CHAPTER 27: WHAT'S THIS?

"…Finally," Jill said to herself.

It had taken more time than she would've liked, but her white long-sleeved shirt was sewn together at last! She happily hung it on her life-sized mannequin, then put the skirt underneath and draped the sash over the mannequin's left shoulder. There were other steps she needed to take before the outfit was complete… but looking at the main piece made her feel accomplished. At this rate, it wouldn't take long until she was ready for Royal Sword.

She stepped closer, peering at the shirt's left sleeve. "Oh, a loose thread… that won't do…" She grabbed her handy needle and thread, working to fix her mistake before the sleeve fell off—

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!

"Owww!" Jill accidentally pricked her own finger with her needle. "What is it?! I'm busy!" she yelled.

"Sorry, Jill! But it's important!" Grim said. "Malleus has invited you over for tea at Diasomnia."

Jill sucked on her hurt finger. "I can't…"

"You gotta! He said he'd pick ya up at four! That's comin' up," Grim said. "Ya don't wanna say no to Steve, do ya?"

Jill hesitated. If she refused Malleus's offer, then all of Diasomnia would take it as a personal offense. The last thing she needed was negative attention. If she wanted to keep her secret project, then she would have to step away from it for awhile. She looked at her phone; it was 3:55.

Ugh, why did Steve invite me now of all times?! Jill thought to herself.

"Jill?" Grim asked. "Ya still there?"

"Yeah, I'm coming," Jill said. "Give me a minute."

Just to help herself feel safe, she pulled a cloth sheet over her Royal Sword mannequin. She exited the artroom, locking it tightly and putting the tiny key in her pocket. Then she straightened her clothes and brushed her hair before she stepped downstairs.

"Aren't you coming along, Grim?" she wondered.

"Nope, I'm sittin' this one out," Grim said. "Those Diasomnia guys are too much for me."

Jill frowned. Grim never passed up the chance for free treats. Was he onto her? Either way, he couldn't get in the artroom. She had the only key, and the ghosts respected her personal space. "Very well," she conceded. "Just be good while I'm gone, okay?"

"Aren't I always?" Grim retorted.

The doorbell rang, and Jill opened it to find none other than Malleus Draconia himself.

"I made sure to be on time," Malleus said. "Are you ready, Jill?"

Jill put on her nicest smile. "Of course. Please, lead the way."

She and Malleus vanished in a flash of light, and then they were gone. Grim peered outside the open door. Ace and Deuce had seen the signal, and they were coming up the stairs now.

"Ace and Deuce again," Ezekiel said. "What brings you here this time? I'm afraid that Jill just… stepped out for a moment."

"I invited 'em," Grim lied quickly. "Uh, it's just that I was tellin' them about the paintings we have in Hallowgrim, and they wanna see them!"

"Yeah, definitely!" Ace said brightly. "We didn't get to see much of your old art during the party."

"It's not a problem if Grim is showing us, is it?" Deuce asked.

"No, I don't think it should be…" Philip said. "But please make sure to stay out of Jill's artroom."

"Got it," Grim said. "C'mon, guys. The best art is in the second floor hallway!"

"I can help explain the significance of our paintings…" Ezekiel began to say.

"No, it's okay! I can do it!" Grim said. "You ghosts work too hard. Why don't ya relax and play a game or somethin'? Let Grim the Great take care of everythin'!"

"Thank you, guys!" Deuce said as the troublesome trio went up the stairs.

"Hmmm… I feel as if those three are acting off," Philip said quietly. "Jill hasn't been herself, either…"

"Well, let's keep an ear out," Ezekiel agreed. "…Metaphorically, of course."

"In the meantime, I'll get the cards!" Gregg sang, floating through the floor to reach the basement.

Upstairs, the others were going through the hallway as quietly as they could. Thankfully, all the creaky floorboards were repaired by this point, so their footsteps were light. Still, Ace and Deuce felt like they were being watched.

"Looking at paintings? That's the best lie you could come up with?" Ace whispered.

"Hey, it worked, didn't it?" Grim asked.

"How did you talk Malleus of all people into getting Jill out of the house?" Deuce wondered.

"That guy's so lonely, he jumps at the chance of company," Grim said. "I just sweet-talked him into invitin' Jill over for tea and gossip."

"You realize if Malleus finds out it was a ploy, he'll bring lightning on your head, right?" Ace asked.

"Eh, I'll deal with that if it comes," Grim said with a shrug. He came to a stop. "…Here."

The artroom door looked no different than all the other doors in the mansion, save for a small sign titled "ARTIST AT WORK".

"Here goes," Ace whispered. "Guys, watch my back." He took out a hairpin and moved it into the lock. A few quiet jostles and a click later, and the door was open. The three quickly stepped inside, with Ace closing the door in a way that wouldn't make noise.

"See anythin' suspicious?" Grim whispered.

Ace looked over all the paintings and sculptures. "Nothing so far… there's gotta be something, though."

"Guys, look at this," Deuce muttered. He pointed to a blank spot in the wall of sketches. "Weren't there some drawings here when we saw them during the party?"

"Yeah, those were Jill's drawings of her home," Grim said. "Did she take 'em down?"

"They were probably too painful for her to look at," Ace said quietly. "Maybe she really did give up…"

"…Alright, I'm leaving," Deuce decided, and he turned towards the exit.

"Hey, c'mon! We haven't looked through everything yet!" Ace blocked Deuce's path.

"We shouldn't even be in this room," Deuce said. "I feel terrible just standing here."

"This is no time to be an honor student!" Grim hissed.

"Yeah, where's your delinquent attitude?" Ace asked.

"Shut up, Ace!" Deuce pushed past Ace to try and get past him.

"Hey, don't push me!" Ace shoved back, and the two boys ended up in a tussle that knocked both of them to the floor.

BOOM! The impact caused several items in the room to shiver a little.

"Now you've done it!" Grim cried.

As if on cue, the ghostly trio rose from the floor, glowering down at the others.

"I knew it!" Philip cried. "You're trying to break into Jill's artistic haven! Shame on you! Have you no chivalry?"

"Look, please let us explain—" Deuce tried to say.

"And you, Grim, helping them break in!" Ezekiel seconded. "We're very disappointed in you! What would Jill say if she saw you three in here?!"

"I think Jill should try to explain this," Gregg said solemnly, glancing off to the side.

"What're you talking about?" Philip asked. He and Ezekiel looked to where Gregg was focused on, and the three ghosts were suddenly silent.

Ace and Deuce got to their feet, and Grim jumped onto the main project table to see better. As soon as they realized what was going on, they too were stunned.

"It can't be… but it is…" Deuce said.

"I knew it," Ace muttered.

"No way!" Grim cried.

The impact from Ace and Deuce falling had shaken the sheet off the mannequin in the corner near Jill's sewing table. The mannequin was dressed in a white shirt with long sleeves, a blue pencil skirt, and a matching sash over one of the shoulders.

A Royal Sword outfit.

Author's Note: Uh-oh, Spaghettios...