They left for the trip on the Friday of next week, Rosie mailed them the tickets and instructions on what to do at the airport. Charlie was excited, Vaggie anxious, Angel was just happy to take a free vacation. During the plane ride Charlie re-read her manuscript and some books she had brought along with her, Vaggie listened to music, and Angel watched an in flight slasher movie, they hardly spoke the entire flight. When they finally reached the airport they say and waited until they spotted a medium paper sign that bore the name: Charlotte Morningstar, which was held by the most elegantly dressed and refined woman any of the three had ever seen. Charlie recognized her from her profile picture, it was Rosie Parish.
Charlie had to hold back a scream of excitement. She still couldn't believe that she was actually meeting her favorite writer and that she'll be working with her on her story. She thought that she had to be dreaming. She even pinched herself just to make sure. When Rosie and the airport didn't disappear, Charlie knew that this was reality.
"Miss Parish." Charlie said approaching her calmly but smiling like a five year old in a candy shop.
"Ah Charlotte Morningstar." Even her voice was elegant and refined. "It is wonderful to finally meet you and I am very pleased that you look exactly like your picture. I would have been most displeased if you turned out to be one of those scoundrels, that photo shop themselves."
"I know. That's really common in Chicago." Charlie chuckled. "It's such a huge honor to meet you in person Miss Parish."
"Rosie please. Only those who work for me call me Miss Parish. Fellow writers like myself and you have my permission to be informal." She turned to look at Vaggie and Angel. "And who may I ask are these adorable young people?"
"These are my friends Vagatha González and Anthony Lombardi but they much prefer to be called Vaggie and Angel. I hope it wasn't too much to invite them along or too unreasonable but I felt it safer if I traveled with people I trusted."
"Well it did raise the price for the plane tickets but as I said money is no issue for me. So the more, the merrier."
"Great. Do you mind if my friends and I check into a hotel then meet up with you later?"
"A hotel? No I won't hear of it. I insist that you all stay with me during your trip."
"That's very kind of you but is your apartment or suite big enough for all three of us?"
"Oh darling I don't live in an apartment or suite."
"Come to think of it, where do you live? You've never actually mentioned it in your biographies."
"I live at Nightshade Manor."
"Spooky name." Angel remarked.
"I'm sorry I'm not familiar with that place." Charlie said.
"Most people outside of Davenport are not. The house rightfully belongs to a distant cousin of mine and he prefers that his abode be a place that is very silent and secluded. Davenport is a small but busy town and while he does enjoy chaotic entertainment, if you will, he would like peace and quiet when the time comes to rests."
"I didn't know you had a cousin. You didn't mention your family either."
"He prefers to be known solely in Davenport. He's not quite a recluse and in a way he is a recluse."
"I don't understand a word of what you just said lady." Angel said.
"Angel don't be rude." Charlie quietly scolded.
"No that's alright Charlotte. You'll find that my cousin is a hard to understand fellow. But he is very charming and courteous. It was his idea to have you all stay at that manor in fact."
"Really?" Vaggie said suspiciously. "Awfully generous for someone who's a little touchy about people."
"Well he's maybe slightly anti-social but he's always been a perfect Southern gentlemen. He wouldn't feel right letting my guests stay at an overpriced hotel. He's also made certain that each of your bedrooms are made comfortable."
"Will we meet him?" Charlie asked. "I'd really like to thank for opening his house to us."
"Oh yes you'll meet him. Actually he's been looking forward to meeting you ever since I told him, you were coming."
"Why?" Vaggie said.
"When he read Charlotte's manuscript he was intrigued. Called it a work of art in written form and he wanted to meet the brilliant author behind it and read more of her work."
"I brought my manuscript and you both can read it. I really hope you like the other chapters."
"I'm certain that I will. But come, no doubt you are all tired from the long flight and would very much like to rest, unpack your bags, get settled in. Let us adjourn and during the ride you can see the sights."
Davenport was a very interesting sight. It seemed to be a perfect mix of uptown and downtown, richly designed big houses clashing with cheap yet sturdy smaller houses, street walkers and performers on the side walk while expensive cars drove down the road carrying the cream of the crop. A country clubs across from night clubs. Expensive boutiques and haberdasheries right next to thrift shops and dollar stores. It was the melting pot of first class and lower class which was very fascinating to Charlie and her friends.
"I'll take you on a much more detailed tour of the town tomorrow." Rosie said during the ride. "I can assure your friends, Charlotte that they won't find themselves bored here."
"You don't have to call me Charlotte, Rosie. Just Charlie will do." The upcoming writer said.
"As you wish."
As they were leaving the town, Angel noticed several missing signs hanging on walls and telephone poles.
