The wheels hit the dirt driveway, then came to a halt at the rusted metal gate. The driver pulled out his phone, and mumbled to the recipient before hanging up. He groaned as he squeezed his belly passed the steering wheel. He huffed his way up from the driver seat. Limping to the trunk, he popped it open and pulled out the luggage. Leaving it at the front of the gate before limping back to the car.

"Someone will meet you at the gate shortly," He said, strapping his seatbelt back on.

"You aren't driving us up?" The woman in the back seat asked.

The man chuckled. "No, no, not this place."

"It's a bit dear," The man sitting beside her said as he patted her knee. "Makes it feel more authentic."

"Sure," the driver said sarcasm spilling from his lips. "Welcome to the haunted manor. Enjoy your weekend. If you dare."

The couple watched the cab kick up dust as it drove off. Their luggage slumped over, while they waited for someone to come open the gate. Though the sun shined brightly over the mansion, the sky held a grey hue. The woman pulled her dark hair out of her teal eyes, into a bun with the scrunchie she'd had around her wrist. Then began to pull herself up the gate.

"What are you doing Beth?" Her husband rushed under her, and held his arms out.

"No one is coming. I'll just go get someone and come back." She huffed as she climbed.

"My darling, you have no patience." He replied. "Let me just call them."

She jumped over the top and landed on the other side.

"Edward, I can't wait. That was a long drive, with too many ice coffees." She said.

He sighed, as she ran off to the front entrance. This was not where he wanted to spend their honeymoon. Edward would have much rather be on a beach somewhere, with a drink in his hand. Just them, hand-in-hand listening to waves crash under the warm sun. It was Beth who'd insisted on the haunted manor. Not only that, she also insisted her twin and brother-in-law join them.

While he waited for Beth to return, another cab pulled in front of the gate. The driver dropped of Brittany and Vince just the same, luggage left at the front gate.

"How long have you been waiting out here?" Vince asked, rubbing his bald scalp.

Edward checked his phone. " 30 minutes."

"Where is Beth?" Brittany asked.

"Jumped the fence." Edward answered, shrugging his shoulders. "She couldn't wait."

Brittany pushed on the gate, and it swiveled open.

"Well we could just walk up." She said.

"It was locked when we first arrived." Edward insisted, scratching his blonde head. "The driver checked."

Vince patted Edwards back.

"Well it's open now." Vince said.

The creaky porch bowed under foot, as the trio made each step to the crimson door. The blood red stood out next to the worn out wood of the mansion. Brittany knocked, and the door crept open.

"Hello?" Brittany called in.

"I'm in here," Beth called back.

In the front hall, Beth stood next to a tiny woman with white hair and a cast around her left leg. Beth's arm looped around the older woman's holding her up.

"This is Mrs. Joan. We were about to go open the gate for you." Beth smiled. "Did you all jump the gate too?"

"It was opened." Brittany said.

"Welcome," Mrs. Joans said. Her voice quivered as she spoke. "Would you like to tour the house before I show you to your rooms?"

Not waiting for answer, Mrs. Joans began pulling Brittany along with her around the house. She showed the living room, where she spent her time drinking tea. The large kitchen, where she baked fresh pastries. Then up the long staircase. Along the walls were a collection of old portraits, and family photos. All in black and white. A family out front of the house. A young girl with blank eyes that looked out to nowhere. Two twin boys, one held a gun across his shoulder, and the other a dead duck. No smiles were held on any of the faces in any of the photos, except the last. The same young girl as the photo before, but she was a little older. Her lips held a menacing curl, and eyes a darker hue.

"Is that you?" Brittany asked.

"No, no," Mrs. Joans laughed. "That is Aunt Emily. She's one of the ghosts that frequently visit. The boy on the left with the duck is Uncle John, and the right my father. They don't come out as much. Only when Aunt Emily acts up."

"Is that what happened to your foot?" Vince questioned.

Edward rolled his almond eyes. He didn't believe in the paranormal. Given the state of the manor. The uneven flooring and dim lighting, even he was tripping as he walked through the house. The brown paint peeling off the walls, was being held up by strands of cobwebs.

"Whiskers is the culprit to my fall. I hadn't gotten her dinner quick enough, and she tripped me up the top of the stairs." Mrs. Joans said.

