Hannah squinted at the clock and saw it was eight in the morning. She lay in bed awhile, looking at her surroundings. This is an awesome room, she thought. She looked at the dresser and vanity. She liked how LeAnn had placed doilies on the tops with decorative perfume bottles. The lace drapes were definitely from the 1920’s and the brass bed was probably one of the most comfortable beds she had ever slept in. She laid there awhile longer, not believing she was actually in the Tabor House on Tabor Island. This was totally a dream come true. Who would have ever thought she would actually have slept in this house? Certainly not her. Better get up and take a shower, then go exploring, she thought.
Slowly waking up, LeAnn heard the shower in the guest bathroom and knew that Hannah was up. She got out of bed and went to brush her teeth and take a shower. Matt would be here in less than two hours.
Hannah found LeAnn in the kitchen making coffee. “Boy, you got up and dressed fast!” Hannah exclaimed surprised to see her hostess beat her downstairs.
“It doesn’t take me long once I put my mind to it. How did you sleep?”
“Fantastic. That is the most comfortable bed ever. Thank you.”
“No problem. How about some raisin toast and cream cheese?” LeAnn asked starting the coffee maker.
“Sounds perfect.” Hannah walked over and sat at the kitchen table and asked, “Do you love living out here?”
LeAnn thought about her answer. She hadn’t bargained for the ghost and excitement she had been experiencing, but all in all she did love her house and island. “Yes, I do love it here. I get to wake up every morning to this incredible view of the lake. Having my own island also my own forest back there.” Nodding her head out the kitchen window towards her backyard.
After serving Hannah coffee and raisin toast, she sat down to join her guest. “I don’t know if you remember, but Matt and a couple of guys are coming over to help me get a few things out of the attic.”
“Oh, wow, an attic! Can I go up with you?”
Hannah is just a little too joyful about all of this. LeAnn thought. “Yeah, if you’re willing to work.”
Hannah’s eyes lit up. “Oh yeah, I’ll help and then maybe you can give me a tour of the boathouse.”
LeAnn almost choked on her coffee. “The boathouse?”
“Well, sure. I’ve seen the house. Now I’d love to see the boathouse.”
LeAnn put her mug down and said, “Hannah, as I said, I’ve got stuff to do and clean up. I told you this last night, and you said you’d help. If you want to, great; if not that’s fine too. I’ll take you back to Ridgewood’s right now. If I get a chance, I’ll show you the boathouse, but only if I get everything moved and done that needs to be done first. Okay?”
Hannah looked a little disappointed, like a child who had just been scolded by her mother.
“I’m sorry, I do remember. I don’t want to go back. I’ll help you.” Hannah wasn’t ready to leave the island yet. Not before seeing the boathouse.
“Thank you.” LeAnn was glad that Hannah agreed, but deep down she wished Hannah had wanted to leave and go back to Ridgewood’s.
They sat and enjoyed their coffee and breakfast. LeAnn’s phone rang.
“Hello?” It was Matt. “Good morning, Matt.”
Hannah grinned and carried her dirty dishes to the sink. She then slipped out into the living room.
“You and your guys are still coming, aren’t you?” LeAnn asked, concerned.
“Oh, yeah, we’re coming. I was just calling to say good morning and see if you were up.”
“Of course I’m up, and so is my guest.”
“Your guest?”
“Yup, I had a sleepover with Hannah.”
“Hannah! Oh, LeAnn, I’m sorry. Is my employee a pest?” Matt sounded embarrassed.
“No,” LeAnn answered quickly. “She just asked if she could come and stay with me. I guess she had the same dream of living here that I had. Only my dream came true. She’s very sweet, but I’m realizing that she is a very young twenty-four year old. Don’t worry, Matt, she’s fine. To be honest, it was nice having the company.”
“I would have loved to keep you company.” He said teasingly.
“I’m sure you would.” She laughed, and then quickly changed the subject. “So you guys are still coming out at ten?” She glanced at the clock and saw it was quarter after nine.
“Well, actually, the guys are here already. I guess they are anxious to start earning some money. Is it ok if we come out now? I’ll bring donuts.”
“Now would be wonderful, but we already had breakfast. If you want to bring the donuts for you and the guys, I’ll put on a fresh pot of coffee.”
“Great. We’re on our way. See you soon. And, LeAnn? You looked beautiful last night. I’m glad we are….” He paused, “I’m glad we’re friends again.”
