Apparition

Have you ever been enticed that much that you let yourself soar through those gloomy nights, allowing your heart to reside in that vast devoid of solace?  ** The dusk fell upon the sky as a gloom spread everywhere. A smile crept upon my lips as I lowered my emerald gaze. I tugged a strand of my dark brown hairs behind my ears and exhaled. My heart felt at serene to see the forest passing by which leads to our new home hidden in here.  "I don't know why you even agreed to buy this, Mary?" Complained Jenifer, my assistant. I chuckled when I heard it and replied,  “You know Jenifer, I like solitude. This place is perfect." Jenifer whined and I continued to look out. “What if a wild animal comes?” Jennifer said in worry. “Calm down. We have Brad with us.”I said, assuring her, talking about Brad; our Guard. She still rambled on talking about this place about how far is it, old it would be, how isolated it is and all.  After a devilishly long ride, we reached our place. Me and my staff got out and was welcomed by the caretakers of the mansion. As an archaeologist, I can tell by the architect of the mansion that it was built in the medieval era but it was worth it, the bewitching form made me feel contented to buy this place. I have no regrets to buy this place, I can never afford this gem, I am happy that I had the chance to get it when I had the chance.  We entered as we were greeted by the staff of the mansion. “Good Evening Ma’am, I’m Carlos Flynn, the butler of this mansion. Welcome home.” He said, bowing a little.  “Thank you, Carlos.”  I take a look around the main hall. It was old but well-maintained. The high roof supported by the pillars on the corners as a black carpet starting from the entrance to the main staircase. A chandelier hung in the middle. Different statues are embellishing the hall more. There are a total of 10 workers present there, in which 6 of them are maids, a stable in-charge as well as the gardener, a cook and Carlos. Including my staff there would be a total of 17 people living here. Me, Jenifer; my assistant, Brad; our guard, Julia and Jane; the caretakers, Josh; the cook and Ross; my financial in-charge. As a person who likes being alone, it seems a lot of people to me.  “Show everyone their room, I’ll look for my room myself.” I said walking around. They nodded and Carlos said, “I shall serve the dinner while all of you freshen up.”  “Very well." He left, leaving me all alone in the main hall. I closed my eyes and the scent of my new home filled my nostrils. I walked around and reached a music room. I saw a piano near the  stained glass. My eyes shine in admiration for the work done on the stain glass. Such works never fails to fascinate me; an atrocious work of a heart being offered to a devil. It was scary but enthralling too. I walked up to it and played some random  notes on the piano.  My heart suddenly began to beat fast by the sound produced by it. It was captivating. I quickly turned, feeling I have seen somewhere but there was no one. Strange, I thought, I felt someone's presence. I consider it my imagination and climbed the stairs. I walked around; in front of the stairs, a hallway leads which ends in two seperate ways. I took a left and decided to make the room mine in the farthest corner. I then turned to right, I took a few turned and then a few step of stairs came, I climbed down and saw a rusted iron door at the end of the hallway. The dead end was filled with dust, unlike the whole mansion. The spider web made it feel like no soul came here in years. I opened the door which leads to a garden, It was small garden. My smile grew wide when I walked around. It was maintain beautifully. It was loved,  as if it's the most cherished thing for the caretaker of this sweet garden. I want to praise the gardener here. “Ma’am. How did you get in here?” I gasped by the sudden voice and turned to see Carlos looking astonished. “What happened?” I asked. “This place has been locked for years.” “But it was opened when I came..” I mumbled. “Ma’am this place was sealed.” He said worried.  “But it wasn’t..” I said taking a look around, surprise how it is still that well if it was locked.  “The dinner is served. Please come. ” he almost pleased me to leave that place. I nodded and walked out. Bewildered what caused him to be like this and why it is opened. Carlos close the door and looked around maybe for a lock.  “ Please don’t come here again.” My lips formed a thin line as I nodded hesitantly.  We then went to the dining hall. I took a seat and asked, “By the way, Carlos, Why was that place locked?” “I don’t know Ma’am, it had been locked for years.” I sighed, thinking how it was possible.  I shook my head and decided not to think about it and stress myself. I call it a day and went to have a peaceful sleep.  The next day, I took a stroll around the mansion, wanting to explore this place more.  “Mary!” Jennifer called me. I turned to look at her. She walked to me and began to say, “What are you doing?  “Just taking a stroll around.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Come with me and take a look at the showroom." I nodded and came with her. I saw the showroom, All my discoveries were set there, my heart felt proud when I looked at my achievements.  “Perfect.” I breathe out.  I was walking around the showroom but then a sudden urge to take a look at that garden again arose in me. I have a feeling that I might find something desirable there. Since my instincts are sharp so I went there. My heart felt calm when I entered. According to Carlos, that place was sealed and Since this mansion is really historic so I thought there might be something worthy.  As I was looking around, I saw a door hidden with wine plant. Intrigued  by the way door was concealed. I want to look inside, I removed the wines and pushed the door open and entered. There’s a spiral staircase going downwards. I walked down, there was darkness everywhere, curious to see what in here I quickly get a candle to ignite the gloom.  It wasn't a surprise to find a chapel here. There’s no residence in the nearby places, just a small town far away so it might be inconvenient for the people living here to go all the way to the town. The walls are cracked, it was on the verge of crumbling. I stood at the Alter and saw a statue of a devil, on his knees, offering his hands. I walked closer and saw there’s a wooden box in his hands. I took it and found a lock there. The box was old so I just broke it by applying some pressure on it. There was a jar in it. It was covered by a layer of dust, which made it difficult to see. I tried to open the jar but then A CHAIR FLEW BEFORE ME AND CRASHED ON THE WALL!  I screamed by the sudden action and ran away. The light of the candle blew off, I tried to climb the stairs but stumbled and fell,  hitting my head somewhere. I lost my breath, sweat formed over my forehead, my heart began to hammer against my chest, terrified of the sudden action, I raised my gaze and saw there are eyes glistening in the dark .Me, being a coward, I couldn’t bear this affliction. I quickly turned and climbed the stairs again, gasping loudly to get some air and not to lose consciousness in apprehension. Even my foot hurt but I kept running. I was panting, dread took over me. I lost my senses.  My vision was blurred due to tears. I felt an overwhelming presence behind me, which deluged me in apprehensions. Horrified, I convulsed violently. Crying my misery out, I felt a hot breath on my neck, my hairs stood on their edge as my heart skipped a beat in terror. Unable to bear this trepidation, I quickly ran to where the hallways lead me and ended up in the music room somehow as I closed the door behind me and locked it. A sob escaped my lips as I fall on the ground and began to cry. My heart losing its beat, petrified of what I have just witnessed.  I moved to that mansion, oblivious of the fact what malice reside in it and how my life would turn upside down, immersing me in the endless pools of misery filled with lethal apparitions…