Page 109 of The Ghost of Ellwood
This is a very stupid idea,I thought once we were on the other side of the gate.
The mansion loomed before us, and I couldn’t shake the chills creeping up my spine. I couldn’t look at the windows for too long, because I feared what I’d see looking back at me.
How had a major skeptic like me ever turned into this?
A year ago, I would’ve laughed at anyone who said I’d be here right now, scared shitless as I walked along the grass of the most haunted place in Ivy Grove, keeping an eye out for a certain horrifying spirit.
Well, they say seeing was believing, and I’d certainly seen enough crap to know it was real.
“Are there alarms?” I asked, after checking the door.
“No.” Carter hopped up on a small ledge to peer through a small window. “They wouldn’t dish out that much money on a place no one owned. Keeping up with the lawn is enough work for them. And the only reason they have it watched in October is because of all the money they make from the ghost tours. It’s still on the market. God be with the poor soul who buys it.”
“Kind of surprising no onehasbought it,” I said, walking slowly as we rounded the corner into the back yard. A gazebo stood encased in shadow, and various wild vines and dead plants surrounded it.
Carter shot me an odd look. “Have you been smoking the crazy pipe? Who in their right mind would ever buy it?”
“Someone who doesn’t believe in the stories,” I said. “Or maybe someone whodoesbelieve them and is drawn to the mansion because of them. Some people get off on this stuff.”
“Makes sense, I guess.” Carter stepped onto the back patio and approached the glass doors. He wiped the glass before pressing his face to it. “Not many people can afford it. Even with the market value down because of the haunted history, it’s still expensive. It’s a damn mansion, after all. No typical Joe can buy the place.”
I stayed on the grass as Carter went to each door and window on the patio and peeked inside. The February night held a bite to the air, and I chided myself for not wearing something warmer than a thin hoodie.
However, then Ididstart to warm up. It was such a strange sensation. I thought I even heard fire crackling.
Carter said something about going around and checking another window, but he sounded so far away, even while standing just feet from me. I inhaled, but instead of the crisp air, smoke filled my lungs.
I bent forward, hands on my knees, and coughed.
“Ben? You okay?”
My body grew hot. Unbearably so. I pulled at my hoodie as sweat coated my chest and abdomen. I inhaled more smoke, even though there was none to be seen. Panicked, I grabbed Carter’s arm as I gasped for fresh air.
A shape moved from behind him.
As I focused on the flowing black dress and the sickly white face beneath the dark veil, I fell to my knees. I knew I should run away, but my legs were heavy. The woman glided closer, the sinister grin frozen on her face. The white could be seen around her eyes.
I wheezed, only able to breathe in smoke.
“I don’t know what to do!” Carter cried out. His gaze passed over the woman, not seeing her. And then he hooked an arm around my torso and pulled me to my feet.
My weight was much too heavy for his small body, but he somehow managed to help me walk. I was too terrified to look behind us for fear that she was following. By the time we reached the front gate, I was able to breathe better and didn’t feel nearly as faint.
“What happened?” he asked, resting a hand on the iron bars as he worked on catching his breath.
I couldn’t speak. Tears burned in my eyes, matching the burning in my lungs. Then, “I s-saw her.”
“Her?” Carter flipped around to me. “As in Lady Death?”
Shaking, I nodded.
“Do you think you’ll be able to climb up?” Carter motioned to the gate.
I wasn’t sure I could. Before I could answer, there was an eerie creaking and the gates opened of their own accord.
“What the hell?” Carter cocked his head at the gates. Then, he looked back at the mansion, and his face paled. “Holy shit.”
“What is it?”
