Halloween

1919

“Hello, my dear.”

Flinching, Marie swivelled to face the intruder. She clutched the fabric of her dress and glared at the man.
“Please don’t scare me like that,” she said. “I thought you were an intruder, Mr Mordrake.”
“Tell me, Miss Williams, what has happened since we last met?”
“We declared war on Germany the April after I last saw you, and then last November on the 11th 1918. You’ve missed a few years.”
“You could have summoned me.”
“I’ve been busy working,” said Marie with a shrug.

Marie headed into the kitchen and pulled out a chair. She then motioned for Edward to sit before sitting down herself.
“What does it want to hear?” she asked.
“It hasn’t decided yet,” Edward said as he sat down.
“How dreadful, making a lady wait.” Marie ran a hand through her hair, wincing as the knots spotted her fingers and hurt her scalp.
“I’d hardly call you the epitome of being a lady.” Marie felt like she had been slapped, she wasn’t sure how to respond to that.
“What it means to be a lady has changed since you were alive,” she said coldly. “And since when I was born.”

Edward was silent for a moment, he looked down and she caught a glimpse of the horrific face that whispered thoughts to him.
“It doesn’t mind,” he said quietly.
“Katie moved out,” she said. “Bill had to be part of the war and a while after it ended, Katie found out Bill had died from an infected wound. She… she wasn’t coping. They were supposed to get married and it had been postponed because of the war. And then… she sort of broke down.”
“You said that she was a rather pleasant person.”
“She was nice, yes. And kind. And she didn't care what I looked like as long as I was a nice person.” Marie wasn't sure if she was a nice person, she just tried her best to be, within reason.

“I don’t know much about you and here I am telling you about my life,” said Marie. Since she had last seen him, she had heard a few rumours from some of the carny folk that had visited in the summer. “From what I’ve heard, you were going to inherit a lot over in England, that you would be about ten years older than me had you not listened to it and killed all of them and then yourself.”

Edward lifted his head and stared at her for a moment. “What you have heard appears to be true. I would have inherited a lot of wealth, should I have not gone mad. They were all too glad when they committed me to the Bethlem Royal Hospital.” Her eyes widened. He had used the hospital's proper name, not the nickname.
“Bethlem Royal Hospital… You were put in Bedlam? The insane asylum?” Edward nodded. “I didn’t know that.”
“No? Then you have learnt something new about me,” said Edward. Slowly, he stood and Marie quickly got to her feet. “I am afraid I must move on tonight, it is not you my lovely and I am yet to talk to the freak who has summoned me here tonight.”

So he knew it hadn’t been her to perform. She had been scared to summon him in case she died, just when her life was starting to get better. This year, she had been too busy at work to be able to summon him. The work hours were long but they paid well enough.

As Edward bowed his head and turned to leave, Marie spoke. The demon face on the back of his head seemingly staring at her, it was a little unnerving.
“Wait,” she said. Pausing, Edward Mordrake turned to face her. “I… I’ve enjoyed your company tonight.”
“And I have enjoyed yours, Miss Williams. Stay safe.” He turned back around with his cane held in his gloved hands and walked down the dark hallway. Slowly the mist faded and yet again, Marie was left alone.