I wasn't particularly pleased to learn that some old lady was going to be living at my house, but I decided to just shrug it off. Hopefully, she wouldn't be too much of a problem to have around. And if she was, well...

No. I could only use the necklace on her if she was trying to ruin me. I didn't want to go through all that pain again if I could avoid it! Of course, according to Amanda, I could just tell her to go away and she would obey me... I didn't trust that, not for a second, but it was something that I would try before going to the necklace for help.

I couldn't really blame Amanda or wanting to get away from this place - there really were deaths here all the time. But, with her gone, I wouldn't have to worry about intrusions on my peace and quiet quite as much. I hadn't spent any time in the pool yet, and I had loved to swim as a child... perhaps I would give that a try once my bruises had faded.

I sighed, bored out of my mind and sick of watching TV. Uncertain what else to do, I retriever one of my stupid romance novels from my room, then made my way outside. I kicked off my shoes, rolled my dress up to my knees, then sat at the edge of the pool, feet in the lovely, cool water, and began to read.