After my return from the hospital, life was very much like it had been before my Mama's death. I tried not to hate my father too much; after all, he had given me life.

We were more like friends then ever. Emily, because she was so young, was more like a big sister to me then a stepmother. She taught me ladylike things, like how to dance the waltz, and pick out wallpaper and flowers tastefully.

Although Leota's position in the house had returned to normal since the birth of my sister, I could still feel something lurking, some sort of negative energy, an evil plan unfulfilled.

One night, I had been out playing and had come inside particularly jumpy and happy. I had managed to catch a few fireflies in a jar and couldn't wait to show Daddy. But for some reason, that night I opened the wrong door. Leota turned towards me, and, in a rather menacing and dangerous manner, told me thatthirteen years from then, when I was nineteen, I would reach my mother's end. Then, she paused, frowning. That wasn't good enough. After I died, she amended, I would come back to Gracey Manor and find it devoid of all those I loved. I would be all alone, alive for eternity without love. Then, she told me to leave. I was so frightened I ran as fast as my feet could carry me.

Leota was quiet for awhile after that. She seemed proud of herself for at least getting me. But I knew she wouldn't stay quiet for long, and I was right.

To celebrate two years of being together, Emily and my father planned a second honeymoon at the mansion. I went to stay with Granny and Grandaddy O'Malley at their Georgia place. I had a wonderful time there, and when it came time for me to return home, my cousin Sarah came with me.

Our house is huge, and Sarah suggested a game of hide-and-go-seek. We divided the house up. She hid on the bottom floors and I took the top floors, including the attic. I was in the attic and thought I had found the perfect hiding spot in an old sea trunk. I opened it to get in, and saw something that would haunt me for the rest of my life: Emily, dead. She hadn't been there very long, and that was the scary thing about it. She looked like a pale, cold version of Sleeping Beauty. I couldn't help it. I put my hand to my mouth and screamed myself hoarse.

A little while later, I heard footsteps thundering up the attic stairs. My father appeared, and I couldn't say anything. I just pointed a shaking finger at the trunk. He came over and looked to where my finger was pointing. His face immediately lost all color, and he scooped me up, hiding my face in his shoulder. We went downstairs, and he notified the funeral parlor.

Emily's funeral was a town affair. Everyone was there except for Leota. But before my father could finish, the horses became spooked and ran off with the coffin. A few days later, the carriage was found, but we lost Emily's body.

A week later, I heard my father and Leota arguing. I could only understand a few words of my father's: Lillian, Emily, murdered.

Then, Leota muttered something. I couldn't understand. A few hours passed. I couldn't hear them eventually. I came downstairs on tiptoe. The foyer of our house was dark. I could hear nothing but the violent lash of rain on the glass windows. Then lightning flashed, and I saw my father hanging by a rope from the ceiling swinging slowly back, and forth.

At top: Memory from Cats.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed chapters one and two!