As the small group exited the Trophy Room, Sabrina absent-mindedly brushed traces of dust and dirt from her dress. Salem shot her a shrewd look. Normally, she'd be freaking out over a ruined outfit, but I think here, she's learned to put things into perspective…I guess fighting for your life will do that to you.
"Where to next?" Sabrina asked Leota cheerfully. This gets sort of cliché…I mean, I don't know where I'm going half the time—okay, ALL of the time—and I feel like I'm being led around on a leash.
"Let's try the Toy Room," Leota suggested. "Go down the hallway, to the four-way intersection, and then take the right. Can't miss it."
Sabrina blinked. "Toy… Room?"
Leota nodded before explaining. "A nursery. You know. Where the children spent most of their time."
"No, it's just…" Sabrina fumbled for the right words. "When you say 'Haunted Mansion,' you just don't naturally think of toys, much less of children." She began briskly walking down the hallway, eyes sharply flitting back and forth, senses open to finding enemies.
"Well, there were children here once," Leota pointed out.
"When?" Salem sarcastically remarked. "This dive doesn't look like a place I'd take any kid of mine."
"Heaven help us if he does procreate," the psychic muttered. "The Toy Room is relatively new," she explained, "in comparison to the rest of the rooms in the house. It used to be a schoolroom of sorts, until Master George inherited the Mansion. He had it totally renovated for his children; Master Edward being one of them."
"Edward Gracey had siblings?" Sabrina asked, interested in spite of herself. I really want to meet this Master Gracey. Maybe he can explain some of the bizarre occurrences here…even if he is dead. And the story of the Gracey family is intriguing…
"Yes. He had two. This door, honey," Leota instructed. They had ended up in a dead-end hallway, with one other room opposite the door Leota was facing.
Curiously, Sabrina deconstructed the barrier. The sound of gentle children's laughter filled her ears. There aren't children in here…are there? Heart pounding as hard as Elizabeth's (Don't think of her right now, don't think of the ghosts, just fix the room), she stepped in.
The Toy Room was charming. Whatever decay or sinister warping had befallen the rest of the Mansion had not reached this innocent respite. The wallpaper was a soft, cheery light blue, with lacy white patterns of lines and ripples. The wooden floor was laid in golden-hued planks, and was a plateau of sorts; steps in the middle of the room led to a slightly lower level. That level housed a magnificent bay window, decorated with pristine white trim. Like the other rooms of the house, it overlooked sections of the swampy forest surrounding the house. And yet…the trees outside the window were straight, almost noble looking.
Sabrina wandered around, marveling. The room was dusty, to be sure. But time had wreaked little other damage. A chalkboard was mounted on one wall, and a pale-blue velvet-padded sofa sat next to it. There were a few cabinets, tables, chairs, and even a rocking chair on the lower level.
The Spirit Detective walked down the steps, examining the rocking chair. She squealed with delight. "Salem, look!" Her fingertips brushed a slightly dusty doll, seated on the chair. Very carefully, with the tenderness of a mother handling a newborn, Sabrina picked the doll up.
The doll was of porcelain, with a rosy face and tiny, delicate hands and feet. It was shod in real lace gloves and socks, shiny leather slippers, and a dress of blue silk. Sabrina touched the pink ribbon tied on the doll's hat, and gazed at the face, with its rosebud mouth and blue glass eyes.
"Her name is Lydia," the psychic informed the Detective. "And she belonged to Miss Emily."
"Emily?" Salem queried. Sabrina looked up from cradling the doll, watching the crystal ball. It sounds familiar…sort of.
"Emily Gracey was Edward Gracey's older sister," Leota explained. "She and Edward's other older sibling, Master Daniel, lived here as children. Lydia was Emily's favorite doll."
"So, why didn't she take it with her when she got married?" Sabrina asked, gently rocking Lydia. "She could have taken it with her when she got married—to give it to her kids."
"Emily Gracey died as a young woman," Leota said quietly.
A look of shock spread across Sabrina's face, and she barely kept from dropping the doll.
"She and the others were visiting their mother's relatives when the countryside was struck by scarlet fever. She and Daniel… She was just about your age."
Sabrina's arms trembled faintly. So horrible…she was so young…just like me…
"Only Master Edward survived," Leota murmured. "He was the youngest, yet he became the heir."
