All Hallows Weekend

Chapter 17

    I managed to keep hold of the vile after I began my run again. "Just keep running, just keep running. Now, I sound like Dory. Not weird at all. I am talking to myself, not a good sign I suppose." I ducked under a broken trunk, hiding in the whole.

    I listened to the crunch of leaves and broken branches. I flinched as he began to speak. "James, James, James, do you really think that hiding from me is smart? Playing predator and prey is not a wise choice. I always win." It sounded like Harry, but with a growl mixed with hissing.

    I held my breath as the demon walked by. I looked around me and then spotted the mansion between the trees. "I must be going crazy for this." I muttered. I came out of my hiding spot and sprinted to the mansion. Not something I really want to do, but it may work with my idea. I just hope Harry can fight the demon long enough for it to work.

    "James, why are you back here at the mansion?" Mandy exclaimed in shock.

    "I have an idea, a crazy idea, but an idea none the less. Can you help me?" I asked her desperately. 

    "Yes, yes of course I can help you. What do you need?" She asked.

    "Do demons like wine?" I asked. She looked at me in confusion for a moment before her eyes lit up with undying hope, no pun intended. "I'll take that as a yes then. Help me find the best wine."

    "Yes, ma'am." She gave a mock salute. "The wine cellar is this way. Age old wine is the best they say. My mom and I would always make wine for the master and mistress of the house. They were always kind and wonderous. It was always fun making the wine. Ah, here. Raspberry wine. Famous among the cults when they celebrate they're master."

    "Awesome. That sounds nice." I said as I took the bottle from her. I turned the bottle in my hands. "This will be perfect."

    "Perhaps you should dress in something nice, you know, to let him think you are finally going along with this wedding." Mandy suggested.

    "Brilliant, I'm dressing up for a monster." I sarcastically said. She gave a nervous grin. 

    "Follow me. I know a perfect dress." She grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the wine cellar and up to the second floor. 

    "Come along now, James. In this room." Mandy said. She opened the door and turned the lights on. "My mother made dresses before we died ten years ago. They were absolutely beautiful. She kept them in this room at our last masters insistence." She opened a trunk and pulled out a blood-red silk dress with black lace lining. 

    "You have got to be kidding me?" I asked. "That is way too sexy! I'm only fourteen!" Mandy raised an eyebrow at me. "Fine, I'll wear the damn dress." She grinned.

    The dress fitted me nicely, making Mandy giggle happily. She curled my hair, annoying me even more. "Are we done yet?" I asked. "I don't know how much longer I have until he finds me here."

    "I'm done. I will take you to a small family room where couples always met in. Quickly, follow me this way." Mandy said. "Oh, wait." She walked over to a corner. "You can't go shoeless, now can you?" She made me put on black heels.     

    "This better work." I growled. I fingered the vile of holy water and prayed to God that our lives will be safe within the next few hours.

    "Here we are. Would you like me to stay here until he gets here?" Mandy asked.

    "That would be nice. Do we have wine glasses?" I asked. Mandy nodded as she walked to a cabinet. I set the wine on the table. "This has been a long night." I opened the wine as Mandy set the glasses done. I dumped the holy water into the wine.

    "What is that?" Mandy asked.

    "The smell of victory." I declared happily. I waited a few minutes before pouring the wine into the glasses. Mandy giggled. 

    "Are you sure you want to drink the wine, James?" Mandy asked. Instead of answering, I downed the glass in one gulp.

    "Does that answer your question, Mandy?" I asked. She eyed me wearily. "It will numb the pain that has taken over my body, trust me, it's the wisest thing that I can do at the moment. So, what made you work as a maid in your living life?"

    "It was in the family. My grandmother and her mother were also maids. I was the last. We all died in a forest fire created by the cult. It appears that things may end that way once again, as there is a fire a good ways from here. In that drawer right there, there are more matches. Take them. Burn this mansion down, along with this cursed land."

    "I hope you are able to make it to the next life, Mandy." I said. She shrugged.

    "I'm used to it here. Kind of calm and wonderful when there isn't anything crazy for us going on. We are all trapped here. Some of us are lucky to not be under the control of the cult." Mandy sighed.

    A knock at the door moments later made the both of us jump. Edwin walked in. I eyed him, letting him know that I have no trust for him. He only gave a polite nod. "I see Mandy has given nice clothes for when the master comes. Well done, Mandy." Edwin praised. Mandy blushed and looked away. I raised a brow at her, asking her a silent question. She blushed even more. I then looked back at Edwin who only look at Mandy in confusion.

    "Huh, apparently ghost people are as dense as living people." I muttered, as I sipped wine. Mandy hit my knee lightly. I grinned at her, humming slightly. "Don't worry, your secrets safe with me."

    "What secret?" Edwin asked.

    "A woman never reveals the secret of others, unless they are known as petty, jealous sluts." I responded rudely. He huffed and walked out. I smiled and looked back at Mandy. "Tell him, before it's too late." Mandy sighed before freezing up. Fear covered her features. "Leave. I will be fine alone." I whispered. She nodded, not wanting to argue. She walked out, leaving the room in silence. The only sound is my breathing. "Time for the final round."

    Moments ticked by before I hear footsteps stop outside the door. Kept up my neutral expression. I smiled into my cup as the door opened, a growl of approval following as the door closed. Let the best man win.