She creaks open Aunt Emily's door. The walls a salmon color, the furniture painted in gold. Across from the bed a vanity with a large mirror. On top the vanity a vintage brush and jewelry box.

"So beautiful," Beth picked up the brush.

"She doesn't like anyone touching her things. You will actually be in the rooms down the hall." Mrs. Joans said.

Brittany gently placed the brush back. "Sorry Aunt Emily."

>

"Why does she haunt the manor?" Brittany asked.

They'd begun making their way to their rooms. They stopped in front of the window on top of the staircase. Outside viewed a large maple tree. The leaves a deep red from the autumn weather.

"You see that tree out there?" Mrs. Joans asked, not waiting for an answer. "At the time, the neighboring farm had a son that Aunt Emily was to marry. The boys decided to go out hunting one night, cause a wolf kept killing their sheep. There was an accident, and her fiancé died. She was so distraught she died a broken heart, hanging from that tree." Her voice nonchalant.

"Oh," Brittany frowned.

The hair on Edward's arms and neck rose as a chill passed him. He loved his wife, but disliked her spooky habit. The girls were fanatic about anything creepy or eerie. Specifically ghosts. They spent most of their time watching ghost hunting shows. 'For research.' Beth would say. When that wasn't enough to quench their thirst, they'd break into abandoned buildings seeking an encounter. They'd seen nothing. When the girls had stumbled upon the manor, the only time available to stay was right after the wedding. Beth promised this was just a pit stop. After this weekend, they'd be in the Bahamas. Just the two of them. So long their marriage lasted the two nights.

"I'll let you get settled in your rooms." Mrs. Joans sweetly cued. "I'm due for a nap."

Edward unpacked the luggage while Beth showered. Once the clothes were folded in the dresser, he sat on the edge of the bed looking out the window. He pulled the curtains open further, allowing the light into every corner of the room. Then he laid under the covers and closed his eyes.

Beth wrapped a towel around herself and swept her hand across the foggy mirror. Her make up, and toothbrush laid on the counter, but her hair brush was missing.

"Eddy! Honey! Have you seen my hair brush?" She called out. "Edward?"

She waited, but only heard his wheezing snores. Edward had been restless leading up to the wedding, and was even more anxious about the manor. She didn't dare wake him for a hair brush. She'd gotten dressed, and searched the room. No brush. Beth could just knock on Brittany's door and borrow hers. Or she could sneak into Aunt Emily's room. Aunt Emily couldn't possibly mind, so long as she asked permission? Even if it stirred up the resident ghost, wasn't that what they were here for?

She crept over to Aunt Emily's room, and set on the plush stool. She observed the vintage vanity, and all it's details . Painted gold that match the furniture of the rest of the room. Beth hesitated before taking the brush in her hands.

"Aunt Emily, may I borrow your brush?" Beth snickered.

She took the silence of the room as a yes, and began brushing her hair. Quietly humming as she pulled her hair back into a bun. When she was done she delicately placed it back.

"Thank you Aunt Emily," She teased.

The glass jewelry box caught her eyes next. Inside was an opal engagement ring. It shimmered as she placed it on her hand. As she did the doorknob shook, startling Beth enough to fall on the floor. The door creaked open, and back close. The sound of a body sank onto the bed. Beth's heart raced.

"I'm sorry I missed your calls, but I'm away this weekend." Vince said.

Beth could hear a woman's voice, but couldn't make out the words. She rolled her eyes at how easily she scared, only for it to be Vince on the phone. She army crawled under the bed, until she was directly in line with Vince's feet. The thought of making him shriek, made her lips curl. She'd wait just a little longer to grab his leg.

"I do love you, but I can't just break off my marriage the same weekend her sister gets married." Vince says. "No, it's not another excuse. You know how fragile she is." He paused, while the voice on the other end said something inaudible. "I'll talk to you later."

Vince hung up the phone. He growled in frustration.

"I'm going to have to get a new secretary." He muttered to himself, before he left the room.

