Chapter 12: Alex Communicates With The Dead

Alex wandered away from the living room, the exquisite sound of the piano fading in the distance as he searched for the ghost who kept them there. His thoughts had been swimming and he was at the point where he couldn't quite put two and two together anymore. He hadn't slept well the night before. He didn't really like the situation but he did try to remain calm in front of everyone else. He'd been even more unnerved by the fact that he'd seen Vivian even when others hadn't. In fact he'd been following her since he left Sam behind. He didn't know why he could see her or how but he was focused on getting them all out.

He intended to talk to her, get some answers. After all, she couldn't be completely clueless about the events leading to her own death, especially since she'd spent the past several years stewing in her own anger over it. He felt bad for her considering the circumstances of her death. Someone close to her had killed her. Someone she'd cared for and loved. Honestly it was heartbreaking and tragic.

Now he hoped that they could find the answers she needed not just for their freedom but for her sanity. Even though she was dead he still believed she deserved answers. He'd followed her down the hall from the living room hoping that once she got to where she was headed he could ask her questions. He wanted her perspective on all this. He knew she hadn't seen who did it because if she had then none of them would be in this abandoned manor. He still hoped that she'd have some idea as to why. He also wondered how there had been food in the fridge when he got up.

He figured that the house pulled water by a nearby well or spring but the food just being there was odd. Maybe Vivian had outside help and that was why the lights stayed working and there was still internet despite the heavy woods surrounding the house. He'd gone around the house the night before when he couldn't sleep. He'd wanted to see if he could find a landmark or something he recognized but he'd only found trees, lots and lots of trees. Not that nature wasn't beautiful, he just wished he knew where they were.

He hadn't touched his phone since he got there because he didn't see the point. It's not like he could tell anyone where he was or what happened to him and the others. They wouldn't believe him even if he could tell them. He felt bad for everyone because even if they did get out the only people they could talk to about it was each other. They'd obviously have to give an explanation for where they’d been and what happened but most people would think they were crazy. Alex had gotten so lost in his own head that when he went to turn into the nearby sitting room he ran right into the door.

“You really should be more careful,” Vivian's voice was distant and she seemed distracted.

“I uh… I have a few questions for you,” Alex rubbed his forehead moving into the room. It was simple yet elegant. Bookshelves line the left walls while sofas and armchairs were positioned around a large emerald rug that was worn with age. The walls were a beautiful pale blue and the soft lightning caused the glass coffee table to give ever so softly.

“I assumed you would, after all you can see me,” Vivian turned towards him and for the first time she wasn't fading in and out so he could actually see her. At first he was shocked because she had a jagged cut along her throat and her shirt was soaked in blood. Alex considered asking what happened but thought better of it.

“How come there was food here when we got here? You couldn't have bought it and no one's lived here in a while that much is obvious,” Alex went with the safer option first not wanting to pry too much.

“My daughter, Julia, brings it before I bring in a new group,” Vivian answered plainly. She just sat there, her eyes staring into his soul.

“There have been others? Were they kids too?” Now Alex was concerned. How many times had she done this before? Why would Julia help her? How did she bring them here? At least now he was less suspicious of Julia. After all, she still chose to help her mom even after Vivian died. There were so many questions he wanted to ask and yet he wasn't sure which ones would upset her.

“Yes there have and most were around your age. Some weren't. Some were older. And no, I won't tell you what happened to them,” Vivian looked towards the window, her expression grim.

“Did your kids know about the will?” He asked. If they had then Beatrice had a very good motive for murder after all money and power were what drove most crazy murderers.

“Of course they did. I was always transparent with my children. I told them everything they wanted to know when they wanted to know it. I gave them everything they ever wanted,” Vivian seemed wistful as if she were thinking about her children. She seemed like a good parent in Alex's eyes but that still didn't mean her children wouldn't have murdered her unfortunately.

“What happened with you and Robert?” Alex hoped she would shed some light on the divorce so that he could hopefully rule out another suspect.

“It was for the best. We fell out of love. I lost nothing when I divorced him anyway. Besides, he didn't care for our children. If he had he would have fought for them,” Vivian's honesty surprised Alex. He'd expected her to deflect or avoid the question but at least now he was getting answers.

“Did you ever move on?” Alex knew that it was a rather personal question so he wouldn't have minded if she chose not to answer it.

“I did. In fact I was engaged to be married when I died,” she got up and headed for the door, “I am done answering your questions. Now if you don't mind I'd like some peace and quiet so don't follow me.”

Alex didn't. He waited until he was certain she was gone. He'd gotten some of what he came for at least. And anyways they still had quite a while before their stay here would become permanent. He didn't get why Julia still helped her mom and he wasn't sure he wanted to know but he no longer suspected her. Robert however had more than one motive to kill her. Number one: she divorced him and he got nothing. Number two: she moved on and was engaged to someone else. He headed off hoping that Sam had stayed at the piano so he could tell him what he found.