The Seventh Parasite

Chapter One: The Ghost's Request

Ermengarde mansion was the source of horrific tales of murder and tragedy. Believed to be the most haunted mansion of Great Britain. Since the previous owners moved out, they struggled to sell the mansion. Not many peopled dared to enter the mansion.

For Susan Ashworth… it was paradise. No neighbours to complain about the noise or bringing in stray cats. They weren't stray anymore, Susan took all the stray cats with her when she moved to the mansion. It was big change from the small flat to the massive mansion. But it was a welcome change for Susan.

The only thing she didn't like in her new home was the ghostly cries in the middle of the night. Calling out for Susan's attention: begging for her help. Every night, Susan would move to another location to deafen out the cries. But she would be brutally murdered by the ghost every night in a different way.

On Monday she was decapitated. On Tuesday she was burned her own cigarette. Wednesday, she hung, drawn and quartered. Thursday the ghost sucked her soul into the mirror. Last night, she was inhaled by a spear.

The morning after her deaths, she would wake up in bed as if it was all a dream. As if it had never happened in the first place. But she knew it happened. She knew why it happened. When she committed suicide a year ago, she was given a gift from the Queen of Maggots: immortality.

No matter how many times someone tried to kill her, she would always be brought back to life. There were still parasites around. The Queen of Maggots told her she had to kill them all, but for one parasite forcing him to live was the better punishment. Still, she'd rather have the ghost than the Queen of Maggots anyway. At least the ghost gave her nice cuddles.

Susan could hear her crying. It was from the wine cellar downstairs. The previous owner still left a generous supply down there. Susan opened the hatch.

"Okay Cuddles," Susan hissed. "You win." She was tired of being brutally murdered every night. "Tell me what you need help with."

"Help me…Help me…Help me…"

"Look, I can't help you unless you tell me what's wrong."

"So you've finally decided to listen?" The cries for help ceased. The ghost's voice was malice. She cackled so loud it left a tingling sensation in Susan's ear. "I've been trying to get your attention for so long. How rude of you to ignore me."

Susan hopped into the cellar following the dim light. "You've got a cheek! You're the rude one. You're the one that disturbs me every night."

"I underestimated you," Cuddles croaked. Susan managed to get a good look at her under the light. Everything about Cuddles wreaked death. "I just want somebody to heed my humble request."

"Well why didn't you ask me this before instead of killing me?"

"It was a test, my dear," Cuddles replied with a bleeding smile. "A test to see if you were worthy enough. And you are more than worthy."

"Cut the bullshit," Susan demanded. "What do you want?"

"We don't ask for much." Cuddles crumbled onto her knees and held her hands as if she was making a prayer. "All we want is our prince to come back home."

Susan huffed. "Fat chance of that happening. He's most likely dead if you haven't killed him yourself already."

"No he's still alive. Why he came into this house before you. We waited for him for so long and now he's gone. And we miss him so much."

"So if I bring you your prince back, will you promise to leave me alone."

"Of course," Cuddles responded with glee. "We would do anything for our prince."

"Fine, I'll do it."

"Thank you, Susan Ashworth…"

"On one condition," Susan interrupted. "I'm not going to let you rule the roost over my house. You used to be a maid right? I can tell by your clothes. Here are my humble rules. Number one: you're only allowed to kill parasites. Two: you won't disturb me at night. And three, this is the most important one: you are not to kill or harm any of my cats. I know each and every one of them. I will notice if one is missing. Break my rules and you won't get your prince. Do have deal."

Cuddles shook Susan's hand. Susan couldn't shake of the chill that travelled through her spine. "Deal!"

"Who's this prince of yours then?"

"He's easy to spot. He's the richest and most beautiful man in the city."

"Right. What about his name?"

"It seems as if you know his name already."

Susan raised her eyebrows and squinted. "What do you mean?"

"Luke Wright is his name. And how we can't wait to see him again."