"What is up with this guy?" Salem asked quizzically. "You'd think fate had it out for him or something."
Leota did not respond. Her face was closed and meditative, as if reliving past days.
She's remembering the past, Sabrina thought. Being here is triggering memories that maybe she doesn't want to relive…
Sabrina stood up, and still carrying Lydia, begun to finish examining the room. Blocks were scattered across the floor, and a few dusty books lay on the window seat. Clumsy pastel drawings were tacked proudly on the walls: a vase of flowers, the tree outside the window, and what looked like a camel, but could have been a dog. The last picture bore the name 'Eddy.' I guess it proves that no matter what time period you're in, kids are still kids.
Sabrina sat down on the couch, and clutched Lydia to her chest. She rested her head on top of the doll's head, and closed her eyes. These were real people. They lived and breathed and died here. They planted flowers, and drew pictures, and buried their beloved dead in that ridiculous Mausoleum. Why didn't I understand that before?
She opened her eyes and looked around the room. Emily…
A strange wave of emotion swept over her, more powerful and intense than anything she had experienced. Sabrina felt like a torrent of spiritual power was attempting to sweep her away, and she was unable to break free.
Spots of color and light swam in her vision. It's like a kaleidoscope… In the midst of her shifting, the Spirit Detective could have sworn she saw a door… Light streamed from its cracks, and the doorknob gleamed with an unearthly shine. It's the door…the door to somewhere…no, something important…
Dazedly, she reached out, stretching. I must open it…I have to… Her fingers grazed the knob, then firmly grasped it. Summoning all of her strength, Sabrina pulled.
The door slowly creaked open…
It was as if the door to something deep inside Sabrina, herself, had been opened. Some part of her soul had been awakened, and now…
…now, things would be different…
A strange perception filled the girl's mind, strange in its clarity and haziness. If she could have been separate from her body, she might have seen the doll she was carrying glow gold, briefly. She could have possibly seen that glow diffuse into her own skin, only to reappear briefly in her own eyes.
What she did see was the faint haze clouding the room. Soft, gentle laughter—the laughter of a child—filled the room, coming from no specific source.
A child darted in front of her, dressed in dark blue, with a white ruffled pinafore, and a white hair bow pulling the pale locks back. She looked up at the older girl solemnly, before turning to the toy chest set near the door.
Suddenly, superimposed over this was the image of the little girl, along with two other children—dark-haired boys, dressed in oddly-styled short pants and shirts—playing with sets of blocks, next to the chest. The girl was giggling as she built castles from the blocks, and the older boy knocked them down with marbles.
Sabrina, gasping, backed away. How can I do this? How can I see this? Her eyes wide, chest heaving, she stared at the small girl, realizing that her pearly skin was translucent, and her form faintly blurred around the edges.
The little girl turned back from the toy chest to look at the Spirit Detective. Her large cornflower eyes regarded the teenage witch solemnly. Pain, sadness, and frustration: elements and emotions that had no place in the soul of a child swirled in the depths of those eyes. A strange, acute sadness pulled at Sabrina, as she made to put her hand over her heart, gasping, but realized that she was clutching a toy.
The child turned slightly, and raised a finger to point at the toy chest. Sabrina stared, daring to edge slightly closer. What? What does she wasn't with that?
The little girl jabbed her finger at it, stubbornly indicating that Sabrina was to examine the chest.
Carefully, Sabrina edged closer. She knelt before the toy chest, placing Lydia the doll on the ground, before reaching to touch the ancient wood. The lid rattled and swung open, a strange dusty mist flowing from within.
For the third time in this evening—assuming it was still evening—Sabrina felt that same pressuring vacuum force drawing upon her. The force was derived from an object in the chest—she could tell that much. The force clamped down on her from all sides, and a whirlwind of dust, mist, and aura raged around her, consuming the Detective's slight form.
She was falling again, and this time, only the strange little girl heard her cry.
She landed on her feet, remarkably, on something hard, and slightly slick. Sabrina had not realized that her eyes were pressed tightly together, so she carefully forced them open.
"WHAT IS GOING ON?"
