Blog Post

A Great Haunt: Part 5

September 27, 2020

Kevin watched with the sun setting as the young Ghost’s tested new abilities that developed over time with being a magical creature.

Elizabeth sat with him and George on the grass explaining all the aspects of being a magical creature that most humans never knew.

“Every magical creature has one prominent ability that surfaces first, and secondary abilities will slowly appear at different points in their life. Secondary abilities or traits are seen in other magical creatures that are shared across all types. A primary trait for one lineage may show up as a secondary for another. In those with a heritage of thirteen or more, it is often difficult to distinguish what abilities might be core traits until later on in the individual’s life.” She pointed to the Ghost children who were testing their new abilities.

Some tried shapeshifting into their peers or objects. Others found telekinesis to be their trick. Invisibility found another as they disappeared from the crowd.

Elizabeth was thinking of what else she could teach her newest pupils when George asked, “Can you talk to the dead? Are you even dead?”

She laughed, “Unlike portrayed, Ghost’s aren’t actually dead. And though we aren’t dead, our core trait is being able to communicate with the dead. The dead are actually Spirits and Ghost’s act as advocates for Spirits. For last requests, revenge, messages for loved ones, or just general annoyances. Once a Ghost completes the Spirits request the Spirit is able to find peace if they can let go of what holds them. Unfortunately, some Spirits can not let go and can potentially become vindictive, but not always. Our job, because we can see and communicate with them is to protect other magical creatures and humans from their wrath. Though some turn vindictive that is not always the case, some stay connected for awhile needing to fulfill a purpose or process leaving before they let go. We try to help them process or fulfill that purpose any way we can. For a few helping our kids learn how to talk to them seems to help.”

“So Spirits and Ghosts are two different things? Is that why you guys can leave the house?” Kevin asked, concerning it was thought that Ghosts could not leave a place that held them there for any reason.

“Ghosts can go wherever we want. Spirits are the ones tied to one place because they can’t let go of whatever they are holding onto. We try to bring them here and help them process letting go. If not to this mansion to one of our others.”

“First, there are Spirits here? And second, there are more places like this?” Kevin asked surprised.
“Of course! To both questions really. Who did you think the kids were talking to over there?” Elizabeth nodded in the direction of the lesson where Annie was formerly teaching but was nowhere in sight.
“And did you think we were the only Ghosts?” She smiled, making both wonder how big the world they stumbled onto really was.

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Months passed as Kevin and George continued learning, and now occasionally helped with teaching when they were needed.

Kevin continued to post videos of his art about magical creatures but kept most of his knowledge about the new world to himself.
George began to study the history of various buildings, including the actual history of Hill Mansion.
Both knew that it was coming to the time that they would leave and return to the real world, but for now, they would enjoy the time they had left.
And when they left they would do everything in their power to protect this new world however they could.

The instructors asked the two to help with a training exercise one stormy night where the lightning was all that illuminated the house.
“Alright! Go see if you can scare us!” Kevin shouted excitedly as the kids ran down the steps in the scariest and greatest game of hide and go seek ever.

“Are you sure you guys want to do this? You don’t have to.” Amber reassured.
“How will they get real experience if they don’t get to practice on real humans?” George asked.
“Let ‘em do it! Its no fair for the kids when we can them when they are invisible. They’ll get better experience training with blind humans.” Roger said reading with a flashlight.

“Hey! I mean you are right, but that is still hurtful.” Kevin jested as Roger smirked.

“See you guys on the other side!” George shouted as he bravely made his way toward the stairs.
As he went down, Kevin followed close behind, very close.
“Why are we doing this? I hate horror movies.” Kevin asked with a shaky voice as he whipped the flashlight around looking for the kids.

“For the kids,” And George thought about it, “Okay and maybe also I’m doing it for Amber.”

“Oh! You like her!” Kevin teased.
“Shh! The walls have ears.” George whispered pointing around.

Lightning lit up the stairs followed by thunder as Kevin yelped, “Oh it was just the weather. I don’t like this.” He said.

A metal vase clanked onto the landing next to them as they turned the light toward the noise. Nothing was there except for the slowly stilling vase.
Kevin felt a hand on his, he moved the flashlight and saw no one, “That is so not okay Elizebeth! I know that was you!” He shouted.

“What’s wrong? Are you scared?” A child’s voice asked.
“George! I don’t like this!” Kevin whined.
They heard creaking on the stairs beside them.
“Just keep going. This all ends in the family room.” George reminded Kevin, who was almost in his arms. Very reminiscent of their favorite mystery gang cartoon, though it could be debated which character each guy would actually be.

Scratches appeared on the wall beside them.

“COAL! I SWEAR I WILL KILL YOU! Don’t scratch the paint!” Amber yelled, her voice echoing all over the house.

“She is scarier than any of you!” Kevin said waving his finger around.

Laughter sounded all around them as they finally made it to the main floor. They lightening flicked as they were surrounded by children. The lightning lit up the room again and all the children were gone.
“I am watching a funny cartoon after this,” Kevin said gripping George’s sleeve.
“Only a few more feet bro,” George assured his friend.
They moved forward into the family room, screaming when the lights were turned on.
“Suprise!” Voices shouted all around them.

Once their eyes adjusted they saw the banners around them, “Welcome Home!” They all read.

“We would like you to stay and continue on as instructors,” Annie said now accepting the two humans as apart of her strange crew.

Everyone cheered at the new and Elizebeth asked, “Do you have anything to say to your students?”
“Well, you guys were scary, but you will have to work hard to be as scary as Amber,” George said, making Amber blush from where she stood in the corner.

Kevin paced looking like he was going to give a great speech, he smiled wide, “For my first time ever being scared by real Ghosts that George and I didn’t create, I have to say, that was a great haunt!”