"Maybe it was one of those lucid dreams", I mumbled to myself after I had found out that the scroll I have had received last night was nowhere to be found this morning. Even so, the events felt awfully real. I could still feel the fright and goosebumps from before. I did unintentionally shouted at great aunt Margaret's face. Would it be a good idea to ask her to confirm my doubts? I could feel the weight of shame crawling to my back. How could I even did that to my one and only welcoming relative? I decided to did my best to ignore my growing fear and paranoia so that I would stop feeling the guilt for what I had done. A lame act, I admitted; but I have always been a selfish person. I would be in denial if someone were to brought that subject up but now, I am in full acceptance with my head held high.

I went down in the garden to see great aunt Margaret tending to her damaged plants from the storm yesterday. I jogged near her and took a deep breath in. The smell of the wet earth and roses filled my lungs; delivering to me, a short time of serenity that I mourned for. "Good morning, Marceline", she nodded. "Good morning, aunt Margaret", I mused. I crouched down near her to help with her tending. Her slightly wrinkled hands were calloused and some of her nails were filled with mud. She was tying a flower to a wooden pole so that it could stayed upright. "Let me help you with that", I inquired as I took a thin rope and started tying the orange roses to their poles. "Is this alright?", I asked as she inspected my job. "Thank you dear, that'll do just fine", she answered. "Would it not hurt the plants?", I wearily asked as I tied another. Wasn't it a good idea to let the plants grow however they wanted? but I told myself not to stick my nose in every situation. "I have not a clue, dear", she said. "But what I do know is that they will be able to grow beautifully with this being done", she answered. I found that idea restraining but I decided not to say anything against. "The same goes with people too. The more they are disciplined, the more prim and proper they become; just like roses", she added while looking at her orange roses with their petals glittering beneath the sun. I, for sure, found that idea unpleasant. "I suppose..", I muttered. She turned to me with her elbow rested on one of her knees. "So I'm guessing you'll be exploring the forest again today", she grinned. Forest? Then I remembered the promise I had made to myself on my exploration of the mansion. Again, I told myself not to go there again last night. What to do.. what to do..? I'll just play along. "You know me all too well", I chuckled which was soon followed by her laugh. "Have fun while you're here", she said. "Though, not too much fun; we don't want you going near the ruined building", she whispered rather loudly as she walked towards the house. Was she talking about the mansion? And what did she mean by "we"? "What's with that building?", I questioned as I followed, minding not to sound so scared. "Oh well, that building has been there for all my life and I'm just afraid that it might be at the blink of collapsing", she said in a soft tone as she entered the house and into her room. Not muttering a single word. "Why did she have to make it sound so frightening though", I sighed as I let out a breath I was holding. "But to obey it or not was my problem", I mentally winked to myself.

Today was one of those days where everything looked bright and happy. The sky was a vibrant blue with rainbows adorned. I was again, tempted to go to the mansion. I did also say that I would return again so a short visit would not hurt right? I thought to myself in mischief. There was just something about the mansion that draws me to it or at least that was what I thought.

I bolted up the wooden stairs and went into my room to prepare for the day. I grabbed my brown bag that had my phone, flashlight, a pocket knife and other essentials for survival (just in case). I slipped on my denim shorts and a grey jumper and tied my hair in a ponytail so that it wouldn't get in the way. I went back down and saw aunt Margaret in her garden having tea. "I'll be back before noon", I waved at her. "I'll be waiting", she replied with a wave back. I excited the shabby wooden fence and started walking to the forest which was only a five minutes walk far.

I didn't take the liberty to enjoy the beautiful nature of the woods instead, I dashed my way through the moist ground to the exit of it. There, a landscape of deep sparkly water came into my vision. Along with the familiar mansion that stood tall and grand despite its ruins. I retrieved my boat from where I had hid it and began rowing to the other side before my mind become fogged with doubt. I still struggled to properly navigate my way but after some time, I had reached my destination.

With a huge grin on my face, I skipped towards my entrance to the building and took out my knife to cut through the vines but a thought came into my mind. "Let's see how the whole mansion looks like from the outside", I chirped as I back away from the entrance.

I went in a clockwise direction and observed the massive building. "The people who lived in there must have been filthy rich", I reasoned. "I wonder how my life would be if I were to live here" "A loving family wouldn't sound so bad either", I frowned. I quickly shook off those thoughts. Now was not the time to reminisce 'those' times. I kept walking and walking for minutes (just how big was this mansion?) until a stone figure came into my field of vision. I went near it for a closer look and for a picture. It was a water fountain with a statue of a woman with what looked like a sharp object in her left hand and a hole for the water on her right. A wave of shock washed over me and my eyes widened as big as saucers. It was just like the water fountain from my dream. Even though I was certain that it was identical with what I had seen last night, I was in denial. There was no way that it could be real. I was unable to move so I just stood there with utmost shock. "This can't be..", I stuttered. Footsteps echoed behind me but I didn't dare to look. It was right behind me as its hands rested on my shoulders.

"Greetings, my dear lady..".