Dark Realm 4

Each step toward the manor, Brinley’s heart thundered like a troupe of stallions. Why in God’s name would she follow this mysterious stranger? They stopped on the top the hill, Brinley stopped to awe at the derelict home. The top of the hill stretched out for acres. Brinley turned her head to gaze at the town below. “Is this real?”

“It was beautiful here once.” The strange man whispered in her ear. His thick British accent caressed her stressed soul.

“I wish I could’ve seen it.

“Not as beautiful as you.”

“I can see my apartment from here.” Brinley pointed at a tall brick cluster of buildings.

“Mmm. A woman from town, how nice. It has been a long time since anyone was brave enough to come here. Would you like a tour?”

Brinley turned then to see the face of her mysterious savior. Her brown eyes widened in shock. The man looked just like William G. Armstrong. “Holy shit,” Brinley covered her mouth.

“You have nothing to fear.” William soothed her.

“This is insane,” Brinley stumbled backward.

“Please,” William held up his hands. “Be careful, I would for you to harm yourself before see what you came here to see.”

“How do you know what I want to see?”

William chuckled. “You people are all the same. Some braver than others.” The phantom stepper closer to Brinley, causing her to stumble back and land on her ass on the packed earth. “I warned you.” William flashed a knowing smile at Brinley.

Brinley struggled to her feet and wiped the debris from her jeans. “Great, just great,” Brinley muttered.

“I would help you up, but—” William shrugged. “I cannot intervene in corporeal affairs.”

“Corporeal affairs?” Brinley echoed, staring at the dead trees. “You’re real, aren’t you?”

William dipped his head. “I am William Gregory Armstrong.” He bowed, “At your service.”

Brinley covered her mouth.

“Please, allow me to show you around.” William floated forward.

Brinley nibbled the side of her bottom lip. “What is there to see? Everything is dead.” She turned to look at her abandoned car on the side of the road.

“Oh, that is not true. Not everything is dead.” William whispered from behind her. “Close your eyes.”

Brinley felt the urge to follow William’s command. She exhaled, then closed her eyes, something deep within vibrated her soul. Brinley shivered. It took several minutes before Brinley could open her eyes.

“Are you okay?” William asked, floating in a circle around her.

“Yeah,” she held her head. “I’m a bit lightheaded.”

William reached out to barely stroke her chin. “Hmm, well, how do you feel now?”

Brinley cleared her throat. “Better, thank you. Why aren’t you afraid of me?”

Brinley shrugged. “A bit better, thank you.”

“Would you like a tour of the garden?” William smiled.

“Garden?” Brinley inhaled the sweet scent of fresh roses.

“Follow me and let me show you around.”

Brinley followed William’s wispy form. He stopped in awe at the green apple trees lining the fence. “How is this possible?”

“All things are possible.” William chuckled.

Brinley gasped as the bleak scene around her changed into a full blooming garden. The faded white stone of the house sparkled like new under the moonlight. “Beautiful,” Brinley spun around. The dead grass turned green once more. “How is this happening?” Brinley rubbed the side of her face.

“There is so much more to see.” William insisted.

“Do you appear to other people?”

“Sometimes,” William walked toward the front door. “But like I said only the brave come for a visit. You’re different. Your soul is beautiful?”

“What do you mean my soul is beautiful?”

“Nothing bad, my dear. Please,” William tilted his head to one side. “Allow to me to show you sights of which you have never seen.”

“Okay, Mr. Armstrong,” Brinley replied with a coy smile.

“Please call me William.” The wavering ghost led Brinley through the door. William smiled, then walked to the door. He waited for Brinley to catch up.

“Shall I open it?” Brinley questioned.

“I may be a ghost, but I can still be a gentleman.” William waved his hand. The double doors creaked open.

“That is amazing,” Brinley commented. “Maybe too amazing to be real. This could be a dream.”

“You are not dreaming I assure you. I have learned a thing or two over the years.”

Brinley exhaled as she stepped inside the grand hall, the door closed behind her. “Oh,” she jumped.

“A little jumpy, are you?” William asked.

Brinley looked around. “Yeah, I don’t meet ghosts daily. So, yeah, I’m jumpy.”

“Do not fear, no harm will come to you inside these hallow halls. You are my guest here.” With another wave of his hand, the candles in the wall sconces flickered to life. The room was filled with light.

