Chapter 5: I want you to stay
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.
Flames dance on the cellar walls, staring into the glowing eyes of the phantom advancing to me…
"…" I freeze
"Move aside girl… I must see my children. It's been so long since I've held them in my arms…"
She is literally burning! What is she a monster? I need to think fast and stay cool… "Uh… who are your children by the way? I think… I think you're in the wrong house-" Swiftly, I push the burning woman down the steps.
And the phantom stumbles down to the bottom stone floor of the cellar. Bones cracking sound.
"Oh… that hurts…" I turn and run, not even pausing to look over my shoulder, scrapping my shins on the rough step in hurry to escape the cellar. "I'm so dead, I'm so dead!" I spill out of the cellar into the hall, slamming the door behind me and hurrying to lock it once more.
Why did there have to be four keys!
I fumble with the first key, my hand shaking uncontrollably, then the second key. "Come on! Come on!" The door burst open, knocking me onto the floor and sending the keys flying out of my hand! "No!"
"Did you think you'd just lock me away and forget me for another hundred years?" Rose Waverley looms over you, her clawing hands reaching down to choke the life from you… "You're just like my wicked daughter of mine…"
Just then, there's a sudden flash of red, and Eleanor stands over you, wrenching her mother's hands away from your throat!
"What have you done, Happy?!"
"Eleanor, I'm sorry! i didn't know you're keeping a monster down there!"
Rose skull face splits in a hideous grin, a dry rattling laugh echoing up from her duty throat. "Hello daughter."
Eleanor grits her teeth, her eyes flashing with anger a she fights to keep her mother at bay. "You don't get to call me that. Not after what you did!"
"Eleanor, she's too strong we have to run!" I grab Eleanor's arm and run with her, losing our way in the labyrinthine halls of Braidwood manor… "What was that, Eleanor? Why was your mother down there? And… and what happened to her? And I didn't mean to call her monster; she's just burning and all!"
"That's none of your business, Happy! I told you to stay out of it… Why couldn't you just listen?!"
"Because I want to help you!"
Eleanor glares at you over her shoulder and you feel the intensity of her anger like a stab of ice. "You can't help me, Happy! I want you gone from here… and I want you to never come back!"
"Eleanor, I can't leave you, with your burning mother around! And… I care about you too much! "
"You have to forget about me, Happy… I'm… I'm sorry. Now, please… go!"
"No… no… Eleanor!"
Eleanor presses hard against your chest, and an inexorable force send's you flying backwards thought the halls… until you crash through the manor's heavy front doors!
They snap shut after you, leaving you alone in a crumpled heap on the steps of Braidwood manor, with no way back in.
"Eleanor! Eleanor, please!" As I get to my feet, the rain pours heavier. I look around to see Vasquez's car, and I run down the steps and get inside the car; and stay there feeling numb, of what just happened. Fresh tears sting my eyes.
"What have I done? Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!" I repeatedly slam my hands on the car's steering wheel and bow down my head. "I'm sorry Eleanor…" guilt taking over my body.
I can't just leave them with that monster, I mean their mother. I have to go back there and do something! This is my fault! What should I do now?
I stay inside the car not moving…
Few minutes of silence and numbing guilt feeling…
I open the drawer of the car and search inside, taking all the papers and reading it one by one. "This!" then I quickly get my phone out of my pocket and dial a number.
Ringing….
"Come on, pick it up…"
The call ended his not picking up. I dialed again…
Ringing….
I dialed again…
Ringing….
"Hello? Who is this?"
"Prof. Vasquez! Thank God, someone's real alive person I can talk to!"
"What?! Who is this?!"
"It's me, Happy. I called because I need your help"
"Do you know what time is it now, Happy?!"
"Exactly that's why I need your help Prof. Vasquez… I want to know what causes the spirit to linger and couldn't pass on after their death?"
"Are you still in that house?!"
"Yes. I'm still here to perfect my essay! I did some investigation and it happened I messed up!"
"What did you do there?!"
"I released a monster and now they are in danger. And I will regret for the rest of my life, if they get harm or maybe if they die for the second time!"
