Whispers of Serpent's Manor

Ghost Hunting

A postcard perfect morning greeted Coby and Ewan as they stepped outside. The air was crisp and fresh, carrying the scent of blooming flowers and dew-kissed grass. The morning was peaceful and serene, with the scent of rain still lingering in the air.

Birds chirped playfully, their melodic songs filling the air. Some hopped on the ground, their beady eyes focused on hunting for food, while others flitted about, busily reconstructing their nests.

Ewan slung his catapult around his neck and confidently took the lead. They walked along the winding path, surrounded by an overgrown garden. The trees stood tall and majestic, their leaves shimmering in shades of vibrant green. Sunlight streamed through the branches, casting dappled patterns on the ground below. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soothing whisper that danced through the air. With each step, the crashing waves against the cliffs grew louder, their powerful sound reverberating in their ears.

Coby’s eyes fell upon a lush garden as they emerged from the canopy. Vibrant flowers, their petals unfurling in shades of pink, purple, and yellow, attracted a chorus of buzzing insects. Bees buzzed busily from bloom to bloom, collecting nectar with industrious determination. Amidst it all, they could hear the distant sound of a babbling brook, its gentle gurgles adding a harmonious melody to the symphony of nature. The serenity of the morning was complete, a perfect respite from the chaos of everyday life. Coby’s senses heightened as he heard the soft footsteps behind him, but he resisted the urge to turn and look.

He trusted Ewan’s instincts and kept his gaze fixed on the path before him. Finally, they arrived at a vast clearing, and Coby’s eyes scanned the expansive horizon. His mind wandered to the discovery of the air marshall’s journal and the images it contained – Spitfires parked in this very spot. In the images, the lawn stretched as far as the eye could see, but now, only fragments of it remained, intertwined with an abundance of trees, shrubs, and wild plants.

Ewan gracefully knelt down, collecting pebbles that would serve as ammunition for his catapult, and carefully stashed them away in his pocket. He skilfully loaded a pebble into the leather pouch and took aim. Before Coby could fully comprehend Ewan’s intentions, he caught a glimpse of the triumphant grin adorning the young lad’s face.

Ewan crouched down and picked up the lifeless rabbit, holding it by its ears. The word “dead” whispered menacingly behind Coby, its chilling hiss sending shivers racing down his spine. His heart raced as he whirled around, his breath hitching in his throat at the sight of the ethereal figure standing behind them. Her spectral hair cascaded over her shoulders, and a bony finger extended, pointing accusingly at the lifeless rabbit in Ewan’s grasp.

Ewan’s grip loosened, and the lifeless rabbit slipped from his hands, landing with a soft thud. Instantly, a flush of shame spread across his face, tingeing his cheeks crimson. His eyes lowered, betraying a glimpse of vulnerability in his expression. Behind his back, his hands trembled with unease.

Coby approached the ethereal figure with cautious steps, each one deliberate and measured. The figure, draped in monochrome hues, flickered and swayed, casting eerie shadows that danced and twisted on the ground. It was as if she hesitated, caught between the realms of the living and the dead.

Coby greeted her with a soft “hello,” his voice as soothing as a gentle summer breeze. Slowly, he extended his hand, a gesture of invitation and comfort. The apparition’s eyes, filled with a profound sorrow, darted nervously between Coby and Ewan. The air crackled with an intense, electric energy, charging the atmosphere with anticipation.

With a warm smile, Coby asked, “Are you Isobel?” His voice, barely above a whisper, held a tender warmth. Despite this, she kept her silence, her haunting stare focused on the stillness of the rabbit’s lifeless body. Coby reached down and picked up the rabbit, cradling it close to his chest.

“We killed it for food,” Coby reassured, his voice tinged with remorse. His fingers moved gently over the rabbit’s soft fur, feeling its warmth dissipate. The apparition let out a gasp, a haunting hiss escaping her ethereal form.

Her pale, ethereal hand reached out towards the motionless creature. A soothing lullaby escaped her lips as her fingertips brushed against the rabbit’s lifeless body. Suddenly, a surge of electricity coursed through Coby’s veins, causing him to jolt in surprise. The rabbit twitched in his hands, its eyes briefly flickering open before closing again, its body becoming limp once more.

Disbelief flooded Coby’s wide-open eyes as he observed the amusement glinting in the apparition’s gaze. With a menacing smile on her lips, she radiated a tangible sense of contentment. Coby’s mind wandered to the study, recalling the names of the children and the haunting melody that had lingered there. As he pondered, a small seed of an idea took root in his mind. The haunting lullaby echoed in his mind, sending chills down his spine as he vividly remembered its eerie words.

“One, two, three, four, Daisy is at the door,” Coby sang softly, cradling the lifeless rabbit as if it were a delicate baby. His eyes remained fixed on the ethereal being, searching for any reaction. Yet she remained unfazed, her gaze transfixed on the dead rabbit nestled in his arms.

Coby took a fresh approach, hoping for better results. “Hmm,” he cooed, his voice laced with curiosity. “Should we name the rabbit Lilly, Thomas, or Emily?” He locked eyes with the ghost, his expression stern. A string of ethereal words escaped her lips, a murmur of hushed astonishment floating through the air like a gentle stream. Coby’s eyes sparkled with realisation, knowing he had struck a nerve. The apparition’s bony fingers gracefully swept through the air, beckoning Coby and Ewan to follow her.

Without hesitation, Coby and Ewan obediently trailed behind the ethereal being as she glided through the winding path. The thickets and shrubs rustled with each step, releasing a faint, earthy scent. The air was filled with the delicate fragrance of roses as they passed through a lush garden. Finally, the path led them to a small graveyard, where a sense of solemnity hung in the air.