Brinley twirled around. “This is phenomenal, William. How are you doing this?”

William’s silence made Brinley nervous. “Your life essence helps a lot.”

Upon hearing the words’ life essence, Brinley’s smile faded. “Is that why I feel so weak?”

William nodded.

“Fuck.” Brinley took a few wobbly steps toward the door.

“Where are you going?” William blocked the front door.

“Far away from this place.” Brinley leaned against the wall.

“But I thought this is what you came here for?”

“What am I here for?” Brinley rubbed her eyes.

“You’re here for the truth, right?”

“Why would I stay if you’re draining my essence?”

“Your essence is strong. Most people who come here do not stay long enough to feel anything. I felt your energy the moment you stepped from your vehicle. I’m not killing you. Do you feel pain?”

Brinley thought about his question. “No, but I am lightheaded.”

“Do not worry, the feeling will not last long.” William smiled.

Brinley took a deep breath.

“May I ask you a question?”

“Sure,” Brinley said, pushing off the wall as her energy returned.

“Why are you here?”

“Your story struck a chord with me. I never thought you retrieved a fair trial. Now can I ask you a question?”

William nodded. “You may.”

“Did you kill your wife, Maggie?”

William dropped his head. “I did not kill my wife. I loved her from the moment I saw her. We lived a lovely life until my sweet Maggie fell ill. I did everything I could. I had many doctors but none of them knew what plagued my wife. Her soul became black. My sweet wife grew different. Sadder. Filled with a raging anger.”

“Different? How different?” The ground underneath Brinley trembled.

William floated close to Brinley. “I think it is time for you to go?” that she had no trouble seeing directly through him. “You cannot stay here,” William whispered.

Brinley stared at him. “Why? I thought you said I was safe.”

“I’m sorry,” William floated away from Brinley. “By the end, Maggie is no longer human. Maggie would beg me to bring street walkers’ home. At first, I didn’t know why she wanted the women. I knew she was sick,” William floated back and forth. “I should have stopped but her wails of pain I thought I was helping her. I stopped bringing home women, I thought if I stopped Maggie would stop her ghastly behavior. I wanted to bring my loving wife back. I remembered the night I went out and when I returned I saw a young raven-haired girl. I pleaded for her to release the girl, but she did not. tried to stay away. I confronted Maggie. I should have acted faster, but you must understand I loved her so much. When I reached them, I was too late. Maggie laughed, staring at the broken bloody body on the dining room floor. The young girl’s blood covered Maggie.” William’s voice cracked. “There was so much blood.” He quoted his response from the newspaper. “Maggie convinced Sheriff Rickman I was insane, haunted by the devil. I tried to explain, but no one believed me. Maggie came to me in that tiny cold cell late that night. She tormented me, whispering in a shrill voice. I could not make her stop. All I wanted was for her to stop. Before dawn Maggie appeared again, her bright eyes replaced with big dead ones. I could not resist her gaze, somehow, she could control me. I felt her icy grip around my throat. The next morning Sheriff Rickman entered my cell and found me dead. Hanging by my neck.”

“Horrible,” A cold wind made Brinley rub her arms.

“Are you cold?” William raised his eyebrows. “I am sorry I never asked your name.”

Brinley turned to stare at him. “My name is Brinley.”

William floated closer to Brinley. “What a unique name for a unique woman.

Brinley felt heat on her cheeks. “Thank you.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Brinley. I am sorry if I frightened you about my story. You are so easy to talk to. I miss the conversation. I am trapped here.”

“I thought ghosts can move freely.”

“Free souls can move on, but spirits like me, well, I cannot move on. I am trapped here.”

“Why?”

William walked to the newly paned window to stare out into the night. “I suppose it is my personal hell. I helped Maggie. This is my purgatory.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I never thought this would be how I would spend eternity.” William turned to stare at her.

“I wish I could help you.” Brinley's head spun. “Ugh,” she held her head.

“Are you feeling ill?”

“No,” Brinley’s throat was dry. “I…” she held her throat.

William dropped his head. “I am so sorry.” He mumbled.

Brinley stepped closer. “What are you sorry about?”

The apparition looked up to flash a smile. “Never mind, Brinley. Let me show you.”

Brinley took a deep breath, then followed William down the dark hall. As they made their way down the hall, lights on either side lit up as they passed. Enthralled, Brinley didn’t see the red piercing eyes following her every step.