Chapter 5.

Andria.

Friday, April 11th. Eleven years ago…

“Andria.” Mum calls, as I get dressed.

At 10, am very tall and lanky. Mum says I’ll grow beautiful. Dad doesn’t like hearing stuff like that. Over protective dad.

I’m not feeling too well today. I and a few of my mates, caught a stomach flu at school, yesterday and we were asked to go home. Mum has made my long hair in piggy tails. My skin, a mix of mum’s dark chocolate skin and dad’s fair, alabaster skin, is pale. The doctor says it will pass, before the end of tomorrow. The medication is already doing its task.

“Andria.” Mum opens my door.

I turn around, wearing denims and a blue T shirt and my sneakers.

“Oh honey, you still look pale.” Mum observes, as she approaches, taking my face in her hands. She hugs me, kissing me.

“Am fine mum.” I smile, weakly.

Am tired, I will be fine. At least I haven’t puked today. I had that all through yesterday. My parents had to keep me hydrated all through.

She regards me. “The Count is having a function tomorrow night and you know as the event planner, I have to ensure things are done right. I can’t get someone to watch you at short notice. Would you be fine if you accompany me?” Mum watches me, expectantly.

“You always said you wanted to have a look at the castle.” She’s baiting me.

I smile, knowing she's already won. I usually hate accompanying mum when she works. She has these beautiful places to decorate and a lot of work to do. It gets boring, since she doesn’t let me help. She only allows me watch. I want to take part as well someday. Decorate a place and welcome others.

“Okay mum.” I smile.

No school and I will see the Castle. Everyone else in my class has visited the castle at one time or the other. Well not everyone, but everyone that matters.

In a few minutes, we're driving through the streets. Soon we ascend the hill that leads to the castle. The luxurious trees that loom over us, as we drive are intimidating and remarkable.

Old trees that mum tells me are as old as the castle. Mum says there’s a lake nearby. She promises to take me there, once she's done today.

Soon we arrive the gates and drive through. The entire surrounding beautiful. Lush, green trees and lawn, the driveway clean. I look with awe at the entire place. The castle huge and scary.

The stone walls, tall and shadowy. Gargoyles and other monstrous sculptures adding a gothic air to the castle.

I see mum’s workers already in action, as we finally climb down the car. A few come to pick some items from the car and go about their work, while mum takes me inside.

She asks me to sit in the library, where she tells me there are lots of books to read.

I look at the tall book shelves that fill the library, my mouth opens in awe, after mum leaves. Before she leaves, mum asks me to pull a bell pull if I need anything.

Finally, alone, I climb the stairs and pick a couple of books from a shelf labelled, ‘kids’. Mum says the Count always updates his collection.

Am reading one of the books, when I hear a whisper. I pause to listen if it’s my imagination. It comes again. Slight whispers in the wind. I pause to feel the air. There’s no wind, but the whispers persist.

‘Come.’ I hear a woman’s voice.

It’s quiet, yet insistent.

“To where?” I ask, curiously.

‘Follow our voice. Echoes of the castle.’ I hear.

I frown. Echoes of the castle? I suddenly grow scared. I run behind a screen, hiding from these voices. The door suddenly opens and I scream in fright. Someone screams as well across from me.

“Stop, little miss.” I hear, as I shut my eyes tight, shutting out the voice.

“Miss, it’s me. Your mum asked me to come and give you some snacks.”

I look up and see a girl wearing a uniform, handing me a glass of juice. My body is shaken as I watch her wide eyed. She nods, as she gives me the juice. I take it and drop it on a table. She rubs my shoulders, trying to calm me.

My eyes dart about, frightened from the voice I heard. My heart beating fast. The girl sits with me for a while and watches me as I drink my juice and eat some cookies.

She equally eats some, telling me she works in the castle. She just started working here. She tells me her name is Shaye. She’s beautiful and kind.

After a while, we read some of the stories and talk. She tells me about the castle and how she loves touring it.

She tells me her parents died when she was young and her aunt brought her to work here, because they owed the count a lot of rent.

Her phone rings and she tells me she has to go. She tells me she would be back. When she leaves, I grow bored and decide to tour the castle.

I go through the open door, walking through hallways. I see a line of paintings on a wall and follow them. But I observe that a particular face is scratched off repeatedly in the paintings. I grow puzzled, walking.

I get to a large portrait painting and curiously watch it hanging above a mantelpiece. The face is completely covered in white wash. I narrow my eyes.

Then I hear whispers again. A chill climbing my entire body, stilling me.

A hand climbs my shoulder.

Ice cold. I turn and find a dreadful woman in wispy form. Her strange ethereal glow, frightening. Her reflection in the mirror behind her, absent.

“Welcome home, Anaya. We’ve been waiting for you.”

I turn ghostly, screaming.

I faint.