Hey people! So this idea has been in my head for a couple of months now and I decided to get it up here already! So sit back, relax and enjoy! Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Prologue: Dare You
It was irrational to sneak around. The area was at least two miles from the city. The lights weren't on in the manor looming ahead. No one was home, no one to answer the door. No one was living there. The sprawling, once-grand estate had been abandoned for almost two hundred years if the rumors were to be believed. It was devoid of any light or life-a condemned piece of space. Officially. Legend however, dictated by gossip told another story. It didn't matter how the story was told-or which one because there were so many. What did matter was the one word each one of the mansion's stories had in common: Haunted. Of course such a title granted the mansion fame, and therefore was the subject of gossip, rumors, interest, speculation or the occasional paranormal investigation and/or study. And of course nighttime dares were invoked upon curious, fool-hardy children. The two had snuck out together after ' Bedtime' and met on their mutual street corner to pedal their bikes down to the haunted estate.
Sugar-induced bravado and youthful confidence permitted them to ride to their destination with the moon's guiding light and park their bikes against the bushes. But no sooner had they stood at the black wrought-iron gate that their courage wavered in light of the task ahead. Both boys grabbed at the bars of the gate supporting themselves as they stared back at the town's biggest legend. Mutou Manor. They stared at the abandoned home like one would stare at a dangerous creature behind bars in a zoo. " Okay, one picture and we're history." The older of the two said, more to reassure himself than his friend admittedly. The partner in question shot a nervous glance at the older boy swallowing loudly.
" That's what I'm afraid of." Obviously he'd taken those words too close to heart. The older boy sighed and pulled his friend by the shoulder.
" Come on. Let's get this over with." Together they ducked down to the bottom of the gate, which was just high enough off of the ground to allow them to wriggle their bodies underneath the metal. After dusting themselves off the two sprinted down the gravel pathway all the way up to the mansion, their adrenaline pushing them forward. The front door opened easily, much to their surprise. No going back now. The heavy cherry wood door was decorated with stained-glass windows depicting red and blue roses. The light cast from the moon caught the glass splaying multicolored lights on the dusty floor. It was quiet.
" Oh, man. Do we have to do this?" The younger of the boys groaned. His friend stared back at him incredulously.
" You want everyone in school to think we're chicken?" He whispered sharply.
" I could live with that."
" You wuss. Come on." The two ventured further into the manor. Cobwebs and dust ruled over everything here. Their flashlights played on the walls around them, casting shadows and playing with the lights of the other stained-glass windows within. The room was large and lavish by tell of the painted walls, plush blood-red carpeting accompanying a massive stairway, and a large chandelier which hung in silence over their heads. The house must have been beautiful in earlier days. Now it looked like the perfect setting for a horror movie. The pair swiveled their flashlights from one end of the room to another. The boys strained their young ears and eyes, on the look-out for unexpected company. " I-I don't see anything. Do you?" The older boy swung his light back and fourth, then shook his head.
" No, I don't see anything." Then from above came the sound of groaning, from the aged floorboards in the manor. The small sound instantly heightened the tension to unnecessary levels.
" Let's just take the picture and get out of here." He whimpered. The other huffed as he handed the younger boy the camera.
" Fine, fine. Here, take the picture." He ran to the center of the room and put his hands on his hips, an automatic smile spreading over his face. The boy began lifting the camera to his eyes, then frowned as a thought dawned over him.
" Now wait a minute! I gotta be in the picture too or else no one will believe I was here!" He ran to his friend and pressed the camera to his hand, only for it to be shoved away.
" Just shut up and take the picture!"
" No you take the picture!"
" You take it!"
" You!"
" Guys, guys don't fight! I'll take the picture!" Both boys froze. It was just them! There was no one else! So then...who spoke? The camera was lifted away by hands neither of them could see and with apprehension in their eyes both boys lifted their flashlights slowly. " Say cheese!" The voice chirped happily. As the camera flashed the duo screamed bloody murder. Gasping and shrieking the boys scrambled away from the floating camera and ran terrified from the house as fast as their legs could carry them. The picture taken printed out of the slot in the camera, then fell to the floor in a puff of dust. The camera lowered and two sad, resigned amethyst eyes stared at the spot where the youngsters had been moments ago. " Oh, darn. I did it again." He breathed. He would have apologized then for scaring them unintentionally. He never meant to scare anyone. But no one was there. The manor was quiet again save for the hooting of a distant owl and a quiet chorus of cicadas.
Done! So what did you think? The next chapter will be posted next week and I promise it'll be a longer one so until then please R&R and bless your happy happiness!