>

Beth didn't speak a word of what she over heard. Not to Edward when he woke up. Not Vince in the hallway, when she ran into him on the way to dinner. Not even to Brittany, as she passed the basket of garlic bread. She didn't say a word at dinner, or in the cab ride back to the manor. The others chatted among themselves, oblivious to her distance. She nearly made it to her door unnoticed.

"Beth?" Brittany stopped her at her door.

"Yes?" Beth looked up at her. Guilt in her eyes.

"Would you join your sister for a haunted walk in the moonlight?" She asked.

"I don't know. Maybe tomorrow?" Beth said.

She tried to follow Edward, but Brittany pulled her hand back.

"That's not your ring. Have you been hunting without me sister?" Brittany taunted. "I recognize this ring from the tour."

"No! I forgot to take it off when..." Beth paused.

"You've been off all night. Did you see something?" Brittany giddily asked.

"We'll take a walk and talk." Beth said.

The maple tree was so large, they hadn't seen the small graveyard from the window. They nearly missed the tomb stones that begun to sink into the earth.

"Here lies Emily," Brittany declared.

"Died of a broken heart," Beth said.

"And here must be her fiancé." Brittany pointed out the tombstone sunken next to Emily's. "Vincent Jonson, same name as my Vinny. How funny is that?"

"There is something I must tell you," Beth sighed.

>

Inside the manor, Edward tossed and turned, as the house ached. He wasn't fond of being alone in the dark of a haunted mansion. Even if he didn't believe in it. He kept looking at his phone, checking the time or a text from Beth. Finally, the door crept open and close. Upset from being left alone, he pretended to sleep. He listened to her foot steps come to the bed, and the creaking of the coils as she laid down.

>

In the dark, Vince laid awake staring at the ceiling. Their decade long relationship, he was used to her running off with her sister. Always seeking out the paranormal. At first he found there relationship endearing, but soon found himself second place always. He started working longer, so not to be stuck waiting up for her at home. That's where Olivia came along. She helped pass the time, but the affair got carried away. She'd gotten attached.

The door clicked open and shut. He listened for her tiptoes quietly tap towards the bed.

"I missed you," Vince called out.

"Vincent," She whispered.

"Come into bed," He responded.

"Vincent," She whispered again.

"I know what you're trying to do." He teased.

He set up from the bed, but found himself alone with the door open. Brittany had a habit of pranking, so he played along. Making his way into the hall, he stopped in front of the large window, outlooking the maple tree. He saw the two girls still outside.

>

The girls made their way back to the house, plotting their revenge as they walked. Vince wouldn't get away with such a crime. Their chatter went silent, as Vince met them at the back door.

"I heard my name," He proclaimed wide eyed.

"Maybe Aunt Emily is looking for you," Brittany taunted.

"I really heard something," Vince fussed.

Brittany's eyebrow rose. "Great, sounds like ghost hunting will be easy tomorrow night. Halloween night of all nights."

"Tomorrow?" Shock in his voice.

"Relax, all you heard was your name," Beth chirped. "You know, if you stayed in Emily's room, we'd probably get more."

"No way, I don't even want to stay in our own." Vince whined. "I'm not staying in an actual haunted house one more minute. Let alone another night. Especially not Halloween."

"Is there somewhere else you'd rather be?" Agitation in Brittany's voice. "This is the whole point we are here. Beth postponed her honey moon for this after all."

Vince begrudgingly agreed. He lied awake in his own bed, once again. Grinding his teeth as he listened to Brittany's sleepy breath, and the aching of the old house until morning light. As the birds began singing indicating the start of the day, Vince finally dozed off.

>

The rest had awoken, and sat with Mrs. Joans for tea and breakfast. Her grey cat purring on her lap.

"Whiskers gave me quite the scare last night. Nearly ran out the door, until I saw her in the sheets." Edward laughed, re-accounting the night.

"I'm sorry about that. Whiskers gets friendly with the guests. When she isn't hunting mice, she's making herself comfortable in the guest rooms." Mrs. Joans continued, sipping her tea as she patted her cat.

"Well, I much rather find a cat than a ghost." Edward said.

"You're ok with us ghost hunting tonight, right Mrs. Joans?" Brittany asked.

"Of course," Mrs. Joan replied. "I'll even help you. "

"Girls, I might sit this one out. Hang back with my new friend." Edward said, as he leaned over to pet Whiskers.

