Deity's POV
It was a long ride. An awful one. I finally had courage to leave my past behind and start anew. My parents looked unsurprisingly relieved like they could finally breathe again when I told them I'm leaving for good. Their reaction made me think I should've done it sooner.
Breathe, Deity. Ignore it, the way you always do for years now.
I passed by plains and plantations; occasional farmhouses and forests along the road. The countryside looked more and more inviting as hours passed. I finally reached a more secluded road and as the trees swallowed my run-down car I saw the outline of an old manor house. The seller told me the land surrounding it becomes mine now that I own the manor. There isn't a single house located near it which made me happy. There's no gate or fences as well so I parked my car in the wildgrass-filled lawn. Checking the time, it's 4:48. The sun is about to set and I still have to unpack few inportant things from the boxes... that is, if there isn't anything to clean inside the house. It looked really abandoned and forgotten.
I took the keys given to me from my purse and opened the main door. I was greeted by eerie silence and surprisingly clean living room.
"Wow," I gasped.
Even if it looks scary outside, the interior was definitely classy. I feel like I won a first class trip with VIP treatment in Paris. I found a note lying on the glass coffee table.
Ms. Holland,
I am truly grateful that you considered my offer for this manor. As a thank you gift, I had someone clean and prepare the house for you so your only problem then would be unpacking.
Have a nice day and welcome home!
Respecfully,
David Aecker
I smiled at the note and put it back to where I got it. I climed up the stairs, finding three guest rooms and a master's bedroom. Downstairs there is a sleeping quarter for servants, adjacent to the kitchen and dining room. The library is just beside the living room and I'm loving this place more and more.
"Trespasser," I heard a voice hiss, full of rage and disdain.
I froze, slowly turning to face a distorted projection of a woman in white gown. Her hollowed eyes sent chills down my spine, hinting she's hundred of years older. What's so important in this house that she cannot leave behind?
"It's mine now, ghost lady. I have legal papers and I paid for it. Even if you scare me to give up my rights, I won't leave because I am not afraid of ghosts and I've seen some more horrifying than your face." I turned my back to her, ignoring her stunned look.
"This manor is my family's inheritance and treasure. No one who's not family is worthy to step foot on this house, much less own it."
"I beg to differ," I chuckled. I opened the curtains and she shrieked, hiding her frail form from the light. One by one I opened the curtains upstairs and downstairs, flicking the lights on to light the house. "From now on this place's going to be like this, so I suggest you find yourself another hole to hide because you won't be staying here much longer."
She wailed in frustration before leaving the house defeated. Her disappearance made the room a bit warmer and the prickling sensation on my skin vanished as well.
Ever since I was young, I've been seeing souls of the dead. They're what we normally call ghosts. As a child who knew nothing about the peculiarity of seeing ghosts, they became my acquaintances. I spent my time playing with imaginary friends than real ones. So when everyone learned about my ability, I was called an anomaly.
They learned I play with them, talk to them, understand them.
Then my parents called me mad.
I was studied for treatment by different psychiatrists, undergone therapies and monitored for possible mental disability or schizophrenia but no symptom supported their theories. I was strong and healthy in both mind and body.
I was just preternaturally different.
More and more people hated me or plainly ignored me. I wasn't bullied nor discriminated. I was just... alone. No one dared befriend me, try to know who I am.
I moved to find some peace of mind. I was full of questions in my head that I need a little time away from the only place I know to forget about everything, about the pain. Who knows, I might find something better here.
As I looked out the window I noticed a shadow passed the treeline. It was unnaturally quick that even if I was used to seeing ethereal things I barely saw it. My breathing hitched as I moved closer to the window, peering outside and seeing nothing. My brows furrowed when I saw a man sniffing quite comically in the air. As if he can smell something wrong... like a dog. His nostrils flared upon finding the exact scent and his gaze scouted the area. His eyes landed onto me and squinted, showing distaste, before he disappeared in the trees. That was totally weird, and strange because he's in my land.
And before you ask, no, he's not a ghost.
Definitely human.