Chapter 3: She is a Ghost

This is a story of two Choices books I like soo much and I love both characters Kaitlyn and Eleanor, and they are in the same universe. So I want to make a fanfiction story about them with my MC in Choices game named Happy. I don't own anything. Enjoy reading and have a nice day.

After that conversation with Prof. Vasquez, I end up sitting alone inside the campus cafe. Remembering last night; seems like I can hear it again as Kaitlyn narrated the story about Braidwood Manor.

"Tragic incident… I need to go back there" opens my phone and starts typing.

App Message:

Happy: Kaitlyn, where are you?

Few seconds passes by.

Kaitlyn: Hey Happy! I'm here in downtown Heartfeld in an antique shop.

Why?

Anyway how is your meeting with Vasquez?

Happy: I passed the test; I am officially his assistant now (wide smile smiley)

Kaitlyn: Congratulations! (3x confetti)

That's call for a celebration! The rooftop is calling us really! (giggling smiley) (confetti)

Happy: I love to celebrate too, but maybe let's delay it Kaitlyn, Vasquez gave me another assignment.

Kaitlyn: What is this now? Tell me, maybe I can help, Happy.

Kaitlyn will help me again…

Happy: Nah, it's just an easy assignment, writing an essay for him about what it feels there in Braidwood Manor.

Kaitlyn: That's a piece of cake for you then. But if you need help, I'm here for you okay?

Happy: Okay, Thank you Kaitlyn.

Kaitlyn: Happy, you belong in Heartfeld and you're staying whatever crazy assignment Vasquez gives to you.

Happy: (blushing smiley) (wide smile smiley) (Giggling smiley)

Kaitlyn: (wide smile smiley) (wink smiley) I got to go Happy, See you tonight

Happy: See you tonight, Kaitlyn.

I keep my phone back inside my bag.

PPPPPPP-

Vasquez office:

I can't believe I'm standing here again in front of Vasquez's office's desk.

Prof. Vasquez keeps writing, didn't notice you standing in front of his desk.

"Ahemm…" I clear my throat forcefully.

Prof. Vasquez stops writing and look up to see you then "An afternoon of solitude, that's what I need. Away from distracting forces this world keeps creating"

"Do you mean me as distracting forces?"

"If you think the words I said correctly describe you" Prof. Vasquez continue to write again

"I know this is out of the blue and so not my character, I guess. But, can I borrow your car?"

Prof Vasquez raises an eyebrow

"I have a driver's license! And don't worry about your car, I'm a very careful driver and I strictly follow traffic and road rules. So?"

"You think your assuring speeches about your driving will convince me to let you borrow my car!"

"Yeah I think so." I smile to him "So can I borrow your car?"

"You just passed my test and your head is—

I need to cut him "Look, I need your car. I need to go back to Braidwood Manor. I want to experience it what it's like standing there inside the house after learning it is haunted." I hate this, but knowing the tragic event there "I'm curious about it!"

Vasquez stays still and gets angry "If you do that again, cutting me while I'm talking. I will not think twice firing you!" he takes something that jingles out from the desk's drawer. He puts the car key on the desk "On Monday; I'm expecting 10 pages essay!"

"10 pages! Fine! And I won't be long"

"I don't care how long you stay there…" he smile "You're fired if I'm not impressed by your report."

I hesitate to get the car key "I… I don't know your car"

"Use your brain! Now get lost!" Vasquez erupting voice

It startles me; I quickly rush to the door and get out of his office. Looks like his ready to eat a person there.

PPPPPPP-

I drive the same road to Braidwood Manor. I won't get lost and besides it's still morning, and I'm not planning to stay there too long just a few hours of exploring alone, yeah, alone. Why I want to experience this, when I can just make an essay about it with fake horror experience! Damn it! It is not sympathy, empathy I feel for the dead people in Braidwood Manor or it is curiosity to know the truth. Whatever I need to go there, my guts telling me I need to go back there.

PPPPPPP-

I park the car just in front the stone steps. As the car engine dies, this deafening silence again it's hurting my ears.

I get out of the car and put my backpack on. I walk up to the stone steps. Seems like, the house is staring at me while I ascend to the front door.

