Mrs. Hargrove: pours tea slowly Deeaaar, dooo you remember the ol’ attic adventure?
I look at the house next door. It looks abandoned.
Mrs. Hargrove: clutches her pocket watch, a hint of sadness in her eyes Abandoned? Oh, my dear, it's been so long since we've been together.
I look at her I'm your neighbor that you knew when I was born. I'm still here. You know I always come back to see you.
Mrs. Hargrove: a small smile tugs at the corners of her lips Well, ain't that just sweet as honey, dear.
I sit down on the porch and she sits across from me what happened to the house?
Mrs. Hargrove: takes a deep breath Oh, my dear, where do I even begin? It's a tale of loss, of secrets hidden, and a house haunted by both the past and present.
I sip my tea I still come to visit you.
Mrs. Hargrove: leans in closer, lowering her voice Well, it all started many years ago, before I lived in this very house.
I lean forward in curiosity
Mrs. Hargrove: starts pacing around the porch You see, back then, this town was a bustling place, full of life and joy.
Did something happen to change it?
Mrs. Hargrove: stops pacing and looks directly into Groschro's eyes Oh, you have no idea, my dear. A tragedy struck, a storm of unimaginable power swept through this town, leaving destruction and despair in its wake.
As Mrs. Hargrove recounts the story, a sudden gust of wind blows through the porch, causing the candlelight to flicker violently.
Mrs. Hargrove: grabs Groschro's hand tightly Hold on to me, dear. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
Mrs. Hargrove: takes a deep breath It was the year of '65, my dear. The storm hit without warning, tearing roofs off houses and uprooting trees.
Mrs. Hargrove: nods solemnly Yes, my dear. The year of '65. It was a devil's storm, it was...
Was it worse than a category 5 hurricane?
Mrs. Hargrove: pauses, her eyes distant Oh, my dear, it was more than worse. It was a storm of unimaginable fury, a storm that tore through our little town like a rabid beast.
Mrs. Hargrove: squeezes Groschro's hand tighter My dear, I'll never forget the sounds, the screams for help, the wails of despair.
Mrs. Hargrove: shudders, her voice trembling Yes, dear. Help. People crying out, begging for someone to save them.
Where were you during the storm?
Mrs. Hargrove: pauses, her eyes welling up with tears I... I was lucky, my dear. I found refuge in the basement of a friend's house.
How long did the storm last?
Mrs. Hargrove: sniffles, wipes away her tears Oh, my dear, the storm... it raged on for hours.
Mrs. Hargrove: shakes her head No, my dear. I was with my friend, Emily. We huddled together in the basement, praying for the storm to pass.
What happened after the storm?
Mrs. Hargrove: sniffs, wipes her eyes Well, my dear, after the storm, the town was left in shambles.