“Thank you. I’m glad too. See you soon.” She blushed as she closed her cell phone. She turned and walked toward the living room.
“Hannah?” LeAnn called out. “The guys are on their way.”
LeAnn found Hannah staring out the living room window toward the boathouse.
“They’re coming early, aren’t they?” Hannah said without turning around.
LeAnn stood next to Hannah by the window, “Yeah, but that way we’ll get done early too. Oh, and Matt is bringing donuts. I told him I’d put another pot of coffee on. Let’s go back in the kitchen and get the cleaning supplies.”
Hannah turned toward LeAnn, “Okay.”
LeAnn noticed Hannah was acting weird, as though she was spaced out. Had she seen something at the boathouse? LeAnn frowned at Hannah and started toward the kitchen, Hannah slowly followed.
When she finished making the coffee, LeAnn ran upstairs to check her hair and makeup. After putting on lipstick, she went into the hall, unlocked the attic door, and pulled the stairs down.
“Awesome, the attic,” Hannah said from behind scaring, LeAnn and making her jump a little.
“Geez, Hannah! You scared the shit out of me! I could have fallen down the stairs!”
“I’m so sorry, LeAnn. I thought you heard me come up. I really didn’t mean to scare you,” Hannah had tears in her eyes.
LeAnn saw that Hannah was back to her old self.
“It’s okay, Hannah, no harm done.”
“Can we go up?” Hannah asked like a child wanting to open her Christmas present.
“Okay, sure.” LeAnn led the way. When they had climbed the stairs, she walked over to open the two large windows on either side of the attic.
“This is cool.” Hannah’s green eyes were wide as saucers. “This is a great attic.”
“Have you been in a lot of attics?” LeAnn realized she sounded a bit sarcastic.
“Well, no. I just think this one is cool.”
LeAnn saw that her sarcasm had hurt Hannah’s feelings, so she laughed to lighten the mood and show she was joking. “I’m thinking about making this an entertainment room. What do you think?’
Hannah perked up at LeAnn’s laughter and request for her opinion. “It would be a fantastic entertainment room. You mean with a bar and everything?”
“Big screen TV and all.”
They both heard a boat motor through the open windows. LeAnn walked over to look out and saw Matt coming. There was a second boat behind him.
“They’re here.”
Both girls carefully climbed down the attic steps and down the staircase to meet the guys. As they walked down the path and got nearer to the boathouse, LeAnn started to slow down and abruptly stopped. She was staring at the windows on the upper level.
“LeAnn, are you all right?” Hannah asked when she saw LeAnn’s reaction to the boathouse. “Is there a problem?”
LeAnn didn’t say anything and just stared. What did she think she would see? Eyes looking back at her?
“LeAnn! Do you hear me?” Hannah grabbed LeAnn’s arm.
“What?” LeAnn snapped back to reality. She looked at Hannah as if she didn’t know where she was.
“Are you okay?” Hannah gently asked.
LeAnn realized she must have been hypnotized for a minute and had scared Hannah.
“Oh, Hannah, I’m so sorry. I’m fine, really I am,” she lied. Sometimes I just get a little spacey looking at repairs I have to do. You know, like the roof on the boathouse.” LeAnn tried to sound convincing, but she didn’t think Hannah bought the deception.
“Okay, if you say so,” Hannah said, frowning. “But you did get kind of weird for a minute there.” Hannah looked at the boathouse.
Hannah and LeAnn reached the pier just as the boats were pulling up. First, Matt threw his line to LeAnn, and she tethered it to a cleat. Hannah did the same for the other boat with the two guys Matt had hired. All three of the guys were stepped up on to the pier, and Matt did the introductions.
“Nick and Randy, I’d like you to meet your boss, LeAnn Klein.” They all shook hands. “And this is Hannah Richards, who works for me at Ridgewood’s.” Hannah batted her eyes and said hi.
“Okay, here are the donuts. Now where is the coffee?” Matt held up a white paper sack.
“Right this way, sir. Can’t have hungry workers.” Matt gave her a hug, and they all went up to the house.
LeAnn did not look at the boathouse. Hannah did.
Entering the house they all could smell the fresh coffee. LeAnn had the mugs, small plates, and napkins on the table waiting for them.
“It isn’t that cold outside; do you guys want to sit on the back deck?” LeAnn asked. Everyone agreed it was a great idea, and they went outside.