I look around; the whole state is pleasant. Then I look up, the sky is blue with less clouds and the sun still up. I shouldn't get scared, everything is perfect and I won't stay long.

I continue to get near the manor, and stop at the big front door and open it. That same eerie screeching sound, and for the second time laying my eyes of Braidwood manor interior. This is the reason why I'm back here, to experience it. I take a deep breath then exhale and gets inside the foyer.

I shrug off my backpack and set it by the front door. In case something not good will happen, I can just grab and run outside. Okay, first is first, find my journal. I search the floor where me and Kaitlyn stood yesterday and wrote on my journal. It should be here.

I slowly squat and look under the threadbare carpet. Oh God, this is a sack of dust. I walk further inside to the living room, searching the floor over the splintered pieces of broken furniture. Not here either.

A sudden creak of floorboards makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck. What the hell is that?

My feeling of unease growing with each step I take going back to the foyer. Maybe it's just the house settling, but maybe something more? Maybe some homeless lives here? Getting to realize the danger this house might have for me. Heavy sighs. How desperate am I that I actually went back here to perfect my essay. I take a slow circuit through the room, the faded portraits gazing down at me through a century worth of dust.

Just then I hear a sound like tiny feet running up the stairs and whirl around. "Who's there?" no one answers, my words are met with silence. This is not a good idea after all. Okay time to leave and get out of here. I walk to the front door, a shiver run up my spines as I notice my backpack missing from where I left it by the front door. Shit, my phone is in there!

For the second time, I hear the sound of tiny feet running on the stairs, a little panic I whirl around and see tin soldier staring at me from the bottommost step of the stair.

Curiosity striking at me; I walk to get close to the stairs and pick up the toy. Weird, this definitely wasn't here before. I look up the staircase to the second floor landing. Tin soldier guards every other step, their little painted rifles slung over their shoulders.

"What exactly am I dealing with here?"

I follow the trail of soldiers up the stairs to the second floor, gripping the banister for support, careful with my steps as the woods are in wrecked condition. At the top of the stairs, I find my backpack surrounded by a small battalion of tin soldiers, bayonets are ready. "What the, you got to be kidding me" I step back, looking warily at the soldier bayonets. But I need to get my backpack! And get the hell out of here. Carefully I get close and reach for my backpack "Please don't come to life, please."

"What are you so scared of? They are just toys!" a boy's face suddenly appears in front of you, its expression questioning.

"Ahhhhhhhh!" I scream and stumble backwards, past the lip of the topmost stair! Misses the next step, and go tumbling down the staircase, landing hard at the bottom; head bounces against the marble floor and everything goes black.

PPPPPPP-

"Ouch… my head!" rubbing the side of my head, then I feel a small lump on my forehead. And remembers I fell down the stairs. I look around the unfamiliar room I'm in right now, the soft light of the moon slanting through the window. "Oh no!" I get up and look outside the window, the surrounding outside is already dark. I'm so screwed! It's night time already! And where am I? And a sudden flashback "That boy, I knew it someone been living here!" I look around the room once again; I'm a lot more focus this time. Am I still in Braidwood manor? This room looks like… like something out of time. Like the turn of the century was only yesterday. I close my eyes and clear my head. Enough of the mysteries, this is just a room!

I got startled to hear a soft click as the doorknob turns…

My eyes quickly search for something to defend myself, only to find out nothing. I steady my footing. Okay this is it; I need to face whatever comes in now!

The door slowly opens.

I watch with my heart in my throat as the bedroom door creak opens to reveal a young woman dressed in the fashion of a bygone era. I freeze and seem like something pulling me to look into her eyes dark brown eyes. And our eyes meet; we stayed like that.

The girl's unexpressive face stays still looking at you.

A smile curve on my lips as I look away and blink twice "Okay you win, you stare longer than me"

She looks confuse now.

"Look, I fell down the stairs from the second floor to the bottom."

"Ah about that… It seems like my little brother, Simon gave you a scare and you fell and bumped your head. I carried you upstairs and put you to bed. I hope you don't mind."

"Uh..." she carried me

"Are you alright?"

