Chapter 11:
1st night: Part ten
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Oh! Did I disappoint you, Shadow Knight? I'm sorry! *Scolds herself* Anyway, I'm real sorry about the length of the last few chapters. School has kept me really busy; my teachers are so mean! So much homework, and half the time I don't have my computer so I can't work on the chapters. Anyway, I promise you that this chapter will be longer! It's good to know that I have several people engrossed in my work! If you have any suggestions on how I can improve, please send them in!
Oh! And one more thing, this chapter will have several things that the game doesn't, so don't hurt me!
I have finally reached the 2nd night in my game! Yay!
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The overwhelming feel of fear swept over her body like a wave of cold air. Lina shuddered fiercely and pulled her jacket over her body. But despite her efforts, no warmth reached her body. Lina chocked back a fearful shriek of terror as a white figure flickered in and out of view.
She took a step back, then another, completely overwhelmed by her strong emotions. Terror written in her eyes, she scanned the area slowly. Another flicker, and before she realized it, the figure was right there. She received a better look at the spirit than she had ever wanted. The spirits eyes were half open, and had dark lines under them, as if she had not slept in days. Shoulder length dark hair, and skin as pale as snow covered her. She wore a kimono, and on her wrists, ankles, and neck she dragged long ropes.
The figure stared at her with cold and dark eyes, eyes that had no feeling, no human emotion. The woman reached for Lina, her thin pale arm out stretched until it almost touched her. With out thinking, Lina gently moved one hand up. A cold sensation rushed through her as she made contact; Lina's eyes widened as images flooded her thoughts.
A young girl sat by a windowsill. Her short raven hair glimmered in the bright sun as her deep blue eyes looked down onto the garden. The garden was small, the only colors being green and the occasional flourish of a red rose. A sudden glimmer of color caught her eyes. Looking on, she noticed that the color was coming from a young man. Her had soft dark hair and icy blue eyes.
The man walked through the garden, admiring its beauty. Then, he gently glanced up towards the giant house that towered over it. He caught sight of the young girl. She felt her face become hot as a deep shade of red crossed her cheeks. Without hesitation, she ducked back inside, hiding away from sight.
Lina jolted back into the present time. 'Amelia' glanced over her shoulder, as though she thought someone was watching her. Then, without warning, she vanished. Lina watched as her body faded from view. "Amelia! Wait!"
Too late. Amelia was gone. The feeling of danger disappeared as Amelia had, and Lina slowly regained control. It was then that her flashlight glimmered on something on the floor, right where Amelia had stood… er, hovered. Kneeling down, Lina discovered a set of photos. Lina carefully lifted them up. In one, there was the image of a very old water wheel, and in the other the image of a shelf filled with Japanese dolls.
Lina swallowed and placed them with her other scraps. Lina began to move down the steps again. This time, no feeling of fear awaited her. She moved down to the large door in the field and gently placed her ear to it. From the other side she heard the sound of running water. Her eyes widened and she carefully opened the door.
Inside, or rather outside, there were four lanterns on large stone bases. One of them wasn't lit. To her right there was a large water wheel, just like in her photo. And to her left the house resided. Right behind the lanterns, a large swamp like area resided, with a broken bridge that was used to go across.
As Lina neared the water wheel, she suddenly had the feeling like someone was there. Lina turned on her heel, moving her flashlight in front of her. She went around in a circle for a brief moment, before her back was to the wheel. Where was that voice coming from? There was again, a soft whisper, just above the peep of a mouse. Lina spun around, and her flashlight glimmered on a small red audiotape on the ground.
The moment her hand touched it, Lina's eyes widened as more images flashed through her head.
Sylphiel struggled, her hands tight on her assailant's wrists. She could feel the air slipping from her lungs, her life slowly slipping away. With a few tight breaths, she tried once more to free herself from the pale white woman trying to squeeze the life from her.
"Mr. Gabrief!" She gasped through her suffocating lungs. Finally, the pale hand released her. Sylphiel coughed and eagerly took in several breaths, her hand rushing to her throat. It was then that she noticed the imprints on her hands. Rope marks. Without warning, Sylphiel fell, no breath coming to her lungs, no heartbeat. She just fell dead.
Standing above her lifeless body, a woman with dark hair in a white kimono looked down. Ropes resided on her wrists, ankles, and neck. Behind her, Gabrief looked on in horror.
"Amelia!" He gasped. The woman turned and glared at him with cold, lifeless eyes.
Lina jolted back to the present. Her shagged breath slowly started to come back. She coughed slightly and lifted the tape up. She hesitated in putting it in her player. She didn't want to hear it. Shaking her head, she put the tape away and stood up. She shuddered slightly and examined the waterwheel. Out of seemingly nowhere, two hands sprang up out of the water and reached for her.
Lina's finger pressed on the shutter as she took a startled step back. The hands disappeared. Lina pulled out the photo and looked at it. Instead of two ghostly white hands, there was the mirror image of a talisman. It was at this point that Lina was able to get a good look at it. It was a talisman to ward off evil powers, she realized.
Calming down, Lina began to wander around. The strange thing was, as she neared the shore of the swamp, it grew foggy and she could swear she saw a few lights shimmering in the distance. As she neared the lantern that wasn't lit, her heart seemed to skip a beat and suddenly felt drawn to it. She bit her lower lip slightly and pulled up her camera.
Slowly, she aimed at the lantern. She pressed the shutter and waited for the photo. Lifting it up in the light, she looked it over carefully.
"The lantern in this photo," She said. "Is lit…"
Sighing, she put the photo away and headed back to the house; another loose-ended puzzle. As she entered Lina took another look around. From what she saw, she had two choices. She could go to one door, or the other. Lina walked over to the closest door and check it. There was a burnt up talisman on the door. Lina placed her hand on the doorknob and turned it. The door opened without much force.
The room was small. On both the left and right walls, there was a long display shelf. On each a large set of Japanese dolls sat on a large red mat. At the far wall, a large doll sat. The doll was kept away from the other by a set of sacred ropes. As Lina neared this doll, she felt a sudden presence. Out of nowhere, a child suddenly appeared and ran right through her.
Lina braced herself, but felt nothing as the child past through her body. Then, as though on a cue, the sound of laughter reached her ears. Children laughing. She turned roughly when she thought she heard the sound running on the floorboards. Lina turned again and found herself staring at the large doll. She slowly backed towards the door.
Then, in a sudden rush, a hand lashed out and grabbed her ankle. Lina shrieked and tried to pull her leg free. In one swift motion, the spirit pulled her leg out from under her. Lina hit the floor hard. Her camera bounced away from her. For a split second, Lina wondered if the camera could take much more abuse, but that didn't last long.
"Let go!" She cried, looking back at whatever had pulled her down. It was a child, a pale white child, with a very strong grip. "Let me go now!"
The child ghost crawled up so that it was on top of her. Lina peered into its eyes. They were empty, filled with nothing but pain. The spirit lifted it arm up as far as it would go. Lina's eyes widened as she realized what it was going to do.