After some small talk, Matt said it was time to get to work. “LeAnn do you want to tell these guys what they’re in for?”
“Sure.” Leann put down her coffee mug. “Okay, guys. First, I have two large trunks that we need to figure out how to get down and into my bedroom. Then, there is some furniture like a small table and a rocking chair. I’m not sure what else I want brought down, but that’s it for starters.”
“I guess you should show us the attic so we can see what we’re dealing with,” commented Nick.
They all went back into the house and put their mugs and dishes in the sink.
LeAnn led them up the stairs and showed them the ladder to the attic. “Ladies first,” Matt said holding out his hand.
LeAnn took his hand with a smile then climbed first, followed by Hannah. The guys right behind.
“Whoa!” said Randy, “What a great attic.”
“I guess it pays to be an architect. That was what Mr. Tabor was, and he must have planned this room for something in the future,.” LeAnn guessed. She continued instructing the guys. “Okay, here are the two trunks for starters.”
Nick assumed the trunks were going to be easy to move. He grabbed a handle of the first trunk. “Damn! This is heavy.” Nick said. “Maybe we need to empty it first.”
“Really?” LeAnn asked, thinking about how precious the contents were. “There’s no way to move the trunks without emptying them?”
“Is there a problem?” Randy asked.
“Not really. It’s just that the stuff in them is so old I don’t want anything ruined.” LeAnn was thinking of the dresses. “I can probably empty the pictures and papers in that one if that would help,” she said, pointing to the trunk with all of the family photos, drawings, and paperwork.
“Trust me, that would help.” Nick said quickly.
LeAnn looked around for something that she could put the papers and photos in. Hannah walked over to a large basket lying on its side.
“Will this work?” She held it up.
“Perfect, Hannah.” LeAnn was excited when she saw the basket. Hannah walked over to LeAnn and handed her the basket, and the two of them knelt down in front of the trunk with the pictures.
Leann opened the trunk, and Hannah’s eyes opened wide in amazement. “Look at all of this history. This is wonderful!”
LeAnn smiled at the fact Hannah appreciated the value of what was in the trunk. Wait until Hannah sees what’s in the other trunk, LeAnn thought. The two girls gently took everything out and put it in the basket. Every now and then when they came to an interesting photo or document, they stopped to look it over. The found a lot of pictures of Amelia and her mother from when Amelia was an infant to about five years old, but none as Amelia grew older.
“They were so beautiful.” Hannah said quietly, almost to herself, “I wonder what happened to them.”
LeAnn didn’t say a word and just emptied the last of the items from the trunk to the basket.
Nick and Randy picked up the trunk more easily this time, but struggled to get it through the opening and down the ladder.
“I don’t know, Matt. This might not work. I don’t understand. How did they get the trunks in here in the first place?” LeAnn asked Matt, distressed.
“They must have done some work on the house at some point. Maybe adding molding to the attic opening making, it a smaller than before.” Matt had a tape measure that he borrowed from Randy to see if the trunk would in fact fit.
LeAnn was concerned about the last trunk getting through the opening because it was bigger than the first. She was also concerned about emptying the contents. The items in this trunk could not be put into a basket.
Hannah walked over to other trunk and touched it lightly. “LeAnn, can I see what’s in here?”
“Yes. I’ll open it. I have a feeling you and I are going to have to go up and down the stairs a lot in the next half hour,” she said as she opened the lid to the trunk.
Hannah gasped when she saw the gown on the top. “Oh, LeAnn! This is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen!”
“I know. Me to,” agreed LeAnn. “I have a feeling there are more in this trunk, and I don’t want to take them out up here where it’s so dirty.”
Matt came over to where the girls were. “LeAnn, I hate to tell you this, but we are going to have to tip this trunk on its side and pray we can get it through the doorway.”
LeAnn looked down at the dress and then at Hannah. “So, do you want to help me carry these one by one to my bedroom? We can lay them on the bed. I just can’t risk them falling out of the trunk while these guys try to get it out of the attic.”
“Of course I’ll help you. I can’t wait to see what else is in the trunk.”
LeAnn showed the guys what else had to be taken downstairs before she and Hannah started to empty the trunk.
LeAnn gently lifted the first dress out and handed it to Hannah. Hannah cradled the dress as if LeAnn had just handed her a newborn baby. It wasn’t easy climbing down the stairs with the gown, but Hannah managed.
