5
I might’ve been the first to wake up the following day. A long shower later, I dressed, put makeup on by the dim candlelight of the bathroom, and made my way downstairs. Crystal slept through it all. Lucky girl. There wasn’t a sound to be heard as I walked the steps to the main floor. From the large living room windows, I watched the sun start to touch the tops of the trees.
“So beautiful,” I said with a sigh.
While meandering around the main floor, I thought about the events from last night. What was the big deal, if I saw a ghost? Ghosts come and go, and nothing comes of it, so why worry? Realistically, my mind had played tricks on me—nothing more. Or at least that’s what I kept telling myself to keep me sane.
I walked through a huge room where columns reached and arched over the ceiling. The colorful marble floor held the same pattern as the stained-glass windows. It had to have been the ballroom or perhaps a throne room. Either way, I did my own version of a river dance and made my way to a large wooden door. Who wouldn’t want to dance in a room like this?
The lock on the door had rusted, so it took a short amount of jiggling to get it to open. The early morning sun stole my sight momentarily while I shut the door behind me. The color green was everywhere. Green ivy climbing up stone walls. Green trees waving in the breeze. Green moss. I never knew moss could cover so much suffice. Had I stepped into a story book?
“Oh, how beautiful.” I sighed in awe at the beauty of the garden around me. The tall castle walls stood on all four sides of the lush garden. A cobblestone path wove through the trees and bushes to the opposite side. I breathed in the sweet aroma of blossoming flowers and made my way to the gated arched entry to the outer garden.
Taking mental pictures along with physical ones with my camera phone made it possible not to miss a thing of the castle’s architecture. One side of the castle appeared much older and stood void of glass in the windows. Some stones in the walls were missing, and it looked as though it were ready to shed more. Over one side of the rooftop, a beam of wood stuck out. It looked as though it once hung something. Perhaps that might have been where the flag of the family’s crest waved.
I continued around one side of the castle before stopping at the edge of a pond. Glancing to my left and right, I discovered it might’ve once been a moat. Behind me, near the iron gate, were some chains that could’ve been used for a drawbridge.
“Cool,” I whispered to myself.
“I always love the way the sun seems to shine off the wet stones of the castle.”
I jumped at the sound of Ron’s voice.
“It makes the stormy night all worth it.” He stepped up to me, only a few feet away. In his hands, he held his hat.
“Good morning,” I said with a smile in greeting.
“I hope it is for you,” he said. “I see you weren’t scared away during the night.”
I shook my head. “Crystal almost was. She claimed to see another ghost last night.”
He looked at me confused. “And you didn’t?”
“I don’t believe in ghosts.” Well, sort of. It’s undecided.
“If you were to spend another night here, you might change your mind.”
“Do you really believe there are ghosts?”
“Yes. But they can’t do any harm but stand there.” He smiled, then moved his arm from behind his back, revealing a single yellow tulip. “I thought you might like something beautiful to start your day.”
“Oh…” I looked him over, wondering what enticed him to give me this flower. His hair was dusted with gray at the edges, and the wrinkles under his eyes showed his age. He must be in his mid-forties. At twenty-nine he’s almost old enough to be my father.
“Ah, I’ve made you nervous by giving you this flower.”
“No! I just…” I just what?
“Do you know the meanings of the different flowers, Jessica?”
I shook my head, hoping a yellow tulip didn’t mean something embarrassing.
“It means cheerful thoughts, or there’s sunshine in your smile. Depending on where you get your information from.” He held the flower out to me again. I hesitated for a moment then took it. “Your smile reminds me of my niece.”
“Oh,” I said. “Thank you.” I think.
“Would you like to help me pick one for your friend?”
I relaxed a little, knowing he’d also give one to Crystal. I guess his intentions weren’t to woo me after all.
“Sure, but where did you get a tulip? They don’t grow this late in the summer, do they?”
“We have a greenhouse over by the cottage. I grow all kinds of flowers in there.” He gestured for us to walk around the side of the castle wall where the pond ended. I followed him and listened to him talk of the rare flowers he grew. I paused when we rounded a stone wall and gazed upon a cottage that reminded me of story tales. As with the castle, the cottage had ivy growing up its walls with oak and willow trees surrounding it. The tile shingle roofing seemed old but well taken care of, and the stone walls looked to be recently repaired on one side.
“How cute,” I said. He led me around the back to a glass greenhouse. Inside, the warmth touched my skin and seeped to my bones. I hadn’t expected the heat, and finding the source didn’t take long. A stone fireplace held a roaring fire on one side, and electric floor heaters sat on the other end of long rows of growing plants. Though, I didn’t think the electric heaters were on.
“I’ve had to keep a fire since our power is out. Most of the plants in this room need the heat it provides and I couldn’t let them die. The room beyond, are plants who need less heat.” He pointed through the layers of flowers in the room.
“This is beautiful.”
“I’m glad you think so.” He gently placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me further. I wanted to shrug away from his intimate gesture, but I didn’t want to appear rude. “Now, which flower do you think Crystal would like?”
“Pink carnations. Those are her favorites.”
“It fits her.”
