Taboo

11: When A Spectrum Gives You Personalized Treatment

Sir Alfred William Smith sat in front of them, a smile playing on his lips. The man poured the liquid in the cups, dropping a small bag. Marilou's curiosity was enlightened. He did this as if he did it for all his life.

The simple fact that he knew how to use tea materials after two hundred and sixty nine years old alone blew her mind. With all of this, Sir Alfred William Smith was alive-truly alive. With the spell that Lilith threw-and by the same time Marilou- the man was back to life.

The thought of bringing a dead back to life was sending a shiver down her spine. Sir Alfred William Smith was supposedly deceased. Yet he was right in front of them, looking lively and completely awake. What was she thinking about it? It messed up the girl so bad that she didn't even know what she thought about it.

- So, tell me, why did you bring me back to life? Sir Alfred William Smith questioned, sipping his tea as he watched the teenagers

Lilith hesitated for a moment, before she confessed.

- Well, do you know who I am, Sir? She responded, her voice low and trembling

- No, I do not have a clue, I apologize...The man admitted, shaking his head

Puzzled, Marilou eyed both ghosts cautiously. Did they know each other? Why did Lilith want him back to life, and what would it change for her?

- Tell me, what's your name, young spectrum? Sir Alfred William Smith asked her, pulling her out of her trance

- Lilith Amelia Brown. The girl retorted in a cold voice, the words cutting like a knife

Marilou opened her eyes wide, surprised. She knew how to catch people off guard! Her brother looked just as shocked as she was, but when she glanced at the Sir, she was even more shocked.

He looked troubled, traumatized. As if he had just received a bullet through his heart. Alfred choked, before sighing and tilting his head.

- You're lying, you're not a Brown. He replied with a mellifluous voice

Lilith raised her brows, indifferent about whether Sir Alfred William Smith believed her or not. At this point, it was all about decisions. To believe or not to believe.

- Don't you recognize the doll traits on my face? The spirit mentioned, suddenly defending herself

It was the man's turn to arch his brows. His hazel gaze wandered on her, thoughtful. With the blue-ish transparence, he couldn't quite recognize the traits she used to have. She looked frail and light, as delicate as a feather. The man came back to life, yet he didn't look troubled with the idea that ghosts existed.

Maybe because he had the experience to be one as well. Marilou didn't know, yet she wouldn't be the one to be asking for it. Neither Isaac. Although he looked confident and courageous, the girl looked into his eyes and noticed a hint of fear.

A shadow. Despair. Short yet obvious. She had to scrutinize him intensely to see this. And, as his sister, she knew him better than anyone else did. She did try to tell everyone else, with her enormous pride.

Sir Alfred William Smith watched Lilith in silence for a moment. Seconds. Minutes felt like hours. Time passed by slowly, cruelly in a room where silence was forbidden. After a while, the man shook his head and looked away, before looking back to the kid.

- I'm sorry, young girl, but you don't remind me of anything. Perhaps is it because of your ghost-alike appearance, I can't tell. But you're surely, certainly, and definitely not a Brown. You're not like them.

Shocked, the spirit stared at the floor. Why did she need Sir Alfred William Smith to recognize her this much? And what did this Brown family had that was so special?

Marilou's brother's voice pulled her out of her trance, cutting the ghost from speaking.

- Without wanting to look very stupid, who was the Brown family? What did they do to the community? And why couldn't Lilith be a part of them? She looks very soft and delicate.

Touched, the young girl dropped her hand to Isaac's shoulder, grateful. The boy smiled back, alterning his gaze between her and Sir Alfred William Smith.

- Oh well, he admitted after a while, the Brown family was excessively rich. They had more than a million houses all around England, and their most known one was in London. They were known for their wealth and their sharing, their perfection. The Brown family members were all perfect. Their skins were as soft as silk, with an angelic expression, along with gorgeous eyes that were piercing. Their manner to rule their small community was bewildering all England.

Flattered, the girl lifted her chin and nodded her head before adding:

- Nowadays, the family gives money for good causes, which makes them really good people. Some people fight to visit them, often for autographs.

Flabbergasted, Marilou's jaw dropped. We could say that the Brown family was very wealthy! Throwing her brother a glance, she noticed he had this eyes wide as he rubbed them, making sure he wasn't dreaming.

- But, Miss Lilith here isn't a Brown! The man affirmed as he served herself a new cup of tea

- But of course! The concerned one retorted angrily, I died in a thousand seven hundred and twenty nine! I was, am and always will be a Brown, whatever I look like!

Awkward, the man balanced his legs on his chair, his gaze lost in air. As if he just had a revelation, he shifted to the twins, smiling widely.

- Kids, why are you leaving in a haunted house! It's not a great place for teenagers nowadays!

- Lilith decorated it so nobody would come...Isaac growled menacingly

- That's true, Marilou admitted, Lilith is a clever girl for someone of her age

The teenager paused, staring at the ceiling as she thought. After a moment, she met the man's eyes to continue her speech.

- Yet, you're right, this place is scaring me, and to be honest, nobody would want to live in here!

Lilith stared at her, outraged yet grateful, her head inclining to the side in curiosity. Her brother watched her intently, his blue eyes wandering all over her face as a warning sign, his annoyance being visible.

The Sir looked happy. His smile was back, making his wrinkles appear some more, which troubled Marilou, naturally.

- Oh, but you're very clever, young girl, what's your name? The man questioned, his eyes shining with excitement

- I'm Marilou, she affirmed after a while, hesitant

The man's smile grew as Isaac's glare became more insistent and warning. Lilith squinted her eyes, curious to see how the tables turned. Marilou didn't know why Lilith brought the man back to life for now.

Maybe was she going to ask him privately, who knows. She probably thought she couldn't trust the twins.

- Oh well, it's nice to meet you, Marilou, you're a ray of sunshine! He exclaimed as he ruffled her hair, smiling

- Ah, thank you, Sir Alfred William Smith...Uh, how do I call you?

- You can call me Smithy. He spoke mischievously, watching her intently

- Smithy, I like that.