<Part I> Six Months Earlier
Harry Styles spoke heatedly into his phone.
"Yes, mum! I'll be careful. I'm almost there, but I'll have to stay the night somewhere. Okay. No! Fine. Yes, I'll be there tomorrow. Okay. I love you too, okay? Bye." He angrily touched the End Call button on his screen. His mum had been afraid he would miss the family reunion, but he wasn't planning to. Ever since he had failed in the XFactor almost 3 years previously, he had traveled, running from his shame. He hadn't seen his Mum since then.
The dark pressed down on the car. Harry knew he needed to find a place to sleep soon, he was quite tired. A few minutes later, he made out a sign to his left.
Endwigger's Bed And Breakfast, it said. Underneath that was Privately Owned and the notice for Ghost Tours, From September to December. It was mid October now. Harry shivered, and turned down the drive the sign indicated.
After parking in the field behind the large house, Harry took it in. It had once been a quaint little farmhouse, but the peeling white paint, and various large extensions and additions gave it the appearance of a very old, very large wedding cake. Harry pulled his jacket tighter around his shoulders and entered.
The kitchen/dining room he found himself in was bustling with activity. Two old men were singing along to the radio in the corner by the fire. A couple was trying to order some food while two identical todders rushed around their legs. Weaving his way around tables, Harry found an empty one by the fireplace. He warmed his hands by the flames, and soon, a lady wearing jeans and a plaid shirt made her way toward him.
"Hi. Do you want anything?" she asked.
"Yes." said Harry. "Please," he added after a second. "Umm, whats good tonight?"
"We've got pea and beef stew with potatoes tonight."
"I'll have that," said Harry, distractedly. "I also need a room for one night."
"We're pretty full," said the girl, raising her voice over the singing men. "But I think we can find something."
"Okay, thanks." said Harry as the girl left.
After enjoying his beef and pea stew with potatoes, the same girl showed Harry up several staircases. He climbed them, then hurried back down, because he had forgotten his bag in his car. After lugging it back to his room, he brushed his teeth and tumbled onto the bed, not even bothering to remove his clothes.
As tired as he was, Harry had trouble sleeping. He tossed and turned, and his mind wouldn't rest. He thought about many things, but especially the shame he would have to face the next morning. He hadn't seen any of his friends or family for almost 3 years, which was quite a long time. He had missed his mother's wedding. He had missed almost everything. And now he would have to face the people he had left behind.
Also, he couldn't get comfortable. It was cold in the room, and no matter what he tried, he couldn't get to a comfortable temperature. He sat up suddenly. Just as he had started to drift off, he felt eyes, watching him. His hair stood up on his neck. He looked around, calling softly.
"Who's there?" There was no answer. Harry tried to shake off his chill by getting up and walking around the room. As his socked feet pattered around the wooden floor, he could feel a chill breeze on his bare neck. He whipped around, and caught a flash of white. Now he was scared, though he didn't admit it to himself.
"Who's there?" he called again.
"Only me." came the reply. He turned around to his bed, in the direction of the voice. Nothing was there.
"See?" the voice asked, now above him. He strained his neck and eyes to catch the speaker.
"Where?" he asked.
"Here," whispered the voice in his ear. He jumped back, then finally saw the girl who had been speaking. She was wearing all white, with long pale blond hair falling down her back. HArry reached out to her.
"How did you get in my room? Who are you?" his fingers tried to brush her hand.
But they passed right through her flesh.
