Chapter 4: Breaking the Rule
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.
As I stand facing the mysterious door deep in the heart of Braidwood manor, I feel cold fingers my arm!
"Ahhhhh!" I whirl in a panic, shaking of my attacker. "Get off me!"
"Sorry Ms. Happy" Simon
"Simon? You really have to stop scaring me like that!"
"I didn't mean to…"
I take some rapid, calming breath and regain your composure. "I know, I just didn't expect that. What are you doing out of the bed anyway?
"I'm thirsty…"
"Simon, did you hear a strange sound just now?"
Simon looks suddenly uneasy. "I don't know… Eleanor says it's just the wind but..."
"It sounded like it was from that door…" I walk to the hallway toward the locked door.
"Don't touch it! Eleanor says were not to go near it and were never ever to unlock it"
"Do you… do you have the key?"
Simon pulls a furnished antique key out of his pocket and holds it out for you to see. "We all have one"
I turn my attention back toward the door and notice that there are four locks keeping it shut... Four keys four locks, one for each of the Waverleys. I'll have to get my hands on all of them if I want to find what Eleanor's hiding.
"Miss Happy? Why are you out of bed?"
"Uh, I was just… sleepwalking. Can you promise not to tell Eleanor about it? I'll be our little secret"
"Okay!"
"Now let's get you something to drink? Then it's back to bed" I put an arm around Simon's shoulder and head him back out of the hallway throwing one last look back at the locked door… I'll be back for you later.
PPPPPP-
The following morning I wake in the guest bedroom of Braidwood manor and get dressed for the day. Guess it wasn't all dream.
As I make my way downstairs, I bump into Eleanor on the second floor landing.
"Good morning, Happy. I was wondering if you'd ever get out of bed…"
"What do you mean? What time is it?" I overslept? Or just the time here is fast?
"10 o'clock or so?"
"Oh, sorry… I should have been up to help with breakfast huh?"
"It would have been nice, but not necessary"
"Oh, okay. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
"There's nothing right now. Feel free to spend time in the morning as you see fit. The children would love to spend time with you. If you'd like"
"Oh… what if I want to spend the morning with you?"
Eleanor blushes, turning suddenly shy… "W-with me? Oh, well…"
"Sorry I didn't mean to make you nervous…"
"You didn't make me nervous!"
"I find that hard to believe…"
Eleanor blushes deepens further.
"It's okay, Eleanor; If you don't want to spend time with me…"
"That's not it at all! It's just that…"
"Just that what?"
"I… I have to go… I'm sorry…" Eleanor hurries up the stairs past you, her long skirts fluttering behind her.
PPPPPP-
I went first to spend time with Simon. I learned about his collection of insects and he wants to become an entomologist. I managed to get his key, by helping him catch a moth in the attic.
Next, I went to Clarissa. I found her writing something for a boy she got a crush on. Spending time with her, I learned Clarissa loves to write poem, and she is expressive through words and so shy to discuss about it. Being friendly to Clarissa, I convinced her to give her key to me.
Just then, Eleanor steps into the dining room.
I quickly slip the key out of sight.
"Oh, hi Eleanor!" Clarissa
Eleanor, narrow her eyes suspiciously. "Someone looks guilty… what have you two been up to?"
"We were just writing poetry"
"Happy was helping me with a poem I'm working on!" Clarissa smiles
"That's wonderful. I didn't know you're a poet, Happy" Eleanor amaze or just observing you
"Neither did I, actually"
"I suppose we all have our secrets. Happy, would you come with me for a moment?"
"OF course!"
I follow Eleanor out to the foyer where she pauses before the manor door.
"Happy, about this morning… I'm sorry I ran off, I just… I didn't expect that… that's all."
"Yeah about that, don't be sorry! I'm the one who should apologize… I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable"
Eleanor looks over her shoulder at you, a slight smile curving her lips. "You didn't make me uncomfortable"
Before I can reply, Eleanor throws open the manor door and stride out into landscape beyond.
I hurry to keep up with her "Where are we going?"