"What? What are you talking about?! Clear your mind; you're sounded like you're getting crazy!"
"Prof. It's real… It's all real. The Waverley's, the ghost in this house…"
"You saw them?"
"I lived with them! I… I was supposed to just stay for the essay but I did something wrong okay!"
"Oh…" sudden pause "Then I am impress with your dedication… Give me time, I will research about why ghost linger after death and couldn't pass on to other life"
"Really? Thank you Prof. Just call me back when you have the answers. For now I have to deal first with a monster." I turn off the phone and put it inside my pocket.
I pop open the car's door and step back out into the cold, heavy rains pouring and loud thunder making me shiver and cover my ears...
Great! And this weather!
I stride towards the manor, with determination.
I will help Eleanor and her siblings and finish what I started. Not even a rainstorm can stop me!
I feel a warm glow in my chest despite the bad weather. "Now I'm ready to face a killer ghost!"
I push through the doors and step into the foyer of Braidwood manor. I look around to find it returned to its present-day condition, with broken furniture scattered around the room and dust everywhere.
I need Eleanor to let me back in.
"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you… I'm sorry for everything…"
There's no reply… only the sound of my plea echoing through the manor…
"Eleanor if you can hear me… My... my life will never get back the way it used to be, and I can't forgive myself if something bad happened to you. Let me help you save your siblings… I promise I will fix this!"
At last, the walls around starts to shift. Broken chair are made whole again, and the fallen chandelier floats back up to the rafters like glittering jellyfish.
Looking around, there is no sign of the Waverleys, and I'm starting to get nervous… Where are they? I hope they aren't hurt!
Just then, the door to the parlor opens crack, and you see Eleanor inside, beckoning you to come join her.
"Hurry Happy! In here!"
I run across the foyer toward the parlor door, as I move my feet… I hear a dry, rasping voice that sends shivers down my spine!
"Happy… so nice of you to return…" The ghost of Mrs. Waverley glides down the stairs, the scorched hem of her dress trailing behind her. "I look forward to finishing your little game."
I sprint across the foyer, but Mrs. Waverley is too fast! She streaks towards the center of the room like a fiery comet blocking my path.
"Leave my children alone!" Rose grips you with a clawed hand and you feel your skin blistering at her touch!
"Ahhhhhhh…!" this pain… this pain is nothing if I failed to protect Eleanor and regret it for the rest of my life! "Oh yeah! I didn't came back to lose bitch!" I shove the phantom with my other hand and grab anything on the stand near me and hit it on her distorted face.
Mrs. Waverley staggers; recoiling as flames flare up all over her body, releasing you in split second.
I use that moment to dash across the foyer and into the parlor, Eleanor slamming the door shut behind me.
"Are we safe here?"
"We're not safe anywhere, Happy. Not with her roaming the halls…"
"Eleanor, who is that woman? She said, she said that she…." Simon
"She said she was our mother" Thomas getting angry
"What aren't you telling us?" Clarissa
"I'm afraid we're beyond help… I… I just want to protect the children. But I've only succeeded in dooming us all."
"What do you mean Eleanor? What does that woman… our mother… want with us?" Simon
"What we're you protecting us from?" Clarissa
"I… I can't tell you, darling… I just can't…"
In the midst of Waverley deep conversation…
Baby, ooh baby... I love to call you baby... Baby, oh oh baby... (Ringing tone: Baby driver)
All of them throw a startled look at you…
"Relax guys, it's just my phone!" quickly I take it out my pocket and press answer call "Hello Prof. Vasquez"
"Hello, Happy? Are you there?"
"Yeah, I'm here"
"Hello? Hello Happy?" Prof. Vasquez can't clearly hear you "Can you speak louder? Hello?"
"Seriously! I'm here Prof.!" I speak louder this time.
The Waverleys watching you talk to a thing you're holding to your ear, their eyes are questioning.
"What you are doing? Talking alone with that thing!" Clarissa
"This is a phone…" I point a finger of my phone with my other hand… "It allows me to talk to other people from far places… Wait…" I sign my finger 1 second to them and press; loud speak. And then put my phone on the center table in front of the Waverleys while I stand near the door.
