The Nightcolt Manor

(3)

Nadine took her time with the twenty minute drive. Once she got there, she decided to work in the right wing of the house instead of the left like she had yesterday.

She was there for about three hours at that point, cleaning up dust and debris and every now and then having to quell the dread that tried to set itself into her mind. She ignored it the best she could but every creak from the house settling made her shiver. What the hell has gotten into you? She thought to herself as she quietly walked down the stairs.

She then turned, walking through the archway that lead into the large living room. She eyed the dusty wooden couch in the middle before sitting down on it. She leaned back and stared up at the ceiling tiredly. No matter how much sleep she got, she always felt exhausted. Despite her best efforts to stay awake, her mind glazed over, letting the power of sleep overtake her.

——

Nadine's eyes shot open.

"FUCK!" She practically screamed. Looking out the window, she could see that the sun was already setting. She checked the time on her phone, "Five already?" She stood up, about to leave, when she stopped in the middle of the foyer.

Looking up, she spotted the figure of a man leaning leisurely on the uppermost railing and looking down at her. She couldn't see his face because of the darkness that was slowly creeping in from the lack of sunlight. Against her better judgement, she spoke, "What do you want?" She tried to keep her voice steady, but the shivers that moved down her body at the person's gaze made it waver.

Her blood truly ran cold when a man's deep, gravelly voice replied softly, "Ring."

At that, the mysterious male walked off, heading down to the left wing Nadine had just been in the day before. She took in a deep breath and forced her weak legs to move out the door.

——

The next day, fueled by only an hour of sleep, she drove back to the manor once more to deliver what the phantom had asked. At this point, even she couldn't deny the reality of the situation. She considered calling Shannon many times, but her mind told her not to. I don't want to scare her off. She needs to sell this house or else she'll likely get fired.

Nadine faced it. She was in a predicament that even she couldn't get out of. On one hand, she had to help her friend out, and on the other, she couldn't break the contract she signed because the company would take legal action against her if she did.

So there she stood. Infront of the stained glass front door, ring box clasped in her trembling hands. Slowly, she stuck the key in the lock and turned it. The creaky old door echoed in the not-so-lonely house as she stepped in and closed it behind her. She looked around for a moment, gathering her bearings before speaking. "H-hello?" She said softly. When nothing happened, she spoke louder, "I have your ring."

At that, footsteps fell upon the marble staircase. She could now see the man clearly as he walked down the stairs, his black irises focused on her as well. He wore a Victorian-looking three-piece suit. His hair was short and parted down the side, slicked back neatly. His skin was deathly pale and his face narrow. Nadine's heartbeat quickened to a rate she'd never experienced as the tall spirit drew closer. She stood frozen until he stopped a little too close in front of her.

That was when she finally tore her gaze from him, looking down at the ring box she was gripping so tight it might as well have been broken. With trembling hands, she held it out to him. He reciprocated, one icy hand cradling hers as he simply stared at the object in-between them.

"Open it." He said, their proximity sending the vibrations of his raspy, deep voice through her own chest that felt like it was constricting itself. She did as she was told, using one hand to open the polished box and revealing the gold, pearl, and ruby ring inside.

Suddenly, the click of the box closing made her jump and instinctively look up at him. His pale hands were still clasped around hers, but not tightly, she noted. "It's been too long since I've touched warm skin." He spoke quietly. "Forgive me." He said once more, letting her hands go and taking the box from her.

"N-no.. I'm sorry. F-for taking it.." Nadine replied, her voice weak and her throat dry. "You should leave. Never come back." He said abruptly, turning and walking away. Nadine suddenly found her voice and replied, "I can't."

"Why is that?" He faced her again, his brows furrowed yet still showing little emotion. She forced her throat to loosen up so that she could respond to him, "I-I have a contract. I can't leave until this place is fixed.."

He eyed her for a moment before walking back towards her, practically cornering her to the wall as he did so. With an unwavering and harsh gaze, he said lowly, "This is my house."

Nadine felt a spike of anger and looked up at him determinedly, "Well, your house is rotting away." She said, her fear slowly dissipating into annoyance. The ghost's expression looked as though he were contemplating something. He backed off, speaking slowly, "I suppose you're right." Nadine's hazel eyes widened with shock and confusion, He agreed so quickly? I thought he would tell me to get out again?

"Follow me." He said, walking away and down the hall under the grand staircase. She shuttered and followed the ghostly man, her mind screaming at her to turn around. After a minute of walking through the winding halls of the mansion, they stopped at an empty bookcase. The spirit unlatched something on the side and slid the bookshelf open, revealing dark and twisting stairs. She looked at him and he nodded his head.

She gulped, walking in and lifting her plaid midi skirt as she went up the stairs. She could hear the bookcase slide closed behind her and she looked to check if the spirit was still there. When she found no one, she stopped, searching for him. "Come along."

She nearly screamed when she heard the raspy voice in front of her. She put a hand over her heart and took a few deep breaths before continuing upwards, pulling out her phone and turning on her flashlight in order to see better. As far as she could tell, this was just another servant staircase leading who knows where. Eventually, they came to a door to which the ghostly man opened, stepping aside and allowing Nadine to enter.

Nadine's eyebrows shot up when she realized they were in the roof. The man cleared his throat to get her attention once more and pointed up at the numerous leaks that were forming. She looked at him and her lips quirked up into a small, sheepish smile. He narrowed his dark eyes once again and Nadine's face dropped. "Let me make one thing clear," he started, walking towards her once again, "my house is not going to be sold. Ever." He hissed. As soon as he said the last part, he disappeared into thin air.