"What do you mean the house doesn't exist?" I ask.

"Just what I told you. A house like that has never existed. I should know. I've been living here for the last eighty years," the old man says.

A lump in my throat becomes permanently lodged, and I don't know what to think. The whole situation is starting to creep me out.

When I got the news that cousin Edgar, with whom I hadn't been in touch for years, left me his estate after passing, I was shocked.

However, cousin Edgar was the black sheep of the family. Perhaps he didn't have anyone else to leave his estate to. Yet, I am beginning to wonder what's really going on.

As I start to leave, a woman dressed in white draws my attention. The thin dress she is wearing doesn't provide enough protection from the freezing weather that this area is famous for.

As I stare at her, she gestures for me to follow her. Spellbound, I obey.

She floats away, and I do my best to catch up. However, the moment I quicken my pace, she hurries on.

That way, we reach the edge of the town, but she keeps going through the fields.

However, I hesitate. Leaving the road behind isn't a good idea. What if we get lost?

Sensing my hesitation, she turns and smiles at me. All that my eyes can see is her smile. Thus, I follow her.

Finally, we reach an abandoned building, and that's when I hear a sweet voice whispering.

"Jason... come to us..." she says with sadness.

"We need you to see us, to acknowledge our existence," she says.

"I see you," I say as if in a trance.

"Come to us," the other voices whisper in my head.

"I am coming," I say.

As I take the next step, a rippling sensation goes through my body, electricity buzzes through me, and I can see them all.

Not only can I see the thousands of voices surrounding me, but I also know what they are.

"Our next Guardian is finally here," the woman I followed says.

"Welcome, Jason, The Guardian of Restless Spirits. I am Maureen. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Maureen says.

"I didn't think you would come. I am so happy you did. You're the only one I could think of who might even consider coming," Edgar says.

My head is throbbing in confusion. I can't even begin to understand what I got myself into.

"I can finally move on," he says.

"Move on?" I ask.

"To Heaven. I was bound to this place until the new Guardian arrived. Now that I know the spirits will be safe, I can finally leave," he says.

Then he slowly fades away, and I am left all alone in front of a small cottage that I am sure wasn't there before, surrounded by ghosts.