Chapter 7: A Quiet Manor
That night Vivian left them to their own devices there were still twenty-eight days left in the month. She stalked the halls silently. The house had gone completely quiet once the teens she'd summoned here had called it a night. She'd done this before, not because she wanted to, but because she needed closure. Quite a while ago back in the 1960s she'd been murdered in the comfort of her own home and now she was cursed to forever roam these halls until she had the answers she needed. She'd been struck from behind and had never seen her attacker. Her case had gone cold unfortunately but she was hoping the fresh perspectives of these 5 kids would shed some new light on what had really happened to her.
Others that had come had failed miserably and never made it out alive. She hoped this time wouldn't be a repeat of past mistakes. This was the sixth time she'd done this and every time it hurt to see them fail and remain locked away in here as they faded away to nothing. Their bodies had never been found; their cases left as cold as her own had been.
Pov Change
Alex had barely been asleep for 3 hours when he woke up to footsteps in the hall and when he sat up he spotted her. This wasn't the first time he'd seen her. He'd seen her in the library earlier when she'd wanted to appear to him. This time was different. She didn't even know he'd seen her or if she did she didn't show it. He closed his eyes concerned that he was seeing things but when he opened them again she was still there mournfully staring out the window.
The moonlight shone atop the trees and there were no stars out in the sky. Alex couldn't sleep anymore because there was a distant hum and he knew it was Vivian despite the fact that he couldn't see her. He grabbed his grey combat boots that were nearby and pulled them on, lacing them up. He'd taken them off before he laid down like the others had with their own shoes. He got up, fixed his cover back and flattened it out like he would have back home. He dusted his black jeans off, not really liking the light brown dust that clung to them.
He hated messes and dust. His mom had taught him to keep everything clean, how to cook, how to properly decorate for any holiday or special occasion. His grandma had taught him to bake and be respectful and well, he was her only grandchild which meant he got spoiled beyond belief by his grandparents. He was beginning to miss his mom's cooking as he headed for the kitchen.
He was hungry but he didn't know if there would be food besides the kitchen was rather dusty as were the dishes. Honestly the entire place could use a decent cleaning but the kitchen would be a great start. He rummaged through the drawers and cabinets looking for soap and a rag. He found delicate porcelain plates, antique silverware, old glasses for just about any sort of drink, pots and pans, dining sets, and fancy placemats.
When he finally did find what he needed he began cleaning up a storm. He filled a bucket with warm water, dish soap, and a bit of bleach. He set to work first on the cabinets, then the kitchen island, then the stove, and finally the sink. He began inspecting the room for any leftover dirt or grime and smiled when he failed to find any. Step one was done now for step two. He dumped the bucket down one of the bath tubs, washed his hands well, then grabbed a sponge and dish towel from a nearby drawer.
He pulled down some of the less expensive plates, glasses, and grabbed some cutlery from a different drawer. He began cleaning the dishes and drying them. He moved swiftly and quietly, he washed pots and pans, spatulas and ladles. If there was food in the fridge and the pantry then he intended to make breakfast for everyone in the morning.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw swift movement as Vivian's shadowy figure passed by. The humming had grown louder and it was spooky to say the least. It seemed disembodied and icy. It sent chills up his spine as he went through the side door of the kitchen and stumbled upon the dining room. There was a large oak table with six oak chairs around the sides and then two more spat either end of the table. He moved towards the door at the far end of the room leaving the dining room.
He kept moving attempting to get as far as he could from the humming and the ghost. It was unnerving. He'd already seen her at least three times tonight and he was beginning to think he'd gone insane. He debated waking one of the others but decided against it because they needed their rest too. Unfortunately he couldn't sleep knowing she was roaming the halls. At least the others were oblivious. They could sleep peacefully.
He made his way back to the living room where everyone was still sleeping peacefully. He was relieved that he couldn't hear the unearthly hum that filled him with dread anymore.
He'd done a lap around the outer rooms of the house. Every time he’d come upon a window he'd look out to find nothing but trees. It was concerning not knowing where he was and his parents would freak when he finally did find a way home. He ran a hand through his short dark curls as he looked around at the others.
Luke was snoring rather loudly which made him want to laugh but he didn't in fear he'd wake Sam up. Sam was closest to him and oddly enough he was the only one not snoring although Alex could have swore that he was drooling. Tracy had curled into a ball and her boots and her denim jacket lay on the floor next to her while she slept. She'd braided her hair before she decided to call it a night Alex remembered Courtney helping her. Courtney had taken her hair down and now her golden curls shrouded her face.
The ghost had brought together a rather odd collection of people. It confused Alex because they were all so different. They all had different backgrounds and traits. He wasn't good at making friends and he knew that vast differences didn't make for good cooperation. Although they did have a common goal. Escape.
Tracy and Courtney's had sort of bonded. Luke practically despised the situation and the group along with it. Alex didn't mind Sam because he hadn't tried to make him socialize and he hadn't tried forcing him to talk so at least he had an acquaintance in the group. With time he could get used to the others in fact some of the friends he had reminded him of Tracy and Courtney. He just wasn't really good at conversations or socializing.
At some point he did manage to doze off again thankfully. He'd crawled under his covers hoping that sleep would find him and it did after he was sure Vivian wouldn't make an appearance to watch them sleep again.
He slept peacefully for quite a while until the sun peeked through the window. The house had warmed up since yesterday and Alex was a bit hot when he woke up so he took his hoodie off, left it on top of his blanket once he made his bed again. He smoothed his grey tee out and headed to the kitchen to check the fridge.
The fridge was full, to his surprise, as was the pantry. At least they wouldn't go hungry during their stay. He decided to make breakfast hoping it would be a nice surprise for everyone. He pulled in hairs from the dining room and set up the place mats around the kitchen island where everyone could eat. He didn't really see the point in using the dining room with so few of them there. Finally he checked his work one last time before he turned to the stove to start breakfast.