The Nightcolt Manor

(1)

RIIING RIIING RIIING

Nadine awoke to the loud ringing of her phone on the coffee table in front of her. She sat up, yawned, and stretched before grabbing her phone and answering, "Hello?" She said, trying to hide the obvious drowsy tone in her voice. "Oh my gods, Nadine, I've been trying to reach you for like twenty minutes now!" The familiar voice of her friend, Shannon, spoke.

"Yeah, I was asleep." Nadine rolled her eyes knowing that her friend couldn't see it. "Still asleep at eleven in the morning?" Shannon scolded just a bit. Nadine quickly changed the subject, "What'd you call me for?"

"Oh, yes! I wanted you to come take a look at the house I'm going sell!" Shannon said enthusiastically over the phone, Nadine could almost hear the smile on her friend's face as she answered, "Another one? What about the last house?"

"Sold! The family who bought it was so nice." Shannon replied happily. Nadine got up off the couch, phone still in hand, to make a cup of coffee. "So, what does this new house need help with, my real estate agent friend?" She sighed boredly. "Well," Shannon started while Nadine put her on speaker phone, "it's really old-- and I'm talking early eighteenth century at least."

Nadine perked up at the mention of the house's age, "Go on." she said, wanting to hear more about the old building. "The place is in dire need of repair. I just can't sell it the way it is. Plus, I don't think anyone has lived in it for at least three years, something about it being haunted or whatever." Shannon said, laughing sarcastically at the last part. "Anyway, I was hoping you and I could drive out there and I'll let you take a look to see it's worth fixing!"

Nadine thought for a moment before replying, "Sure. I'm interested in seeing this place." Her friend practically shouted, "Yes! One mention of the house's age and you were all in! Meet me at the cafe on your street in an hour and a half!" She said before hanging up. Nadine smiled at her friend's antics and finished her coffee quickly before jumping in the shower. The warm water fell over her shoulders and she couldn't help but be excited for a possible new project. She loved old things, especially old things in need of a little love.

After her shower was done, she put on some dark brown dress pants and a white turtleneck, tying back her brown hair into a bun. She quickly put on some light makeup, made a bagel to go and grabbed her long coat. She was out her townhouse door and on her way to the cafe with ten minutes to spare. She walked into the cafe a few minutes later, meeting Shannon like she said she would. "Hey Nadine!" Shannon said, hopping up to pull her into a hug. "Shay, I just saw you two days ago, you don't need to hug me like we haven't seen each other in twelve years." Nadine and her friend laughed.

"I know, I know! I'm just excited for you to see the place!" Shannon replied, handing her a coffee. Nadine smiled, thanking her for her second cup that morning. "No time to spare, let's go!" Shannon said, grabbing Nadine's hand and pulling her out to the car. As the two started driving, Nadine asked, "How far away is it, anyway?" Shannon replied, her blue eyes still on the road, "Just twenty minutes, we'll be there in no time."

---

Sure enough, the pair made it to the old house where Shannon pulled into the gateway and parked. Nadine hopped out, turning around to look at the place.

It was beautiful. The stone work was excellent, although she could see a couple of broken windows here and there. She turned to Shannon who was smiling ear to ear at Nadine's expression. "Come and see the inside!" Shannon shouted, dragging Nadine to the entrance and unlocking the door. Nadine walked in and was met with a grand staircase and a deadly-looking crystal chandelier hanging from the flaking ceiling. Her friend led her up the stairs, talking about something but Nadine wasn't really listening, she was lost in the manor's interior architecture.

"Did you hear what I said?" Nadine snapped her head towards her friend who had asked her something she hadn't been paying attention to. Shannon rolled her eyes, saying once more, "Did I tell you about what happened to the last owners that lived here?"

Nadine's brows furrowed, "No, I don't believe you did." Shannon sighed, continuing, "Apparently they lived here for only four months before they packed all their shit and left. Since then this place has been up for sale.."

"Why's that?" Nadine questioned while they walked. "They said they kept hearing loud bangs, doors closing on their own and injuries from no where." Shannon said, turning around and wiggling her painted fingernails and making an 'Ooo' sound. Nadine rolled her hazel eyes, laughing. "You know I don't believe in that stuff. It was probably hallucinations from carbon monoxide poisoning."

They turned, finally reaching the kitchen which was large and beautifully built with pretty tile work and a kitchen island in the middle. This place could use some work, yes, but once I'm done with it... It'll be the prettiest house in the state of Maine. Nadine thought to herself wistfully, opening the cabinets out of pure curiosity. "So," her friend started, making her jump a bit, "what do you think?"

Nadine had already made up her mind the moment she stepped foot in the two hundred year old house, "I'll do it. I'll make this place beautiful again." Her friend nearly screamed with excitement, grabbing Nadine and pulling her into a tight hug. "I knew you would! You know the deal, I'll email you the contract and everything will be paid for by the company!"

Nadine smiled, majoring in architecture was the right choice for her. "We should go get dinner!" Nadine nodded her head in agreement and the pair walked out of the old manor. Nadine glanced back at the house, only to see a figure standing in one of the second floor windows. It startled her for a moment, making her avert her gaze. When she looked back, however, she was met with nothing. She shivered a bit before stopping herself. It was just a draft blowing a curtain.. She thought to herself as they drove off.