The Journals of Candece Sinclair

January 20th, 1780

Father really hates the garden.

He must, for he never goes in it. Every time Willow asks him to go in the garden, he yells at her.

Why though?

I decided to find out myself, and when Father left his office, I asked him.

"That is a very strange question, Candece." He said, eyes looking off boredly.

"I'm curious. You don't seem to like it at all." I said.

He looked down at me, not angry nor content.

"Go fetch your mother for me." He said, completely changing the subject.

Knowing it was better for me not to hound him about my question, I nodded and ran off to find my mother.

I searched all around the castle, and yet I couldn't find her. Perhaps she was out? Then again, she never goes out without Father.

I decided to go and search in the garden, and sure enough I found her. She was tending to the lilacs and tulips. She was humming happily, her black hair undone and her navy blue sundress swaying in the wind.

"Mother!" I shouted as I ran to her.

She looked up at me, her smile very calming to see.

"Hello, dear. What is it?" She asked.

"Father wishes to see you." I told her.

"Alright. Watch my tools for me while I'm gone, sugar?" She asked with a sweet smile.

I nodded and she sprinted off into the castle. I was left behind to observe the flowers.

Then I saw my sister on the other side of the garden, and it seemed as though she was talking to someone.

She's a lunatic. I thought to myself.

I listened to her occasional laughs for a while before growing too curious and running towards her.

"Oh, hi, Candece." She chimed.

"Tell me who you're talking to! Come on!" I demanded.

"I'm talking to Grandpa, Michael, and Aleksandra." She said, treating this as if it was a normal occurrence.

"There you go again. No one talks to spirits!" I shouted.

"They're right here this time! How can you not see them?!" She asked.

"You're more crazy than I thought!"

"I'm not crazy!"

I sighed, sitting down next to her.

"Okay, if you aren't crazy, then maybe you've got Jezebel's issue going on." I shrugged.

My younger sister glared at me, a thing very out of character for her.

"You know I don't!"

"Then you're crazy!"

Willow sighed, and she looked away from me bitterly. She seemed quite frustrated, but I guess insane people do get frustrated when no one understands them.

"Who's Aleksandra anyway?" I asked.

"Father's maid." My sister said surprisingly softly, even for her. "Father killed her. She's really pretty...."

"Eh?! But Delilah-" I began.

"Delilah wasn't the only one." My little sister stated bluntly.

"You're insane! You're just making this up to seem smarter! Guess what?! When I tell Father you're going crazy he'll send you off somewhere!" I shouted triumphantly.

Willow's eyes suddenly turned red, and I was taken aback. She was on me in an instant, and she angrily began punching me. Her strength was astounding for her skinny body. I felt warm blood run down my face.

"I'M NOT CRAZY!" She screamed.

She almost beat me to death, but suddenly she was jerked off by nothingness.

They were real. She wasn't lying.

Willow was crying and holding herself. Her eyes were topaz again, and I finally got out of shock.

Mother came running at us and she screamed, and Father was right behind her.

Willow collapsed.