The Ghost's Diary 👻 ✓

17. The Ghost's Story

Henry Fitzwilliam
Knightley(1890)

My vision blurs initially as I open my eyes. Blinking ferociously, my vision clears and I see myself tangled within bed covers.

I slowly remove the covers and see that my coat is hanging on a cupboard at the far side of my bed chamber.

How did I get here? I only remember hearing Mother and Isabelle's vexed voices. And then...

I look around my room. I hear sudden hushed voices from outside my bedroom.

"You must understand, Mrs Knightley. If Henry exerts himself too much then this will most surely occur. His problem will not allow him to function like an ordinary young man ought to.

"I have written down the perscription. Please do take care of him if you want no more incidents like this."

"I understand, Doctor Hopkins. But this has not happened in over five years, Doctor. What do you propose is the reason?"

I hear a loud sigh.

"Madam, like I said before. He must not exert himself. This can also happen due to physical or mental tension. If he does not take care... the consequences will be severe."

"I understand. Elisabeth will give you your fee. Have a nice day, Doctor."

After that, I hear sounds of footsteps becoming more and more faint till I can not hear anymore.

I get out of my bed and reach for my coat. I must leave my room at this moment if I wish to be better. Some fresh air will do me good.

As I put on my coat, I wonder where to go since Mother will most probably see me if I am out in the gardens.

There is a balcony at a side of the library. I ought to go there.

I slowly turn the doorknob of my bedroom so that no one hears me. The library is just down the hall.

Mother and Isabelle must be downstairs and no one will come to the library now.

I turn towards my destination.

This is the second time this is happening... the fainting...

I only work so much so that I can prove to anyone who knows of my disease that I will not be tied down by such an absurd thing.

Many other people have diseases. Some must be in a far worse condition than I am. Some may be even too poor to get medical assistence. But, I am fortunate that I am not one of those people.

Also, my father does not hesitate to give me more work.

I think about these things as I enter the library. I look around to see if anybody is here but find no one. I take a book from a nearby shelf and sit on a chair placed in the balcony. This balcony is quite large with extra space and flower vines at the side.

When I was younger, I always came here to find solicitude. The environment of the library with millions of books would only appeal to persons like my sister and I. Though, I preferred to come here alone.