Page 26 of Wallflower Witch

“Hmmm… I hadn’t thought about that. Guess we will see if she appears.”

The guys laugh as we make our way to the foot of the stairs.

“We should be careful going up,” Josh advises. “We don’t know if they are still passable or if the wood has rotted through. I’d hate for someone to get hurt and us not be able to have help arrive. I doubt a firetruck or ambulance would be able to pass up the road to town.”

Josh takes the lead, slowly testing each step before moving to the next. After what feels like an hour but is probably closer to ten minutes, we reach the landing.

“Are we good now?” asks Patrick.

Josh shrugs. “This ground could still be bad, but it’s easier to jump sideways and not get as injured on a flat surface than on stairs. I’d recommend either sticking together as a group or at least pairs while we explore.”

We agree to the plan and move down the hallway. Entering the first room, we find a simple bedroom.

A large bed is centered across from the window. The mattress still looks fluffy, even after all this time. The bedframe is simple carved timber with what once were curtains, but now has more holes than fabric, hanging near the top. Simple tables sit on either side of the bed holding oil lamps, the wicks ready to be lit but the oil gone with time.

Under the window is a chest of drawers. The paint is chipped and faded, but it looks like it had flowers and other personal touches on it. On top of the chest sits a porcelain pitcher and a bowl, and on the floor in the corner sits a chamber pot. I grimace and am glad that indoor plumbing was invented long before I was born.

We spread around the room, seeing if we can find anything of use. I search the drawers with Josh. We find clothes full of holes for both a woman and a man, making me think this was the primary bedroom of the family. Matt and Patrick search under the mattress and the end tables, coming up empty.

We continue making our way through the second floor, finding more bedrooms. One other had a large bed, but the rest had multiple smaller beds set around the room. I’d guess for the children to sleep in.

Approaching one room, I hear giggling. I falter for a step before continuing on.

“Morrigan? Are you okay?” asks Matt. “Did you trip on something?”

“Are you injured?” calls Josh from his place at the front of the group.

“I’m fine,” I answer both of them, squeezing Matt’s hand to reassure him. “I heard giggles coming from the room up ahead. I think there are children here.”

I move past the others to the doorway from where I heard the noises and peek around. Two young girls sit on the floor, rolling a ball back and forth. The girls look to be no older than six and are both wearing white dresses with lace accents on the sleeves and hems. White bonnets cover their hair with the strings hanging freely.

I smile, watching the sisters play together. One of the girls looks up and locks her eyes on me.

“Do you want to play with us?” she asks. “It’s only been us for so long.”

“I don’t know if I have time,” I tell her.

“Please!” begs the other little girl. “Our governess went away. Can you please play with us?”

I glance over my shoulder to see the three guys standing behind me watching me engage in a conversation they can only hear my half of.

“Okay, I’ll play, but just for a minute.” I cross into the room and sink to the floor.

The girls clap and push the ball toward me. I wonder if I’ll be able to catch it or if it will pass right through me. I’d not considered the how of playing with ghost children when I’d agreed.

I hold my hands down in front of me to catch the ball. They are filled with a blast of cold like I’m grabbing ice. I shiver, pushing the feeling forward and see the ball go rolling toward the other little girl. They laugh and start singing a song I’ve never heard before.

Stand for yourself

Make your family proud

Don’t give in

When curses abound

Evil will stand

Evil won’t win

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