Well, mom and I have parted ways; she's gone home, I've paid my bills and done all I needed to do today. It's 5:02pm and I believe now is the perfect time to figure out what that island is all about!

I turn on my PC and get on the internet. There is a granola bar halfway hanging out of my mouth and have a cherry soda to wash it down. So, to start things off, I type in the search engine, 'Islands in the Long Island Sound'.

There are many suggestions. Over a matter of say... 40 minutes–I end up clicking on all of them, but none of them are about that Island. Why? This is really starting to confuse me. I can't even find an aerial shot of it. I'm beginning to really wonder about that place. Undaunted, I spend another hour looking. Gosh, this is just nuts!

I throw my hands up and scoot back in my chair real fast, "Geez!" I turn the monitor off, shoot up from my seat, and stomp away into the kitchen to prepare a T.V. dinner: Lasagna. I get it out of the fridge and put it in the microwave for 15 minutes. While that's warming up, I'll go watch the news. So, as I go back into the living room, I stare straight ahead at my two windows. It's storming pretty good out there. That'll make for a good night's sleep...

There's a woman reporter talking about the bad weather. There are a few people with umbrellas scurrying behind her. I notice right off she's standing in the same spot I did with mom today–where we saw that island! My mind strays away from the TV into deep thought. Those trees...those trees all over there are so dark–it's like they're hiding something evil, something horrific. Something is going on there. There has got to be more on that island than meets the eye... and that building...

I pause the TV and lean forward until I'm on the edge of my seat. From the way mom was talking about the condition of the island, I'm beginning to make myself believe it's abandoned and NY hasn't decided what to do with the property yet. There weren't any signs of life when we were looking over there, and there aren't any now that I can see. An idea then pops into my head. I'll check the local newspaper on the net and read some stuff in their archives to see what's going on! They might have something about it.

I get back to my computer and start typing the name of the local newspaper into the search engine. I find the site and start a search of their online archives about the island. I come across an article about a local businessman named Dmitri Vladoiu (Vlad-oy-u) who had a big party there at his castle in 1923. Lots of rich people, I'll bet. Hm, pretty cool guy... I love studying history.

It turns out looking here was a good decision. I wish I had thought of it first! So maybe I'm right; maybe the land is abandoned and either up for sale or the state doesn't know what to do with it yet. Now I've got something to do this weekend. And that is: go to that castle! I've always wanted to go to one. To have one so close–of course I'd want to go!

The microwave suddenly beeps, startling me. My stomach lets out a growl in expectation and I give it a pat. "Yes yes..." The microwave is all steamed up and ready for me to pull my food out. "Let's Eat!"

About an hour later, I come out of the bathroom drying my hair, still in a towel. I'm hearing a commotion outside my window. Sounds like a guy and a girl are fighting. That's not very unusual to hear, but since the noisiest neighbors moved out about 2 weeks ago, I can't figure this out. I guess some other annoying people replaced them. I really hope they finish up soon. People gotta sleep! One last thing for me though...

I get out my journal. I always stare at the star-sticker-filled cover for a second before opening it. I hug it close, then slowly open it and continue writing inside.

Name: Ivy Summers

Journal entry date – September 27th, Saturday

Well, two things happened to me today... One: I was getting coffee with mom and I saw this guy who I think I recognized, but I just can't place him. Everything I did in Lounge 'n' Sip, I could feel his eyes on me like a hungry wolf. That's weird to say, but it's how I felt. I can STILL feel his eyes on me. It sounds crazy – coming from me anyway. And two: When I was out with mom today, we went to the coastline of the Sound to do a little sightseeing. We did that for sure! She pointed out a small island that seems to have a strange building on it. Who knows what else is there? I feel like I need to know more about it. I looked it up countless times when I got home, and always – I got nothing on the place. It really aggravated me. But guess what? I turned the news on and I saw a lady giving the weather report at that very place we went to. Right then, I got an idea from watching that broadcast. I went and looked up the local newspaper, then I typed in 'Islands in the Long Island Sound'. Some businessman named Dmitri Vladoiu owned it back in the 20's. I'm assuming it's not inhabited anymore. I couldn't get any more information on the place than that. So since that's the case, I feel strangely determined to go there. It's like... I don't know – like I HAVE to go there. I've seen many shows where people would see some places and automatically feel drawn to them; they'd want to go back to them. Well I have that feeling. It never really turns out good for the people that have this experience, but as for me – I'm not going to let that happen.

Before I even make this special trip, I should see about borrowing Eric's boat. I don't know if that's a good idea yet though. Once I get the transportation issue out of the way, I'll be off to that island.

I set the book down on my nightstand and get under the covers. For a while, I stare at the ceiling. A small part of me wanted to talk to that guy–but I was very intimidated by him. I've seen some intimidating people at the hospital, but they don't affect me the way this guy did.

"Pff..." I reach out to cut the light, "What am I thinking? I probably won't even see him again. He's just a regular dude who likes Lounge 'n' Sip's coffee." I roll over, cuddling my pillow now, "I've got other things to think about." I close my eyes...but after a minute, they fly open and focus on the wall. "But gee...he sure was hot." I snort... then laugh.