"Nowhere in particular. I just wanted to take a turn about the grounds and thought you might like to join me, was I wrong?"
"No…" I walk along side Eleanor down the front steps of Braidwood manor. "Wow, it's beautiful here!"
Eleanor looks up the sky and nods. "Happy, I'd like us to get to know one another better. My father always said that no friendship truly sealed until you've shared a secret with each other. Perhaps we can do just that. What do you think?
"I think… that, that sounds wonderful"
"I was hoping you'd say that. Come with me…"
I follow Eleanor across the rounds until come to a fountain.
Eleanor sits on the rim and pats the spot beside her. "Happy, share to me one of your secrets?"
I sit beside Eleanor. "Oh, well I don't have dark secrets, all are just silly secrets" this makes me think for a moment "This is just myself; on how I like people. I mean… I like them of who they are I don't just like people base on labels. And no one knows about it, even my parents." I'm feeling awkward "Like that, I don't know if you understand what I mean Eleanor" well I'm telling my secrets to Eleanor, she's a ghost so it's fine, at least I finally told someone about how I like people.
Eleanor smiles "That's interesting, Happy and thank you for trusting me and telling me about it. I suppose it's my turn to stare a secret"
"This should be good… I can't imagine what sort of secrets a ghost might have"
"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. It's rather embarrassing actually." Eleanor looks down, her fingers fidgeting with the end of her braid. "You see… I've… I've never been kissed before…"
"That's your big secret?"
"Mhmm… disappointed?"
"On the contrary… I think we should change that…" I lean in and press a gentle kiss to Eleanor lips.
"Happy… I…"
"Should I… should I not have done that?" Embarrassing; I start to back away when Eleanor pulls me close. And I close my eyes as Eleanor's mouth find mine as she lays her other hand against my cheek.
"Wow… that was"
"Unexpected?"
Eleanor takes my hand shyly and pulls me up from the fountain, turning towards the forest on the edge of the state. "Come on, there's something I want to show you."
I follow Eleanor across the grounds of Braidwood manor and pass under a canopy of twisted branches. "Where are we going?"
"You'll see, it's not far now…"
We come to a graveyard at the edge of the woods. Overhead, a lone raven peers down its beak at us.
"What is this place Eleanor?"
"This is the family plot, Happy. Where my sibling and I buried."
"But why are we here?"
"I come here sometimes, to be alone. There something… oddly comforting about it… It's bittersweet, I suppose… to know that my siblings and I are down there, under the earth, where no one can hurt us again. I know its… odd, but it makes me feel safe somehow."
"Oh… I think… I know what you mean… After what happened to you… I can see now this would be comforting"
"I know you'd understand. That's why I wanted to share this place with you."
I walk slowly through the small cemetery reading each head stone in turn. "Don't the children ever come here? How can they not know that they're… that they're dead when this is just outside your door?"
"I've forbidden them from going too far beyond the manor."
"And they obey you?"
"For the most part, I once caught Simon looking dragonflies by the pond, but otherwise they're very well-behaved. If any of them were to find this place… I'm not sure what I would do."
I come to two headstones close together with the name William and Rose.
"Are these your parent's? You're father's date of death is five year after, the rest of yours…"
"Yes, he… he was the one who found us. It destroyed him. He left for Northbridge and eventually drank himself to death… They brought him home for the burial.
"I'm… I'm sorry Eleanor…"
"It's quite alright. He was a wonderful father when I was still alive. I'll always have those memories of him."
"And your mother?"
Eleanor expression goes suddenly cold and she turns to leave, her thick braid swinging behind her. Don't bother mourning her. That grave is empty."
"What?"
Eleanor stride off into the woods, leaving you alone standing in the cemetery.
"Eleanor wait!" If Eleanor's mother died the same day as her children, where's the body? And where is her ghost now?
As Eleanor strikes off for the manor, I hurry to follow her across the ground.
"Eleanor wait! Why is your mother grave empty? What does that mean?"
