Ω The Hanging Tree Series : Victorian Era || Cursed || Book One Ω

Chapter 2: proven worthy

Previously on 'The Hanging Tree'

'If you've proven that your not life, i'll spare you. But if you are him... Bad things will happen.' with that she disapeared into thin air.

~~~~~Present~~~~~

Victoria left a parcel on the spot she used to stand.
Victor picked it up.
It was a letter. In a black envelope. It looked vintage, like it was written before he was even born.

   You are invited
To witness our daughters'
19th birthday
In the Von Dought residence
Hope to see you there.

~mr. and mrs. Von Dought

It was written elegantly. It suprised him because his family was invited to a ball. Not just any ball, a ball hosted by the richest family in the town. And he just met Victoria Von Dought. He flipped the letter.

Venue: Von Dought residence
Dress code: black and gold dress and tux
Presents are optional
It will be held at November 1st.
And it is a masquerade ball
So it is expected for the guests to have
A mask. Preferably black.

What creeped him the most is the date. It was exactly halloween. I mean, who celebrates their birthday on November 1st? Though, she was born in halloween because after all, she's death.
He check the time and as soon as he saw the time his face paled. It will be held at 12 in the night. He's starting imagining horrible things that will happen to him. After all, he is going to a person who died centuries ago. He decided to tell his mum about the invitation. And he is sure that his mom will come, she's a gold digger i tell you.
But if Victoria died centuries ago why is she still 19? She surely must be 190 or something. But questions should be saved at the end of the week. If today was Sunday the party will be held at Friday. 'Great' he thought 'creepy day to celebrate, creepy time, and it will be at Friday.'. Once he reached his house, he searched for his mom. "Mother I got a letter from the Von Dought's" once he said the last name, his mother came running through the stairs. "What does it say boy?" "We are invited to a ball. A masquerade ball." as his mother was reading the letter her face paled. "What a weird day to celebrate isnt it?" his mother asked him. "Indeed. But we have to go. This is the first time we are invited to a ball." "I will call the local seamstress to sew as a perfect outfit for young Victorias' party." his mother went to the living room to call the local seamstress. Madame Salazar. As young Victor walks up the stairs, he over heard the conversation his mom and Madame Salazar was having. 'What should we do? The girls' cursed! Dont you remember? She killed herself! She should be dead by now!' a long pause was heard 'Do you think she is Death. I mean the legend tells us that her spirit roams the overworld. Preferably our town.' a long pause was made again 'I suppose I shoudnt jump into conclustions. Just sew us our outfits.' with that they ended their communication.

All this time she was lying to Victor

All this time she was Death

But she was looking for someone to love

For her to be free

But Victor cant see that

But it will soon change at the ball.

But what got him thinking was why didnt she told him sooner. Sure he was created by Life. Sure she hated her own brother. But why did she said that she looked like her brother. Was his mom hiding something from him? Maybe a family secret? Why didnt he knew his father? Is his family involved with young Victorias death? He wants to go to the bottom of this mystery. Then it clicked, the attic. Its been closed for centuries now. And he wants to know what secrets are hidden there. But he still needs to find the key. He decided to search in his mothers room. "Victor! Im going to the market! Ill be back before supper!" good timing. He checked his mothers' jewelry box. His mothers closet, and sure enough he found a box. A vintage box, it looks like it was inherited by his grandparents and gave it to his mom. He opened the box and found a peice of paper and a necklace with the key to the attic.

Secrets must be kept hidden
For young Victor
He must not know what is hidden
In the attic
Or else things can happen
The curse she placed in this very house
I cannot allow my son to know
The horrible things I have done
You must not trust no one
My dear, please protect our son
Forbid him in coming in the forest
Make sure he doesnt find the tree
The tree where i have made a heavy sin
A sin who cant be erased by man kind
But make sure to visit my sister in the woods
Give her the book
And make sure she never leaves the spot
The Von Doughts doesnt know
What their daughter is capable
Of.... On her 19th birthday
She will gain power..
She will be strong and go back to the underworld
I cant let that happen
Protect Victor
For me

~Eduard

What is his family trying to hide from him? Why does is father trying fo warn him about Death? She's just a girl trying to go back to her own dimension. (Summary: Victoria and Death are the same person. When Death died, she was reincarnated into Victoria. Although many people that are reincarnated are having trouble remembering their past life. Even though Victoria and Death are one. Victoria feels like she's been alive since then. When Victoria turned 13 her memories of being Death flooded her mind. Since Death is a hundred years old in total Victoria is older than the Victorian republic/era.)

As Victor walked along the corridor. It seems like the paintings where watching his every move. Once he was at the door, he prepared himself for the things that he will see. Know the secrets that were kept for over a century. And uncover the mystery of his dad, Eduard. He turned the key and the door opened. He took a deep breath and opened the door. Inside were the answers to his questions. To unlock the mystery of Victoria/Death and his father. The secrets his family kept from him. Was inside a small room. But inside held big answers.