Here you got your weekly new chapter, this is the longest of all, so please I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 38: The Old Haunted Mansion
It was late night and almost everyone was gathered on the Grey Area, obviously except Xemnas, Saix and Axel because he still was on Castle Oblivion. Saix had informed everybody since earlier that tomorrow everyone was going to get a free day, so they were planning how to spend that special day.
-What are we going to do? –Roxas asked Xion
-I don't know. Axel said the next day off we had we were going to the beach, but he's not here. I think it's unfair going without him. –Xion answered with a sigh, Roxas nodded in agreement
-I think you're right…
-Why don't we just stay here and do something funny? –Xion suggested, Roxas was about to answer when Demyx entered the room running in Xigbar's direction.
-Xigbar! Xigbar! You were right! –Demyx exclaimed alarmed, everyone stared at them in confusion
-See? I told you. I've been investigation a lot that mansion. –Xigbar replied, Roxas and Xion stared at each other and continued listening
-It's this about that stupid investigation you got on that house on Twilight Town? –Xaldin added joining to the conversation, Demyx and Xigbar nodded. Roxas and Xion were so curious they decided to get in the conversation also
-What are you talking about guys? –Roxas asked approaching them being followed by Xion
-Oh we've been investigating an hidden old mansion on Twilight Town's woods. There are reasons to believe the mansion is…haunted! –Demyx explained saying the last word with a creepy voice.
-Haunted? You mean like with ghosts in it or something? –Roxas asked
-That's what haunted means, kiddo. People from the town have said they've seen people get in the mansion but never coming out. –Xigbar explained
-I heard people often listen to strange noises coming from the mansion, and also I heard from a group of kids they are sure they saw a blonde girl watching through the window… and then disappearing. –Demyx added, Roxas shook his head obviously not believing in that sort of things
-Sounds creepy… -Xion said getting scared just listening to the story
-You don't actually believe that, don't you? –Roxas asked in disbelief
-Of course we do! You don't? –Demyx asked, Roxas shook his head
-That things are no senses! Stupid stories created only to scare little children. –Roxas explained, Xigbar stared at Demyx and then an evil smile appeared on his face
-Are you sure you think are just "stories"? –Demyx asked with an evil smile on his face also, Xion stared at his face and then at Xigbar and gulped, she knew what was coming next.
-That means you're not scared, right? –Xigbar added
-Of course not! I already told you I don't believe in that kind of things!
-That means you won't be scared to proof we're wrong, right? –Xigbar said, Roxas looked at him in confusion
-What do you mean?
-One night. Stay a whole night on that mansion. If you do, you'll not just earn our respect, but also I promise we'll pay you 10,000 munny. –Xigbar proposed, Roxas and Xion opened they're eyes like plates when they heard this
-That much!? –Roxas asked excitedly immediately thinking in all the things he could buy with all that money, Xion looked at him in disapproval.
-Of course you're not going! I'm not letting you go into a place that dangerous! –Xion said determined not to let Roxas go, Xigbar and Demyx stared at each other clearly confused
-And who are you to take the decisions for him? –Xigbar asked
-Who I am? I am his gir… -Xion was about to continue when she remembered they were supposed to keep their relationship as a secret. Xigbar and Demyx stared at her still confused about the whole scene. Even Luxord and Xaldin who were playing cards on the other side of the room got curious for the sudden scene.
-You're his what? –Demyx asked again, Xion placed a cold glare on the Melodious Nocturne that made him stop talking. For a minute over there he forgot Roxas and Xion's relationship was supposed to be a secret. Xigbar on the other side couldn't help but to stare at Roxas and Xion, and then at Demyx…
-What's going on here? -Xigbar asked raising his eyebrow.
-It doesn't matter. What REALLY matters is that I'm accepting you're challenge. I'll spend one night at that mansion for all the money you previously offered. –Roxas challenged, Xigbar smiled as he saw the determined eyes on Roxas face.
-But…but…Roxas, are you insane? –Xion said stuttering
-Don't worry Xion, just think at all we can buy with all that money! I can buy that Nintendo Wii you love so much! –Roxas said excitedly, but Xion on the other side wasn't to sure about this idea. Xigbar noticing this got a new idea…
-Hey Roxas, seems apparently you're not afraid at all, what do you say if we change a little our terms? –Xigbar offered, Roxas glared at him when he heard this
-Don't you think it's a little late for that?