"It doesn't matter! Just… just leave me alone! It was a mistake to bring you out here!"
"Eleanor! Please, I just want to help!"
Eleanor whirls on you, her fist clenched at her side. "I don't want your help, okay? Why can't you understand that?"
"Eleanor…"
She hangs her head and silence passes between you.
"I'm sorry Happy… there are some secrets I'm just not ready to share that'll never be ready to share. You of all people should know how that feels." Eleanor turn to leave again but you catch her arm before she can go.
"But I already told you everything… Okay, I know my secrets are not that heavy as yours. But it's not too late to start. We have our own pain, Eleanor. It might help to share."
"You think you know pain, Happy, but you don't. Not like this" Eleanor slips loose from my grasp and stride up the steps of Braidwood manor without a second glance, leaving me alone.
"….." I don't know what secret Eleanor's keeping hidden behind that locked door… But it's tearing her apart. I need to collect those keys, for her sake as much as my own curiosity.
PPPPPP-
I went to the parlor and Thomas in there playing piano. I help him practiced the piece his learning with his father before. I got his key; actually he offers it because out of the two younger Waverleys, he wants to know what's behind that locked door too.
Simon and Clarissa join me and Thomas in the parlor.
I watch the younger Waverleys sitting with me in the sofa "Now all that's left is Eleanor's…"
"Good luck with that. Eleanor keeps that key with her all times, and she'd never just hand it over. If you want to get your hands on it, you're going to have to steal it" Thomas
I stand up and move to the parlor window and stare out at the field and beyond.
"Hmmm…" I don't think I could just take it off her without her noticing, but maybe Simon could, if the rest of us keep her distracted. But I feel guilty asking him to do that for me. Then again, I could always take it from her in her sleep. It would mean betraying her trust… but I'd be only doing it to help her. And it would be nice to be alone with her. How should I steal Eleanor's key… Mmmm… I will spend the night with her. "I know what I'm going to do. I… I can't tell you what, exactly but if you just leave this to me, I'll have that door open by tomorrow morning."
"Why can't you tell us?" Simon
"It's complicated. But it'll work. I think."
"Great, that's reassuring" Thomas
"Just promise us this… Whatever you find out—" Clarissa
"You three will be the first to know, I promise… I don't know what Eleanor's hiding, but whatever it is… Some secrets are too big for just one person. Wish me luck."
I leave Clarissa, Thomas and Simon in the parlor and wander the manor in search of Eleanor… As I cross the foyer, I look up to see Eleanor peering down from the second floor landing. "There you are, can we talk?"
"I don't think I'm ready to talk to you, Happy"
Eleanor disappears from view and I hurry up the stairs to keep up with her.
"Eleanor, wait please! I'm sorry for pressuring you earlier… I didn't mean to make you upset. This is just the way I am, I'm a little persistent but I don't mean harm to you. Do you know what I mean?"
Eleanor turns at the end of the hall, looking reproachful. "I know you didn't mean to Happy, but you did. "I'm not just… some mystery for you to solve. I have feelings you know"
"Feelings for me?" I take a step closer and Eleanor looks wary
"I… I didn't say that…"
I take Eleanor's hand in mine and look her in the eye "Eleanor… I know you're more than just your secrets. And that's part of you I want to know more about. Just come sit with me for a while, and we can talk about anything you like."
"So you won't ask me anymore of your difficult questions?"
"We don't even have to talk at all, if you don't want."
Eleanor blushes "You're incorrigible"
I take Eleanor by the hand and lead her to my bedroom shutting the door softly behind me.
Eleanor stands awkwardly in the center of the room, at a loss.
"Do you want to sit down?"
"Yes of course… Sorry, I suppose I'm a bit nervous"
I sit down on the edge of my bed and Eleanor sit down beside me, her hands on either side of her.
"Nervous? I'm not the ghost here… Kidding…. So let's talk."
"Oh, um… I can't think anything I want to talk about."