"I'm not alright; actually I am getting curious about this whole thing, I want to know how you manage to make this room untouched." I circle my left hand, pointing the four corners of the bedroom. "But it's already night time." Sighs… "Look Ms.? I have to leave; I still need to drive back to the campus."

"Before you leave, here are your things Happy" she gets the backpack and journal on a stand behind the door.

"I knew it, someone's been living here really, and the mystery is solved. By me, of course!" confident about my conclusions, this place is not haunted after all.

She handed the backpack and journal.

I get my things from her "Thank you Ms.?"

"My name is Eleanor Waverley, welcome to Braidwood Manor" she smile and her face is welcoming you.

Learning her name just now my backpack slip off my hand! "You're, you're Eleanor Waverley? You're kidding me right?" I throw a serious look at her, examining this girl in front of me. "Come on drop the act" I don't want to stay in the mystery side of the story about Braidwood Manor.

Eleanor's stern looks not changing.

"So this is serious? You are the real Eleanor Waverley? As in that Eleanor Waverley?" I still can't believe this.

"I'm afraid so. You must have at least a hundred questions right now…"

I walk to the bed "Yeah, yeah you could say that" I put my journal inside my backpack and place it on the bed.

"I'll do my best to answer them. But I must ask you that, be patient with me… there still so much I don't understand about this place, this existence…"

I'm really trying to sync in about all of this. This girl introducing herself as Eleanor Waverley; the Eleanor Waverley I heard about died a century ago. "So tell me, what are you?"

"Your kind would call me a ghost… and I supposed that's what I am. But I don't feel like a ghost"

"A ghost…" of course she will say that she's a ghost! Is she trying to scare me? It's not working anymore "What do you feel like then?"

"I feel the same as I did in life… Except it feels like something's missing, or like I've taken a wrong turn. I feel lost and forgotten"

"How did I get here?"

"I just said that I carried you up here"

I wrinkle my nose; that is not the exact answer I want to hear "No, I mean… Never mind, Okay an easier one. Where am I?"

"Braidwood Manor, of course"

"Of course… Okay then, when I am?" she will say Saturday night 2018, can't blame me her answers are funny. It's not like I'm a complete cynical. I bite my lower lip to suppress my chuckles.

Eleanor thinks for a moment "That's an altogether more difficult question. I know that in your world, this house is a shadow of its former self."

"My world? So… where somewhere else?" Did I come here through time warp or there is a rip of time? Perhaps the… another dimension existed? (Okay, another planet… this sounds dumb) No no no, that's too much to handle. This girl name Eleanor here just testing me, I know we are just in one of the room in Braidwood manor, and just untouched by chance, yeah like that.

"I don't know, Happy, I've come to think of this place as… a memory. The rest of the world kept moving, and we just stayed the same. Now it's my turn to ask you a few questions. To start with… why are you here?"

I look at Eleanor; she is still looking serious after all that we talked about. "I'm here because, I'm writing an essay about this place. I needed the experience being here and the truth about this place" At least I'm honest of telling her why I'm here.

"So… you're not afraid to be here? You wanted to meet me?"

"Well, right now? I'm not afraid anymore. But the afternoon when I arrived, yes I'm totally afraid. And meeting you?" To meet a ghost, really… "I wasn't planning to meet you actually; I'm just here for my essay. This is all unexpected." unexplainable if I stick my mind into the mystery side.

Eleanor nods to learn the reason "I think I understand your circumstances to set foot in this place."

"You do? You have no idea what's I'm dealing with" thinking back about Vasquez "I'm dealing with an extreme old angry Professor, who likes to shuts himself from outside world. When I left his office to my way here, he can almost eat a whole person. "

Eleanor smiles on how you describe Prof. Vasquez "And I guess you handled him well"

"Of course, I can stand against him!" Remembering, I left Vasquez car outside. "Eleanor, can you lead me outside the manor? I just need to check his car; I borrowed it to drive here. It's important."

Eleanor sensing your urgency "Follow me Happy"

I follow Eleanor in a hurry to keep up with her, as she strides out into the hall.

I stop walking, and look around the hallway. Okay this is weird, the hallway looks fix also. So I'm thinking this is really Braidwood Manor? Or maybe, somewhere else… I need to find out.