“Why? What does it mean?” I asked.
“It symbolizes a mother’s love.”
A pain stilled my heart for a brief moment. I wish I had a child to love. “She’s a good Mom.”
He guided me to the right plant, and I picked the perfect flower for her. I took my time and walked back through the greenhouse, smelling every flower that crossed my path. Once outside, I breathed in the morning air and let the wish of motherhood slip through my fingers as I had so many times. Let it go. Don’t dwell on things I can’t control.
We chatted along the short path back to the castle walls. I glanced up at the stone wall that stretched to the sky above, and saw something from the corner of my eye hanging from that wood arch or beam that sat at the top of the wall. The same one that I thought a flag might’ve hung on. The object I thought I saw was like a cage, reminiscent of those medieval ones they’d use to imprison people until they perished. It wasn’t empty. But when I glanced back, it had vanished.
Why did my mind play such a strange trick on me?
Ron paused mid-sentence. “Is something wrong?”
“No. Nothing’s wrong.” I shook my head to dislodge the image from my head. What a gruesome thing to imagine on a beautiful morning such as this.
Dan
From the second-story window that sat along the stairway, I spotted Jessica and Ron speaking just below. Jessica held a flower or two in her lovely fingers, and a slight smile lit her features.
Did Ron give her those flowers? If so, then why?It was completely out of character for him to flirt with or carry on a conversation with someone like Jessica—or anyone, for that matter. Not only did he nearly double her age, but he swore to never become involved in any relationship again. His trust in women had long since been diminished. He had his ex to thank for that. Poor bloke.
Not only had he sworn off women, but he was far too introverted to converse with someone he hadn’t known for years.
So, why would he show her such attention?
Feeling the pull to be near her, I let my legs carry me the rest of the way down the stairs and out the side door.
Jessica’s smiled widened at the sight of me. My ears warmed when I remembered the way I’d fallen on her the night before and the glimpse I caught of her nice legs. Perfectly sexy legs. I internally berated myself for thinking like a hormonal Neanderthal and tried to smile back.
“Good morning, Dan.” She glanced at Ron and moved one step further away from him. For a moment, I thought I caught uneasiness in her eyes.
My eyes fell to the flower at her side and I wondered if she might be trying to hide the fact that she held them by the way she moved her wrist to the side. “G—g—good morning.” I glanced from her hand to her face again.
“Uh ...” she produced the flowers and gave me a hesitant smile. “Ron picked flowers for Crystal and I.”
I shot Ron a quizzical look. “That was kind of him.”
“Purely out of hospitality,” Ron said without taking his eyes off Jessica.
Oddly, a territorial feeling came over me. I wrestled with the need to step in front of her, bare my teeth at Ron and grunt while pounding my chests to claim what was mine. What am I, a beast? I can’t behave like that.
A distant roar echoed the feelings within. Perhaps a cloud felt territorial this morning. “Looks as though it will rain again. I—”
A scream rang once again from within the walls of my home.
Jessica rushed past me and into the dim halls. Ron followed suit, and I scolded myself for not acting quicker and for not having the privilege to run beside her. I wondered what might have happened this time while I watched Jessica’s strong legs carry her up the stairs.
“I want out of this place!” We met Crystal in the hall. She held a small bundle of clothes in her arms while pulling her suitcase after her.
“Don’t tell me. You saw a ghost again?” Jessica rested her arm on her friend’s shoulder to stop her.
Crystal shrugged out of Jessica’s embrace. “Don’t look at me like that. I know what I saw and I’m not staying here a minute more.”
“Oh. All right. I’ll just get my things.” Jessica pointed over her shoulder toward the room.
“M—m—may I ask what happened?” Her announcement left a heaviness in my stomach. I had failed at making them both feel welcome and safe. Jessica paused to listen for Crystal’s answer.
“A head—a head,” she repeated with more emphasis, “stuck out of the bed!”
“Hey, that rhymes,” Jessica said. Her smile encouraged laughter to swell inside me, but I managed to hide it behind clearing my throat.
Crystal shot Jessica a look that could kill, then proceeded down the hall toward the stairs. “I’m leaving, Jessica. I’ll be in the car, waiting.”
“Crystal…” Jessica let out a breath, letting her shoulders drop.
“Crystal, let me help you.” Ron trailed after her.
“Sorry,” Jessica shrugged her shoulders, “I don’t know what to say. She normally isn’t like this.”
“I should be the one apologizing. Her stay here hasn’t been rewarding. I’m sorry.” Sadness enveloped me and forced my stomach to sink lower and drag my heart down with it.
Why am I reacting like this?
The way she tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled that lopsided smile gave me my answer. I couldn’t say that I was in love, but I was falling faster than a crazed racehorse running downhill. The rapid way my heart thumped within my ribs each time she’d look at me felt foreign. I never knew I could feel this way. It could only be described as obnoxious and addictive at the same time.
I couldn’t let her go.
“Is th—there something I can do to tempt Crystal into staying a bit longer—I mean ... you h—h—haven’t had breakfast.”
