When they pulled in the drive way and Matthew stepped out with his knapsack, Emmeline's jaw dropped to the floor, "What are you wearing?"
Matt looked down at the clothes and blushed, "Er- These are gym clothes. Emmy could you make something like this?" Matt motioned to the shirt and shorts.
Emmeline walked over to him and shook her head side to side, she looked at the shorts and the top, "sportswear. Yes, I can make you something similar, it will be cotton, is that okay?" She felt the shorts, "I am not familiar with this fabric."
Matthew nodded, "Cotton or linen is fine. Thanks Emmy you're the best."
"Where are your clothes, did something happen to them?"
Matt bowed his head and his face was bright red, "They got wet." He pulled out the clothes and held them up.
Emmeline grabbed the clothes, "what-" but stopped when she glanced over at Gregory. She understood and end her line of questioning. "I will get these all straightened out, no worries. Why don't you go upstairs and wash-up and change. When you are done could you please come back down?"
"Of course Emmy." He hurried up the stairs to remove the clothing that was both sweaty and disgusting. He gave him a quick 'bath' with the wet cloth and after having done so he felt much better. He let out a sigh and put on a more leisure outfit. He was finishing with his necktie when he heard a familiar knock, he knew it was Ania before she even introduced herself.
"Matt, can I come in?"
"Sure, I'm done changing, how can I help you?'
"Papa said I had to ask you. Can I come to school with you everyday? Even if nobody can see me, I really enjoy it."
Matt smiled and nodded, "Of course, it would make me happy!" to see a friendly face he finished to himself.
"You're the best. Also, I think Emmy is getting impatient." Ania paused and thought for a moment, "Papa doesn't even know what her problem is!"
Matthew nodded and quickly took the steps, part of him wished he could just float down and go through doors, but for that to happen he would have to be dead and that wasn't something he was ready for. "Emmy?" Matthew called out and he could see Emmy pacing back and forth and tapping her ghost feet against the floor.
"Great! You're ready. There are several things I would like to try!"
"Er- What?" Matt stammered, what was she talking about he thought to himself. She didn't answer. She grabbed Matt's hand and started walking down the drive. She would eventually tell him what they were doing, right?
Gregory and Ania were both intrigued as well and followed the woman dragging the boy that was taller than she was. When they reached the front gate, "there is something I want to try. You are unique. Maybe, just maybe with you I can cross the threshold."
Matthew was quiet and considered what she had said. Ania was waiting for more, but it was Gregory that spoke, "What made you come up with that idea?"
Emmeline bit her lip unsure of how to explain without bringing up her notebooks in front of Matthew, Gregory knew about them but the boy did not. "I was just musing thinking about what the boy is capable of, maybe just maybe he can break whatever spell binds me to this place?" Emmeline noted and then added, "I had plenty of time to myself today, I was all alone!" She said the phrase jokingly, but there was considerably amount off truth and hurt in the statement. "So, I thought why not experiment?"
Gregory walked up to Emmeline and put his arm around her shoulder, he kissed her gently on the cheek. She could vaguely feel the sensation. "I will only be working a short while longer and then I will not be needed until next season. I am sorry you felt so alone." He kissed her again on the cheek and then stepped back.
"Matthew dear, would you hold my hand? We are just going to step outside the gate."
Matt complied with her wishes and hand in hand they walked trough the gate. Emmeline felt the zing when he held her hand. She looked at his hand the gate. "It worked!" Emmeline screamed, It worked!!!"
Emmeline was jumping up and down like a mad woman and for a brief second her emerald eyes were bright before they faded back to their ghostly green. Gregory beamed, Ania jumped up and down joining in Emmeline's excitement.
"You can leave now?" Matthew asked.
"Possibly," Emmeline mused. While emetine stood outside the gates she could feel in her stomach the need to return to the Octagon House estate. The urge becoming more powerful the longer she stood outside the gate. The effect was and dizzying and she began to sway a little. When she crossed back to the estate the feeling vanished almost immediately. Strange she thought. She looked down the drive towards the house. What is her connection to this place?
They tried several times and the following times she was expecting the feeling and felt like she could resist a little better. On the fourth time stepping outside the estate her knees buckled and she fell into Matthew's hands. Matthew quickly brought Emmeline back to the property and crossed back over the invisible threshold. If it was possible Emmeline looked even more pale and depleted than normal.
"Enough! Something bad is happening. Matthew and Ania head back to the house. Matthew go and set the table. Ania, I think Emmeline had something prepared it will just need to be heated."
The two children headed back to the house. Gregory carried Emmeline like a new bride. Emmeline looked sick even for a ghost. Her eyes were barely open and fluttered occasionally. "I'll get you back."
Emmeline nodded weakly, "Its not that bad, just tired."
Gregory shook his head, "if you keep talking like a child, I'll treat you like one! I'll send you to your room." He wore a smile to mask the pain in his eyes. She was dead, but this was concerning. Nothing had ever happened like this before.
Emmeline had a half smile and gently lay her head on his chest and brought her hand to his vest and patting his chest, "I'm a grown woman" she mumbled.
Gregory noted that she appeared to be sleeping or in some kind of dream-like state. "The love of my life was murdered by my fiancee right in front of me."