, family, or even mentioned his own religion.

The deputy that was there walked over to Justin. "We are going to go through the county records and try to find the next of kin. If you could lock up his house, that would be much appreciated. I am going to tell Pastor Rick to be preppin' for a funeral too. Might reckon he drop by and get some things from the house, just so you know and could help out."

Justin nodded his head in acceptance and said nothing as the young deputy walked to his patrol car to leave. Justin just watched in disbelief as the patrol car pulled away with its lights off following the rest of the vehicles leaving Justin alone.

Not being overly emotional, Justin felt utter sadness, but not to any point of breaking down crying that George had passed away. He still did not know much about him, and made it more unnerving. Justin chalked his feelings up to being like having a distant friend dying rather than a real close personal friend.

Justin calmed his feelings with a cold beer and a good stiff drink of whiskey. He pulled what food he had at George's house when he locked the door. Not knowing if anyone was coming to claim anything, Justin took the keys when he locked up.

On the way to his house, hours after the whole surreal experienced began to fade; Justin noticed the light to the old church was still shining away. Not being one to leave something half done or still on, he walked back up the hill to close the church down as well. The whole walk, Justin could not fathom what the deal with George and the church was. The buying property with having it already there was one thing, but to fix and maintain it was another question. It was a question without an answer and that seemed to get under Justin's skin more than anything.

Once inside, he walked around for a bit, maybe there was some clue to why George kept up the place or maybe what he was doing inside at such a late time. With never getting a real good look of the place, seeing the fact he was dealing with George's untimely passing, Justin strolled slowly down the aisle trying to get a glance at anything that might be a clue.

Each aisle was well maintained, and each pew was spotless. There were no clues, and there was nothing more than a broom in the corner to give a clue to what he did most of the day.

Walking over to the broom, Justin could see that the wall had a large crack in it. Walking over to the distortion in the wall, he could easily make out that there was a door. It was a hidden door, but not hidden as a way of keeping it a secret, just not seen as a way of a normal door. Justin could see that the door was meant to be used but not used as a secret.

There were no handles on the door, and it was easily pushed open. Justin quickly thought that he found a clue to why George was doing in the church, and a sense of knowing washed over him.

A quick push of the door revealed that it was not a true secret door, but just a concealed door for aesthetic purposes. It easily pushed open, and the light shined into nothing but a walk-in storage closet.

"What the fuck?" Justin cursed as he quickly remembered the outside layout showed there was a back area that stuck out.

The cleaning room was only concealed to be more visibly pleasing on the inside as it matched the molding going around the length of the inside. The closet was about six feet in and was about four feet wide. It had a mop, and a washbasin still inside.

Justin once again felt the anxiety of not knowing the whole story behind why George was keeping up on this old, or newly renovated church. Justin just figured it was just one of those questions he would never get an answer too.

As Justin reached for the lights, a light voice called out, "Where's the fucking food?"

"Holy fuck!" Justin screamed as he jumped back in fright.

The voice was faint and was coming from the washbasin, like there was something behind it. Justin's heart was pounding fast and furious as the faint yet distinct female voice spoke.

"Who is that up there?" the strange yet very soothing feminine voice called out.

With his voice trembling, and cracking. "Who is there?" Justin replied as he thought his heart was going to give out.

"Come down here and see. Just hope you have some food. Move the tub and come down."

Justin reached for the washbasin with his trembling hands, and wondered what in the world was going on. When the basin easily moved to the side, it revealed a set of narrow wooden steps that descended into a lighted dirt floor about fifteen feet below the surface.

Justin had images of George being some sick pervert kidnapping girls, and he reached for his phone. Knowing that he was going to dial the police to report the abduction of some girl, Justin carefully managed getting down the steps still holding his phone, getting it ready to call the authorities.

Justin called out, "I am going to call the police. You are going to be alright, just stay calm."

As much as Justin wanted this strange girl to be calm, he knew it was for him more than it was for her. His heart had not stopped pounding, and he just wondered what strange fucking things his neighbor was up to now. The whole not knowing seemed like a breeze compared to what he was going to see and hear from this strange girl.

The strange voice once again called out, "Don't call anyone. Just bring some fucking food."

Justin reached the bottom and scanned the room quickly as it was filled with so much stuff. Before he could get a grasp in his mind of all the things down here, he saw a petite, half naked girl standing in front of the couch. There was an iron chain going from a neck collar that she wore to a plate in the wall ten feet away.

