Der Erlkönig

Dare Six

Epilogue.

It's been almost six years since the entire fiasco of All Hallow's Day. I still have the musician's violin, still play it every once in a while, but mostly, the instrument just sits atop my piano. 

In those six years, I graduated college, joined the police force, and worked as a forensic scientist within the department. 

In those six years, I also managed to track down the owner of the mansion, an old man by the name of Hans Kriegbaum- the grandson of the musician. He was very happy to sell the old property for a small amount of money, happy to get rid of the taboo of his family. In fact, he even had the thought of telling me, "Beware of the night."

I had smiled at him as he gave me the key, replying in German, "I know."

And that was that. 

As forensic scientist, and the owner of a mansion full of bodies, I now had the ability to put the mass murder on file, so there that would be another opened case for the perpetually-bored detectives. But I didn't.

Why didn't I?

The answer is simple: the second time I went to the house, as owner, I had found the attic completely cleared out. No bodies, no chairs, no smell of arsenic. Absolutely nothing could prove what I'd seen on October 31. Even the room with the orchestra- it held nothing but the instruments, neatly arranged in shelves.

When I stayed the night, nothing happened- it just acted like a normal old house. Creeky, cold, and carrying a smell of old, musty furniture.

I figured that it might've had something to do with the day at which I came- April 24- so I left the property alone until October 30.

Still nothing. I even locked myself into the attic for two days.

The night of the second day, though, I was woken up by an angry whisper in my ear- "Why have you come back? I thought I told you to never come back!"

"I own this mansion now," I cheerily replied.

"What did I tell you about my guests?"

Oh. Right.

"Is that why my stomach doesn't feel so good?" 

"You've been poisoned. You sleep with your mouth open." The musician looked down at me, pity in his silver eyes.

"Good to know. Is there a toilet anywhere?" I tried to stand up, but teetered and fell back down, the world swirling around me. The ground looked so comfy too...

"No. You should get to the nearest hospital. You might have a chance of surviving." Cold fingers wrapped around my arm, dragging me up. "Go!"

And then I was promptly tossed out of the window.

According to the doctors, if I had been just a few minutes early, I might've actually made it. But I didn't. 

My funeral's tomorrow. The entire department is coming, yet I, forever bound to this mansion, cannot go. 

Don't come to this hellish place.

It's not worth it- a life really isn't worth it.

Yours Truly, 

Jaidyn Harrison.