Ben needed to get away, away from friends, family and his new life. He had discovered that money had a way of changing people, mostly those closest to him.
Ben never thought that the change to his life from winning millions in the lottery would be a negative one, but with his new gain had come a giant loss. His friends and family now viewed him only as a bank capable of dispensing free cash.
Ben never had any issues sharing in his newfound good fortune, inviting those close to help celebrate with him. He also had no problem lending out money to those in a tight spot. After all what good are massive riches without people to share it with. But after a while it started to build up, people didn't want to hang out with Ben the person; they wanted Ben the millionaire who could afford to pay for everything from drinks at the bar to holidays and cars.
Ben decided he needed a break from those around him, he decided he would take a road trip to give himself time to think of what he wanted to do next. The next morning Ben packed his car with the bare essentials and drove off in whatever direction took his fancy.
That night he stayed in the first Motel he passed after it started to get dark, he could have driven around looking for something a bit more upmarket but he wanted to forget about how much money he was currently worth. Ben got up early the next morning; the cheap motel mattress had done him no favours. He figured he would get back on the road as soon as possible. He didn't know where he was heading but he knew he just wanted to drive.
Two days and almost 1000km later he was driving through a quiet town with a number of large properties; one of them had a "For Sale" sign out the front. He decided to take a look so he drove through the Iron Gate along the long winding driveway up to the house. When he got up to the house he saw a man and woman working in the gardens outside.
"Here to see the place?" the man said.
"I would love to be able to have a look around, if that's ok?" Ben replied.
"Sure, are you looking for a place to buy? Because this is a rare beauty, over a century old as well." replied the man.
"I have been contemplating looking into property." said Ben.
"My name is Paul, and this is my wife Jane."
The two men shook hands and Ben nodded to Jane.
"Hello, my name is Ben.
Paul and Jane gave Ben a tour of the property starting with the massive grounds, the big manmade lake with a jetty leading out over the water.
Lastly he saw inside the massive building itself. The rooms were all empty and free of furniture but the place had all its fixtures and running water and working power.
Paul had explained the history of the place. It had belonged to a family who many in the local town had considered cursed. At one stage a family of five, the mother had died when the children were all young leaving the father to look after two boys and one daughter by himself.
When World War 2 had broken out the boys were both over 18 and were both drafted. After hearing the news of both his sons being killed in action the father had turned to drinking, one night while driving home from the pub he drove off the road into a tree killing him instantly.
The girl was the only one from the family remaining; at the time 21 years old inherited the house and what money the family had. But she later vanished never to be seen again. The last time she had been seen was the morning the police had delivered the news of her father.
Paul also explained that since the place had been discovered abandoned with no other living relatives the bank had taken possession and for 20 years had no luck selling it. The locals would not go near it; it had made it hard to sell despite the cheap price.
Ben had fallen in love with the place, he could picture himself living here and making the place his own. This was also an offer he simply could not pass up. He asked Paul when the soonest he could have someone look over the place and if all went well buy it to move in.
"There is a guy just in town he could have this place inspected in a day or two, if you are really interested." said Paul.
Ben decided he would stay in the local bar in town which had a few rooms available while all the paper work and checks were taken care of.
That night after checking in he decided he would have a drink down in the pub with the locals, after all if he was going to be moving in to the area this might very well soon become his newest watering hole.
News had travelled fast; everyone knew the instant he walked in as the outsider looking to buy the "cursed" place. Every one of the patrons had their own story of some experience they claimed to have having to do with the folklore; Stories of Electronics not working, lights bulbs exploding or Dogs barking at nothing as they went past. They all wanted to give Ben their warnings about the place.
The next day after having a look through the town to get his bearings on the place Ben received a call from the guy that Paul had recommended to inspect the place. He gave Ben the all clear and said that Paul would be available the next day to finalize the sale after he had the opportunity to look over the evaluation.
He spent that night at the hotel thinking about the possibilities this new purchase would bring, and what furniture he could get and where to put it.