Lara and The Mansion in the Woods

Sonus Mortis

As soon as I got home, I was relieved that they haven’t arrived yet, so I quickly ran up to room and cleaned myself. I prepared all my clean clothes that I’ll be using, placed it on top of my bed, I quickly went to the bathroom just outside my room at the left,[SJIS1]  then put my pendant in a special red pouch, put it by the lamp at the top of my bedside table.  

I still can’t get over the fact that this whole area is just for me. The bathroom is half the size of my room with a tub at the right side. It’s a bit strange since the design seems old matching with the 1900s feel of this place, but still seems new. They really did a good job in maintaining this place. I ran the water in the tub. I developed a hobby of meditating while waiting for the tub to get filled.

I sat at the side of the tub watching it as the water flows in a slowly rise in level. I’m still thinking about the things I saw earlier. Mr. Alfred seemed nice even though he’s a little weird sometimes, and the others too; but I just can’t understand where all those things came from. The hallucinations. Things that I see that others don’t. After I took off clothes, I immediately ran towards the tub I prepared and quickly submerged my body up under my nose. The soapy water felts tranquil and nice, which lead me to thinking that everything about my new life seems strangely, perfect. A moment ago, I’m thinking about the weird stuff that happened today but now, I never felt this clean and fresh. I changed to my clean clothes and went downstairs to the living area so when Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher come, I’ll be here to greet them. I used to do this with mom and dad to lighten up their mood when they arrive home. It’s 6 already and they haven’t arrived yet so I went to the kitchen and tried to avoid those paintings. I don’t want to spook myself to death nor scream again. As I reached the kitchen, I saw Mrs. Hudson and the cook Mr. Poncho, along with 2 more servants preparing the dinner. It’s like their preparing for a big event “Hi there Ms. Hudson. Is there a party tonight?”. Ms. Hudson, holding a Huge pot full of soup replied “Oh no dear, this is just for dinner. We cook a lot of food for the Mr. and Mrs. and you and uhm..” I sat at the stool and I stared at her waiting for her to finish what she’s saying when the bell rang. I quickly looked where the sound came from then I saw this alarm clock on the kitchen.

“Mrs. Hudson I’m just curious, what is this alarm clock for?”

“oh that dear? Uhm…that’s to remind us to hurry up because they are coming. They always arrive at 7:00 sharp. They are only late when they encountered an emergency in the way home. So I better be moving”

“Can I help?”

“Oh, that’s kind dear but don’t mind. We can handle this” nodded, then I realized that a mustn’t be here disrupting them while they are in a hurry so I head back to the living area and sat on the sofa. I can see the neighbor’s house from here. Its so bright and it looks like they’re throwing out a party. I wonder what Mr. Albert was doing. It’s a relief talking to him. He seemed very kind, I felt like he’s my grandpa.

I decided to play the piano on the living area. I learned playing piano during my stay in the orphanage. I know a few pieces and tried to play one. I sat then started scribbling some notes. I stared at the grandfather clock at the right side of the piano when I realized that the whole place got dark. I couldn’t stand up but my hands continue to play. I don’t know the piece I’m playing anymore as if my own hands don’t obey what my brain is commanding them. My hands continued to play the piano when suddenly someone sat beside me and accompanied me. I heard bones cracking then I saw long thin hands playing the piano with me. It looked dead and it seemed like they were hand of an entity, not human at all. I’m afraid to move but something is making me play the piano against my command. I felt the cold air, I got chills all over my body. My hands are still playing and the thing beside me stopped moving. I’m afraid my hands will touch his. I tried to fight my hands but I just can’t. My heart pounded, my eyes opened wide as the piece I’m playing is going to an end, my hands slowly tickle the last few notes and it landed directly to the hands of the unknown creature. I never wanted to look but when I saw the form of this creature, I felt my heart dropped. He looked like a man that had falling rotten flesh. All of his wounds are fresh and blood pouring from his eyes. I screamed in horror. I felt my body drop and my vision blacked out.

I found myself laying on the sofa and everyone staring at me.