LeAnn lifted the next one and the next one. The gowns were incredible. There were three total. There were small boxes with dried flowers in them. LeAnn assumed these were corsages that Amelia’s father had given her. The trunk also contained shoes, gloves, a small white fur stole, along with a couple of sweaters that had pearls and beads sewn on the front. Then, under one of the sweaters, LeAnn found a small black velvet box. She gently picked up the box and slowly opened it. Inside was a beautiful bracelet. The bracelet was made of white pearls and had a gold heart dangling from it. The heart was about an inch and a half long. On one side was engraved “JA to AT,” and on the other side it said, “Your Heart Belongs To My Heart”. LeAnn gasped as she remembered that was the title of the song Amelia and Jonathan had first danced to. Tears formed in LeAnn’s eyes. How could two people be so in love and fate be so cruel to them? LeAnn took the bracelet out of the box and held it up.
“Oh. How beautiful!” Hannah almost whispered the words.
LeAnn didn’t say anything; she just put the bracelet back in the box and held onto it. She did not give it to Hannah to take downstairs.
After the trunk was emptied, LeAnn told Nick and Randy it was ready.
Matt called out from a corner of the attic. “Hey, LeAnn, can you come here a minute?”
LeAnn walked over to where Matt was staring at something in the corner. It was wrapped and almost as tall as Matt.
“What do you think this is?” he asked.
“Haven’t got a clue, but let’s check it out. Will you help me lift off the cloth?” she asked.
They pulled on the cloth and coughed as the dust flew around them. Underneath it looked like a rolled up rug.
“Oh my God, is that what I think it is?” she asked, not directing the question to anyone in particular. “Is that a Persian rug?” It has got to be worth a fortune!”
“If it’s in good shape,” he warned her, not wanting her to get her hopes up.
She really needed a rug for her bedroom, and this would be perfect. “Do you think you guys can get it down to my bedroom?” she asked with hope in her voice.
“Probably, but first, they are still trying to get that trunk and the table out of here. It’s going to be awhile. We can come back, but I think we need to get everything done today. I don’t know when I would be able to get Nick and Randy back out here.”
“I don’t care how long or what it costs. I agree, I want this all done today.” She looked around and noticed that Hannah had disappeared and told Matt she was going to go downstairs to find Hannah and make some lunch.
“Great idea. These guys will need a break soon.” He smiled at her and took her hand, giving it a little squeeze. She smiled up at him. They stared at each other for awhile in silence, and then she turned and climbed down the attic stairs.
She found Hannah in her room touching the dresses and looking at some of the photos.
“What a romantic time,” Hannah said dreamily. “The music, the styles. I wish I had lived back then.”
“I know,” agreed LeAnn. She knew exactly how Hannah felt.
“I think I need to get the guys some lunch. They’re having a hard time with some of the furniture. Oh, and you wouldn’t believe the beautiful rug we found. I need to clean this floor and we can put it in here.” LeAnn looked around and realized they would have to move her bed to put the carpet down.
LeAnn walked over to her vanity and placed the black velvet box in the top right hand drawer. Then she and Hannah headed down to the kitchen to get the guys some sandwiches.
As they were making ham and cheese sandwiches, Hannah cleared her throat and said, “LeAnn, since the guys are taking awhile to get the furniture and stuff down, do you think you could show me the ballroom in the boathouse?”
LeAnn dropped the knife she was cutting the ham with. She looked at Hannah, “What?” she asked, pretending she hadn’t understood what Hannah had asked.
Hannah kept mixing the lemonade and continued, “Well, seeing as we may be in the way and are definitely not needed, I just thought maybe I could see the boathouse.”
LeAnn’s heart started to beat faster as she remembered what had happened to her in the ballroom. “Really? You really want to go to the boathouse?”
“Absolutely. I mean, after seeing those beautiful gowns, I just have to see what the ballroom looks like.”
LeAnn picked up the knife and rinsed it off. She didn’t know how she was going to get out of this one.
“Let’s make the sandwiches and get the guys fed. Then we’ll see.” LeAnn knew she was going to have to take Hannah to the boathouse. She had no excuse not to. Maybe nothing would happen if she was with someone. Hopefully, whatever she had experienced only happened because she had been alone.
