Y/n wandered deeper into her new house. Looking up at the tall ceiling made her feel so tiny. Cold wind blew through her hair sent shivers down her spine, and it suddenly hit just how lonely living here all by herself must be. Her mind unconsciously traveled to Oliver. She'd be lying to herself, if she were to convince her heart she didn't miss him. Because she did. Running away without saying goodbye hurt and being apart from him felt like important part of her was being ripped away. If felt like she's been hollowed out by a hurricane and all that left was brittle bones and dust fluttering in chilling skies. Oliver wasn't all abusive 24/7. He could be so sweet and caring, that is if he was in a good mood. Y/n couldn't help but smile at the memories of the boy she met years ago and his stupid smile, the way he made her laugh with his silly jokes and the way he made her feel like a queen. She missed him. That was the Oliver she fell in love with. Not the sanctimonious control freak Oliver who got jealous and angry every time she talked to a guy. The Oliver who locked her up and gave her bruises was a monster. Y/n didn't miss that Oliver. But it didn't matter anyway because it was over. That's what y/n told herself: it was over, he couldn't find her here. After all the abuse, she did deserve to start over.
Hiding in the shadow, Thomas watched as the little girl mounted her dragging steps up the stairs. Her bony fingers on the banister. Her face lack of emotions as though her mind was somewhere far far away. Still she seemed so sad. So dead inside. Each step she took slow and depressing. The crack under her feet almost like a dirge to his ears. She looked like a ghost! How ironic. Thomas almost couldn't tell the difference between her and all the lost souls trapped in Allerdale Hall, floating around with no purpose, including himself. And he thought she was supposed to be the one with life inside her body here.
There were so many doors on either side of the long hallway. Y/n knew it would take infinity for her to find use of all of them. She wasn't in a picky mood. Not right now. Any room would be fine for her as long as she could lay down and try to get Oliver out of her mind. So she pushed through the closest door on her left and entered the room.
Thomas, who followed closely behind in curiosity, halted in his tracks. He felt wave of emotions, he didn't know he could still feel, rushed through his veins. God, he didn't even remember when was the last time he stepped in this room. It was his. Used to be. Now it's just too full of warm memories of nights he spent with Edith's body against his when he was alive. Those warm memories made him feel so cold when reality hit like a ton of bricks: all those nights were one of the many things slipped through his hand, one of the many things the ghost longed for but could never touch. That's why Thomas never returned to his room, he knew it'd feel like pouring salt in the wound. And so he found himself standing there in front of the closed door he didn't remember it being this tall. All of a sudden he felt so small.
For a moment, he could have sworn the girl did this on purpose: choosing his room so he couldn't follow and spy on her. Even though he knew that wasn't the case. She couldn't see him, couldn't acknowledge his presence unless he wanted her to. Thomas had two choices: turn around and leave, or swallow that lump in his throat and enter the room. He gulped and, after a moment of him working up his courage, Thomas walked through the hard wall.
Y/n slumped on the bed. His bed. Her back rested against her pillow. It used to be her side. Edith's side, and Thomas almost choked on air watching. The ghost could almost see himself sleeping there blissfully with his wife in his arms, and he felt his eyes getting watery. Were those... tears? Ha! Thomas didn't even know a ghost could cry. It just felt so long since he'd last crying he'd almost forgotten how it felt. Sighing, Thomas started regretting his mistake by coming in here. He turned around and was about to walk away, but was stopped by a quiet sob coming from behind. When he spun himself around so he was facing her again, he saw the girl burying her face between her knees as she held them close to her chest. She was just as broken as he was, apparently. As Thomas stood there, unbeknown to him, the thought of Edith began fading away, replaced by the sorrow he felt for this girl. No lady should be this sad, especially such a beautiful young lady. He couldn't help but wonder what happened to her. And suddenly Thomas felt as though he was being so impolite just watching like she was some kind of a zoo animal. When Thomas was alive, he was known to be the most kind-hearted gentleman. If he was still alive, surely he would've offered her his shoulder to cry on by now. Still, even though she couldn't know he was here, it felt so wrong if he were to turn his back on her. Thomas heaved a sigh and went to sit on the bed next to the crying girl he didn't even know her name.
His hand was hesitated before it eventually found its way on her shaking-from-the-sobbing shoulder in a featherlight touch. She couldn't feel it. "Shhh, darling, it will be alright." The ghost found his voice for the first time in what felt like forever. It's been so long since he'd last spoken to anyone he almost didn't recognize his own voice. The girl couldn't hear it. Though that was the most Thomas could do without giving away his presence: just be there so she wasn't alone.
As strange as it sounded, y/n felt something... comforting in the atmosphere like a vapor all over her. It somehow made her feel safe, secured. She couldn't explain how but it was the first positive energy she felt after setting foot in this new house of hers. First positive energy she felt after being brought down by her ex for years, and it warmed her heart. Despite the low temperature, she felt her heart warming up. It did feel better. It wasn't enough to make her the happiest girl in the world but after all the crap she endured, she did feel a bit better. Maybe this was a sign? That things were going to be okay from now on. Maybe this was the new beginning she needed.
Sir Thomas Sharpe watched the girl laying down on the mattress. Her head on her pillow. Edith's. He felt something he couldn't describe. It just felt so strange seeing another girl sleeping on his wife's side. Ex wife, but still. He knew he should be angry. He could make her leave by... making himself seen and scared her away? But he didn't do that. Thomas wasn't even angry at her, instead, he just felt pity for her. Whatever it was that was eating at her, she didn't deserve it. So he ran his fingers through her soft, long hair. It didn't take long at all for her to fall asleep. She must be so tired. Poor thing. Thomas just sat there guarding her. And as she nuzzled her cheek against her palm in her sleep, he couldn't help but smile softly. Wait, was he really smiling? Apparently. He almost didn't believe he really was smiling. It's just that Thomas thought he'd never be able to smile again. Maybe things were going to change around here. Maybe this was the new beginning of something beautiful.
New beginning for both of them.
