The Haunted Mansion: Intro

They were escorted down the hall the butler had emerged from. Though it had been dark before, it was lit now. Light fixtures clung to the walls inbetween an impressive display of knights in full armor, each with a different weapon and type of armor.

As intriguing as it was, the four of them—even the guys—found it difficult to stare too long at them, as though they would wield their weapon in defense.

At the end of the hall, they entered through an open doorway, with the curtains at its entrance drawn back. They entered an enormous room even bigger than the front hall. The floor was made of an old type of tile, giving away anyone walking on its surface. The windows stretched themselves from floor to ceiling, giving a magnificent view if the weather wasn’t so dreary. Inbetween a couple of these windows stood an incredible yawning fireplace, excruciating detail etched into its chimney and mantle. To the left was a grand staircase, split differently than the one in the front hall. At the center of the staircase sat a tall pipe organ, and the staircase zigzagged around it up to the hallway. There were several doors hiding behind the bottom of the stairs, likely an entrance to the kitchen and another room like a downstairs hallway.

And, in the center of the room, sat a large, long dinner table capable of seating at least ten people. It was already garnished for the supper, surrounded by hand carved, tall-backed chairs. Dishes of appetizers and other temptations lay across the table, several candelabras claiming a spot here and there. The dishware was of fine china, while the silverware was silver and trimmed in gold.

“Didn’t the butler say the Master didn’t have any guests?” Johnny mumbled from the side of his mouth.

Before Maddie could answer, the butler stopped and turned around. “The Master will be with you shortly.”

A silent moment passed before Chris said thank you and the butler bowed his head and walked away. The others waited until he was out of sight before they glanced around.

Johnny measured himself next to the tall chair, while the others went straight for the windows and fireplace.

“I can only imagine what the view looks like when the weather’s clearer,” Maddie breathed. The rain continued to pour outside in torrents.

“Would you just look at this fireplace?” Chris’s eyes widened. “I’ve only seen paintings of fireplaces that look like this, and they’re much bigger than I ever would have imagined.” He saw Vivian standing near him, glancing around. He watched her with soft eyes.

“Well, call me crazy, but my guess is that this looks more like a ballroom than a dining room,” she said.

“You guess, correctly,” an older, British male voice from one of the windows grabbed their attention. “My grandfather spared no expense when building this mansion, though he did double the use of a couple of the rooms.”

The man stood tall and straight, almost like royalty. He was dressed in a fine suit, but one that belonged in another time—the white cravat gave it away. His hair was full and dark, with equally dark eyes. They seemed empty, yet held some kind of hope behind them.

Chris’s politeness matched the man’s decorum. “Well, he had excellent taste.” Another moment of silence passed before it occurred to him he’d have to initiate the group’s introductions. He stepped forward and held out his hand, desperately trying to swallow his nerves. “Allow me to… introduce myself. I am Christian Morris, but please call me Chris.”

The man retained his politeness, though he did not offer his hand and had not approached them. Instead he bowed a bit, his hands still folded behind his back. “Edward. Edward Gracey.”

Johnny finally joined them. “I’m Johnny Olsen.”

Edward bowed in greeting, then subtly eyed the girls.

“Oh, forgive us,” Chris said, adapting his traditionalist behavior. “This is Maddie—“ she stepped forward and barely made out a how do you do. Chris turned to his side. “—and-and this is Vivian.”

Vivian gave a hint of a smile and nodded.

Edward bowed his head in reply, unable to take his eyes off Vivian. He reminded her so much of his Jane. It was painful and pleasant at the same time. And he had noticed how the young man’s voice softened a bit when he said her name, though it was obvious the others didn’t take heed. Edward remembered how carefully he always uttered Jane’s name.

He gestured toward the table. “Please, let us eat.”

The four of them walked slowly to the table, as though Edward would change his mind about letting them join him.

Apparently and oddly enough, Chris felt the most at ease. “Thank you for letting us join you. We told your butler we didn’t wish to be a burden.”

“Not at all,” Edward replied quietly. “It is rather nice to have company for a change. Ramsley was right in assuming that.”

Ramsley and couple other servants emerged from the kitchen wheeling out different courses. They didn’t make eye contact with anyone, and didn’t make a sound even on the hard floor.

“You said this house was your grandfather’s,” Johnny joined in the conversation. “Have you lived here all your life?”

“This mansion was left to my father when my grandfather died, which was long before I was born. My father passed some time ago.”

“Our condolences.”

He acknowledged the gesture before continuing. “This house is my inheritance—my birthright.” His attention fell on the young ladies, who had been eating in silence but still listening. “What do you ladies think of the house?”

Something in his tone caught Chris’s ear. It sounded as though he sought approval of some sort, but he could have been imagining things.

Strangely, Maddie was the first to speak. “I think it is incredible. I have never seen anything like it.”

Edward tried to suppress a smile. This girl reminded him of Jane, too, before he broke her out of her shell.

“And you?” he asked Vivian.

She swallowed her water before answering. “You must hold quite a party in this room.”

“A party?” he seemed a bit confused.

“A get-together, ball, anything like that,” Vivian courteously added.

Edward’s voice dropped a bit. “Yes, they used to be…quite the spectacle, but unfortunately I have been unable to host another. Unforeseen circumstances, you see,” he quickly added. Anything to keep him from having to think about the last ball that was held here.

He shook his head a bit before speaking again. “I am so sorry, where are my manners? How did the four of you end up here?”

Their eyes went down to their plates or in side-glances at each other. Johnny mustered up his pride. “Well, we were heading for New Orleans for a trip, and well, I took a wrong turn somewhere and…got us lost.”

“Then I am glad I can be of assistance.” He truly was, yet he was also jealous at the mention of a trip. How lovely that would have been for him and Jane to have taken adventures together. He envied these couples.

“The storm has swollen the river,” Ramsley’s echoing voice uttered.

“I’m sorry?” Johnny asked.

Ramsley turned from the window he had been gazing out of. “The storm has flooded the road. There will be no leaving tonight.”

“Now what are going to do?” Vivian tried to keep her voice down for Johnny’s sake.

“Of course, you all are more than welcome to spend the night here,” Edward said calmly. “Make yourself at home here for the evening.” He glided out of his chair and proceeded to leave. “Ramsley will show you to your rooms.”

They all watched him leave, blank looks on their faces.

“We’re complete strangers,” Maddie whispered to Vivian. “And yet he’s going to let us stay in his home?”

“I’m surprised at the gesture, too, but really, where else can we go? Everything’s flooded.”

“As long as he doesn’t make us share a room, I’m fine,” Johnny muttered under his breath jokingly.

“Oh, I’m hurt!” Chris whispered back in the same tone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ramsley led the four of them upstairs, holding a candelabra. He showed the girls their room first. “Ladies.” He opened the door for them. “I hope you will be comfortable here.”

“Thanks,” Vivian replied once they stepped inside.

“Good night,” Maddie said sweetly.

The guys smiled. “Good night, Maddie.”

Chris nodded humbly at Vivian before Ramsley shut the door.

Maddie stared at the door. Vivian walked towards the bathroom. “What’s that moony look for?”

Ramsley opened another door a couple rooms down across the way. “I hope this room is to one of your gentleman’s liking.”

They both glanced at each other until Chris lost. He stepped in. “Yes, thank you.”

“Will there be anything else?”

“No, thank you, Ramsley.”

Ramsley bowed his head and left to escort Johnny to his room.

Chris was glad he lost the staring contest. His room was close to Vivian.