“Mistress I have found something that might be of your interest.” Chester’s growl drags me out of my dark and deepened thoughts. I lift my head up from the canvas and immediately gasp, in his jaw is an old leather bound journal. The phantoms circling from it give the key to me and my hair falls softly into my eyes.
“Chester what do you suppose it is? I haven’t seen anything so time worn or so beautifully bound.” I whisper just loud enough for his canine ears to hear over the screaming.
“The secrets to your past… dear Morticia…” A haunting murmur fills the dim room and all falls silent. The floor boards creek and the ghastly outline of a figure from my memories enters the room. Chester growls lowly, hair standing on end.
“Mother?” I whisper the word dry on my lips, now I haven’t had the thoughts of her for years. Her face but a dream, but the bloody mess of her my eternal nightmare.
“Correct… I wish you adu, beware of the guest, they aren’t what they seem.” Her haunting murmur fills the silence before she flickers out. Chester drops the book at my feet before bowing and backing slowly out of the room with a shrill mournful howl. I shiver slightly before picking up the book. I flip to the last page and the names stand out clear as day, something clicking hauntingly in my memory.
“The capture’s return, death in eyes, hidden lies, shrill cries.” A choir of children whisper, human screaming fills the dark halls. I drop the book leaving it open turned to the last page on my bed. My tread soundlessly on the oak floor but an unnatural glow fills my room, causing me to turn around. Out of the book rises a blue flame that crawls over the floor, I desparetly try to back away but I’m frozen in place. Terror clouds my thoughts as it climbs over me. It does nothing, just a ghost of a memory but suddenly I remember the things so long lost. My name and Cat’s… Another shrill scream brings me out of my firey haze.
“Andy!!” Ashley’s voice echos through to my chamber and I almost fly out of the room, old Fredrick has him pinned to the wall.
“Sir, who are you and on whose business are you here for?” Fred’s hoarse murmur sends me calmly over to them, my night gown letting me have the appearance of floating.
“Dear Fredrick that is Ashley Purdy, he is here as a guest. Let him down he means no harm.” My voice echos down the corridor and they both turn to me stunned.
“Witch did you read the book dear Chester found?” Fredrick moans turning to me and I smile slightly remembering my name, Morticia Emerald Rose.
“Sir he did, but have you seen the wolf?” I ask and before the old ghost can reply he disappears. Ashley turns to me stunned, eyes gluing to mine.
“Mr. Purdy what may I help you with?” I ask with a slight bow and he rubs the back of his neck nervously.
“Witch, if I may call you that,” He casts me a puzzling look and I motion for him to continue, “I was wondering if you truly remembered that video from years ago?” He asks quietly a light blush creeping up on his cheeks. I motion for him to follow me, out into the night.
“Sir there is no way I can forget the video… My niece forced me too, being 13 and stupid I did. My talent is flawed and my voice is rattled. I may not even be able to leave this blasted castle…” I mumble tilting my head back to look up at the stars since the new moon is not visible.
“I have a confession… believe me or not, I fell in love that day. I fell in love with you. I haven’t forgotten the video or the bref second I could see your hauntingly bewitching eyes.” He whispers and I drop my head back down turning to look at him, my eyes lock on his and I smile lightly.
“Sir Ashley I have never felt such a thing as Love, for it is not something I am familiar with. Something about this is telling me that its right, that we are right. We have to fight for things out of our reach and for me that’s freedom.” I murmur before leaping down off the balcony down onto the forest floor. Ashley’s confused face is dimly illuminated from above and I walk off, down the familiar trail to the graveyard. For there may my question be truly answered.