-Relax kiddo, you're going to like this: The only change is you have to go with Xion to that mansion, you both have to stay all night, what do you say?
-Absoulutely NOT! If Roxas wants to get eaten by a monster or something in that mansion it's his problem. I'm smart enough to know I shouldn't go to a place like that! –Xion said, Xigbar noticed the fear in Xion eyes as she talked and started thinking in a way to convince her.
-Come on, Xion! You're going to be with me, nothing bad is going to happen, I promise!
-I said NO, Roxas. –Xion said again crossing her arms. Roxas sighed in defeat, but Xigbar wasn't going to give up yet, not without playing his last card
-Oh, that's too bad. I think Xion wants me to tell the boss two teenagers were sneaking on his office some days ago… -Xigbar said in a low voice making sure Luxord and Xaldin didn't listened, he didn't cared if Demyx did however. Roxas and Xion opened their eyes as plates in shock, how did Xigbar knew that?
-You did that? –Demyx asked in disbelief
-…Of…course we didn't, why would we do something…like that? –Xion said extremely nervous, Roxas slapped his forehead. Of course anyone was going to believe them if Xion couldn't invent better excuses and lies.
-I don't know, but Xemnas would get mad when he discovers you were checking his personal files on his computer… -Xigbar added again in a low voice
-How did you find out? –Roxas said seeing no point on lying anymore.
-Do you really think you're masters of disguise? Anyone could see you under the desk! Well not anyone since Saix didn't find out, Oh, and do you think I kicked Xion's legs by accident twice? –Xigbar asked raising his eyebrow again, , Xion couldn't resist anymore and started hugging his foot and begging for mercy.
-Please don't tell him Xigbar, if he finds out we're going to be turned into Dusks! Imagine, this cute face will disappear and will be replaced with a stupid one with a zip on his mouth! –Xion said pointing to her face and then to a Dusk who curiously was passing by. Xigbar laughed
-You know what to do, spend one night with Roxas on the mansion and no one is going to find out about that little "incident". –Xigbar proposed again, Roxas and Xion glared at him.
-…Fine… -she finally accepted with a sigh
-Good. The terms are: If you succeed and stay a whole night in the mansion, I'm paying you 10,000 munny but, if you fail to stay all the night, you're going to do anything I tell you for a day, okay? –Xigbar said stretching his hand
-You didn't said that before, but we accept only for the money. –Roxas said accepting Xigbar's hand. Xion sighed.
-Good. It's 9:35 PM. now, gather everything you think necessary. I'll see you in front of the Old Mansion at Twilight Town's forest at 10:00 PM, Demyx will open a dark corridor for you. –Xigbar said disappearing in a dark corridor.
-Okay, let's go Xion. –Roxas said running excitedly to his room, Xion looked at him not as excited as he was.
-Whatever… -Xion sighed depressed and slowly following Roxas.
Some minutes later, Roxas and Xion were reappearing within the gates of the Old Mansion. Just to make things worse for Xion, there was a heavy rain on Twilight Town on that moment. Xion sighed and used her hood to cover her hair, Roxas not really caring about it didn't do anything to protect from the rain
-Where is Xigbar? –Roxas asked, Xion shrugged not really caring about him. Only to answer his question, Xigbar appeared from the sky and landed in front of them, Roxas and Xion stared at each other and then at Xigbar…
-…What were you doing? –Xion asked raising an eyebrow, Xigbar shrugged
-I was just finishing my special barrier, look at it. –Xigbar said pointing at the mansion. Suddenly, a transparent barrier appeared surrounding the entire house.
-And what's the point of that? –Xion asked again, Xigbar noticed the hostility on Xion's voice and smiled, he really enjoyed teasing everyone, and he was really enjoying teasing Xion.
-This barrier my girl, will make sure you don't exit the house in all night. If you quit this perimeter, I will immediately know and you loose you're money. The barrier will disappear at 6:00 AM exactly, so you must stay until then, understood? –Xigbar explained, Xion sighed knowing she wouldn't be able to escape from this.
-Okay, just make sure you have ready that money… -Roxas advised walking into the house, Xion followed making sure to be close to him.
