Upside Down

Chapter Twelve

Emma was standing in the doorway of the manor. A smirk appeared on her face once she saw me. "Have you come here for a round of torture? We have the room ready for you." After she had spoken her sentence, bloodcurdling screams could be heard from inside the manor. 

Scott rolled his eyes. He didn't really have a high tolerance for sarcasm. "Come on, we wouldn't be here if you hadn't destroyed our house." I quickly added something onto what Scott had said. I wasn't going to let them get away without being punished. "I bet you set us up for this." I kept my voice calm and steady as I spoke. "You destroyed our house, and then we somehow stumble across an old mansion all to find you here waiting for us. You led us here."

Emma crossed her arms defensively. She was prepared to fight too. "It wasn't my fault you turned up here. In fact, this isn't even my house." She set her jaw and jutted out her chin. She made a good point.

I was at a loss for words. I stuttered over things I was going to say but thought better of it. A new thought popped into my head moments later. "Why are you torturing someone in another person's house?"

The torture let put one last cry of agony before silence settled over the manor. The sun was sinking further and further below the horizon. If this wan't their house, they would have to leave eventually.

"Come on Izzy, let's get out of here." Emma and Izzy walked out of the mansion and off into the sunset. I gripped Scott's arm tightly and rushed inside, making sure to close the door behind us. "Good riddance..." was Scott's only reply.

I took one look at the manor's decor and instantly fell in love with it. Scott and I were standing one a large, polished floor made of marble. The walls were made of the finest mahogany wood. There was a grand staircase lined with gold. A large clock sat in a hollow in the wall. It loomed above a marble platform in the middle of the stairs, where the stairs parted two different ways. An alter-looking thing sat below the clock on the platform. It was covered with bouquets and candles. The table covering was made of the finest white silk.

"This...is amazing!" I let go of Scott's hand and spread my arms wide. I was too lost in the moment to remember the screams and how ominous and creepy the manor had looked outside. I felt rich beyond my wildest of dreams.

 "Are you okay Gwen?" Scott's voice was soft, unusually soft. "I thought you were...scared. Do you need my help protecting you still?"

I turned to him, my violet eyes shining. "I'm doing amazing! More amazing than I ever have been. It's so wonderful, this place." My voice came out lost and breathless. "No, I can do fine on my own, thank you. Do you really not trust me that much?"

Scott held up his arms, ready to defend himself. "Okay...I was just checking." He looked nervously down at the floor. "No, no, I trust you and everything, it's just that...you wanted my help earlier, and this sudden change in mood wasn't expected." Scott's voice became softer and softer as he talked.

I spun around and around on the floor, feeling like a little girl again. I remembered something from when I was younger. Like most other girls, I dreamed of being a princess who lived in a very grand castle. Unfortunately, my parents didn't care for me enough to buy me any dresses or wands. Baggy, torn clothes were the only things I ever got.

Snapping me back to reality, a banging and a scream pierced through the air. "Where did that come from?" For the first time, I noticed a little door that sat next to the staircase. I inched closer to the door, wondering how I missed it the first time. It wasn't small or anything.

As I got closer, the scream became louder. "Scott, I found them!" I beckoned for him to follow me. At this point, I was running towards the door. It was made of a dark wood. There were no markings whatsoever other than a golden doorknob.

I pounded on the door. "Excuse me, are you in there?" As soon as I said that, I realized how stupid that was. Of course someone was in there. I kicked the door hard and kicked it again. I kicked harder and harder each time. However, the door didn't budge.

Scott grabbed my foot, so I couldn't kick again. He pointed at the doorknob. There was a lock on the door, and it was in the locked position. Scott turned the lock, and I heard a click. He pulled the door open with a loud, eerie moan.

It was dark inside the room, too dark to make anything out. A man stepped out into the bright hallway. He had a very wiry frame. He was built like a pencil being super tall and thin. He was really skeletal looking with black hair that's swept off to one side and hazel eyes. The man's skin had a medium tan to it.

The man walked up to me and dropped to his knees. His eyes lit up as they looked me over. He grabbed my hand and kissed it gently. "My wonderful princess, I thank you for saving me. I'm Marcus by the way." Marcus gingerly stood up and pulled me beside him, completely ignoring Scott's look of burning hatred.

Marcus led us to his kitchen and gave me food which I shared with Scott. Marcus even offered me a place to stay permenately after hearing our story. He was extremely reluctant about Scott though.

"I'm not staying if Scott doesn't stay." My voice was calm and steady.

"I don't know what diseases he may carry." Marcus talked as if Scott wasn't there.

I stood up so abruptly that the wooden chair I was in left scrapes on the floor. "Don't you dare insult Scott." I was ready to fight.

Marcus looked uneasy. "All right, all right, I take back what I said. I just don't feel comfortable having men in the house. Women re fine, but not men." He wiped his hands off on a towel.

I repeated myself firmly. "I won't stay if Scott doesn't."

Marcus conformed to my wishes. "Fine! He can stay! Happy?"

I smiled warmly. "I'm very happy. Thank you!"

Marcus smiled slyly and grasped my arm gently, much to Scott's dislike. "Welcome to your new home!"