December 10th
The little town John made me drive to was called Storybrooke. It was inside the state of Maine, almost at the division between the USA and Canada. I obviously had to take an airplane to Maine. But from downtown to here, It was still a very long drive. Everything had its white fluffy cover, there was snow everywhere. When I was younger, while still at the shelter I spent nearly 12 years in, they would call me a skeptic. Even though I've never considered myself such thing. I was, with no doubt, incredulous. Never, for a second, I had doubted that. That was before I parked my car in front of the beautiful – and enormous white mansion. There was a beautiful garden way in front of the mansion. Another car was parked within 3 meters from mine. I figured it was Mrs. Murray.
When I got out of my car, an older man was running to his car. I took a deep breath. Why the hell would he get here earlier? I was supposed to accompany him. Idiot. I mumbled words I couldn't even understand as I tried to run to his car. I couldn't let another appraiser go away. John would kill me. There was too much in the line.
-Uhm, Mrs. Murray? –I shouted. The man continued to walk fast. –Wait. Wait! –I heard his car engine cracking. –What the… Where are you- - We have a meeting! –He drove straight down the street. This couldn't be happening. –Seriously? –I asked myself.
I took a deep breathe. I'll fix this.
I took a look at the front part of the mansion. As I had guessed through the pictures from before, it had its structure still perfect. But it wasn't, at any circumstances, new. The door had two little snowmen hanged next to the doorbell. And it was still half-opened.
As I had said before, I was incredulous.
But that didn't keep me from feeling my spinal nerves thrilling.
I closed my eyes for two seconds before I entered the big door. It's probably because of the temperature, I kept telling myself.
The aisle and the hall were as big as a 5 star hotel lobby. The colors were as clean as the snow that covered the house from the outside. The stairs were beautiful. I was in complete awe. For some not long seconds, I wish I had enough money to pay for that place. I closed the door behind me and suddenly I felt like the lights were all off. It was dark, but I could still see things through the light of the windows.
-Hello? –I asked into the air.
Right down the first door, there was an archway that led to a room smaller than the hall itself. It was very well decorated, with black and white frames covering the tall walls through. Over the fireplace, there was a typical american family tradition: a group of family portraits. A woman, alone, dark hair and brown eyes. She had a funny scar above her lips, and I tried to figure out how she'd get that. It wasn't a new picture, so I had the feeling she was probably not still alive. I held the portrait closer.
-May I help you? –A young voice from behind me said. My heart nearly stopped and I jumped at knowing someone was inside. I turned around to see a young man staring at me.
-Hi. –I breathed out. –I'm sorry. The door was open.
-It isn't, actually, I'm actually closing in for the holidays. –He gestured, taking two steps ahead. I gently pulled back the portrait I was holding.
-What… Closing? Isn't it high season for a place like this? Why would you be closing now? –I felt the hesitation in the boy's eyes. I was thrilled to ask his age, he surely seemed so much younger than me.
-Trandition. –He said, quickly. –I'm Henry LeBlanc. –He offered me his hand and a big smile.
-Oh. –I took my gloves out and quickly offered him my hand as well.
-I take it you're Ms. Swan?
-Emma. With Lexington. I'm here for the property appraisal. –I explained.
-Yes. Mrs. Murray arrived early. Left early, too.
-What happened?
-Uh. –He breathed out. –It was probably the ghost.
I chuckled. –The ghost? –I smiled.
-Usually is when they leave like that. –He explained. –Though Regina's never harmed anyone. Sometimes, well… Every once in a while, she does assert herself.
-Regina. –I kept smiling, waiting for the minute Henry would tell me he was just joking around. –Mn-hm, you're on a first name basis with a ghost?
-Well. –He smiled. –When you've known her for as long as I have… Regina Mills. –He pointed to the portrait I was previously holding. So the ghost was the scar woman. –She once owned the place, years ago.
-Hmm.
-It is of the utmost importance to her. –He hesitated, knowing I hadn't quite believed anything he told me. –Well, I'm sorry your trip has been a waste of time.
-Oh, no. I'm not done. –I mumbled. –I just… Got here. There must be some appraiser, somewhere, who's not gonna let a silly ghost story scare them away. –As I said that, I heard a thump coming from the second floor. Henry didn't seem to pay too much attention, but my eyes went straight around. That might have been old pipes, for sure. –Sorry… Regina. –I chuckled.
-And… Where will you stay until then? –He asked.
-Hmn, well… This is an Inn. So I kinda figures I could stay here?
-Impossible. –He said immediately. –As I said, we'll be closed until December 26th. The staff's already gone and I will be leaving within the hour.
-Mm, well, as executer of the state, I have a set of keys, so not too impossible. –Henry had his eyes looking straight through mine.
-Inadvisable. –He corrected himself.
-Because of the ghost? –I smiled. –I don't scare easily.
-I will be leaving soon. –He repeated. –You'll be alone. –I scoffed.
-Hmn, why December 11th? –I asked, as Henry was about to go up the stairs. He gave me a wide open smile and answered calmly:
-Tradition.
As Henry went up the stairs, I went back to the previous room we were talking in. That woman in the picture – Regina – I don't know why she was so captivating.
I watched as Henry's car took off of the front door of the mansion, through a big white window in the room I was settling myself in. Before actually getting into the car, Henry looked behind and waved goodbye. I wish I was sure he was talking to me, but I was almost certain he didn't see me by the window. Maybe this was it? The boy had some kind of issue and actually saw something in the house, and the rumors spread? It's a small town, it could have been anything.
I took a step back and looked at the white room I was in. The bed was probably my bed multiplied by 3.
I went down the stairs to look at it once more, and decided to tell John what happened.
-So your appraiser was a bust. –I said immediately on the phone.
-You're kidding.
-Nope. –I got to the first floor. –He was sprinting to his car when I got here.
-So what's your plan now?
-Well, when I get home to New York I'll hire one of the appraisers we've worked with before, so they're not caught up in the myths of this place. –As I said that, I noticed the big picture on the wall. Another picture of Regina. –Aren't you a pretty ghost? –I mumbled.
-You staying there tonight?Have you seen anything spooky yet?
-Don't start. –I laugh.
-I almost wish I wasn't flying tonight, so I could get the update. See if you've survived.
-You'll get the update when you get back from Caribe. –I set up the house alarm, putting the password Henry gave me until all lights are green and the alarm beeps. –And I can guarantee there won't be any ghosts. Good night, John. –I chuckled.
I have to admit. The only thing actually scary about this house was all those trees outside. Suddenly I wondered if Regina was into gardening.
The snow was still rough outside when I stopped looking at the window and went to bed with my actual book. I never liked to read before, until I got this job. The only thing that could really relax me was reading something that would take my mind away from that for just the minutes that I could actually stand being away from work.
I was falling asleep over it when the old clock beside me started chiming.
Midnight.
I took a deep breath and decided it was time to get under the sheets. My head hurt from the annoying sound it made.
The bed was actually comfortable, so it wasn't that hard to hit the sleep button.
I was relaxed. Now I was sure no ghost would get in my way – cause there wasn't any.