They finished making the sandwiches, lemonade, and placed the dishes and food on the back deck table. LeAnn then found some chips and went to the stairs to call Matt, Randy, and Nick to come eat lunch. The guys couldn’t get down fast enough. They washed their hands and headed out to the deck.
After they finished eating, Matt told LeAnn that they were going to bring the rug and rocking chair down but they might have to take the molding off the attic opening for the trunk and the table.
Disappointed, LeAnn said, “That’s okay. Just put the stuff in the hall. I need to mop under the bed first. Can you help me move the bed?”
The three men said they would.
They all sat and admired the view. Abruptly, Hannah stood up to clear the dishes. The guys took this as their clue to get back to work and went in the house. Matt, Nick, and Randy headed upstairs to figure out how they were going to get the rest of the stuff out of the attic.
LeAnn picked up the rest of the dishes and went into the kitchen, where she found Hannah loading up the dishwasher.
After LeAnn wiped the counter off, Hannah asked, “Ready?” She had a big grin on her face.
LeAnn pretended she didn’t know what Hannah was talking about. “Ready for what?”
“To go to the boathouse.”
“I should really stay and see if the guys are going to need some help.” LeAnn answered, stalling. She did not want to take Hannah to the boathouse, but she knew Hannah was not going to give up.
“LeAnn, why don’t you want to go to the boathouse? Are you afraid to go?”
“Why do you say that? I just feel that I should be here if the guys need anything.”
“LeAnn, you know perfectly well they have everything under control. I thought you were going to show me the ballroom.”
LeAnn knew she was stuck. Taking in a deep breath, “Okay, I’ll get the key.”
“You keep it locked? Why?” Hannah asked, confused.
LeAnn was getting a little annoyed at Hannah and all the questions. Then she thought about it for a minute and said, “I told you. I’m worried about vandalism.”
As LeAnn reached for the key, she noticed the bat. She had put it back in the corner. She smiled to herself then thought, Yeah, great help you were last time I took you with me. The bat stayed were it was as she headed for the front door, with Hannah close on her heels.
LeAnn stopped at the bottom of the stairs and called up to Matt. “Matt? Matt?”
“Yeah?” he called back.
“Hannah and I are going down to the boathouse. Do you need anything?” She hoped he did.
“No, we’re good,” he yelled back. “Be careful.”
The two girls walked out the front door and down the path toward the boathouse. LeAnn kept her eyes down. She didn’t want to see the faceless eyes.
When they reached the boathouse, Hannah started up the stairs without LeAnn.
LeAnn shouted out at her. “Stop!”
Started, Hannah stopped, “What? What did I do? Aren’t we going in?”
LeAnn hesitated then said, “Hannah, it’s not safe up there, okay? You just can’t go traipsing up the stairs to a building you know nothing about. Besides, I have to unlock the door.”
“Wow, LeAnn, lighten up. You don’t have to bite my head off.”
“I’m sorry. I just don’t want you to get hurt. Now, please, stay behind me.”
LeAnn walked up the stairs past Hannah. When she reached the door, she looked at Hannah and then secretly tried the handle to see if the door was locked. It was. She knew that she had not locked the door when she left. What person stops to lock the door when running away terrified? She inserted the key in the lock slowly and turned it. She hesitated to open the beautifully carved door. Taking in a deep breath, she opened the door with her eyes shut.
Hannah all but pushed LeAnn out of the way so she could get in the room. “Oh, my heavens! Will you look at this magnificent room?” Hannah exclaimed, overwhelmed. She had never seen anything so grand before. “Look at the mirrors and the stage! Oh, and the chandeliers!” Hannah was like a child in a candy store. “LeAnn, can you imagine the balls? Can you not visualize the men and women here dancing in those fabulous dresses?”
“Oh, yeah, I definitely can.” LeAnn’s eyes were darting here and there making sure that nothing was in the room with them. Since she was with someone, maybe the ghost wouldn’t appear. LeAnn kept putting her hands up to her neck and ears to make sure that the whisperer didn’t touch her again. She didn’t want to feel the fingers on her neck ever again.
Hannah waltzed around just as LeAnn had when she first came into the ballroom. It was hard not to.
Suddenly the door slammed with a loud bang. The girls looked at it, and Hannah turned to LeAnn shocked, but then she laughed. “It must have been the wind.”
