All Hallows Weekend

Chapter 2

    "It looks creepy." I muttered. Bella laughed and ruffled my hair. I knocked her hand away with a glare. She rolled her eyes. Jackson is standing behind Bella with a strange look on his face. I tugged on his sleeve. He looked at me a smiled. "It's creepy."

    "Little sis, I must say, that I agree with you on this one. This place gives me the creeps. It's like no one has even been by to take care of it for years." Jackson declared. I nodded in agreement.    

    "Mom says that someone comes by and cleans it once a week. It might look better in the inside. Come on guys, it's getting chilly and I don't fancy being staying out here." Bella looked at Jackson in amusement. "Come on, whimps."

    Jackson unlocked the house. The swung open with a creek that echoed throughout the house. "Well, at least we know this place is old." Jackson muttered. We walked in and was met by a man who seemed to be a butler. "Uh, hi?"

    "Hello, Master Jackson. I am your butler, Edwin. I just started working here once again at your mother's insistence. The yard, I fear, has not been taken care of yet. I assure you this place will be as good as new by the time your weekend is over."

    "Do you have Halloween decorations. I think that it will make this place look cool." Jackson suggested.    

    "I will see what we have. I will let you explore. We have made throughout the house, so if you have any questions, just ask one of them. To your right is the dining room, with the kitchen beyond that. To your left is the family living room. Straight ahead leads to the back yard. On the second floor, you will find a game room, a theater room, and a library. On the third floor you will find the bed rooms. There are thirteen rooms. Enjoy." Edwin explained. My siblings and their friends let out whoops of joy. They ran past Edwin and up the stairs.

    I looked at Edwin, who only stared back at me. He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. I frowned. "Smile with your eyes more. It will be more convincing." I informed him. I trudged up the stairs before pausing at the top. I looked back down, seeing that Edwin had disappeared. I frowned. I should have heard him leave. I wonder his foot steps did not echo like ours. Curious.

    "James, you coming?" I rushed to Jackson's side. Together we walked up to the third floor.

    I decided to take one of the rooms at the far end of the hallway, away from everyone else. I opened the door, shocked at the size of the room. "I guess you chose right." Jackson said. "Get settled in for the night, little sis. I will wake you in the morning for breakfast if your aren't up. Here are the rest of your books. I also have no doubt you will take advantage of the library once you finish these." I nodded and closed the door when he left.

    I set my back on the bed and began to wonder around the room. The first door led to a closet. I walked in and turned on the light. Old dresses, shirts, and other items laid within the house. Probably forgotten when grandpa chose to leave. I walked out and closed the door. The next door led to a bathroom. It has a separate shower and tub. Old fashion but nice. I avoided the mirror though. The mirror is huge and gives off an odd vibe. The house itself has an odd vibe.

    I changed into sweats and a hoodie. I then sat on the bed and pulled open my book. I turned my phone on to simple classic music. My grandfather always loved classics. Before he passed, he would always drag me into dancing with him. He always took me to dance classes, saying that it will one day be useful. I still don't see how it will ever be useful to me.

    A knock interrupted my reading. I looked at the time on my phone. Midnight. Who is up this late? "Come in." I said. I looked back down at my book. I only have three pages left to see if the woman makes it out of the castle alive. Kind of hope she doesn't. She's too sappy. She is also a person who steals boyfriends.

    Jackson walked in. "I thought you'd still be awake and reading. Already done with the book?" He asked. "Have you finished yet." I held up a finger, quickly finishing the last pages.

    "Well, she unfortunately lived. Could you not sleep?" I asked.

    "Nah. The bed is too soft and I kept hearing something rattle, which made me feel unsafe. Have you heard anything odd?" Jackson plopped on my bed.

    "No, I've been too busy reading. Do me a favor and check out the mirror in the bathroom. I just want you to confirm something for me." I said. He nodded. Standing up, he went into the bathroom. I heard him grunt and then let out a groan. I rolled my eyes. 

    "James, this mirror is so not normal!" He shouted.

    "Thought so." I took out a notebook and began a list. Edwin being at the top.

    "What are you doing?" Jackson asked. "Making a list?"

    "Suspicious reasons. Edwin is at the top. He is a little odd. Do you think it weird that mom and dad didn't tell us about Edwin and the others? As far as they knew, no one no longer worked here. I think we are up against something odd."

    "That's what you said last year when we went to the graveyard and attempted to get high." Jackson pointed out.

    "I wasn't wrong though. We ran into a cult. What if that is the case here, just a little more different though. There could be many reason as to why we never knew about them. The graveyard wasn't that big of a deal though. They weren't there to harm us. They let us go. What if this place is like the horror movies and books I read?" I asked excitedly.

    "Slow down there, kiddo. This can be anything. You may be going a little overboard on your thinking, Jamie. Besides, perhaps mom and dad just simply forgot to tell us. I saw some of the people working on the yard, so perhaps everything will be done by Halloween. I wonder why grandpa built a mansion in the middle of nowhere?"