The Ghost Of Gleeful Manor (A Short Reverse Falls Story)

Chapter 4: Dreams

Thanks to Welcometohell909 for this idea

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Mason woke in his mind feeling strange and floaty, he twisted around to view his surroundings and was amazed by what he saw. Everything was blue, rippling shades of it like ribbons in the wind. Doors hung around him, suspended in the blue, some faded and worn, and all supporting designs and symbols. He reached out to grab a teal piece  of ribbon as it streamed past him and felt his feet connect with a previously hidden floor. The vast expanse of blue disappeared and he found himself in a basement, dark, dingy and cold and lacking all but one door. 

In one corner he could see a roaring fire in an old furnace, the painted walls around him were peeling, and the sickly blue coat of paint on the ceiling was covered in damp patches and mold as pipes ran along it above. A boy with dyed-blue hair, brown at the roots, was sitting near the heat, his body thin and malnourished, and his clothes like rags. He had blood on the stained fabric and bare feet, one foot covered in a single sock that had more holes than a slice of swiss cheese.

"Hello?" he called, hoping to talk to him, and ask him what the heck was going on, he didn't recognize this basement, but it sure did seem familiar. The boy turned to see him and smiled, "Finally, took you long enough, come sit with me" he said, patted the space next to him. Mason came over cautiously and took a seat, the fire warm and comforting like a mother's hug.

He missed his mother.

"My name is William, what's yours?"

"Mason, who are you and where are we?"

"We are in your mind, and as for me, I'm the ghost of Gleeful Manor"

"YOU!? WHAT THE HELL, MAN!?"

"I'm terribly sorry, my constant screams must have annoyed you, yes?"

"Yes!"

Will gave him a guilty look as Mason fumed, "Before I died, I was in a lot of pain, and I was scared, so I cried and I screamed and I shook the chains that held me in place, hoping for someone to hear my cries and find me. But no one did. When I died I found I couldn't speak, just scream and make things shake. I wanted to warn you of Stanford's crimes against me, but I found that you had nothing to fear."

"What do you mean?" Mason asked, horrified his great uncle could be so nasty to a human boy and cause him so much suffering. William smiled softly, "He won't hurt you. Blood is thicker than water. I dare say that he cares for you two, you should both be lucky."

"What about your family?"

"I was an orphan, Ford took me in"

"I'm sorry, is there anything I can do to help?"

"Make my murder public, I want people to know just how terrible he is"

"But how?"

"He keeps my things in a box in the basement."

Mason swallowed thickly, "He does? But I'm not allowed in the basement, and you died there!"

"I will not bother you, please, Mason. I want to move on, but I am so angry at that awful man!" Will cried, tears running down his face. He grabbed Mason's shoulders and sniffled big and loud, "Please, I want to see some justice."

Mason pulled him into a hug, the way his mother used to do when he had been upset, "I'll do whatever it takes to help you, William. Don't you worry." he whispered. William felt more tears run down his face, and he buried his head into Mason's neck, the boy feeling the cold chill of the ghost's skin. Mason rubbed his back and comforted him until Will disappeared, and his own body began to glitch as he woke.

Help me.

~

Mason opened his eyes to the ceiling above, his mind foggy and confused, and his body warm from the blankets he was tucked into. His dream was still fresh in his mind and it was obvious the ghostly dream had ended the effects of the memory gun. He sat up and grabbed the hot cup of tea by his bedside once he noticed it, magic glimmering softly around the brim. His great uncle must have made it for him, and he felt sick as he stared down at the contents.

How many other humans had he snuffed the life force of?

How many did he abuse and injure just for a cruel laugh?

Why did he care for him and Mabel?

Mason set the cup back down and got out of bed, the soft pajamas matching with his slippers as he slipped them on and grabbed his dressing gown. He could smell breakfast and he smiled a little at the scents. He trailed into the dining room to find not only pancakes, but eggs, sausages and other fried goods that made his mouth water. Ford smiled his cold smile as he saw him and gestured for him to sit, "Did you sleep well, Mason?"

"Yes, sir"

"You remember nothing strange?"

Ah, here it was, Ford wanted proof the gun had worked.

"No, it's all rather fuzzy, I must have passed out, I'm sorry" he replied, filling his plate with as much food as he could. Fords lip curled disgustedly, but Mabel glanced at him and he looked away again, "Well, eat up, brother. I had this all made, just for you" she said, ruffling his hair and giving him a smile. Mason chewed on a piece of bacon happily, "Thank you, sister, I sure missed this kind of food."

"It's greasy and unhealthy, don't expect it every day" Ford snapped, reaching for his coffee cup and taking a good sip as a maid passed him the day's newspaper. Mason nodded, "Thank you, Great Uncle Ford"

His Uncle grunted his reply and absorbed himself in his newspaper, now open to the business section.