"Hello? Happy? What a useless reception you got there!"
"You're on speaker Prof. better watch out the manners, I'm with the Waverleys" I give a look to Eleanor to talk.
"Hello there, my name is Eleanor Waverley and I'm with my siblings Clarissa, Thomas and Simon. To whom I'm speaking with?"
"My name is Enrique Vasquez, an English Prof. in Heartfeld University. Happy is my assistant and she-"
"Really now? I'm sorry to cut you again Prof. but I have to remind you that we are in a dangerous situation right now. There is a fiery killer ghost outside the door-"
The parlor door shudder as something slams against it, the wood splintering at the hinges.
"Leave us alone you monster! Haven't you already done enough?!" Eleanor stands up and in fury
"Prof. did you find out the answer to my question?"
"Ahem..." Vasquez clears his throat "I researched about it, I read lots of materials regarding about…"
"We don't have time! Lay it to us now!"
"Insolent-ill mannered!"
"Okay I'm sorry… Please tell us what you researched Prof."
"According to what I read… there are few reasons why spirit lingers after death and unable to pass on because; their death is sudden and they are not aware they died already. In another case I read; spirits lingers because they keep secret with them and they can't let go of it even after death. "
Static sounds on the phone…
"Eleanor, you held your secrets for too long. You can't go on like this any longer…" I walk closer and stop standing next to her.
"But… I just can't Happy, don't you understand?"
"I know it's hard Eleanor… but you have to tell them. You have to tell them everything… This secrets are what's keeping you all trapped here. This is the only way to set your siblings free."
Eleanor looks down, her eyes filling with tears as her mother rages outside the door.
"I can't… I can't do it Happy!"
"You have to! Or it'll be this way forever!"
Vasquez on phone speaker. "Hello? Hello Happy, there is also this thing I read about—"Few seconds "I forgot to bring it here in my desk; I'll be back just hang in there. It is very important!" Vasquez line goes silent but he did not turn off the call.
"Okay Prof. Vasquez… and thank you for helping me…"
I take a deep breath, I just firmly decided. This happening right now because of me, no one to blame, only me. I look into Eleanor with soft gaze and smile…
"It's okay… You can keep you secret, Eleanor. I respect that. I know there is a reason why I'm here with you this moment… "
"Happy… Don't say like that"
I squeeze Eleanor's hands and let go. I walk near the sofa and grab the arm "Help me with this Eleanor"
Eleanor freezes but shakes it off and hurriedly grabs the opposite arm. You two carry it to block the door.
"Come on guys! Less standing, more stacking!" We carry everything that can block the door. "This will give us time…"
I turn around to face the Waverleys, the children terrified faces, flinching every time there's a bang at the door.
As the doors starts to give, I take Eleanor's hand in mine, staring into her eyes with a fierce determination. Her dark brown eyes, and I can't find an answer before; something keep pulling me to look at it. "Eleanor… whatever happens I'm very sorry, I opened that door. And thank you for letting me come in back here. If you didn't, I will blame myself for the rest of my life of what I have done. "
"Happy, I can send you back to your world and don't worry about us, we-"
"No!" I step back right away from Eleanor, farther away from her.
The door burst open but the furniture keep blocking the door way.
"Oh my God!" I push the table to reinforce the blockade…
"Get back all of you" Eleanor pulling her sibling behind her…
Mrs. Waverley look in the furniture blocking the doorway, her eyes glowing with hatred, the wasted skin around her teeth pulled back in a sneer. "Why have you shut me out again Eleanor? Afraid to tell your sibling the truth?"
"What is she talking about?!" Thomas runs to help pushing the furniture
"Please! Just tell us!" Clarissa move and help too!
Vasquez on phone speaker. "Hello? Happy, whatever you're doing now. Don't get yourself killed! If you die in there, you can never come back in our world! You will vanish forever!"
That hit me; I can clearly hear what just Prof. Vasquez said; I keep pushing the furniture together with Thomas and Clarissa.