She reached up and twisted a lock of her hair around her fingers. She bobbed up and down, standing on her toes, then flat again. “I’m not sure she’d want to. She’s pretty riled up.”
“M—ma—maybe if we promised to not leave her alone again...”
Her smile grew. “Maybe. I’ll go talk with her.”
Jessica
It seemed the sky only waited for me to step from the protection of the house before the forces of gravity dumped on me. The water drenched me clean through, and to make it worse, I had to wait for Crystal to unlock my side of the car door.
“Don’t you get in without bringing your bags with you as well. I’m leaving. End of story,” Crystal stated with folded arms and a frown.
I shut the door, hugged myself, and frowned back, but more dramatically to get her to laugh. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. It might be a while before we get breakfast.”
“I’m not going back in there.”
“You do know the car won’t go anywhere. We’re stuck, whether you like it or not.”
Crystal leaned forward to look at the sky through the windshield. “Once it lets up, I’ll walk into the nearest town and get someone to come back for the car.”
“What if I promise not to leave you alone?” I couldn’t let her leave just yet. This place grew more intriguing by the minute. Not only did I have a chance to really explore a haunted castle, but I might just get a chance to flirt with the Lord of the castle—perhaps lock lips with him as well. It’s been too long since I’d kissed anyone. I’d be crazy if I passed up an opportunity to kiss someone as hot as Dan.
“Why so eager to stay? Is it because of Mr. Gladwin? You’ve got the hots for him, don’t you?” Time hadn’t changed her that much. She could still see right through me and read my mind.
I sighed and rolled my eyes.
“You do like him!”
“So, what if I do?”
“I knew it!”
I started to run my fingers through my hair, but stopped when my wet hair prevented me. “Please stay. I promise not to leave you alone. Even if we must pee together, I’ll not leave your side. Just give me a chance to at least flirt with him a little longer. It’s been so long since I’d met anyone flirt-worthy.”
“Fine. I’ll stay for breakfast and maybe lunch, but I’m walking out of here if I have to. I’ll not stay another night.”
I threw my arms around her. “Thank you!”
Crystal insisted she leave her luggage in the car, so we ran with our heads ducked, back into the castle. Once inside, Crystal threw back her hood, shrugging off her jacket. The lucky duck was dry on top and could get away with her partially wet jeans. I, on the other hand, was soaked, top to bottom.
Crystal gave me a once over, then started to laugh. “It’s a good thing you’re wearing a dark shirt, or you might’ve won the unofficial wet T-shirt contest.”
She spoke those words at the same time Dan stopped at the bottom of the stairs. His eyes grew large before darting to the other side of the room as if something there had caught his full attention.
I slapped Crystal’s arm to prevent her from saying anything more embarrassing. I folded my arms and took hesitant steps toward the stairs. I would’ve darted up them had Dan not been blocking the way.
“I think I’ll go change my clothes,” I said.
“I’ll go with you,” Crystal said.
“No. I’m only changing my clothes,” I stated, skirting past Dan, who lowered his head and stepped aside.
Crystal waved her hands at me. “Um, hello! You promised you wouldn’t leave me alone.”
I stopped and turned back to her.
“R—R—Ron is getting a fire going in the sitting room. If you wouldn’t mind ... you could wait there with him. I—I’m checking the electrical box,” Dan said to Crystal and gestured toward the room we had tried to make our phone call the day before.
Crystal paused, then nodded.
While I walked back up the stairs, the two continued the conversation.
“Are the phones back on?” Crystal asked.
“I’m checking that now, but I doubt it,” Dan replied.
Their voices drifted further from me when I turned down the hall. I made quick work getting my clothes off, but had no idea what to do with them. I shuffled through my luggage to decide what to wear when a knock came at the door.
Dan’s voice sounded from the other side, “Jessica, I have a towel, and you’re welcome to drape your clothes on the mantle. I can build a fire to help them dry. I’d offer you to use our d—dryer, but there isn’t power yet.”
“Oh. Thanks.” I covered myself with the nearest thing—a shirt—which didn’t make a lick of sense. He wouldn’t barge in anyway. “Just leave it by the door.”
The sound of fabric hitting the ground outside the door confirmed he’d done just that. His footsteps faded, then a door closed nearby. I dressed my upper body and then threw some dry pants I chose to wear on the bed. The damp clothes left a wet mark on the carpeted floor, and I made a mental note to apologize. Upon the mantle, I found several metal decorative objects to hold my clothing above the fireplace. A metal bowl that looked like a miniature old-fashioned bathtub held my wet shirt. The candlestick holder didn’t prove heavy enough to hold much of anything.
I caught my reflection in the mirror and let my shoulders drop. “Ugh. I look scary.” Just as I reached up to brush away my hair from my forehead, my skin changed, becoming almost translucent. Wrinkled and old, it hung from my skull. The whites of my eyes turned red, and my hair turned gray and wiry.
Gasping, I dropped my wet bra. My image deteriorated before my eyes, down to the bones. I screamed and stumbled back to the bed. My leg above my knee bashed the bed frame as I scrambled toward the headboard. The blanket became the barrier between me and the horrific image in the mirror. I screamed again when my door flew open.