Bad Luck

Dark Ebony Mansion stood on a hill that loomed over the town of Shaded Birch. The Mansion was originally just called Ebony, but the townspeople added Dark after what had happened many years back.

The town was just beginning to attract people and one family who came were the Greenwoods. They found Ebony Mansion when exploring and moved in, except inside were ghosts angry at these unwelcome invaders.

Soon, only one Greenwood was left, and he did what all humans would do; hid. Even the spirits couldn't find him, and then two weeks later he popped up near the town of Shaded Birch, near a woman riding her horse. She took him into town, cleaned him up, and two years later, they got married.

The growing family of Greenwood's eventually moved from British Columbia (Canada) to California (United States) and managed to find a life there. And so, our story truly begins...

Forty-four years later...

As a car puled into Dark Ebony Mansion, the daughter of Maddoz Greenwood cheerfully called, "We're here!" to her own child. For Julia, looking up was an effort after five hours of travel.

Her mom knew very well that Julia hadn't wanted to move from their sunny house in California to this huge gloomy mansion in British Columbia. But, back in California, Julia's mom was struggling to pay rent, and since they had a mansion still in the Greenwood family name, Julia's mom didn't hesitate to move.

At least Julia's best friend was there with her.

"C'mon, Dexter," She said, getting out of the car. Her two-year old black shelter cat stretched and followed her. Though he was woozy as well, he still followed his beloved owner. As her mom unloaded the car, Julia came up to the mansion, noticing the shriveled corn stalks along the way. Maybe my grandpa's family farmed, Julia thought. I hope mom doesn't get any ideas.

Julia hated spending hours in the sun, though her mom often made her do it, which didn't make sense for a future-engineer. She would rather spend time climbing or building. Now, Julia eased open the door of the mansion. Since she had earbuds in, she turned on some music, exploring until she reached a room where a vase suddenly smashed.

"What?" She murmured. The music seemed to fade away as she focused, her breath quickening. Then, she heard the scuffling in front of her. She whirled and ran back -- almost kicking Dexter. He let out a mrow, but still checked on Julia, who looked back to see a mouse making the sounds, that was soon caught by Dexter. "Good boy," Julia praised, petting him, and the cat let out a deep purr.

Vengeful ghosts from centuries ago fell all around the mansion, hating the sound.

When Ebony Mansion was just being built, the owners were attacked by a feral cat. The hate spread like a curse, and when each horrible owner became died, it became their only weakness.

Meanwhile, Julia's mother yelled from the doorway, "Go choose a room! I'll get the boxes in." Soon, Julia had a chosen new room and her mom had hauled everything indoors.

Now the reason for Julia wanting to be an engineer is because she could actually build complex systems – like she had made for Dexter at home, brought here, and now set up.

As she was browsing her laptop, Dexter began to whine. "Oh, sorry bud, there you go," Julia said, pulling on a rope. Dexter jumped onto a platform just as it went up, and then leapt off onto a piece of plywood leading to a vent, which he then walked through, into the kitchen, where Julia's mom was ordering takeout. "Hey Dexter," She patted him as he was lowered by another pulley platform, and the cat continued on to his food bowl.

Days passed, and Dexter was dozing when the hisses of ghosts woke him. The cat had sensed another presence in the house, and followed the sounds. He got to a hall where two spirits floated. He could feel their anger at his family, at him. He had to end this anger now, or his owner would never be safe. Dexter leapt, only to miss the ghosts and crash through a hollow place in the floor.

He was struggling to break free of some crumbly wood when looked around the space. Someone had been here long ago. There were dashes on one wall, and there was a journal open, with the word Greenwood bursting out of the pages.

Dexter managed to get free, and jumped up, slashing both cackling ghost. He ran back to protect Julia, only to find ghosts with matches everywhere. Lit matches, which they began to drop.

Dexter had destroyed three ghosts before the others even knew he was there. He managed to drag Julia out of the house, and her mom ran out as Dexter raced back in. "DEXTER!" Julia yelled, but he ignored her. He tracked down and fought each ghost, until they all vanished under his claws. His owner was safe; he had made sure of that. He tried to return to her, when the smoke he had inhaled caught up to him, and Dexter's mind fogged into blackness.

Two weeks later, at the Shaded Birch Cemetery, a girl came up to one grave and lay down a lily the colour of Dexter's eyes. "I wrote out your story," Julia whispered. "You've protected me always, so now I protect your memory." Julia turned to leave, except another spirit rose. The form of a cat, that padded after Julia. Dexter's owner still needed him, so his purpose kept his soul with her.

And he was still there, a week later when Julia was brushing her hair and looking in the mirror. He was there as she glanced down, and saw his translucent, purring relection. Still there when Julia let out a shreik of joy, and hugged him. And he stayed, because cat and owner were reunited again.