"We'll be in the Bahamas soon enough my love." Beth rubbed his back. "Just one more night."

>

That evening, just as the sun rested at the edge of the property, the girls began setting up their séance. While Edward walked the paths outside. Whiskers led the way into the woods, along a shallow creak and eventually lost.

"Whiskers, it's getting dark. I'm not fond of walks in the moonlight." Edward picked up the cat, and began looking for the path back.

By the time he found his way, the moon was the only light to guide them. The cat became restless, squirming in his arms. He let go once his eyes caught the maple tree. It's branches drooped over, framing the tombstones that rested beneath it. Whisker's scattered back up to the manor. Edward wanted to, but his feet were glued to the ground. Perched up on a branch was the silhouette of a person.

>

Inside the manor, the séance began. Vince, the bait stayed in Aunt Emily's room. Downstairs candles burned as they summoned their ghost.

"Aunt Emily, if you're here. Could you join us for some tea?" Mrs. Joans hummed. "We'd like to chat with you."

They jumped at the sound of clawing at the window. Their hearts steadied as they heard the faint meows. Brittany and Mrs. Joans greeted Whiskers at the back door. When they returned to the front room, the candles were out. All the photos up the stairwell were turned. Vince scared frozen, stood at the top of the stairs.

"Vince you're supposed to be recording in the bedroom." Brittany yelled.

"I heard something, so I came out here." Vince whimpered.

"Not to worry," Mrs. Joans assured him. "This happens from time to time. So long as you didn't touch the jewelry box."

Brittany's heart skipped a beat. "Why? What happens if you touch her jewelry box?"

"Her engagement ring sleeps there. She gets quite restless when it's moved. I did once. She cried every night, searching for that thing. Woke up to the house a mess, thought it was the cat. Until, one night I came home to the furniture on the roof." Mrs. Joans said.

"Oh no," Brittany whispered. "Maybe it's not to late to put it back?"

She pulled out the ring from her pocket. Mrs. Joan's eyes widened.

"Why would you do that?" Vince asked.

"I thought you prefer to face Aunt Emily's wrath over myself." Brittany said.

The muffled sound of furniture scratching against the floor, came from Aunt Emily's room. All the doors in the hall abruptly swung open. Then a young woman's cry sang throughout the manor.

"You have to put it back!" Mrs. Joans shrieked.

"Vince, take the ring!" Brittany yelled. "Put it back in the box!"

She through the ring up, and Vince caught it. But he didn't budge. He was going pale. Looking out the window at the two silhouettes outside. The cries grew louder, as Vince stood in place.

"Vince come on!" Brittany yelled.

"How is she in here and out there?" Vince asked. "I see her at the maple tree."

"Just put the ring back." Brittany cried.

>

Brittany ran to the back door and peered out. Fear pulled the blood from her face, as her heart raced. "That's not Emily!" She yanked on the back door, but it was jammed.

Beth was glossy eyed perched on the branch, as Edward beckoned her down. Beth entranced, ignored his presence.

"Please snap out of this Beth!" Edward stood under her. "Climb down!"

"I can't," She finally spoke.

"You can, just climb down." Edward urged.

"I must jump," She replied.

"It's too high, I rather you just climb down." Edward said.

"He's gone," Beth said.

She fell like autumn leaves, being pulled in the wind. Just before she could hit the earth, Edward reached up, and caught her. His arms wrapped around her waste, Beth snapped out of it.

"I'm supposed to be in Aunt Emily's room, scaring Vince. I just had the urge to come up here. I felt so sad." She recalled, confused.

"No more spooky vacations," Edward wrapped his fingers around hers. Leading the way back to the manor.

"I might have to agree with you." Beth said.

Author's Note:This story is for the Halloween Vault 2023 prompt contest. I hope you enjoyed the tale.Thank you for reading!

The prompt I picked was:You book an old mansion for your honeymoon and a little get together with you closest friends. After you unpack your bags, door knobs turn on their own and the floorboards creak and groan for no apparent reason. The furniture starts moving by itself and at a glare on the window, an overgrown and forgotten cemetery can be seen close by. To make everything better, Halloween is in 2 days. Is there a ghost in the house, a sick joke or is it something else?