Vasquez on phone speaker. "Don't die out there, Happy" Vasquez sounding serious "You still need to submit your report tomorrow! So don't die!" and the line suddenly cut off.
Eleanor eyes widen hearing the words from Vasquez.
"Don't worry Eleanor! I will not allow we die this time... I promise!" I said that with my voice shaking… Because I'm so stupid this is happening right now.
Mrs. Waverley pushes through the blockage, flames consuming the wooden furniture one by one collapsing. "Pushing your luck till the end?" She grabs your arm at the empty spot…
That blistering pain on my arm "Ahhhhhh!" I'm weakening, the pain is too much!
"I will make sure you vanish, Happy and end this game of yours!"
I pull my arm desperately "Uhm! Fck let go of me!"
But Rose tightens her grip… "You won't keep me away from my children!"
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!" I can't take this pain is too much now; my body is giving up "Eleanor it's now or never! I can't hold any longer… Now Eleanor! "
Eleanor lips trembles for a moment, that look of steely resolve comes over her face…
"Very well."
She reaches up to the black band of fabric around her neck and undoes a clasp at the back, letting it fall aside…
"…." I'm weakening but I can see that fresh wound, and it gives a sting pain in my heart… (The eldest daughter, Eleanor Waverley, had her throat cut.-Kaitlyn's narration) Everything I could feel just stop. How can I forget, that's how Eleanor's died.
"No!" Rose shouts in horror.
"Eleanor! What happened to you?" Clarissa in shock to see the wound at Eleanor's throat so as her other siblings.
"I'm sorry darling, but… she did this. Our Mother."
"Silence you little…" Rose rampaging behind the remaining furniture.
"She… she murdered us… all of us. I'm so sorry I have to tell you like this… But she poisoned the three of you, and when I found out she did this…"
"So" Simon
"So we're" Clarissa
"Dead." Thomas
Mrs. Waverley howl's in pain as her body erupts in a column of flame, waves of heat rolling off her as she rages behind the blockade of furniture.
"You stole so much from us Mother… all because you were so afraid of everything!"
Rose screams as her bones turn to ash and begin to flake away, her ribcage collapsing inwards as the fire consumes her. "I was protecting you! The world outside these walls is too dangerous! I couldn't risk losing you like I lost your father!"
"You didn't lose him, you fool! He survived the war… he was the one who found us!"
"He what? I…" before she can say another word, Mrs. Waverley falters and collapses to the ground, her flame finally gone out. "William… forgive me."
"He's gone, Mother. And where you going, you'll never see him again!"
The bones shatter into dust as they hit the floor.
"It's… it's finally over." Eleanor stumbles backward and falls onto the chair, gripping the arms for support. Her hand fumbles at her throat as she reattaches the black band, a faraway look in her eyes.
"Eleanor… what are we? Are we ghosts?" Simon getting closer to Eleanor
Eleanor pulls Simon onto her lap and kisses the top of his head. "Yes, Simon. I'm sorry but… that's the truth." She looks up at Clarissa and Thomas. "I know how angry with me you must be. I… I… should've told you ages ago. I just couldn't bear to hurt you like that.
Clarissa and Thomas cross the room and stand close to Eleanor.
"We understand, Eleanor. If I'd been in your place…" Clarissa
"I can only imagine how difficult, this has been for you" Thomas
Eleanor eyes fill with tears, and she pulls her siblings into a tight hug.
I look at them, and Eleanor smile sadly to me.
"Are you okay Happy?"
"I… yeah, I think so... You?"
"I think so… let's step into the foyer for a moment. It seems like we have a lot to talk about."
"Yeah, I'd say so… Oh wait… Guys you can use my phone if you want to"
"Really Happy?" Simon delighted
"What is this piece of invention anyway" Clarissa examining it
I grab the phone on the table and unlock it. "Eleanor It's okay to let them use it, right?"
"I think there's no reason to keep anything you got from them anymore"
"Don't worry my phone is for children content" I suppress a chuckle "Here my galleries I have lots of scenery pictures of my world. Just like this, you swipe it to see another picture." I handed my phone to the young Waverley.
