Mumbling Nightmares

Chapter 12

The form of the woman before me wavered as another wail ripped through the air, and the ghost fog rippled around her. I put my rapier up, guarding myself. My ears rung form the spectral scream, and I grit my teeth. The cold rippled outward like a wave, engulfing me it it, swallowing me. The temperature was dropping. Rapidly. I didn't need a thermometer to tell me that bit. The blood was dripping down her face, dripping from her chin. Her dress was stained, gory wounds in full view.

She had appeared broken, just as she was.

The figure dropped to her knees, and began to sob.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

...What?

"Forgive me."

I wavered, but didn't let my guard down. Her form quivered, but I still did not move. Why was she apologizing, I wondered?

CRASH!

I jumped, but her form did not waver this time. The noise sounded like someone hammering. The noise had come from the sitting room. I looked over, and the door stood ajar. Cautiously, I stepped over the rim of the iron chains. Elizabeth did not move. Not even an inch. I walked slowly, trying not to make a sound. Moonlight spilled from the doorway, casting a cone of light across the floor. I opened it cautiously.

CRASH!

I jumped again. Elizabeth was closer, but her position had not changed. I opened the door fully, and stepped inside, walking to the centre of the room. The weeping grew in volume, and the psychic pressure pushed against my inner ear like a cinderblock. I stepped forward again, but lost my balance with a tremendous noise of splintering wood. I stood there awkwardly for a moment before prying by foot free of the hole it had created. I stepped back and peered into the dark opening. To my surprise, there was something there. Lodged between the installation, just peeking out. It looked to be a bundle of papers. I knelt, reaching for the bundle curiously, but the temperature dropped again. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled. I dared not look, and snatched the bundle, shoving it into the waistband of my skirt. The prickling feeling grew more intense.

She was right behind me.

I turned, and my fears were confirmed. She stood about four feet away, and her black marbled eyes were dripping with bloods. The fresh wounds were still displayed on her body. I tore a salt bomb free, and threw at it her, running for my circle of iron chains in the hall. I heard a ghostly shriek erupt behind me, and I dove into the safety of the iron, landing hard on my belly. I shifted to my side, peering around the moonlit landing. I set the bundle down beside the Skull Jar, and pulled myself up into a crouching position. Slowly, I reached down, taking the papers into my hands. They were bound with a faded pink ribbon, probably satin, which was stiff with age. The papers were yellowed and stiff. Water damage stained them. I undid the ribbon as carefully as possible, and a cloud of dust erupted into my face, causing me to cough violently. I waved the dust away to the best of my ability, leaving behind the scent of mildew. I set the papers down, and extracted one from the pile. Something was written there in fine, angular handwriting. Some of the words were smudged, and it took me a minute to decipher what they said. Others were completely illegible. They were letters. The one I had picked up had a heart smeared in the right corner, in red ink that looked suspiciously like blood. I shivered, and began to read.

My Dearest Lizzy,

Why have you left me? I gave you everything. I loved you dearly. And you left me for him. Him, of all people. You could have had me, and I loved you so! We were going to be together. And then you left me for him. Do you know how much that hurt me? I felt betrayed. BETRAYED. YOU SILLY GIRL. _ won't you _ _ to me? I need you, my Lizzy. And you know you need me.