-Don't worry about it, oh, and dark corridors won't be working until tomorrow, so you can't escape. See ya. –Xigbar said disappearing on a dark corridor behind them, Roxas shrugged and opened the door to the mansion which was surprisingly unlocked.
-We're lucky Xion, the door was unlocked! –Roxas said entering the mansion, Xion sighed
-Yeah, lucky… -she said as she followed the blonde. As soon as they entered, Roxas turned on the lights and they found the mansion was dirty and with old damaged furniture in it.
Xion examined everything just like the Organization had taught her, obviously the house was abandoned because of the condition of it, but who ever lived there before had an horrible sense for decoration, since the house was poorly decorated.
As she continued advancing and examining anything suspicious closely, she noticed not everything was as dirty as it should have been, the windows were clean enough to see through them, the kitchen also was surprisingly clean. She walked back to the main room and joined Roxas who was examining the other rooms on the first floor.
-Mmmmm Xion, I don't want to scare you or anything but this house doesn't seem completely abandoned… -Roxas told her, the girl nodded in agreement
-I know. It sure is dirty, but not dirty enough for being abandoned. Maybe those kids from Twilight Town use this place as their hide out or something. –Xion suggested, but Roxas shook his head
-Nope, I've been into those kids hide out before. Now that you mention it, one of those kids told me people have often seen a girl from the window of the second floor, want to check out? –Roxas asked, Xion shook her head scared not wanting to find out if someone really lived there, or what people often saw was a ghost or something.
-Come on, don't be so boring. We have to stay here all night anyway, so let's explore a little more! –Roxas suggested again, but Xion didn't moved and crossed her arms.
-I'm not moving from here. –Xion firmly said, Roxas rolled his eyes
-Fine, I'm investigation by my own. –he answered as he walked through the stairs, Xion looked at him, she was scared because Roxas was leaving her alone, but she didn't wanted to discover who knows what on the upper room, so she finally decided to stay on the first floor.
Just as Roxas was about to reach the second floor, the room was completely illuminated because of a thunder and just after that the lights went off. As soon as this happen, Xion couldn't help but to shout scared. The girl's shout scared Roxas also, and decided he couldn't leave her alone in the dark so decided to go back after her.
-Don't be scared, I'm here. –Roxas said giving her a hug which she quickly accepted.
-I'm so sorry, but you know darkness scares me. I can't help it. –Xion said holding the boy tightly; Roxas began messing with the girl's hair trying to make her feel better.
Roxas and Xion made their way through darkness and decided to sit on a corner; Xion laid her head on Roxas' chest as he continued messing her hair trying to comfort her. She closed her eyes trying to forget the place they were in that moment and trying to actually enjoy Roxas company.
They stayed in silent for some minutes, suddenly, Roxas heard Xion's breathing normalized, just like if she had…
-Xion? –Roxas asked, but the answer never came. He sighed, he didn't expected her to get asleep so early. As another lightning illuminated the room, he decided to do just like his girlfriend and get some rest, that way the night would go on faster.
Some hours passed after that, Roxas woke up first and a few minutes later Xion woke up also. The rain had stopped hours ago, but the lightning still illuminated the entire forest and obviously the house occasionally. The two were quietly talking about every stupid thing it came to their minds, and then they silently laughed of their own foolish talking topics. They continued with this until some specific sounds distracted them.
-Roxas…did…did you heard that? –Xion asked nervously as both of them hear clear footsteps coming from the second floor. Roxas gulped silently nodding, even though she couldn't see him because of the dark.
After a few seconds, the footsteps stopped. Roxas and Xion were hugging each other, both scared. They stayed like that a few seconds and then, just like in scary movies a lightning once again illuminated the room revealing a girl's figure who was staring at them from the second floor. Roxas and Xion gulped really scared this time.
On the other side, the girl's reaction was to gasp as soon as she saw them and started running. Roxas and Xion could just hear her footsteps and then the sound of a door closing. This made Roxas react and quickly got on his feet and made his way to the stairs running, Xion followed him but just because she didn't wanted to stay alone in that place.
-Roxas what are you doing? We should stay on the first floor; we don't know what that thing is. –Xion wisely suggested, but as it was usual, Roxas didn't obeyed.
