Emmeline sat in the parlor looking out towards the forest. She watched as two squirrels danced on the tree, no doubt fighting for food. She put her hand to her cheek and her eyes landed on her lap. She wore an emerald green bustle gown that matched her eyes with diamond studs in her ears. She had auburn hair that was styled neatly and out of the way. When she was alive, she was considered a beauty.
All around her dust accumulated on the furniture within the abandoned home. It had been ages since anyone had lived in the home and as such it fell into disrepair. The house, called the Octagon House from the nearby town, was situated on over 500 acres set apart from the town. While the house originally was a three story house in the shape of an octagon, it had several additions to the home, which resembled more of a mansion than a simple home.
Emmeline was lost in her thoughts when a man sat next to her, Gregory, an older man wearing a formal suit, and a handlebar mustache, he appeared a decade or so older than herself. She spared him a glance before returning her eyes towards the forest.
"You're quiet today. Well, more quiet than usual."
"Just melancholic."
"If I recall, it is your anniversary."
Emmeline turned to Gregory, and rested her chin in her palm. "Yes, you are correct, it is my death-day." She paused for a minute gathering her thoughts, "Today, compared to most years, I just have an overwhelming feeling of despair, nothing ever changes."
Gregory kept his eyes trained on the woman in front of him. It did pain him to see her, so unlike her normal self, with the exception of Ania, she was the most pleasant and friendly of the bunch. Her life was taken before she could really impact the world. He had no doubt she would have made a serious impression on the world. She would have gone places. Now, she was stuck to the estate, unable to leave. "Do you want my company, or shall I leave you to your thoughts?" Gregory asked in earnest.
Emmeline smiled, the best smile she could muster at the moment, "I would be happy for your company. I think I may take a walk around the estate, will you join me?"
Gregory nodded. "Nothing could please me more." If Emmeline could have blushed, he wouldn't have doubted that she would at that moment as a small shy smile illuminated her face. He stood up and held out his hand to the young dead woman. Emmeline grabbed his hand, in the way only the dead could and they exited the room. While Gregory appeared to be older than the young woman, she was decades older than he. He wasn't even alive when she had died. He just had the opportunity to live longer.
As they exited the home, Ania came running, floating down the drive. She was carrying something. "Emmy, Emmy!" the small ghost girl called out, "Emmy, Look!" Ania died at the age of 11 from the Spanish Influenza. She wore a simple smock dress, with a lavender belt around her hips, with her knickers that could be seen, with black Mary Jane shoes. She had brown eyes with wavy brown hair that was pulled up halfway.
Emmeline tried to focus on what the girl was trying to point out, but unfortunately her eyes were not as good as when she was alive. The world was certainly different. Ania came close and held out the doll, "I did it. I learned out to interact with the world!"
Emmeline smiled, "Ania, I am truly proud of you, that is absolutely amazing! Is this the first time? Or have you been doing it consistently?"
Ania smiled triumphantly, "Consistently, I didn't want to show you until I could do it all the time. Well," she bit her lip, "Well, most of the time. Sometimes I drop things when my focus isn't great enough."
Emmeline nodded and smiled, "We all do honey, we all do. We should do something to celebrate?"
Ania looked over and squeezed herself between Emmeline and Gregory and reached out and grabbed both of their hands. Emmeline looked over at Gregory who raised his shoulders as if to say, doesn't bother me any if it doesn't bother you.
Emmeline nodded in agreement, and they started their walk through the grounds. While Humans generally couldn't see the animals were aware of their presence and made sure to clear a path. They walked deep within the path to an open clearing where there was a well maintained garden next to the cemetery. The three sat on the park bench and listened to the birds. Ania lay her head on Emmeline's lap and closed her eyes, "I feel like we are a real family." While Ania did not sleep, as the dead really didn't need it, she just enjoyed the feeling of being surround by the older two.
Emmeline nodded and whispered to herself, thank you Ania and Gregory, you released me from my melancholy and she too closed her eyes in pure bliss.
They stayed like this for several hours, as dusk began to settle on the garden and cemetery.
****
BANG BANG BANG
Screech.
****
Emmeline opened her eyes and Gregory stood up, and they heard more gunfire and indiscreet voices screaming. It sounded to be coming from the Octagon House. Emmeline whipped her head over to Gregory who appeared to be as lost as she was. So without further delay they made their way back to their house to see who was causing the ruckus. Emmeline was fuming, who dares to intrude on their home.