Simon swipes it "Wow! This is magical Happy"
"It's modern technology. You are fast learners aren't you guys" I giggle and follow Eleanor to the foyer.
As we walk out to the foyer. The Waverley children excitedly browse the phone.
At the foyer:
"So…" I stop beside Eleanor
"So." Eleanor turns to face you
"It feels like a huge weight finally taken off me that I was able to help"
"As do I. I want to thank you, Happy, for everything you've done for us… If you hadn't come along, who knows how long I would've waited to tell my siblings the truth?"
"So you're not mad that I took your key while you were sleeping?"
"I was wondering how you did that… And no, I'm … I'm not mad. If you hadn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now." Eleanor getting sadden "But… I guess it does make me a little worried that you feelings weren't genuine."
"Eleanor… My feelings are genuine. I didn't want to deceive you like that… but only I did it to help you. Because I care about you so much."
"I was hoping you'd say that… I feel the same way."
"Eleanor… I know I'm stupid to think this way and don't take it in the bad way okay; but part of me regretting why I did solve your problem… I will miss you Eleanor…" Eleanor's dark brown eyes, I want to look into it every day…
"I… I will miss you too Happy…" Eleanor looking away, trying to hide her feelings at this moment.
We return to the parlor to find the Waverley children still browsing and enjoying looking at the photos of the modern world.
"Happy, have there been any significant advances in the field of entomology?" Simon
"Oh, well as far as I know, there are big breakthroughs in modern sciences in my world"
"Forget bugs! What's the most popular ten-penny romance?" Clarissa
"Ten penny Romance? Actually there's a lot of romantic movies, books, ebooks, games and others" I want to share to them so many things, new things in my world. This pains me, these children… I wish I could do something for them to stay. I can't help not to feel so sad… I look away.
"Children, quit asking many things to Happy. She's still in shock of what happened"
"So what happens now, Eleanor?" Simon
"Is it… time for us to… Go?" Clarissa
"I'm afraid so, Clarissa. But it's not so bad, is it?"
"At least we'll be together." Thomas
"And maybe we'll see Father!" Simon
"Exactly. There's nothing to be afraid of."
Eleanor gathers her siblings around her and holds them close.
"Just… close your eyes, and let yourself fall away. I'm right here."
"Goodbye, Happy! Thank you for… for everything." Clarissa
"We'll miss you! Even Thomas!" Simon smiling at you
"I'm supposed I'm a little sorry to say goodbye" Thomas giving you a slight smile
"Goodbye, everyone… I hope we see each other again someday." My feeling is mixing right now…
The Waverley children close their eyes, holding tight to Eleanor, and the room fills with a soft white light…
I feel a tear roll down my cheek as the light grows brighter still, until it's so bright I have to close my eyes… When I open my eyes, I am left alone in the room with Eleanor.
Eleanor chokes back a sob, her eyes suddenly bright, and I cross the room to pull her into a hug.
"It's okay…" I hug her tight…
"I just… I wish it didn't have to be like this… We had our whole lives ahead of us…"
I pat Eleanor's back as she cries into my shoulder, then pull to face her.
I pull Eleanor closer and press my lips against hers, kissing her through her tears…
"Goodbye, Happy…"
The room slowly fills with the same bright, white light, and I start to feel Eleanor's body growing warmer in my arms… I feel a strange floating sensation and open my eyes…
"Eleanor!"
I and Eleanor float above the parlor floor, surrounded by an intense light.
Eleanor blinks at you, her eyes wide. "Happy… I feel… I feel different!" Eleanor feels under her collar, and her eyes go wider still. "My scar… It's gone!"
"What does that mean?"
Suddenly Eleanor gasps and presses your hand to her chest.
"What are you— Oh!" I feel Eleanor's heart beating beneath my hand and she smiles at you. "How is this possible?"
"I don't know! But isn't it amazing? I feel like… like I've been given a second chance. Like there are two paths open to me" Eleanor gets excitedly nervous "Do you think… do you think I should stay here? In your world?"