LeAnn didn’t think so, but logic was better than where her mind was going. There was no wind. LeAnn looked over toward the stage and saw the velvet drapes slowly wave back and forth. It was not really noticeable at first, but she had seen this before. “Oh nooo,” she moaned.
“What is it, LeAnn? Are you ok? It was just the wind slam—” Hannah stopped in mid sentence. She turned her head toward the stage. “Le….Ann, is that music?” She looked at LeAnn and saw that she was backing up towards the wall, shaking her head.
“LeAnn? What is it? What is going on?” Hannah asking confused.
Tears started to flow down LeAnn’s cheeks. Then the music grew louder and louder, just as it had before.
“LeAnn, what’s going on? Who has the stereo on so loud?” Hannah was yelling over the music. “We need to turn it down! It’s going to blast our eardrums.” Hannah put her hands over her ears. She couldn’t believe that LeAnn wasn’t going to the stage to turn down the music.
LeAnn just stared at her and slid to the floor. As she hit the floor, she grabbed her knees and held them to her chest. She put her head down; she had been through this before and knew what was coming.
“LeAnn, what are you doing?” She looked at the stage and saw that the velvet drapes were swaying. “LeAnn, let’s get out of here!” Hannah screamed over the loud music.
LeAnn looked up at Hannah, “We can’t. It won’t let us out.”
Hannah looked at her dumbfounded. “What are you talking about? Who won’t let us out? Of course we can get out!” Hannah ran over to the door and tried to open it. “It’s stuck! LeAnn come over and help me!” she shouted as she pulled on the door, trying to get it open.
LeAnn looked over at Hannah and gave her an eerie smile, like someone who has gone insane and knows a secret. “You’re not getting out until it’s ready to let you out.”
Hannah desperately ran over to the French doors. She ran to each one trying to pull it open. “They won’t open, they’re locked! Where are the keys?” she shouted.
With tears streaming down her face, LeAnn only looked at Hannah continuing to smile with an eerie smile.
Hannah looked up and saw that the doors had latches at the top, but none of them were in the locked position. “Why won’t they open if they’re not locked?” Hannah asked, her eyes wide in fear. Something caught her attention, and she looked up at the stage. “What is that?” A black mist was there, growing larger and was moving toward her. Hannah stopped trying the door knobs and started backing up against the glass doors. Her hands then her whole body started to shake.
Then the wind began to blow, starting as a light breeze and then growing strong and angry.
LeAnn followed Hannah’s gaze toward the stage. Then she slowly and carefully started to get up on her feet, not taking her eyes away from the shadow on the stage. Slowly, she started to walk over to where Hannah was flattened against the French door.
“LeAnn, do you see that?” Hannah screamed over the music, now terrified.
LeAnn nodded her head yes, too numb to speak.
The two frightened girls stood motionless as they watched the black mist grow larger, while the wind intensified.
Hannah looked up as all four chandeliers starting to sway.
“LeAnn, I’m scared. I want out of here! The music, stop the music!” Hannah screamed, holding her ears. Tears were formed in her eyes.
LeAnn’s attention was on the black mist growing on the stage. It was swirling around and around like a tornado. “Oh, please, dear God, what is that?” LeAnn shouted.
The wind grew stronger and stronger as the mist grew. Abruptly, the music stopped. LeAnn and Hannah gasped and looked at each other.
“Please, LeAnn get me out of here! Please, please!” Hannah was crying and shaking.
The wind grew stronger as the black mist got larger; it was as if they were one. Then they heard a low sound. They couldn’t tell what it was or where it was coming from. The wind was so strong that they were having a hard time keeping their balance.
Hannah screamed and whirled around. “What was that? Who is that? Who’s there?”
LeAnn knew from the way Hannah grabbed at her neck that she had heard the whisper and felt the fingers. It had touched Hannah too!
“Did you hear a whisper?” LeAnn yelled over the wind. “Did something touch you?”
“Yes!” Hannah’s eyes wide with fear. “How can it be windy inside, LeAnn, how? What is going on?”
The girls where holding onto each other by this time. Both for balance and because they were petrified. LeAnn thought that this time she was definitely going to die. Only she wasn’t going to die alone, Hannah was going to, also.
“LeAnn, we’ve need to get out of here!” Hannah was sobbing.
LeAnn watched as the mist moved toward them. It seemed to be growing and rise up to the ceiling. This had not happened on her two previous experiences. Terror now had complete control of the girls. Just when they didn’t think things could get worse, they heard something that made their blood turn cold.