The girl looked young, but not child young. Her long, jet black hair was unkempt and hung down her back, and even covered some of her face. She was very feminine as was her petite body. She wore only a ragged brown shirt that was littered with holes, about four sizes too big for her, and hung down to her thighs.

She smiled as their eyes met each other's. Justin easily noticed that her pupils were just as black as her hair. Still thinking she was in danger, he approached slowly.

"You hurt? I am going to call for help."

With an almost calm, sweet voice the strange girl spoke without worry. "So you must be the new neighbor George was talking about. Mmmm...Justin right?"

"Who are you?" Justin replied, confused to why this girl seemed so unmoved by her rescue.

The girl calmly walked closer to Justin. He could see her onyx eyes as she was only a few feet away now. The smell coming from her was like flowers on a warm sunny day, and was intoxicating at first whiff. This girl must have been down here for an undetermined amount of time, yet she had an aroma only expensive perfumes could match.

Justin's head was swimming with confusing thoughts about this strange, yet strikingly gorgeous girl. She smiled wide as her face seemed to make Justin feel like he was talking to a girl he had a crush on his school.

"I am Herlena. And you must be George's new neighbor he has been talking about."

"No...wait, what are you doing down here? What is going on?" Justin stepped back as he tried to wrap his brain around this very attractive girl acting so calm in such a place.

With a casual smile that seemed a bit frightening, yet somehow breathtaking at the same time. "George never told you, did he? Fucker was always one for keeping a secret."

"He just died," Justin said as his eyes finally were able to scan the rest of the room to see that this place was like an underground apartment. Filled bookcases and crates with various stuff littered the place as if it was well lived-in for many years.

"I already knew that. Told him a month ago it was going to happen, guess he did not get the stuff," Herlena easily said as she walked over the small table to drink from a small glass.

Justin took a quick breath as his eyes finally broke from hers, and was able to collect himself. Looking around, he could see the bookcases were filled with books, but books that were from a different century. The couch was in front of a table that had a small TV, and those were the only two items that looked recent in the terms of the being made in the last fifty years or so. The place did look unlivable except for the small toilet in the corner with a faucet that had a small bucket under it.

Justin once again looked up to see the nymph-like face of Herlena. "Why are you down here? What is really going on down here?"

Flashing her eyes that made Justin wonder why they looked evil yet drove his heart wild. "We can chat later. Can you bring some food first?" Herlena replied as she sat at a small stool by the table.

"I can, but the pastor will be here tomorrow, and he is going to wonder why you are down in the church basement."

Herlena stood up abruptly and gave a frantic look to Justin. "Who did you call?" Her soft voice now broke with determination and fear.

"The police said they were going to contact him. Why...what is happening down here?" Justin shot back with more authority in his voice.

"If I tell you, can you please take me to your house? We have to hurry."

Just saw the fear in both her face, and her body language as she seemed eager to leave this dungeon. "Ok. Just tell me what the fuck is going on here."

"George was supposed to kill me years ago. He never could and has been holding me here ever since. When the pastor comes, he is going to look around to see if George was telling the truth about really killing me. He knew George was always lying and could never prove it. There, now please take me out of here."

"Who are you? Why did he have to kill you? What the hell is going on?"

Still looking worried, Herlena looked up and walked over to Justin. Just as she was about a foot away from him, she lifted up her hand and moved her long hair away from her brow. Justin could easily make out two small yet distinct horns protruding from her forehead. As her hair was pushed back, he could make out that her ears were long and pointy.

Justin stepped back in fright. "What the hell are you?"

"A pet for a warlock. Now get me out of here."

With fear in his eyes and voice, Justin's voice cracked again. "What the fuck are you?"

Herlena stepped forward as Justin backed up. She dropped her hair back down to cover her small horns. "Get me out of here, and I will tell you everything."

Justin continued to look in amazement and utter shock at what was going on. This petite, beautiful girl had both small horns and elf like ears. To make matters worse, she still looked incredibly cute, and yet scary as hell. His whole world concept was turned on its side, and yet he felt a strange attraction to this girl, or strange being as it was now.

Herlena moved her finger to Justin's cheek, and with a whispering tone, and spoke as if rocking a baby to sleep. "Everything is alright. You are just overwhelmed. Take me back to your house, and I will explain everything."