Surrounding her, looking like some sort of neo-skatepark, was a structure of blocks. These were the kind of blocks—brightly colored and in a variety of shapes—which children built castles and buildings out of. Sabrina had, too, in her own childhood. Okay, I've been shrunk again. This is getting kind of old.
Checking underneath her feet, she discovered she was standing on some sort of ball—perhaps the kind used to play jacks, or maybe a marble. Panic quickly gripped the Detective as she desperately tried to maintain her balance. She closed her eyes, held her arms out, and tried to relax. It's only a three-foot drop to the ground. I'll survive if I fall…I think…
She took a tentative, tiny step, hoping she wouldn't slip off. Oddly enough, the ball rotated to meet her foot. She blinked, and stepped forward again. Neat…I can just walk forward, and not fall off!
Sabrina carefully began walking forward, marveling as the ball rolled to meet her feet at every step. The witch began running, watching its solid surface rise to meet her. "This is really co-"
Sabrina yelped as the ball dropped down from the block she'd been walking on, to the ground. Unhurt, but shaken, she looked around. The blocks were set up in a series of ramps and flat surfaces. Over by the far side was a slowly rotating platform, and above that—
"The light switch! Finally!" Sabrina yelped.
She began to wobble in its direction, realizing how high it was above her a split second before she fell off the ledge. Thankfully, she landed on her feet, escaping injury. Through some careful maneuvering, she managed to wheel the ball up a ramp, and onto another block.
Sabrina indulged for a few minutes in wheeling up and down ramps, and jumping off blocks. It's like extreme Rollerblading…if I could skate, that is…
Finally tiring, Sabrina began rolling along the edge of the toy box, where the most direct route seemed laid out. It was difficult, because the Spirit Detective was sure that the box was slowly tilting…or was that the rolling of the ball?
Slowly, dizzily, Sabrina fought her way across the maze of ramps and platforms, finally rolling to the switch. She sighed with exhaustion as she turned it on.
Light flooded her senses; it seemed as if the lid to the toy chest had been pried open. She could see the little girl's face, her outstretched arm, and reached out to grasp it. The blood pounded in her ears, like an ocean wave.
Something burst in her eyes, and she was lifted up.
When Sabrina came to, she has curled in a small heap on the floor, next to the toy chest, with Salem licking her face. How did I get out?
Sabrina closed her newly opened eyes, and groaned. "I don't think I can get up," she mumbled.
Leota watched from a short distance away. "What hurts, honey?"
"Not hurts as much as aches," the Spirit Detective replied from the floor. "It feels like I wiped out on one gnarly shredder."
"Surf's up, dudes," Salem added. "Since when did you become interested in surfer lingo?"
Sabrina briefly considered explaining the strange emotion—and the little girl—but decided against it. "No reason," she mumbled. I don't think Salem would understand, anyway. He may be as supernatural as I am, but his sense of the spiritual is definitely lacking.
Leota watched the tired girl carefully. Something seems so different about her now. Not exactly mature, or enlightened, but…different. More powerful, somehow.
Sabrina raised her head, looking out over the classroom. Standing in the center was the little girl, smiling shyly at the black-clad teenager.
The little girl didn't see the swarm of ghosts coming through the wall; gaping maws open wide in voiceless shrieks…
Sabrina's eyes widened, filled with visions of the sweet little girl being torn to shreds from those wicked, sharp claws, despite her being a ghost. Rage filled her body, pounding steadily in her chest. How dare they violate a place like this?
Sabrina fumbled for the Beacon, pulling energy from it rapidly. She screamed as she launched several Power Shots in a volley, showering around the little girl, but nowhere on her.
She panted, eyes narrowed. The little girl stared, slightly awe-stricken, and slowly walked forward. She squatted next to the bigger girl, soft, sky-colored eyes focused on Sabrina's sapphire-hued ones.
Instantaneously, vague puzzle pieces fused in Sabrina's mind. "Emily…" she hissed, her voice a dying rattle.
The little girl's face brightened. She reached her arms toward Sabrina. The Spirit Detective hesitated for a moment. Why is she here? Is there something she wants? Or, maybe, is her soul trapped in this room?
Emily giggled at Sabrina's confused expression. She looked up shyly, her arms outstretched again. The Spirit Detective sat, puzzled. Is there something she wants?
The doll. Of course! She wants her doll!
