The Mansion

Chapter Two-The Arrival

"Ready?"the pilot asked us.

"Ready."we replied in unison.I tightened the seatbelt and I closed my eyes.I took deep breaths in and I tried to calm down.

My stomach has been running for a while now just because I can't control my nerves.

I decided to take a nap after an hour.I will need all the rest I can get.We'll be busy for a long time,investigating and looking for clues.

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"Wow.Check this out!"Christina shrieked.We have finally reached our destination,we were in the Van Scheinberg castle in The Netherlands.

It was enormous.The building was definitely old,the bricks and the way it was built showed it perfectly.The bricks were light brown,like beach sand.The castle was surrounded by different trees and plants.The grass was green and the flowers were bright.

We were still outside,just enjoying the view.There were statues in every corner of the castle.

They were magnificent.There was an angel,holding a bow and arrow on one of the corners.

The other one was of a beautiful white horse,with a knight riding on it.It looked real,it was perfectly made,no errors,it was perfect.It was made of marble,it was shiny,as if it was recently made.

On the left side of the castle there was a statue of a demon-like creature.It had two horns,they were slightly curved and a mouth full of spikes.I found it strange.How is it that an old castle that belonged to someone from the 1718's have so many modern looking statues?It's odd.

The last statue was of a man,a man in his middle 50's.He has a short mustache and he has military boots on.He had a straight face.He wasn't showing any emotion.No smile,nothing.He looked slightly angry and he had a frown.

I stared at it for a good long while.I was trying to study it.I didn't know who this man was,he wasn't Viktor Van Scheinberg and he wasn't one of his sons.He wasn't a member of his family either.

"Claire-Marie Gregory!Get your big butt over here right this instant!"I heard Laura yell.

I looked at her and I saw her waving at me.I awkwardly waved back,not getting the message.

"Come here!We're going inside!"She yelled.I took one last look at the statue and I could've sworn its eyes moved.It was looking at me,as weird as it sounds.I quickly turned around and walked away,shrugging it off.I'm probably just paranoid.

Laura grabbed my hand and dragged me towards the front door.It looked heavy,it was big and it was made of wood.The handles were shaped as bats,and they were coloured black,made of iron.

We opened it and went inside.It was magnificent.The view was amazing.

There was a fountain of water.On top of the fountain there sat two little angels,looking as innocent as ever.It was also made of marble.

The floor was as shiny as the stars in they sky.They were spotless.It was white.

It wasn't a living room.As far as I have researched,it was the entrance hall.It was absolutely magnificent.It was a spacious room decorated with glass and marble floors.

It was truly a beautiful castle and I get excited every once in a while just thinking that I'll be here for the next three weeks.It'll be a once in a lifetime experience and I couldn't be more grateful.

"Can you believe this?It's truly beautiful!We are so lucky!"Christina shrieked,squealing like an eight-year-old.

"That we are my dear friend,that we are."Matt said with a smirk.

We continued exploring the enormous castle.Matt decided to split up.Matt and Roger went to the library.David and Eric went to the master bedroom and Christina,Laura and I explored the basement.It's one of the places that always have clues and more information.This mansion has never been explored by any Historian before.

"I'm scared.I hate basements."Christina whispered to us.I rolled my eyes at her and Laura giggled.We were over excited.

We walked into the kitchen and looked for a door.When we spotted one,I rushed over to it and opened it.As soon as I opened it,I saw a shadow down the stairs.I blinked a few times to clear my vision,then it was gone.

"Claire,you okay?"I heard Laura ask.I nodded,not tearing my eyes away from the dark basement.I could've sworn I saw a shadow,it was right there.It was the silhouette of a little girl.

"Let's continue."Laura said,pulling me with her.We walked down the long wooden staircase slowly.I saw a shadow,I'm not going crazy.

When we reached the basement.It was pitch black.We forgot to bring flashlights,so we have no source of energy with us which means we have to go back.

We walked up the long staircase and when we were about to reach the door,it shut close.We stopped dead in our tracks.The noise was so loud it echoed around the room.

"What was that?"Christina asked,her voice trembling.

"I-I d-don-t-t know."I stuttered.This has really started to scare me.First the statues' eyes moving,then the shadow now this?It's too much of a coincidence.

"You think the guys are pranking us?"Laura asked,as calm as ever.

"I don't know,but if they are,they're dead meat."Christina said through clenched teeth.

"They wouldn't do that."I truthfully said.

"Yeah...you're right."Christina agreed.

"Let's try opening the door,maybe it isn't locked."Laura said,reaching for the handle.The door opened and we went out,shutting the door on our way out.

"That was scary."Christina said,inhaling deeply.

We continued exploring the old mansion,examining the statues and the jewelry Mrs Scheinberg left behind.

The house was never touched by anyone other than a few loyal servants that passed their jobs down to their sons.The jewelry,the clothes,everything was in place.

It was said that before Viktor Van Scheinberg passed,he made a law that no one entered his mansion without being invited.He was a part of the parliament so he had power.

The strangest thing that happened to me so far was the events that occurred earlier this morning.I can't get them out of my mind,and that scares me.

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