-I know what it was: a normal girl Xion. If not, why wouldn't it run from us? She's just as scared as we are. –Roxas answered, Xion thought in it for minute, Roxas was right, but still that didn't make her feel better. Knowing Roxas wouldn't change his mind, she just stayed as close as she could from him.
Roxas not knowing which direction the girl took, decided to take the left corridor which conducted them to a door. Roxas and Xion breathed heavily and opened the door. They constantly summoned their Keyblades to illuminate a little the room, but they didn't saw anything strange. Some bookshelves and a table on the center of the room, not finding anything out of the ordinary they left the room.
Not being other way to take, they walked on the opposite direction which took them to another door on the other side of the mansion, once again they took a deep breath and tried to open the door, but this one was locked.
-Too bad, let's go back. –Xion said turning around and heading to the stairs, but Roxas stopped him.
-Wait, we can still open it with our Keyblades, remember? –Roxas said with a smile she couldn't see. Xion silently cursed herself for discovering that use for their Keyblades, she got really scared when Roxas summoned his Keyblade and began taking distance from the door.
-Roxas please, I have the feeling we shouldn't open this door in particular. –Xion said terrified holding Roxas arm. The blonde could feel how the girl was once again shaking from fear. Roxas sighed and withdrew his Keyblade and headed back to the first floor with Xion.
Once they were on the first floor, they were heading back to the corner they were before when Roxas started feeling a pain in his head which actually made his stop walking. Roxas hold his hand trying to ease the pain, but it was useless. He started growling as the pain got worse, and worse, and worse.
-Roxas…was wrong with you? –Xion said scared as Roxas fell to the floor holding his head. He could her Xion's voice farther and farther and farther until he couldn't hear it anymore.
-Where…where am I? –Roxas said as he soon found himself on a white room, he turned his head confused; there were no doors, no windows, anything. It was just a room with white walls and a ceiling.
-Thank you for not opening the door, I'm afraid we can't meet yet. –a female voice said, Roxas recognized the voice, it was similar to Xion's, but that wasn't her voice.
-Who…who are you? –Roxas asked looking everywhere, there wasn't anyone but him on the room. This wasn't like his previous dreams, this one was different. He was pretty sure these were not memories, just a "normal" dream.
-Don't worry, I'm not going to harm you or Xion. I just want to warn you… -the voice echoed once again on the room, Roxas started looking everywhere again, and just of a sudden, a girl about her same height with blonde long hair resting over one of her shoulders and with a white simple dress appeared in front of him.
-You!? You're the girl… -Roxas exclaimed surprised
-Shhh… -the girl silenced him placing one finger on his lips. Roxas obeyed somehow getting lost on the girl's blue eyes which reminded him so much of Xion's…
-…What do you want to warn me about? –Roxas asked after a short silence period
-About Organization XIII, I know you find that place as your home but, you shouldn't trust so much in them. Instead, you should do just like Xion and try to discover more about your past, who were you before being a Nobody? –the girl asked looking directly at his eyes, Roxas lowered his sight, don't trust in the Organization?
-How…how do you know all of these? How do you know I'm a Nobody? –Roxas asked again, the girl giggled
-We're similar, Roxas. You and I have a connection you'll only find as time passes by… I hope we can see again. –the girl said waving her hand as it vanished, Roxas gasped at this and tried to hold her hand but he couldn't.
-Hey…wait, can't you tell me your name at least?
-I'm sorry, but I can't. Remember what I told you Roxas, oh, and take care about Xion. –the girl's voice echoed once again. Roxas sighed and then he noticed how everything was starting to get dark again.
Roxas opened his eyes, he was still on darkness, but he was sure he wasn't dreaming anymore. He could feel he was lying on Xion's legs, he slowly sat up holding his head and remembering the blonde girl's words.
-Roxas!? You're awake! What happened? –Xion exclaimed happily hugging him, but Roxas didn't answered, his mind was completely busy. He couldn't forget about that girl's words. Who was she? And why did she know so much about him? He shook his head and got on his feet, feeling the need to have a short nap at least.
-Let's go back, I…I need some rest.- Roxas finally said, the girl would normally be glad that Roxas wanted to go back to the Castle, but this actually made her feel even more worried than before.
-Roxas…are you sure?
-Yeah… let's go. –he said still holding his head as he walked to the main entrance, Xion sighed and followed.