Thomas and Samuel were fighting again. It wasn't uncommon for them to fight. The Civil War was tearing many families apart and the Esmond family was no different. They were debating in the drawing room, attempting to keep their voices low. The fight ended normally with both brothers outraged at one another. Samuel soon left, his face red and angry. Soon after he left, Union soldiers stormed through the area. They burned, looted and destroyed the area. They were led by General Sherman. The Esmond's were killed and their home destroyed. Samuel came back the next day, hoping to apologize to his family. When he saw what had happened, he went crazy. He killed himself in front of a mirror, swearing to have revenge on Sherman.
"And it was this very mirror he swore in front of. It is the only thing that survived the fire completely intact. So if any of you are related to General Sherman, you better watch out." said Tessa Ryder the tour guide.
The crowd of tourists laughed. They were all touring the replica of the Esmond's house in Virginia. Most of them were reaping the discount of the tickets because of Halloween.
"Well, at least this is the last tour." thought Tessa. Tessa had always loved the Esmond's house, but she didn't love having to wear a huge dress. Sure it was pretty in the mirror but it was heavy and made her hot, despite the cool breeze of autumn. She ended the tour and showed the tourists out. She went to the employee room in the back and changed out of her dress and into her less heavy Halloween costume. She was looking forward to going trick or treating with some friends after a long day of work. As she left the home, she glanced in the mirror on the wall.
But it wasn't her reflection that looked back at her. It was a man. Tessa screamed. She flung her purse at the mirror and it shattered. The pieces stopped in mid-air and rose up to create a shadowy figure of a man.
"I am Samuel Esmond and you are a relative of William Sherman. For his sins against my family, you will pay." said the man.
Tessa tried to run but the ghost was too fast. He lunged and grabbed Tessa by the collar of her costume. Tessa closed her eyes and prayed for a quick punishment, but it didn't come. She opened her eyes and looked at Samuel. There was hesitation in his eyes. And then, he let her go. Tessa scrambled against the wall, wondering what would happen next.
"Sherman may have killed my family but I will not become him and kill his. If I have learned anything, it is that you should forgive before it's too late." said Samuel slowly retreating to the frame of the mirror. He turned and started to sink into the frame, slowly repairing it to its original form.
"I am sorry for what happened to you and your family. Thank you for sparing me. I hope we meet again" Tessa said softly.
Samuel smiled at her. "Talk to the mirror sometime." He sunk back into the mirror and Tessa hung it up on the wall.
Now, if you peak into the window of the Esmond's mansion, sometimes you can see a girl talking to a mirror. And sometimes you can see a man in the mirror talking back.