"Hey, it's just me Eleanor. Loosen up and relax" I move my shoulder and arms to move freely… "Let's enjoy our time together…"
Eleanor smiles at you "Your happy attitude is contagious…"
"Really?" I look at her over my shoulder, and shift a little and focus my eyes to her face… Damn! Eleanor is so lovely; such a preserved beauty. And I'm smiling already.
Eleanor blushes… she notice; you're staring at her and smiling absentmindedly…
"Sorry, I look stupid right?" chuckles
Eleanor keeps looking in front, shy and her blushes not stopping
Silence for few seconds…
I clear my throat "So… I thought you'd have loads of question. Aren't you curious about you know, my world?"
Eleanor tense eases now "I supposed I wouldn't mind, hearing about it."
"Then I'll tell you about… my new school. I just attended a university called Heartfeld, which isn't really that far from here… Sort of near to Northbridge actually."
"And what you want to study?"
"To be honest I'm still not sure what to focus in my study and also I'm still working out on my scholarship"
"Happy, what about you study Ancient history? Since you seem to find me so fascinating?"
I smile to Eleanor and let my hand brush up against hers on the bed. "You're not ancient history, though. You're here and now with me." I lean in to kiss her, and then pull away.
"What's wrong?"
Then I look into her eyes, reading her reaction. "Mmm… Maybe, I want you to kiss me this time."
Eleanor bites her lip, looking nervous again. "Oh… um…" she closes her eyes and kisses you, softly at first, and then more insistently…
The two of you fall back together onto the bed and Eleanor pulls you closer still, laying her hand against your chest.
"Happy…"
"Mhmm?"
"Nothing, just don't stop…"
"I wasn't planning to…"
Later, I and Eleanor lie down tangled in bed sheets, the rain falling gently against the window panes. I stroke Eleanor's hair absentmindedly, fretting over what I have to do next.
I hate lying to her but this might be the only way to help her. Maybe one day she'll understand.
Just then, I'm startled by a sudden ringing!
Crap my phone!
I take my phone out right away from my backpack, and press a key to stop the ringing.
Phone reminder: -Submit essay tomorrow.
Another reminder, I press okay.
Phone reminder: -Class start tomorrow.
Yeah, yeah I know class starts tomorrow and I need to submit the essay too.
I take a deep breath and exhale as I keep my phone into the pocket of my dress.
My pulse is racing.
This just got a lot more urgent.
Taking care not to wake Eleanor, I slip a hand inside her dress pocket and close it around a smooth metal key.
Got it!
I slowly withdraw my hand from Eleanor's dress, watching her face for any sign of detection.
Her brows knit in sudden irritation and I pull my hand out, quickly as Eleanor turns over in her sleep!
That was close!
I open my hand and look down at the brass key sitting in my palm.
Tiptoeing to the door, I take a last look at Eleanor's sleeping form and feel a pang of regret.
I'm sorry Eleanor… please don't hate me.
With all four keys in my possession, you stand before the locked door, the shadows pooling around you in the dark hallway.
I don't know what I'm about to uncover but there's no way it's anything good. I just hope I'm doing the right thing.
I insert the first key into the first lock and it opens with a soft click. One by one, the locks fall away until none remain. The door remains still and silent, with no trace of the sound and the fire of the previous night.
All right, Eleanor… let's see what you're hiding.
The door swings open and find myself at the top of a flight of a stone steps leading into the cellar. Across the room, the embers flare in the squat iron furnace, filling the cellar with and angry, red light.
Thomas was right… it really is just a cellar. So why did Eleanor want it locked up? What was she so afraid of?
Just then, I hear a grating screech as the furnace door swings open a rusted hinges…
What the hell is that.
Then again, that weeping from the night before. A muffled, hysterical sobbing that seems to come from deep within the furnace itself.
A skeletal hand emerge from the read throat furnace, it's bony fingertips scrabbling on the cellar's stone floor.
"Oh my God!"
A hideous skull with long, stringy hair come next, then another hand, until finally the horror pulls itself free of the furnace.
"Where are my children?" the hideous creature making a tormenting sound.
