Today I Witnessed A Murder

Chapter Seven From Down The Hall

It was almost evening now and when Louise walked into the foyer my heart dropped. I half expected him to turn and leave but he didn't. He acknowledged me with a small smile and walked over to the chair beside me.

"May I sit?" He asked.

I nodded with a smile and he sat with his hands in his lap. It was a silent for a few moments before he spoke.

" I've been thinking a lot about what happened and I know I over reacted. I Just couldn't stand the thought of you with him." He said.

I placed a hand on his and gave him a sympathetic smile.

" When he kissed me it was so fast I didn't even have time to think-" I began but Louise held up his hand for me to stop.

"You don't have to explain." His other hand was now on mine and he caressed my hand gently with his thumb.

His touch was like a heat wave over my body and I was lost in his eyes. Instantly I felt guilty of the time I've spent with Marcos.

"I need to tell you something, I won't feel right not telling you." I said in a low voice and I pulled my hand from his.

He looked at me with an eyebrow arched and I could tell he was waiting for disappointment.

"I've spent a lot of time with him lately, but it's not what you think. He just showed me some hidden rooms around the property." I whispered.

I knew I broke the promise to Marcos but I felt like what I had with Louise was more important. I couldn't lie to him. I didn't want to lose this, not now.

"Oh." Was all he said.

We sat in more silence until he stood and grabbed my hand to pull me up with him. He led me to my bedroom and once the door was shut there was no stopping him. Now you may think you're both ghosts, how could you possibly be able to do that? I'll just say it's entirety possible but believe what you will.

His hands caressed my body and I now know why some women were said to call him a Casanova. It was like he knew every inch and every spot to make my body tremble with desire. He kissed me deeply but our kiss was cut short when a loud thump came from the wall towards the foot of my bed. We looked at one another and he smirked.

"Old place." He laughed.

I wasn't so convinced so I got up and listened as I pressed my ear to the wall while Louise watched and laughed to himself. It wasn't until I pulled away that I noticed a small hole in the wall next to the Painting hanging there. I peered through it and I could see into the room next to mine. The moonlight lighting everything just right. Suddenly I heard footsteps creeping past my door. I quickly pulled my gown on and ran to the door, I jerked it open and stepped out into the hall. I was petrified when I saw Marcos standing at the top of the steps with a wide grin on his face. Anger boiled inside me and I screamed. I screamed with all the anger and frustration I felt and Louise came running out of the room. His gaze followed mine and to my surprise Marcos gave a little wave and hopped happily down the steps.

"What the hell Marcos? What are you doing?" I called as I followed after him.

He didn't stop but he slowed down and I met him at the base of the stairs. His eyes were cold now as he glared at me.

" I see you and your lover have made up. Don't worry, you put on a terrific show. I might just be a little sad it wasn't me." He smirked.

I couldn't help it when I pulled my hand back and slapped him hard across the face. I could see it then, his eyes were dark and when he let out an insidious laugh I couldn't get away from him fast enough. I rushed up the stairs and into Louise's arms as he waiting atop the steps for me. When I looked back down Marcos was gone.

"Are you alright?" Louise whispered as he caressed my face.

"I'm fine." I muttered.

The next day was great with Louise. I have never felt what I did with him before but in the back of my mind I couldn't forget the look on Marcos face or sinister laugh.

" Why didn't you say anything to Marcos?" I blurted out as we walked in the courtyard.

Louise glanced at me and his jaw tightened.

"I could see that you had it handled. Believe me, I wanted to deal with that pervert but I know his jealously will hurt him enough." He shrugged.

I wrapped my arm in the crook of his and placed my head on his shoulder. I truly love this man. I sighed and looked up and there in the second floor window was a girl.

"Louise! Look!" I nearly yelled and pointed up. The girl just stood there.

I let go of Louise and quickly ran inside. I came to the steps that led to the second floor and darted up them two at a time. She was gone. I had missed her again.

"Who are you looking for?" Called Marcos from a bedroom door close by. He took a step so that he was just outside the room.

"None of your business." I hissed.

"Now now, you don't have to be hateful." He said mildly as he walked towards me.

"Don't come near me after what you did!" I exclaimed as I backed up against the wall.

His eyes narrowed and he gave me a once over. He was in front of me now and he grinned and gave a small chuckle.

"Oh Isabella." He purred as he wrapped his hand around my arm.

"While I'd love to get your naked body under me I'm more concerned with you breaking my trust in you!" He growled and tightened his grip.

"What are you talking about?" I asked as I tried to wiggle my arm free.

"You told him about the rooms. Our secret, remember?" He hissed.

"He doesn't care about the damn rooms!" I cried as he dug his nails in.

He let go as he pushed my arm away and gave another sinister laugh.

"Excellent." He winked before turning to walk away.

What is wrong with him? He's not who I thought he was. He was down the steps before I glanced out the window to see if Louise was still outside and he was there talking to Maria when I heard the whimper come from down the hall. There she was! She was peaking around the doorway of one of the bedrooms but she didn't move. I put up a hand and walked slowly towards her like you would a scared animal. To my surprise she stayed. She had let out another whimper when I was close enough to touch her.

"I'm not going to hurt you." I said with a small smile.

"I just want to help you." I said as I looked her over.

She had dark hair and I assumed she was around my age. She was barefoot and the gown she wore was thin enough to see through.

She peered at me with big scared eyes and when I moved my hand to hold it up she flinched and nearly fell backwards.

"It's alright, I promise I just want to help you." I said.

" I- I-. He-" She cut off as she was stuttering.

There were footsteps coming and the girls eyes widened. I turned to look down the hall and Louise was coming. When I turned back she was gone.

" Hey, it's alright he won't hurt you either!" I exclaimed as I searched the room for her.

"Who are you talking to?" Asked Louise.

"It was her, I spoke to her. She was here until we heard you coming then she just vanished." I said with a sigh.

"Well, ghosts tend to do that." He laughed.

"Louise, she was trying to say something until you came." I was irritated now.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know." He frowned.

After the excitement of the the morning we had sat in the foyer and the others seemed on edge. Another big storm was coming in and we were all getting restless. It was dark outside and the rain wasn't far. Marcos had gone to sit in the corner with a book and I glared at him, he was entirely emotionless. I had this strange urge to go look for that girl again but I didn't know if it was a good idea but finally I couldn't wait any longer I had to try to find out what she wanted to say.

"Louise? I need to go look for her. I can't shake the feeling that she was trying to tell me something." I whispered.

He looked at me with concerned eyes and kissed my cheek.

"I'll stay here and keep an eye on Marcos." He said as he looked over at Marcos.

I quickly got up and left the foyer. I headed straight to the last place I saw her and called for her but there was no reply. I checked the rooms and all the floors but it was only when I came to the bedroom with the wardrobe that I saw her huddled in the corner.

"Hello again." I whispered from the doorway.

She peered up and had those same scared big eyes and she was whimpering as if she was in pain or cold.

"I wanted to talk to you again. I want to know what happened to you. I can help you." I said calmly.

She shook her head no and pulled her legs closer to her chest.

"H- he- won't li- like that." She stuttered.

"There's nothing to be afraid of." I coaxed.

She was clearly so scared then that she couldn't even speak.

"Tell me who hurt you. " I said a bit more forcefully.

"He, he killed me." She cried and grabbed onto my arms.

She was hysterical now, sobbing loudly like a hurt child who couldn't find comfort.

"Who? Who did it?" I begged her to tell me.

She looked up and her eyes were filled with fear. She raised her arm and pointed behind me.

"Him!"