Destory's first clue

I watched all the trees go by, I couldn't believe how far out Gerard lived from school. He said he wanted to attend school in the city, but it's got to be hell driving back and forth everyday. I mean we've been in the car for like 45 minutes already driving down country roads. There are literally fields and farms out here,

plus I've actually never been to a rural area like this to tell the truth. It's a new experience for me.

"Why don't you just go to school around this area?"

 I decided to break the long silence that has ensued for the majority of this car ride.

"Are you kidding? Everyone out here are country people…I don't fit in with them, never have."

"Hmmm, you have that city boy appearance after all. I guess it would be hard to fit in around here, you'd be a weird kid loser like me."

"No, I'm not antisocial like you so I doubt I'd really have that problem."

"That is a good point I guess."

"And besides all of that, there's not as many programs out here so I can't get the education I'm looking for without going to a bigger school. That's why I travel so far."

"You mean like all those math and science clubs you go to?"

"Yeah, how do you know about that?"

"What do you mean, all those leeches and bimbos in class always talk about how smart you are and stuff."

"Oh? So you do pay attention to what's going on around you."

"It's kinda hard to ignore when they're so damn loud all the time. It's not like I listen because I want to participate in conversation with those normies or anything…"

"I'm not convinced you meant everything you just said, but sure."

"Tch. Well you should be convinced. I'd choose being alone in a room with a good book over dealing with those annoying bastards any day."

We ended up pulling down a long driveway and arrived at a little yellow house in the middle of the biggest yard I'd ever seen. They could actually have a professional football game in the front yard, that's how big it is.

"I'm hoooome!"

Gerard's voice echoes throughout the house as we walked though the front door. An older woman, presumably his mom poked her head out from the kitchen while smiling and waving at us.

"Oh? Did you bring a friend?"

"Yeah, this is Destory. He's from my class."

I wanted to add "yeah I'm the weird kid" but in the end I decided against it.

"Okay, will he be staying for dinner?"

"Nah, he's just here to help me out with something. I'm taking him home afterwards."

"Okay then, you boys have fun!"

Once we walked into his room I looked all around to see if there really was anything unusual.

"Wow."

"What?"

"Your room is exactly how I imagined a normie's room would be?"

"Is that a good thing?"

"It's definitely not, what is this basketball hoop on the wall? What are all these basic ass posters of sports players and then one picture of a half naked chick soaping up a car? This is just sad."

"First of all, I like playing basketball okay? And that is an intelligent refined lady on that car I'll have you know."

"Okay, we're getting off subject here."

"You're right…so? Have you noticed anything…out of the ordinary?"

"Other than your lame tapestries, no, not really."

"That's weird…aren't you supposed to be psychic or something? I'm telling you this room is haunted man!"

"I'm not psychic dude, that's just a rumor that Alice started around school…I won't confirm or deny my super powers but, let's just say I'm pretty sure this haunting is just your over active imagination."

Man, I sound like Mr. Hendricks did when I was a kid, but it is true that there's nothing here to be seen. Or at least there's nothing that wants to be seen right now.

"Well…thanks for coming along and trying I guess…"

"When exactly did you start noticing weird stuff happening?"

"It wasn't long ago, everything was normal and then one day I started seeing creepy shit. I don't know man."

"Maybe you're just crazy."

"Ha ha very funny, I'm pretty sure there's only one person with mental issues here and it isn't me."

"Don't talk about your mom like that, she seems like a nice lady."

Damn, that come back was fire. Gerard just squinted his eyes at me, I guess that'll shut him up for a minute.

I turned toward the door to get a better look at the cool Japanese lamp in the corner. That was the moment I saw something completely unexpected.

Sitting there on the small table was a glass mug. For anyone looking at it there was probably nothing specifically special to notice about it. It's just a clear glass mug, there seems to be a metal stamp on the handle but that's really it. It's a plain old cup.

Except for the fact that it's oozing some sort of horrific miasma. It was emanating a wildly uncomfortable atmosphere. Almost what looked to be some type of smoky cloud was surrounding this thing. I'm certain that for whatever reason there is some sort of spirit attached to this cup.

"Hm, interesting. So there is something here after all."

"What?"

"Tell me about this. Where did you get this cup."

"That mug? What does that have to do with anything?"

"Just humor me will you."

"Hmm, well…I could tell you, but it involves some not exactly legal situations…"

"Say whaaa???"

A haunted cup obtained illegally? This ought to be juicy.