Flicker

"Does Mr. Drake know about this?"

"Um, I don't think so he's…in the middle of getting his anus waxed and bleached."

Callie blocked out the rest of Iris's rambling as she followed Elizabeth and Iris down the hall. Coming to a stop in front of what use to be a stable wall, Callie stared in awe at the giant hole that was now in its place. Iris pulled out a flashlight and shined it into the entrance, revealing an entire hallway that had been blocked off from the rest of the hotel; along with the deceased bodies of two contractors.

Feeling uneasy and fearful, but curious all the same, Callie stared at the scene with Elizabeth and Iris. This has James Patrick March written all over it Callie thought to herself bitterly.

Elizabeth stared in shock at the two bodies lying on the ground. "Who did this? Not the new Governess?" "No" Iris shook her head as she shined her light on the bodies; "I mean look at them. Whoever did this was starving." Taking a second look, Callie noticed that Iris was right. Both bodies had been completely drained of their blood.

Iris turned to The Countess; "What was in here?" Elizabeth, still staring into the depths, shook her head; "I don't know." Noticing the unfamiliar tone in her mistress's voice, Callie looked up at Elizabeth. I've never seen her so unsure of herself before Callie thought as she observed her mistress's demeanor. After about three seconds, Elizabeth tore her gaze away from the hole in the wall to look at Callie and Iris.

Looking down at her subordinates, Elizabeth widened her eyes slightly and uttered breathlessly; "…What?" Callie just lowered her gaze to the floor and took a small step back from her superior vampire. Iris in turn looked into Elizabeth's eyes as she replied. "I've just never seen you scared before." I have Callie thought as she remembered how worried and fearful Elizabeth was over her son the previous night.

With one more look at the opening in the wall, Elizabeth turned to Callie. "Inform Mr. March that we will be having our monthly dinner tonight." Without another word, The Countess headed off down the hallway.

With a small sigh Callie glanced up at Iris, who was looking down at her with empathy. "Sucks to be you right now kid" Iris said with a gentle pat to Callie's back as she turned and began to walk back down to the lobby front desk.

Standing before Room 78, Callie raised her fist to knock at the door. I just hope he's in a good mood she thought as she firmly banged her fist against the door. Two seconds passed before the door was slowly pulled open to reveal James Patrick March himself. "Ah, Miss Callie, to what do I owe this…unexpected pleasure" he drawled while flashing his signature smile (which always gave Callie the creeps).

Clearing her throat before speaking, Callie raised her head and looked into the cold, soulless eyes of James March. "The Countess requests for your monthly dinner to be held tonight instead of on the usual date" Callie softly spoke while trying not to show any physical signs of fear or uneasiness.

At first, his face was one of surprise before it lit up with uncontainable glee. "She wishes to have dinner tonight? Splendid!" Mr. March said before briskfully walking back towards the living room area and sitting down in his favorite chair. "I shall inform Ms. Evers of this wonderful news and have the two of you start on the dining preparations at once." With a small nod, Callie bowed with a quiet "Yes Mr. March" and turned to go and change into her maid uniform.

…

As Callie was focusing on polishing two crystal water glasses over by the serving cart, Ms. Evers lifted the cover off the dinner plate for James March to examine the night's meal. "Surely the Wellington is getting cold Mr. March" Ms. Evers spoke with a hint of annoyance as she put the cover back on. James glared at her in warning. "Hardly a concern Ms. Evers" he lightly growled before he stood and walked over to the record player to put on some choice music that would please his estranged wife.

Not backing down, Ms. Evers continued to push as she lit the candles of the table centerpiece. "Perhaps your guest should be more mindful of the time she is expected." James paused in his movements by the record player.

Looking up and briefly making eye contact with Ms. Evers, Callie shook her head; silently telling her to stop before she pushed the killer ghost over the edge. With an air of annoyance and slight anger, James approached the dining room table. "I don't believe I care for your tone Ms. Evers. The lady of the house deserves more respect." With a shaky nod of her head, Ms. Evers responded quietly as she lit the last candle. "Yes, Mr. March."

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.

"You should be elsewhere." With a nod, Ms. Evers turned and exited the dining room. Waiting for an order, Callie gently put the glasses back on the serving cart before turning to face Mr. March with her hands clasped in front. "Pour the water and set the glasses in their proper place, than make yourself scarce" he ordered as he began to walk towards the door. With a quick nod, Callie hastily completed the task before disappearing down one of the hotel's many secret passageways.