A howling started; it was the agonized howl of someone in horrible pain. They both screamed. Hannah broke away from LeAnn and ran for one of the French doors. She started pounding and yelling, “Let me out! Let me out!”
The piercing howling grew even louder. Hannah screamed, and LeAnn ran to join Hannah. They tried to break the glass with their fists, not caring if they got cut. The dark mist moved closer, as the painful howling and wind grew louder and stronger.
God, help us!” LeAnn begged out loud.
The wind and howling intensified.
The girls, now hysterical, knew they were going to be killed by whatever angry entity was in the ballroom with them. They dropped to the floor kicking the glass with all their strength. Why wouldn’t the glass break? It made no sense. The girls soon knew it was hopeless, and they held onto each other, waiting for death to come.
Matt walked out onto the front porch. He and the guys were done and he looked to see if the girls were on their way back. He wasn’t quite sure where LeAnn wanted the Persian rug. He looked down the path but didn’t see them. “How long does it take to look at a boathouse?” he said sarcastically. He started down the path toward the boathouse to see what was keeping them.
LeAnn and Hannah clung to each other crying hysterically. The black mist was circling on the ceiling above them now. LeAnn thought she heard the whisper again, but still could not make out what it was saying. After she heard the whisper there was another loud howling. It made her blood go cold. LeAnn wanted to try the doors again. She tried to stand, but Hannah grabbed her.
“Don’t leave me!”
LeAnn shouted back, “I have to try the doors again!” She pulled away from Hannah and crawled over to the French doors and started to pound on the glass again. She pounded and pulled as hard as she could. Tears streamed down her face and she started to cry out loud, “Matt, oh Matt, please come! “Oh God, please send someone to help us!”
As if an answer to her prayer, she saw Matt coming down the path. He was looking out at the lake, not at the boathouse. Then he turned his attention toward the boathouse. He didn’t see her until he looked up at the second floor.
“What the—” Matt didn’t finish the sentence. He saw LeAnn at the French door pounding on the glass. He broke into a run. He raced up the stairs and tried to get the carved door open. It was shut tight and wouldn’t budge. He ran along the walkway to the French door LeAnn was pounding on. LeAnn screamed and screamed as she tried to pull the door open.
“Matt, oh, Matt, get us out of here! Please, please!” she begged.
Matt tried the double French doors, but just like the carved door, it too wouldn’t open. He ran from door to door all around the walkway. None of them would open. He looked into the window and saw Hannah curled up in a ball on the floor. He saw that LeAnn and Hannah’s hair and clothing seemed to be blowing as if in a windstorm.
“That’s impossible,” he said. “Wind inside?” Then Matt thought he heard something low and groaning coming from inside the ballroom. No, not groaning, howling!
LeAnn was at the glass again. “Matt! Help!”
Matt ran down to the stairs and looked for a large rock or log that he could use to break the glass. He didn’t know what was happening, but he knew he had to get them out of there now! He found a three foot log and hoped it would do the trick. Matt ran back up to the walkway to the French door. LeAnn was in the window, looking at him, sobbing.
“Stand back, LeAnn, stand back! I’m going to break the door!” he shouted.
LeAnn ran back to where Hannah was lying. She used her body to cover Hannah’s and protect them from the glass. LeAnn said a silent prayer, “Help him, dear God! Please help him!” The howling, now deafening, continued as the black mist covered the whole ceiling.
Matt struck the French doors. Nothing happened. “What the hell?” The glass should have at least cracked. Matt took a harder swing at the door, and kept hitting it until finally the glass broke.
LeAnn cried out for joy. She grabbed Hannah and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s get out of here! Matt broke the glass!” LeAnn pushed a dazed Hannah toward the door. It was hard to walk with the wind blowing, but they both scrambled toward Matt. LeAnn looked up at the ceiling and the black mist. It was swirling around like a tornado.
Matt cleared the glass with his hand and the log so that the girls could climb through. He didn’t notice the blood running down his hand. He grabbed Hannah’s hand and helped her through the opening. When it was LeAnn’s turn, she let out a scream and grabbed the back of her neck. “Leave me alone!” she shrieked behind her.
As Matt pulled her arm and helped her out, LeAnn heard the entity,
“NNNNNNNOOOOOOOO!!! AAMMMEEELLIIAAA!”
Matt heard it too.