The Ghost In The Attic

There wasn't any need to mourn someone who had never really been there for her in the first place. The death of Anastasia's grandmother came of little shock to the young woman. The woman was cankerous, frail, and lived alone. Ana really had no pleasant memories of the woman. She was always complaining, or talking down to those around her. It was only now..standing alone before her casket that Staci felt the slightest bit of remorse. Grasped in her hand was a letter, a final goodbye.

'to my dearest granddaughter. throughout my years you are the only one in our entire hopeless family that seemed to give a damn about my well being. admit, i didn't deserve your kindness or your company in the slightest. You must forgive an old woman for forgetting..forgetting what it was like to love, to be loved. i knew nothing but solitude, and pain. You cannot imagine the pain my tired body has been feeling. My hopes are, that you receive my entire estate, and all of the belongings that rest inside of it. if walls could talk, this house would have a brilliant story to tell. i know that you will appreciate this gift, and not just sell it much like the others.

Love always, Grandma'

A day and a half drive later, and Ana found herself at the very home the letter had spoke of. the place was down right ere. a tall, dark, Victorian mansion surrounded by acre after acre of land. Driving down the narrow road was like entering a whole other place in time. The trees, much like the grass, were tall..endless. Though the place could have used some fixing up, Staci thought it had character. It would sure as hell be better than her small one bedroom apartment. "I'll have to get a dog" The comment left her lips softly. She couldn't imagine occupying such a vast space alone for long. Though rather independent, she figured that loneliness was sure to come into play.

The spectacular sight of the home could only be matched b the interior. Deep mahogany flooring paved the way into a vast amount of rooms. Each traced with ancient, priceless paintings of serious faces that had long since past. The household had to be at least a hundred years old, and it appeared to have not changed much over the years. everything from the furniture, to the wall paper seemed timeless.

the slender brunette was in awe of the place. it seemed to only have grown since the last time she had come many years ago. As a child she hated the place. She would always have nightmares. nightmares of a man walking the halls, lost, timeless..much like the house itself. Nightmares..or so that's what they told her. 'it was just a dream Ana, just a dream' and she grew to believe them. There was nothing quite as silly as believing in ghosts. ana was practical enough to realize that at a young enough age.

And so now the house wasn't quite as frightening. She tossed her purse onto the nearest chair before heading up the spiraling staircase. There was nothing left to do for now, aside explore. When she finished exploring the house, she would head outside and explore the land. Once the adventurous side of Staci had been fulfilled, she may consider cleaning..but only if she was really bored by then. That was the plan, for now.[/center]

Stephen has populated this land for 128 years, he was born here, and he died here. His father bought the land and raised his family here. When he reached 18 years of age his father as a gift to him helped him build a home. They had finished the home and need simply to put the last few stones in the top of the chimney. He left the job to his son allowing him to finish the home that would soon be his. When he placed reached the chimney he slipped and fell the 30 foot fall killed him nearly instantly.

His family sold the home to its new current owners ancestors most of them knew there was something odd about the home. Furniture would return to its former location after it was moved, things would be cleaned up or put in their appropriate place. Most did not seem to mind as Stephens haunting was not malicious it was actually quite helpful at times. Though Stephen had a way about making sure he got what he wanted when it came to the looks of his home.

He rather liked Anastasia's grandmother they had very similar taste and she was very orderly. She was one of the first people to live in the house who did not scream when she first saw him. He did not like the way she masked him from her family but she could not hear his protests. She could only see him when she left to the hospital he was worried she did not seem well enough to return home.

When he heard the car coming up the drive he moved to an up stairs window to watch her come home. The woman who came into the home was not the woman who left and it worried him. He slipped down threw the home and seeing her place her purse on the chair he grumbled silently. It had been 50 years since someone could hear him speak and he had decided against talking long ago. He did not recoginse the young girl as the child he had seen so long ago.

When she left the house to explore the grounds he moved her purse into to the small desk not far from the chair where the family always kept there keys. He then went up to the attic to watch her walk around the grounds. Why was she here? Who was she? He had a feeling the woman who owned the home was gone but was this the owner or was she going to sell his home to a new family.

Pale gray orbs studied a tall oak tree that loomed over her. She vaguely remembered as a child sitting under the very same tree, listening to her grandmother tell stories of what life was like when she was young. Those were the days before her grandmother had become introverted. The days before her grandfather died. Gentle fingers tips brushed against the bark of the tree, tracing ever so delicately, the outline of a heart. J.T & L T. Her grandparents initials were etched eternally into the wood. Staci was a hopeless romantic and had always cherished the idea of growing old with someone. Though, after seeing her grandmother after the loss of her beloved..she wasn't so sure.

A soft sigh escaped the young woman's pink lips. For one reason or another she felt as if she was being watched. It seemed like a silly concept, but she instinctively pivoted on her feet..glancing in all directions behind her. It was at that very moment that something caught her eye. The sun caused a glare, and the distance was questionable..but she was almsot completely sure that she could see someone. or rather, the silhouette of someone..standing at the static window. Her eyes squinted and without thinking she began to run closer to the building.

As she got closer she found it was too difficult to see the window, thanks to the angle of the house. her curiosity had momentarily taken the fear out of her and Staci didn't even think twice before making her way into the house. It was only when she caught sight of her purse that she froze..and actually thought about the situation. Hadn't she put it on the chair? She was almost positive..or maybe she just couldn't remember clearly. Maybe the sun had been playing tricks on her. Maybe she was just tired from a long drive and needed a nap.

Or maybe not. Shaking her head, the girl decided it was best not to wander up to the attic alone. instead she ran to the kitchen and dug through a couple drawers until pulling out the biggest knife she could find. At least then she'd be somewhat protected. Afterwords, she made her way to the bottom of the staircase and looked up towards the mess of rooms that lay beyond them. "Is anyone here?!" She couldn't imagine who would go so far out of the way to come to a play like this. It was probably a bum or something. either way, she doubted whoever it was could hear her from all the way in the attic. And so, she took the chance of walking cautiously up the stairs. "come out come out wherever you are!" her voice was soft and feminine. Staci was usually not one for shouting.

He watched her mill around the hard he smiled she was a pretty woman but what was she doing in his house! He missed the woman who he had grown so fond of over the years. He felt the same pain she did when her husband died and he had tried every day to make her a bit happier though it almost never worked. When the young girl turned to face him he did not at first shy away but her lingering attention on his window made him a bit nervous.

As she began to charge the house he left the attic he was not certain he wanted to be found. Quickly he moved threw the house reaching the first floor where he hid in down stairs closet. Normally he would have just left the house and went for a walk on the land but he felt he needed to know more about her. Who was she what? was she doing here?

He was just about to come out and reveal himself to the confused woman when she ran into the kitchen. He heard her digging threw the drawers and saw her come out with the large knife. He felt insulted never in the hundred years he had been her had anyone ever tried to threaten him. His mind was telling him she does not know you yet she is new here. But his heart was angry she would threaten him with that knife. He decided against revealing himself while she was being threatening.