Betrayal at the House on the Hill Shorts

A Friend for the Ages

     "So, what do you make about the rumors?" Hannah asked.  Her friends looked at her, a little confused at her question.

     "Rumors about what?" James asked.  Genevieve and Sarah looked like they were just as confused.

     "I think she means the ones about that old manor outside of town," Mavis supplied.  The others looked at her, still confused so she went on.  "Just a couple of rumors about magic and monsters inside that old house.  Some things left unexplained or just strange disappearances."  She shrugged.  Mavis wasn't the kind to believe in the paranormal...unlike Hannah. 
     "But even you've got to admit," Genevieve started.  "There's something fishy about that old house...."  The were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't notice the young trying to get their attention. 
     "Excuse me," he began, raising his voice a little.  "Excuse me...!"
     "You talking to us?" James asked.
     "Yes, actually," the young man said, sitting back up.  Now that they were looking at him, he seemed a little out of place.  He would've towered over them, even James who was tallest, if he stood up and he was almost painfully thin.  His skin was pale like cold milk and his black hair was messy and gleaned in the light.  "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation, but are you talking about the old Avalon Manor at the top of the hill?"
     "Yeah," Hannah said.  "Why?"  The young man looked at her.  
     "That house belonged to my great-great...uh, many times great-grandfather, Percival Avalon.  I found the will he wrote in a chest and it bequeathes that house and everything in it to his last living relative...which would be me."  They all looked at him, some in astonishment, others in disbelief.
     "Really?" Mavis inquired, her voice dripping with sarcasm.  "No one's lived in that house for a bout fifty years...."  He looked at her, seemingly unsurprised at her reaction. 
     "I only found that will a few days ago," he explained.  "And, in all honesty, would you live in the old, decrepit and collapsing house?"  There was murmur of agreement.  "I'm forgetting my manners, however," he gave a sort of small bow, " Dante Antioch Grenswith Esquire.... "  A round of introductions went between them all.  "Well I just be off...I have something to do at the manor...."
     "What are you doing?" Sarah asked, genuinely interested.
     "I'm going to collect some personal and family relics from the house and take them to my own home."  He stood up and was about to walk out before James said something.
     "Do you want some help?" He asked.  "We're not doing anything, so...if you want...."  No one objected to his offer of all their help, and Dante thought it over.
     "I suppose I could use the help," he conceded.  "Give the servants the night off....  Very well, what day we meet at the house sometime this evening?  I'll bring some snacks and drinks if we need them...."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(that evening)~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

      They found Dante standing in the porch, boxes at his feet, a large bag and a cooler sitting a little bit away.  He had a hand in the pocket of his trench coat and a small smile playing in his face.
     "For a second, I was wondering if you were going to show up," he joked. 
     "Any particular reason we're doing this in the dead of night?" Sarah asked, shivering a little as a chilling breeze passed by.
     "It's easier without people looking," Dante answered.  "This shouldn't take too long.  I've got a list of what we need...."  He produced six notes from an inner pocket of his coat and handed them out.  "We don't have much time.  Also, if you find anything that's not on this list, feel free to take it.  I'm not going to use this house for anything...."  He stepped to the front door and opened it with a creak.  

     "Aren't there any lights in here?" Hannah asked, stepping into the gloom.  Dante closed the door behind them and flicked on the lights, casting a yellowish light throughout the house.  "I thought this house was too old for that...."