"I want you to stay!" hell yeah! I want Eleanor to stay!
"Are you sure?"
"I'm very sure!"
Eleanor holds you tighter still, and the light gently fades as the two of you drift back down to the floor again…
"Turns out I'll be staying after all!" Eleanor smile
"I don't know if this is possible Eleanor, but to be honest… I'm done asking questions" I smile back to her "So... now that you've got your whole life ahead of you, what you want to do first?"
"Honestly? I just want to get out of this house."
"I like to do that too…"
I lead Eleanor outside to find the storm subsided and breathe a sigh of relief.
"Ready to go, Eleanor?"
"Definitely!"
I open the passenger door for Eleanor, and she pauses to take a last look at Braidwood manor before getting in.
"Not having second thoughts, are you?"
"No, not exactly… just wandering if I'll ever come back here"
I reach down to take Eleanor's hand and squeeze it gently "If you ever want to come back… I'll come with you."
"Thanks, Happy. But for now… I think I'm ready to say goodbye."
PPPPPP-
That same night, I and Eleanor went to Prof. Vasquez office. By any chance his still in his office working on something.
Vasquez won't believe me at first. But slowly believing after I narrated to him what really happened.
And he got shocked when he saw Eleanor, and talked to her.
We had a serious talk with him, Vasquez talk about us the depth of the situation.
Of course I don't think about any circumstances bringing Eleanor in our world, all I know is I wanted her to stay.
Vasquez promise to help Eleanor in terms of paper matters. And he assigned a task for me: To never ever leave Eleanor alone in this world.
Like I will leave her, she's my responsibility when I asked her to stay
PPPPPP-
I and Eleanor walk across the Heartfeld campus and head straight to my suite. It's too quiet now, everyone sleeping already.
With all honesty, while dealing with Rose Waverley in the Braidwood manor; I thought I can never come back her in our suite.
"Happy, do you… do you think it's alright I will stay here in your place?" Eleanor feeling nervous looking at the whole suite, the place is modern and new to her.
"It's more than alright Eleanor, your welcome here. All my suitemates are friendly and they love pretty beautiful girls" I smile to her reassuringly
"Oh.., that's wonderful of them, then I shouldn't get worried" Eleanor worries vanishes and she smile back at you
I take Eleanor hand "Come on, let's get inside… We had a very, very long night… "And walk inside the suite "My suitemates already sleeping this time so I will introduce you to them tomorrow. Is that okay?"
Eleanor following behind and the door closes behind her "I don't mind… If I will live here, I would love to know them better"
And we went straight to my room. I turn on the light "Welcome to my room. Come inside Eleanor"
Eleanor hesitates to get inside… "Happy I—"
I pull her gently to get inside and close the door behind her, and then let her sit on the chair near my desk.
Eleanor sits down and look around… a little uneasy but she settles in.
"Eleanor… I know everything is too new for you in here… This world is different from what you are used too…"
"I'm sorry, Happy. I didn't mean to make this hard for you. I supposed I'm too overwhelmed to this new world"
"That's why I'm here Eleanor, together let's explore this world. I promise, I will stay by your side"
Eleanor blushes and suppresses a shy smile "Thank you, Happy."
"Okay now, let's get change and sleep. We got four hours left before Heartfeld classes starts"
"Oh, I'm excited for you Happy"
"You will study her too Eleanor. That's what Vasquez promise. To take care of all paper related things."
"That sounds a bit pressured to me, considering I just arrived here in your world"
"Don't be, I'm here for you and our suitemates too."
"If you say so Happy, I'm at your guidance"
"You'll see, everything will be okay… and we should sleep now… you don't mind sharing a bed with me right?" I give her a mischievous smile
"Oh! Of course! I don't mind at all"
"Don't worry Eleanor we will just sleep…"
Eleanor blushes deepens… "I supposed I will be expecting more like this with you, Happy…"
Few minutes later… everything goes to silence as everyone sleeping soundly.
Class will start in 5 hours…
.
