The Haunted Mansion: Intro

“Still no reception,” Vivian tossed her phone onto the bed. “Of course the roads have to be flooded.”

“Well, we did hope for an adventure on the trip,” Maddie chimed.

Vivian’s shoulders slumped as she smiled to herself. “Always the optimist.”

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

Chris paced around the room, taking in every detail. The bedsheets and draperies appeared to be handsewn, but he couldn’t tell if this room had belonged to a male or female—assuming someone else used to live here. The nightstands, dresser, breakfast table, armchairs, and fireplace all looked imported, or at least antiques. The wood paneling on the walls alone must have cost an arm and a leg. Just how much expense did Mr. Gracey’s grandfather have?

Edward Gracey was unusual, but not in the negative sense. He seemed refined, yet terribly lonely. Taking in strangers willingly—not to mention telling them to make themselves at home for the night— in this day and age was unheard of. Of course, he could have said it to make them feel at ease, but who knows how that could be interpreted by the wrong person.

What was even more unusual was how not one item, including the personal items on the tables and dresser, lay untouched from its last occupant, despite theroom looking as though it was regularly cleaned.

Chris’s mind went to Vivian, as it often did. He had been falling for her for almost a year now, even before she had dated that bloke who dared to refer to himself as a man. He couldn’t even be called a guy. He was a boy. A boy who had not grown up enough to realize there were other people in this world. People who mattered and deserved to be treated well.

People like Vivian.

Despite his feelings for her, he still wondered at times why she went out with him in the first place. She had met him in one of her English classes last semester, and although she admitted he wasn’t her type, she agreed to go out with him. Chris remembered how that went. When the four of them hung out after her first date, he heard all the details from her while they had waited for Johnny and Maddie to show up. He remembered how she had barely been able to get in a word edgewise, how he had only talked about himself and nothing else (not even interests), and that she had to pay for the meal because he forgot his wallet.

And after all that, they were an item for nearly three months. The most miserable months of Chris’s life—probably Maddie’s and Johnny’s too. Whenever the four of them hung out, Trevor had to come along. Fun times turned into Trevor showing off and constantly praising himself. Although Vivian pretended not to see, Chris could have sworn Trevor would glance around to see attention he was getting from potential admirers.

Then just like that, they had broken up. The four—well, five—of them were going to meet for the traditional pizza and a movie, but Vivian had shown up alone. As much as he had been relieved Trevor wasn’t there, his heart had twisted at her silence. Maddie had cautiously asked where he was. All Vivian had said was that he wasn’t coming and that it was over. No other details, no explanation.

Vivian had always been outspoken and lively, but since the day she met Trevor up till now, her liveliness had turned to bitterness. Sure she had her sarcasm, but she always used it in humor, not near the point of spite.

Chris sighed. He had to accept the fact that she was still recovering, no matter what Trevor had meant to her. He could live with that. He had obviously waited too long to tell her before she dated the guy. Waiting until she seemed open to another opportunity would be worth it. He was determined to be patient, but he also wanted to show her how much she meant to him before he missed his chance.

But what would her reaction be? Chris always tried to push it aside. He would have to be willing to accept her reaction, whatever it may be.

A thought hit him. Maddie was very perceptive. Maybe he would consult her first. Chris almost laughed to himself. It was like high school drama all over again: boy meets girl, boy likes girl, boy asks friend if girl likes him, friend says yes, guy makes move, and then…well the ending always changed.

He’d ask Maddie soon, though. She’d be honest with him, and, better yet, keep it between them.

Now exhausted, Chris turned from the wall paneling he was examining, only to find Ramsley an inch away from him.

“Ho!” he recoiled and nearly lost his balance.

Ramsley didn’t move. “Pardon the intrusion, Sir, but the Master wishes to see you in the library.”

Chris was confused and curious. “Really? What for?”

“There’s nothing wrong, I assure you. If you will kindly follow me…”

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Vivian sat down in one of the chairs and slipped her shoes back on.

“Where are you going?” Maddie asked.

“I need to take a walk, even if it’s just down the hall and back. Being cooped up like this is making me crazy already. I don’t even think it’s that late.”

“But what if Mr. Gracey gets a little miffed that you’re wandering around? What if he thinks you’re nosy?”

“He did say to make ourselves at home for the night.” Vivian got up and headed for the door. “Besides if anyone says anything I can just say I wanted a glass of water and got lost trying to find the kitchen.” She knew it could be a lame excuse, but it was better than nothing. “Do you want to come with me?”

As expected, Maddie timidly shook her head. “No thank you. I’m fine here.”

“I won’t be gone too long. I just have to get rid of my restlessness. Remember the guys are here too if you get uneasy.”

Maddie hinted a smile, not wanting her friend to feel guilty. “I might do that.”

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

Johnny sighed, bored out of his mind. It wasn’t late yet, not late enough to go to bed anyway. To kill time he walked around the room, looking at the architecture and décor and little trinkets.

When he came to the dresser, he saw perfume bottles, hairbrushes and combs, and jewelry boxes. He remembered how his little sister Paige used to go through their mother’s jewelry and prance around wearing some pieces she liked.

One of these jewelry boxes looked rather large. He found himself opening it, only to find it wasn’t a jewelry box, but a music box. Two dancing figurines twirled up onto a circle, a haunting, unfamiliar tune playing.

“Hmph,” he sighed, and slowly slid it shut after a few moments. He looked up at his reflection in the mirror to see a translucent figure standing behind him.

“Ha!” he jumped as he turned around, bumping the dresser in the process. When he had turned, the figure was already gone.

Knocks at his door made him jump again. “Johnny? It’s Maddie, are you all right?”

He answered the door quicker than he expected to, trying to catch his breath.

Maddie blinked in surprise. “I’m sorry, did I scare you?”

He shook his head, trying to play casual. “No-no….no.”

“I heard you yell and I thought I…You look as though you’ve seen a ghost. Are you sure you’re all right?”

He remembered to breathe, and his shoulders dropped in relief. “Funny you should say that.” He tried to find the right words as he saw the confusion on her face. “I think I just did.”