111 West End

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Decision

The Doctor

Arthur's anger increased as he watched Ben from the corner of the parlour.

"How did she die?" The snow had soaked the bandages around Georgie's feet, and she shivered from either his or Ben's proximity to her. Arthur couldn't tell which.

"She fell down the cellar steps."

"Did you push her?"

"I think..." Ben stared at her as he tried to recall. "I think I did." Arthur clutched his chest. This man had gone to great lengths to keep his secret. Now he had confessed he would never let Georgie leave.

"Ben, please. Don't make this worse. Tell the police where she's buried. Natalie must have family, people who love and miss her. Give them closure."

"Nobody has looked for her. She had no family."

"But I do!"

"I know. I've already planned for that."

"What does that mean?"

Ben glanced at the open cellar door. "Your death will look like an accident. The cellar stairs are very steep, and you have a history of sleepwalking."

Georgie raised her hands to her face and sobbed.

"It was fortunate Henry was here earlier to witness the cuts to your feet and hands." At this moment, Arthur changed his mind. To hell with the consequences. He had spent his life, saving lives and caring for others. He wasn't about to stop now.

*

The Children

Emma loved to hide things. On the days when she was exceptionally bored, and Joseph told her to leave him alone or else, she entertained herself by tormenting the living.

Emma enjoyed watching the confusion when items vanished without a trace. Only to reappear in some random place. And keys were her favourite objects to hide, much to Arthur's dismay. He warned her many times about interfering with the living.

"Psst, Emma." Joseph waved her over to the grandfather clock.

"What?" she whispered, creeping closer.

Joseph leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. "Do you think you could steal the keys from Ben's coat pocket without him noticing?"

Emma grinned. That was a stupid question. "Of course."

"Good. If Arthur refuses to help Georgie, then it is up to us."

"Uh-huh." Emma nodded. She didn't like Ben and she wouldn't let him hurt Georgie.

Joseph straightened and said, "I will distract him while you take his keys."

"Oh, that sounds like fun." She clapped her hands in childish glee, but just as quickly, her mood turned solemn. "Joseph."

"Yes?"

"Do you think Arthur will leave here?"

"I hope so." Joseph flinched as Ben raised his voice. "Are you ready?"

Emma rolled up the sleeves of her dress and grinned. "Yes."

*

Two flickers of light shot into the parlour, and Arthur couldn't help the sense of pride he felt. Despite him, they had decided to help Georgie, which was most definitely the right thing to do. It was just a shame it took him so long to reach the same conclusion.

Arthur stepped from the corner and sat beside Georgie. He patted the back of her hand gently and leant closer. "Do not be afraid. We are here to help."

Emma appeared to the left of Ben with a mischievous grin on her face. Arthur winked at her, letting her know he understood. Joseph stood on the threshold between the parlour and the kitchen, and he tapped on the heavy wooden door. Tap. Tap. Tap.

*

The Tenant

Georgie felt utterly alone... But maybe she wasn't? Everything she believed altered the day she saw the children at the top of the stairs. At first, she wondered if she was tired, or stressed, or losing her mind. And desperate for answers, she had called out. Georgie found the answer to her question... She felt stressed; she was tired, but she wasn't losing her mind. The children did indeed exist inside 111 West End. And if her life ended now, she would find her peace here, with them.

When the leather sofa creaked beside her, Georgie stopped sobbing, and a male voice whispered into her ear, "Do not be afraid. We are here to help." And then she heard the tapping. It echoed from every wall, door, and window.

"Stop that damn tapping!" Ben yelled.

"Did you know?" Georgie asked, watching him pace anxiously across the room.

"Know what?" he snapped.

"About the house."

"You mean if it is haunted, or just fucking cursed?"

Georgie realised he must have known. How could he not? "About the children?"

"I've told you before, there are no children. Just that arsehole, Doctor Arthur Bennet." Ben raised his eyes to the ceiling. "Son of a bitch! Crossover! Get the hell out of my house!"

The hand resting on hers lifted, and the sofa creaked again.

"He's not upstairs," she said, as a weight shifted from the seat beside her.

Ben stopped pacing and glared at her. "What?"

"The doctor, he's not upstairs."

"You can see him?"

"Yes." Georgie watched the colour drain from Ben's face. It was his turn to feel afraid.

"Do you see him now?"

"Yes, Ben."

"Where?"

Georgie looked beyond Ben to the man with grey wispy hair, heavy wrinkles, and deep-set eyes.

"He's behind you."

Ben turned to face the doctor. The lights flickered above them and every door in the house slammed shut. Ben staggered back in shock.

A girl whispered into Georgie's ear, "Run. Hide." 

The house rumbled, creaked, and groaned as Georgie ran through the hall toward the front door. She yanked the handle, but the keys had vanished. With no escape from 111 West End, she raced up the stairs, past the portrait, and along the landing.