Sabrina turned, picked up Lydia carefully, and presented her to the ghost. Emily's face lit up like a child opening a Christmas present. She cradled the doll close to her chest, rocking it.
The girl looked up, and she began to melt and run before Sabrina's very eyes. Emily shifted into a girl many years older: Sabrina's age, at least. This 'new Emily' was…beautiful. She had a soft, delicate heart-shaped face with large, melting cornflower eyes. Her face was framed by curling blond locks, spilling onto shoulders clad in a lace collar. This older Emily wore a full-skirted blue silk dress, trimmed with lace.
Emily smiled shyly, clutching her doll. "Please be careful. Please. We need you. We need you to save us."
Sabrina swallowed dryly, trying to speak. "I know. I-I'm trying."
"I know you are. I am grateful. But still…please hurry. Time is running out for us."
Emily smiled and stood up, still holding Lydia the doll. A small, dark boy, clad in navy, appeared at her side, and looked up at her. Emily grinned down at him.
The little boy (Daniel, Sabrina realized) turned to give Sabrina a gap-toothed grin before he and his sister vanished into wisps of smoke.
Sabrina sat, shaking slightly.
"Emily…Daniel…" Leota murmured. "It's been so long since I've seen them."
"You can see them, too?" Sabrina demanded, bewildered.
"Of course," Leota replied, somewhat annoyed. "We ghosts can see our fellow kind."
Salem blinked huge amber eyes. "What ghosts?"
"You didn't see them?" Sabrina yelped.
The cat scowled. "No. Would you care to elucidate?"
Sabrina sat, dazed, in a heap on the floor as Leota began softly explaining to Salem about the presence of the Gracey children's ghosts.
What is this power? What is it doing to me? Can I…see things? Is this some sixth sense? I don't understand… I have to find Master Gracey. He can explain all this; I'm sure he can.
She stood up, determination etched on her face. She gripped her hands in fists, only to find a tattered scrap of parchment in one. She examined it. Another piece of a Death Certificate. I wonder whose it is?
Sabrina scooped up Leota and put her in the backpack, over the psychic's protests. Sabrina tucked Salem into her arms, and started out.
But as she exited the room, she could hear, very faintly, the sound of children's laughter…
Apologies for anyone who thought the puzzle was too glossed-over. In all honesty, I didn't like this room's puzzle that much, so I struggled to write this.
Emily is actually a character in the ride—just in different format. In the ride, 'Emily' is the Bride in the Attic…you know, the one with the glowing heart and the candle? Her loving fans dubbed her 'Emily Cavanaugh Gracey.' As I said before, however, this story is a combination of everything HM, so I used Elizabeth from the movie as the Bride. Emily has been relegated to a 'minor' role as the ghost of Master Gracey's long-dead sister. 'Daniel' is the fan-created name for the gardener, who supposedly is Master Gracey's half-brother. Here, he has been given the role of Edward Gracey's dead brother.
Sabrina has now learned to tap into her Spirit Energy, thanks to the events in the Toy Room. For those unfamiliar with Yu Yu Hakusho, spirit energy (or 'reiki') is the energy your soul gives off…more or less. It's hard to explain. But it can be used to fight, and for all sorts of nifty things. This ability was triggered by Sabrina's sympathy opening to the Gracey family. When she saw them as more than a group of portraits, belongings, and a house, and as real people, her abilities became opened.
Sabrina will be getting all sorts of new powers, thanks to her 'awakening.' What happened here? She gained ESP, and an ability I like to call 'perception.' Simply defined: Sabrina is able to tap into residual traces of Spirit Energy on an object. (For example, Emily's beloved doll Lydia) By tapping into these energy traces, she is able to pick up visions, memories, previous thoughts, emotions, etc. So, to explain, Lydia was much treasured by Emily, leaving a strong psychic imprint on it. When Sabrina picked up the doll, she was able to tap into this imprint (created by Spirit Energy, which still lingers on the object), and connect partially with bits and pieces of Emily's psyche, such as the memory of Emily and her brothers.
…So, yeah, that's one of her neat powers as Spirit Detective. The others will come in later fics. (Winks)
Next chapter: How can anyone be studious in the Study when there's moving furniture to play with? Sabrina may finally get some questions answered when she meets the elusive, mysterious Master Gracey…