The Nightcolt Manor

(10)

Nadine walked up the steps of the manor, a numerous amount of lightbulbs in hand. She walked in, setting the boxes down haphazardly on top of each other. She wiped her brow even though it was about thirty-five degrees out from the autumnal weather. She blew out a breath, "Where'd I leave that damn ladder..?"

"It's in the library." She heard Heath's distinctive deep voice speak. She turned, looking up at the balcony in the foyer and smiled, "Thanks!"

After dragging the very long and heavy ladder into the foyer, she stood it up, only hoping it was tall enough to reach the huge chandelier in the center of the decorative ceiling. Glad I wore sneakers today. She muttered to herself as she climbed.

Thankfully, there were only a couple bulbs that needed replacing and she was over in no time with the tedious twisting of the lights. She looked below her, seeing the ghostly form of Heath looking up at her curiously. "Do me a favor and turn on this light?"

Heath turned, swiftly pushing the antique button light switch. The crystal chandelier sprang to life, its original glory illuminating the large room. "Just like how I remember it.." Heath spoke softly, yet his voice still echoing around the foyer. Nadine smiled down at him, snapping herself out of her own trance from the glowing object in front of her.

She stepped down the ladder but it seemed she was going too fast.

Her foot slipped as the ladder rocked back and forth, the object trying to keep its own balance. Her mind blanked and she screamed as she felt her footing finally give out. She shut her eyes tight and in a millisecond she was no longer falling.

She grabbed onto whatever it was for dear life and she slowly squinted her hazel eyes open one at a time. Finally she opened them fully, only to see pale hands clasped around her tightly. She looked up to view the familiar face of Heath, who actually looked very alarmed instead of the typical emotionless mask he wore. A strand of his slicked back hair fell over his forehead, a little disheveled from the sudden catch.

She breathed out heavily, her hands still wrapped around his neck for-- what she could only assume, comfort. She hopped out of his embrace and leaned over, her hands on her knees.

"Holy shit." She muttered, standing up fully to face her savior, "Thank you."

"Well, I didn't want anyone else to spend the rest of eternity in here like me." He said, crossing his arms. At that, Nadine couldn't help but laugh a little, yet still her mind thought about the very real possibility of that happening if he hadn't been there to catch her.

Nadine gave him one last look and awkwardly shuffled away, off to do work on some other part of the house that needed tending to.

______

It was mid-day and Nadine had finished putting in all of the new lightbulbs. The hallways no longer seemed so long and empty as they did without the comfort of light.

She walked into the living room where she usually took her breaks. The room grew cold and she turned her gaze up to meet Heath's black irises. Should I apologize for the other night? She thought to herself, throwing another M&M into her mouth. She stood up from her place on the blanketed floor, instead opting for the cushioning of the ancient couch in the middle of the room.

She cleared her throat, getting what she going to say ready. "Uhm, about the other night.. if I said or did anything.. I'm sorry." She said slowly. She could feel her cheeks redden from embarrassment and she looked down. She finally looked back up to see Heath with a slightly confused look on his pale face.

He shook his head, "You didn't say or do anything, actually. You did, however, doze off on my shoulder and I then moved you to the couch." He reassured. Nadine breathed out a breath of air, "Okay, great. My friend tells me I tend to flirt when drunk."

Her eyes widened and her head shot up when she heard the sound of light chuckling coming from Heath. That was the first time she had heard the man audibly laugh. She grinned at him, glad that she hadn't said or done anything bad to him.

She got up, about to walk upstairs to figure out what to do about the broken window in one of the bedrooms, when Heath grabbed her hand. She turned halfway, tilting her head curiously, her hand growing icy from Heath's undead touch.

"There's something I want to show you, actually." He said, and Nadine turned to face him fully, his pale hand still in hers lightly. She nodded, " 'kay," she said, her voice coming a little weaker than she expected it to.

"Oh, and bring your hammer and lighter." He said suddenly. Now was the point where she was really confused.