When Emmeline had stepped out of the room, he lay his head on the pillow and closed his eyes and he was out. Even if he had only been up for about an hour or two, his body was already worn out and everything hurt. Even without painkillers he passed out, he didn't have the energy to care, his body and mind had reached its limit.
Matthew slept through the night, he had no dreams. His mind was too exhausted to dream. He awoke when the morning sun came in through the windows and landed on his face. He tried to move out of the way, turning to the side. Instead he was jolted awake as every cell in his body screamed out pain. The previous day came rushing back to him.
Matthew thought about his parents, his family. Where were they? He racked his brain, he definitely had to go home and find them.
The young boy sat up in the bed and rested for a moment to get up and go to the bathroom. Using a chamber pot! He definitely didn't think that was going to be anything that we would experienced in his lifetime. When he was coming back from the bathroom, he heard voices out side his door. He walked quietly to the door.
"---set?" asked the male voice, most likely Gregory.
"Yes, once Matthew wakes up, the fruits have been washed and Ania found some eggs, they are large, so I suspect they are duck eggs, I'll cook that once Matthew is awake and ready to eat, is the stove ready?" stated the honeyed voice of Emmeline.
"Okay wonderful," Emmeline stated. Matthew must have nodded his head.
"Have you decided how you are going to tell him?" Gregory asked.
There was a long delay, "I don't know. I spent the entire night thinking about what I would tell him. Its not like I can just say, 'hey we're ghosts', I can just imagine how quickly he would fly out of this house."
...Ghosts...
...Ghosts...
...Ghosts...
The term ghosts was ringing around his head. Ghosts...they weren't real, were they? Before Matthew could process what they had said, Gregory and Emmeline continued to speak.
"Well, you may not have to worry about it."
"Why do you say that?" Emmeline asked. Matthew could hear the sadness in her voice.
"Because, he may be leaving, he probably has a family that he has to get back to."
"Hm, I guess you are right."
After a short period, it grew quiet again. Matthew was left with his thoughts.
Matthew considered the short amount of time he spent with them and the house in which they lived. Matthew knew that he didn't go back in time, he saw the cars out in the driveway. But ghosts? He could see them, hear them, they weren't terrifying, and they could touch him. But the more he considered, the more it started to sink in, they were dead. He recalled Emmeline's gown, and Gregory's suit, not something that would be readily found in any store.
'What should I do' thought Matthew to himself. He was on the second floor and couldn't exit from the window, not to mention he was already hurt. They hadn't hurt him yet, but the thought of them being ghosts was enough to rattle his brain. He slowly maneuvered towards the door and peaked out. He glanced left around the odd hall.
He moved towards the stairs, everything hurt, but it was now or never? He gripped the railing tightly getting ready to make his way down the stairs when Matthew noticed Emmeline, Gregory, and a small girl near them, whom he guessed was Ania at the foot of the stairs.
"Er- Good Morning?"
Emmeline smiled, "Gregory be a dear and help him down the steps."
"No I can do it." Matthew replied. He didn't want their help, he just wanted to leave.
Gregory stopped midway after Matthew declined the offer, Emmeline shook her head, "Nonsense, you are still recovering, Gregory, go and help him."
"No really, I'm fine."
"Foolish boy, you can barely stand straight! Gregory, if you wouldn't mind?"
Matthew accepted his fate. After Gregory helped him down the stairs, he directed him to the table, where there were some fruits and a glass of water.
"Good, sit and eat, would you care for some duck eggs?" Emmeline asked.
Matthew had never had duck eggs, but he didn't think they would be different from regular eggs. He could definitely use something a little hardier than fruits. "Yes please."
Emmeline disappeared into the kitchen. The girl, possibly Ania, moved and stood in front of Matthew. "Hello, my name is Ania."
"Hi, I'm Matthew. You can call me Matt."
"I know who you are silly!" She said with a goofy smile that was plastered on her face. "Are you feeling better?"
Matt nodded. "Much, still really sore."
"Well, that isn't surprising, you almost died." Ania said as if were nothing.
Matthew looked at Ania, the way she spoke was definitely smarter than an average 10 year old. She must be dead too? He looked at her dress, she most certainly was dead Matt thought, kids didn't wear what she was currently wearing nowadays.
Several minutes later Emmeline entered carry a plate with some eggs on it. "here you go. I see you two are acquainted. I overheard you say you are feeling better, that is good. You will let us know if there is anything we can do for you Matthew, okay?"
Matthew nodded and blushed when he had the thought that they were going to try and kill him...they had saved him. He really did feel dumb for thinking such things. "Um, I think I better give my parents a call, I bet they are worried sick about me."
Emmeline and Ania looked confused, Gregory smiled, "sorry kid, there isn't a telephone here." Gregory waved his arms around, "we don't even have electricity."
Matthew nodded. "Then I guess I should be going."
Matthew looked at Emmeline, she looked sad. "Then you finish your breakfast and Gregory will take you home. Okay?"
Matthew vigorously nodded his head, well as much as his aching body would let him, he was happy, they were nice but he wanted to go back home! He scarfed down his breakfast, "Thank you so much for saving me and treating my wounds."
Emmeline nodded. Gregory assisted Matthew into the the washroom. Emmeline followed and handed the clothes he had been wearing the other day. "Thank you." Matthew noted and then closed the door and began to change. From the other side of the door Emmeline could hear several grunts as he changed out of the night gown into his regular clothes.
He stood in front of the mirror, he noticed his clothes had been neatly patched up, knowing that it had been Emmeline that did it.
Matthew opened the door and saw Ania, Gregory, and Emmeline waiting outside.
"You ready?" Gregory asked.
Matthew nodded.
The three ghosts and the human boy exited the Octagon House and moved towards a barn near the house. Matthew didn't know what to expect, were they going to take a horse drawn carriage? He looked side to side and didn't see any horses. Gregory pushed open the barn door, and inside it it was a sleek navy blue car, Matthew knew it was old, but he didn't know what kind it was.
Matthew noted that it appeared to be in good working condition.
"Hop in, I'll drive you home." Matthew nodded and got in the front seat, he would have to provide directions after all.
Ania and Emmeline opened the back doors and got in. As soon as the back doors closed, Gregory turned the key and the vehicle roared to life. He pulled out of the barn down the long tree-lined drive to the front gates. Gregory stopped, and Emmeline opened the door. "Drive Safely she called out to Gregory."
"Emmy, can I go with Gregory and Matt, please?" Ania whined like any 11 year old girl.
Emmeline smiled, "of your you can, see you both soon." Emmeline closed the door and watched at the car left the gate and disappeared on the road. She was confined to the property.