"A lot of people go missing here, huh?" He said.
"Yes I'm afraid so. The police have yet to figure out what's happened to those poor people but we're all praying that things will work out for the best." Rosie said.
"Do you know any of them?" Charlie asked.
"No. Not really but I keep my eyes open for them. I hope you all will do the same while you're here and I also hope that you all will be very careful. We wouldn't want any of you to disappear, would we?"
She sounded innocent enough but Angel wasn't entirely convinced for some reason. His unease was furthered as the car proceeded into a misty bayou full of ancient, gnarled trees that bent over the road, their moss-covered branches seeming to reach down and grasp for the vehicle.
"This is a little creepy." He said. "Reminds me of that movie Zombie Island."
"Angel there are no zombies here." Vaggie said annoyed.
"Indeed not." Rosie giggled. "I assure you Angel the only thing you have to fear in this bayou is the alligators"
"Alligators?!" Angel said unnerved.
"Yes but worry not, they mostly keep to themselves. If you leave them be they'll do the same. Though I recommend not leaving any food outside."
"How long have you lived here Rosie?" Charlie asked.
"Well I was born in Davenport but I didn't move in with my cousin til I was fourteen. That was around the time I lost my dear parents to a car accident and I just couldn't live with my paternal uncle in New Jersey. Terrible place if you ask me. Nothing but plastic surgery, big hair, and reality shows."
"Well I can see why you preferred to remain here." Charlie said taking in the atmosphere of the area. "It's beautiful."
"Beautiful? Do you not see the shadows and the crooked trees?" Angel whispered to her. "They look like ghouls or something."
"You just have to look at it the right way." Charlie said. "And to be honest I always much preferred to live in the country or a small town like this instead of the big city."
"Another thing we have in common besides career goals." Rosie said. "I do hope you'll find the house to your liking and speaking of which, here we are."
The car pulled up in front of a magnificent piece of architecture. A Victorian style mansion that had been crafted from the best design and materials. Four ivory columns framed by double-fronted doors and above them the house rose three storeys. The roof tops were of rugged cobble stone and the windows were crystal glass, Based on the look, it was definitely an old house. Centuries old no doubt.
"What do you all think?" Rosie asked.
"It's really incredible." Charlie commented. "Just like out of a painting."
"It is nice. I'm almost excited to see the inside." Vaggie said.
"Does anyone else live here or is it just you and your cousin?" Angel asked.
"No there's also my cousin's staff. They'll be sure to see to your needs while you're here." Rosie said.
"This house probably costs more than the whole country." Angel said. "What does your cousin do for a living?"
"He owns Davenport's fishing business. Much like the house, it was passed down to him from our family. He is the wealthiest man in the entire town."
"All that money probably goes to his head though." Vaggie said.
"Actually his interests lie with things far more rewarding than money. But I shall let him explain that when you meet him."
She parked the car and the four of them stepped out. Charlie and her friends grabbed their luggage from the trunk and followed Rosie up the front porch, to the huge pair of doors. She knocked, and the sound echoed and boomed from inside. It took Angel aback and caused him to look over, noticing the graveyard sprawled on the far left of the estate.
"Dead people?" He said. "You have dead people here?"
"I understand that living by a cemetery is unorthodox in this day and age but when the house was first built, it was at a time when those who passed in rich families were buried close to home." Rosie explained.
Angel was about to question this further when the door creaked open, allowing them to enter. On the other side there was a grand hallway, two storeys high. Candles burned dimly along the rich wooden walls. The floor was covered in thick dark rugs and the windows were hung with heavy velvet curtains. Carved doors and archways led to corridors in every direction. A grand stair case rose at the end of the hall.
Then somewhere nearby, hinges creaked and a door closed. They all turned to see a very thin and limber man slowly enter where they stood. His hair was black, long and oil-like yet his skin was so dry you could almost mistake it for the flesh of a reptile. He was dressed in the formal attire of a butler and stood stiff, not moving until commanded to.
"Miss Parish." He spoke respectfully but he had a bit of lisp. "These are the guests you have invited to the manor?"
"Yes Mr. Pentious." She said. "Everyone this is Mr. Pentious the butler, Mr. Pentious would you kindly send for Husk to take care of our guests's luggage."
"Yes Madame. Will you also have him see over tonight's dinner?"
"No I shall do that. Please excuse me for a moment everyone."
When she left, Mr. Pentious looked at Charlie and her friends.
"The master will soon arrive in order to become acquainted with you all. I humbly request that you all wait here until he grants you all permission to roam."
He exited through a door on the right. The new comers were now all alone in an unfamiliar place but they wouldn't be alone for long.