"Happy, keep up with me; you'll get lost if you stop following" Eleanor waited at the second floor landing.

"Ah sorry" Hurriedly, I walk to the second floor landing of the grand foyer. "Wow…" I'm speechless, grasping at the sight of the familiar room restored to its former glory. I run down the stairs leaving Eleanor behind and swing the front door open.

"Happy wait! Don't run down the stairs like that" Eleanor slightly rushes running behind and stands beside you at the front of the manor.

"The car, it's not there." Looking down at the bottom of the stone stairs where I park the car in the afternoon.

"What do you mean by car?" Eleanor looking down at the bottom of the stone stairs as well. "There's nothing down there Happy."

"Oh my God…" There's no way, Braidwood manor will look like this, like it was preserved. Í turn to my side and slowly put my hand on Eleanor's cheek. "So this all real…"

Eleanor backs away as she feels your touch.

"I'm sorry, Eleanor. I didn't mean it. I just got carried away" her skin is cold.

"It's all right, Happy, now let's get back inside the house, its cold out here for you" Eleanor opens the front door and walks first inside the house.

I follow her further inside the foyer. And once again, I am mesmerized of the century old architectural design of the restored manor. "It's so beautiful in here… What was like it growing up here?"

Eleanor turns around to face you "I didn't grow up here. Well, not entirely… we left England when I was fifteen."

"That must have been hard for you"

"I certainly threw more than my fair share of tantrums. But I came to like it here, in my own way. I still would liked to see England again before…" Eleanor trails off, turning away from you to continue to the living room. "Well, let's not talk about that"

"I'm sorry" I stop walking, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry Eleanor; I didn't believe you right away and thought you're just some homeless girl who lived here"

"Yes, I noticed you're not at your best behavior awhile."

"Yeah, I was a total jerk back there. I know this is out of nowhere, but can I stay here for at least a day or two? Please"

A frown creases Eleanor's eyebrows and then she smiles slightly.

"So your letting me stay here? You smile though" I look at her expectantly and smile at her

Eleanor smile back "Of course, we never get any visitors anymore, and it would be nice to have some company"

Just then a sudden crash from somewhere downstairs!

"What was that?" that startles me

Eleanor looks pained for a moment, and then her expression resolves to a tired smile. "Nothing you need to worry about."

"Okay if you say so. When I can meet the rest of the family?" I can't wait to meet some more ghosts; I mean the rest of the Waverley.

"Very soon… but there's something you should know"

"What's that?"

"Unlike myself, my siblings aren't aware that they're" Eleanor pauses, it's hard for her to say the word

"That they're what?"

"Dead."

"What?" So those kids still think and have no idea they are "But why you haven't told them?"

Eleanor saddens "How can you ask such thing?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't be cross with you… You can't possibly imagine what it's like, to live with the knowledge that you're not really living at all. Trust me Happy… ignorance is bliss. I wouldn't dream taking that away from my siblings"

"But how come you know?" her siblings doesn't know they are dead and why Eleanor's aware she is dead and now a ghost.

"I'd rather not say… I'm sorry Happy" pained Eleanor "It's just too painful. You're welcome to stay… but don't say anything to the children that would upset them. Don't talk about where you from, or what the world is like beyond these walls… Just let the children be children, Happy… that's all I ask"

"All right Eleanor. I won't say anything. I promise." just by looking at Eleanor right now. I won't break my promise.

"We'll need an explanation for who you are and why you're here…" Eleanor thinks for a moment "I know! I'll introduce you as their new governess. Do you have any experience as such?"

"Umm…" thinking back "No I don't have, but don't worry Eleanor I'm a fast learner. And I love kids!" I should show confidence and interest so I can stay here.

"It won't be difficult you'll see. Simon's the only one who really needs watching. Clarissa and Thomas are old enough to look after themselves."

"Those are your siblings?"

"Yes they are fourteen and twelve, respectively. Simon's only eight. They're all waiting in the parlor. If you're ready to meet them, although…" Eleanor looks at your outfit "It would be better if you wore something else."

I smell myself and look at my clothes…"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?."

"Nothing at all! It's very pretty, but it's, well, anachronistic"

"Oh… wait did you just said I was pretty?

