HuntL1213

girl/daughter boy/man dog gunshot bark bed early dark raining lightning storm blood red moon face at the window scream death **murder** murderer scary mystery who did it braided hair white nightgown winter lantern back in time 1800s? - 1895 tower! jump or pushed lighthouse womans sister had been murdered same way years before, never found out who did it haunted by memory of sister father = murderer (wakes them up in middle of night, leads them to top of tower, pushes them off) - drunken rage

sentence: (woman in 40's named Elizabeth) wants (to find the noise) because (its happened before), but (her maid was killed like her sister had been)

I awoke sharply to the sound of a muted thump from outside. i looked over to the grandfather clock in the corner; it was only 1:03 in the morning. Lighting flashed and thunder's roar sounded from outside the window. "aghhhh" i groaned, and turned over to go back to sleep, after all, i'd probably just dreamed the noise. 10 minutes passed in silence, but sleep wouldn't come. I sat up, a memory suddenly bustling to the surface, buried for years as i'd tried to forget it. But it was too late, i wasn't going back to sleep now. This had happened before, years ago, and this time I was going to figutre out what it was. I'd made up my mind to go, but fear kept me rooted in place. Hundred's of "What if" questions flooded my mind, but i had to push them back. I had to go, i would not let this tragedy happen twice. "You're 43 years old, it's now or never," i tried to convince myself. I had to force my feet to move, but blood refused to pump through my veins. Grabbing a candle from my nightstand, I tiptoed to the doar, hating the creaking of the old wood floors that didn't allow for silence. Finally, there was a carpeted hall, it would quiet the shreaks of the boards below my feet. Too long! the hall was much too long! I grew more and more worried with every step as i remembered that night, years ago, the day i'd lost poor Harriet. A lonely tear escaped the corner of my eye as i dwelled on the memory of my beloved sister. "Elizabeth! what are you doing up at this ungodly hour?!" came a voice from down the hall. I jumped, and flung myself around terrified and shivering, holding the candle in front of me as my only weapon. "Oh.. thank goodness its only you. You st-startled me!" i said, teeth chattering from the cold. It was my old gray-haired chambermaid, Maria. the candlelight from the hall must have woken her as i passed, for i'd been careful to make little noise. "You did not answer me, what are you doing at this hour?" she said, this time more sharply. At my age, i should have more authority over this woman, she was an employee of the household that my father had taken in years before i was born to be my teacher in the ways of the woman, and later on, when i came of age, she was to be my chaperone at parties and when i went out. Over the years we had not gotten any closer. Our relationship had been strictly student, teacher, and to this day her grisly voice and authoritave manner still made me feel insecure and nervous. Who knows why we kept her around, for i no longer needed her. I was happily married with no more reason for a chaperone. As if a woman my age would ever dream of having one. They were saved for young women, expirimenting in the world of men and marriage.Maybe she was still around simply because she had no where else to go. Thomas, my husband, was off for business in Albany and wouldnt be back for weeks, but oh how i wish he was here. I would feel so much safer in his strong arms and care. "I heard a noise, and im going to investigate," i answered, and turned around to continue walking. She mustve decided to come with me, for the fire light of a lamp followed behind me all the way down the hallway, and down the stairscase. I decided to ignored her and continued to search for anything out of place. I suddenly felt a chill as if i'd passed through a ghost, and i spun around to see the door to the ballrom had been left open. That was strange, it was never unlocked except for special occasions. I walked in, and discovered something i had never noticed before.. in this dim light, it seemed almost as if one of the tapestries on the wall was glowing. I brushed my fingers across it, feeling the tight thread, so perfectly weaved into the most intricate patterns... but there was nothing behind it. It bent in at my touch, and i pushed it out of the way to see what lay behind. It was staircase, one i'd never known of as long as i'd lived in this house, which had been my whole life, and it was lit. Candles were burning every few feet along the wall, all the way up the staircase, but the wax had only melted a few centimeters, which meant someone had been here recently. I was now very aware of how scantily dressed i was. Only wearing my nightgown on this dark, stormy winter's night. I shouldve thought to take a coat from the coatroom near the door when i entered the room. It was always filled with the guests forgotten items from previous parties thrown in this room. No matter, it was too late now, i continued walking up and up the stairs that seemed neverending. As i reached the top of the winding staircase, i came upon an open door, rain falling in, drenching my nightgown and putting out the candle in my hand. I was freezing but i couldnt go back now. i walked out onto the roof, and looked around. I knew this place, though i'd never been here. I'd seen it from the ground, and i knew immediately that i'd been right. It was the Northern tower, the very same tower my sister had been thrown from when she was only 14. Tears started streaming down my face and got mixed up with the rain as i realized what was going on. The fear was gone for now, hatred taking its place. I looked over the balcony, already knowing what i'd see laying on the ground. I was right. A body that i could just barely make out through the rain lay mangled at the base of the tower. The more i looked, the more That was all i could see, but it was enough. It was Abigail, the kitchen maid who father had gotten in a fight with the night before.. could it be? Could my father have done this to another human being? Someone who we'd known for so long? No. I would not accept it. But in a way it made sense.. I forced myself to think back yet again to the night of Harriet's death. I was 12, and she was who i'd looked up to my entire life, modeled myself after. I was so shocked and hurt that i wasnt paying attention to what was right in front of me. The day before she was murdered, she and father had gotten into an argument about marriage. She was to marry Bentley Stratton, a very rich man in his late 20's who was eager for a wife, but Harriet had refused and run off to hide in the Manor. Father couldnt take it and he lashed out, breaking the antique plates in the chest in the dining room, smashing them into millions of tiny pieces scattering over the floor. I spun around and ran back down the steps, hating father, not sure what i would do, but knowing i had to do something. How dare he do this? I was drenched and shivering, but i didnt care. I stopped short. Was that a shadow? I slowly turned to my left, expecting father to be waiting, dangerous and ready to kill me too. "Maria?!" i said, much louder than id meant to. I hadn't noticed that she'd stopped following me when i went up the stairs of the tower. she sat in a window seat along the wall of the room, the perfect place for the mirrors to reflect her from every angle all over the room. She had a hand gun in her lap, and proceded to polish it with her skirt as she talked to me. "So you've found out my little secret, huh?" she began. "I knew i'd have to be careful with you, but i thought i'd get away with it.." she drifted of into silence. I was shocked. wasn't i just about to go blame my father? "What do you mean?" i said, i still didnt understand. "You stupid little girl.. you think i want to be a a lonely old lady my entire life? NO! i want what all girls want, a happy life with balls and clothes and love and marriage.. Your father could give me that! and he will. Over the years i have been quiet and sat listening to his problems. I decided to help, and get rid of his stresses for him. he'll thank me one day. but now.. all i need to do is get rid of you. Oh and it would be so easy to do." I turned around and started to run for the door, i had to get away! The sound of a click of a gun echoed throughout the room. Then a shot. I flinched, but nothing happened. i turned, Maria clutched her stomach and sunk to the ground. My father stepped out of the shadows, still pointing his gun at Maria. I ran to him and started sobbing into his shoulder. i felt like a child again, the same as i had that dreadful night 30 years ago.

to be continued.