Eleanor blushes a delicate pink. "I said your clothes were pretty, I didn't say—"

Disappointed expression "So, you don't think I'm pretty?"

Eleanor getting this quick nervous reaction seeing you disappointed "I didn't say that! I… Sorry it's… it's just been ages since…"

Eleanor getting nervous like that, she's a ghost but her reactions are cute... "Since what?"

A small smile tugs at the corner of Eleanor's lips as she realizes you're making fun of her. "Never mind… Let's just find you something more suitable."

I follow Eleanor back upstairs to another bedroom. She goes to the wardrobe and starts searching through dresses. "I should have a dress you can wear… we're about the same size after all…" She pulls out a dark purple gown with an elegant white collar and holds it up to you. This ought to fit you nicely… I'll give you some privacy while you try it on."

Eleanor comes back in to check on you and her eyes go wide. "Oh my…"

"Pretty Gorgeous Sexy?" I mischievously smile to her

"Perfect" Eleanor giving the same playful vibes at you

"Ow…" didn't expect she will go along with that "I've never worn anything like this…"

"It suits you."

I have this feeling again; that something pulling me to look into her dark brown eyes...

Meeting eyes to eyes with Eleanor, she averts her eyes and looks again, but not in eye to eye "And now that you look the part of a governess, are you ready to meet your charges?

"Lead the way" I shift my gaze to the door

Eleanor leads me back downstairs to the parlor, where the three younger Waverley siblings sit expectantly.

After few minutes, Eleanor introduced me to the younger Waverleys and I talked to them. After I met them, Eleanor sends me to my room with a warning.

"There's one more thing I should tell you about Braidwood Manor…"

"What's that?"

Eleanor put on a stricken face at you "Whatever you think you hear… never leave your room after dark. Do you understand?

"Oh… Is that some kind of rule here? But okay, no leaving my room after dark. Got it!"

The strict look on Eleanor's face vanishes and she smile "I'm glad we understand each other"

"Yeah, me too"

"Goodnight, Happy"

"Goodnight"

PPPPPPP-

A short while later, I tuck myself in the bed and lie in the dark, thinking hard.

Am I losing my mind? Or is all of this really happening?

But so far learning all about this place, to meet real ghosts and live with them.

I just need to stay one more day and get the fullest experience for my essay.

Better make sure not to break any of Eleanor's rules.

I just need to behave like them and be obedient.

Yeah obedience…

Suddenly I got startled by a notification sound from my phone inside my backpack. I quickly get up and take out my phone, then lie on the bed again.

A message from Kaitlyn: Happy just checking on you… You're not home yet, maybe you're still in the library perfecting your essay. I just want to say, I mean it when I said I will help you anything I can possibly help you with. Goodnight Happy.

"Aw, Kaitlyn…"

Just then, you notice a curious sound beneath the howling of the wind outside.

"Whoa… Is someone crying?"

I strain my ears and catch the sound again a low, mournful wail that seems to echo through the halls.

Is that Eleanor?

I get out of the bed and hesitate before the bedroom door.

Eleanor said not to leave my room after dark; I hate this, my curiosity striking again.

What should I do?

I bravely open the door and step out to the hallway. Well surprise moves are effective sometimes...

There's no one here.

The hallway is empty; I shut the door behind me softly.

And whoever's making that sound… it's only getting louder.

I want to know where this comes from.

That's it! I'm breaking Eleanor's rules… she will never know. I will just be quick.

Following the sound through manor's twisting halls down the stairs of the foyer and deeper into the house than I thought possible…

Just how big is this place?

At last, a long hallway ending in a solitary door… a door covered in rusted locks and is bound up iron.

What the. Mmmm…

I draw close to the door and hear the sounds of weeping beyond. The noise starts to sound less like weeping and more like plaintive cries of a wounded beast.

Whatever making that sounds is just past this door. "Hello, anyone there?"

The sobs quiet followed by a sick silence that feels like all the air been sucked out of the room.

The door suddenly starts shaking. Fire explodes from around the door frame.

"Oh no!" I jump back.

Fingers slither up my arm and yank down on my wrist!

"Eeeeee!"