The new comer.

Somebody has to be lieing! I look around the room in which I stood the camcorder momentarily forgotten.

I saw before me gleaming gold candelebras that held candles with flames that glow bright like electric bulbs on top of a herringbone fire place of a glossy burgundy, by its unlit hearth was a rich blue rug with matching flecks of burgungy woven patterns.

By perfectly intact padded mahogony chairs and curled arm love seats stood ottomans with tassels of gold inter woven thread. In this stylish clutter the furniture were covered with pristine damask cloth of bright hues and cushions of bright purple, green and yellow.  

The visual opulence of this room was breathtaking. It boasted texture, class, style and vivacious coluring that add to the brilliant chandelier than hung from the ornate ceiling that complimented the textured walls that hung with canvases of vintage art work and paintings.

I walk on feet that trod carefully as I was in awe of all that surround me. There was one thing I need to confirm, I did so with ease as I touch my finger to the surfaces around and about not a speck of dust or cobweb.

I laugh to myself and put the camcorder to my face again and record, "If must admit moving from run down and spooky to ghostly caretaker is a rich touch."

I return to looking back about me and my eyes were drawn to the centerpiece that stood above the fireplace I could not remember seeing a portrait there before.

I stare as the image of the woman who had stood by the school of the town I have first arrived in as it look down at me. Here she was a beauty her face soft with pink cheeks and rosey lips, dark brown hair coiffure with a crown of drooping pearls which was her only jewelry.

Her white satin dress with is plunging neckline showed a tempting display of breasts firm and full, puff bell sleeves encase her slender upper arms and the wide shirt with frills of lace at the hem bellow about her as her dainty hands sat nestled in her lap.

I walk up to the fire place mesmerize like a love sick fool. There was something oddly familiar about her and it had nothing to do with my having seen her or come to think of it envision her earlier today in the school's doorway. I scan the painting for a name or initial but it was only her that grace the inevitability striking portrait.

I twore my eyes away from her and quickly move away. I have had my share of paintings for today. I have gone from morbidly terrified, to initially confused and questioning to now openly fascinated, I however must admit I like the latter feeling of this show piece painting instead.

I was also feeling the need to find a bedroom and get settled. I was not given any instructions on how to proceed on my stay here or where to go and not to go. All I had to do was stay inside and not leave until Sunday evening, no matter what.

I smile at this thinking what Adolph and those behind his elaberate scheme had in store for me.  A house being in superb condition inspite of unaccupancy for years or its previous owner leaving it unattended and it showing no sign of disrepair could be nothing more than paranormal right? I must admitt that was a good plot twist.

I accend the wooden steps with its pink wallpaper of yellow polka dots and fluers de lys of navy blue on its upper and lower borders punctuate with a gallery style display of photoes in gold gilding frames, as I stood on the landing I was made to realise it boasted another aspect that caused me to waver.

It was like I saw it. The tables, the coverings and the urns they were a perfect replica. I stood frozen as I stare at the upper landing. A fear I never once felt gripping me like a derange animal wanting to rip me apart by terror. My mind begin to be assailed by the dream and I could once again smell the blood and feel the stare of the phantom in the dark corner.

What the fuck was this? I snap using my only defense against anything that set out to conquer me, anger. I was no coward. I did not make it through this life being a pussy ass bitch. I had me a few fists fights, scars and a chip canine to prove it.

I took a deep breath and continue to the first door trying to ignore the fact that I was purposely avoiding looking at the door where my dream had lead me. I quickly try the handle and to my relief the door open smoothly. I took the camcorder and record again much for the effect of hearing my own voice as something about this dimly lit section of the house gave me the creeps.

I make much of the room decribing the black flocked damask design on red pin striped background wallpaper to the canopied four poster turn wood bed with its silk royal blue skirting and thick sheeting with a mountain of pillows of varying sizes with woven ropey borders on matching pillowcases neatly stock against each other.

As I continue to bask in the beauty of the room I took on the tone of a realtor giving my best sales pitch. I gave a what I deemed as my detail description of the room and its furnishing as I walk about showing picture frames of roses tack on the walls and also place upon vintage nightstands. I show off the bulky antique chest, the secetary desk, upholstered chair by the vanity and matching wardrobe with there dazzling finish. 

I was beginning to have fun and was gradually starting to lose my earlier sense of dread. I made my way to the wardrobe pull the double doors open and literally stare in awe at what stood before me. Dresses, gowns, skirts, blouses and scarves neatly line out in the middle with two shelves at the top holding hats of varrying sizes and array that would make a miliner proud, on the botton were rows of shoes, slippers and boots neatly lined.

"Wow Adolph," I said turning around so that I could vidoe the wardrobes contents as I  look into the lence, "you've gone to all the lenghts haven't you? but I still say your a lier."

I turn back around and push the clothes aside carelessly thinking he might just have rented them for the three freaking days from a thrift store but my hand pause as I saw something that caused my heart to race and my eyes to wide in shock.

The dress! It was the freaking dress from the painting down stairs. I pull it out holding it up and stare at it with astonishment my eyes drinking in the detail wishing the room had better lighting than the candles that burn and flicker from intricately design metal holsters with little cups to catch the melting wax that stood slightly from the wall where they hung and enclosed by glass shades to prevent it from outing easily.

I took it to the open window hoping to use the moonlight as my lighting. The dress was in perfect condition and as I press it to my chest doing a little twirl and dance I giggled. I could not begin to get over the length Mr Money Bags has gone to convince me that this house and all in it was trapped in some time warp where it was stuck in the final stage of when it was last occupied.

It was a good thing I did not believe in the supernatural, paranormal, haunting, ghostly shit or I would be freaking out again. I made a twirl holding the camcorder so that it could record my action. I did one last turn which had me spining in a full circle. I let out a startle scream as I saw in the corner of my eye what appear to be a figure crouching and watching me from the darkened corner of the room.

I whip around suddenly facing where I had seen it. I stare intently but whatever I believe I saw was no longer there. I hurridly move from the window and return the dress to its earlier position in the wardrobe and close the door.

With the camcorder infront of me I switch on the light to the side and aim it at the spot but just as I thought, nothing was there. I walk over to the spot with a bravado I did not really feel and look around, there was nothing and like every other time face with something that propels me to uncertainty I got defensive.

"You listen here I am more black than am white so don't think am afraid of shit!"

Yeah right, I thought as I remember how I earlier screamed my lungs out. I turn away and made to the window to close it but try as I might it wouldn't budge. I curse and made for the bed thinking I was like every shitty ass horror character as I sat down staring out into the lonely moonlit night ... lock away from civilization with no freaking phone!

If shit should hit the fan and this house was indeed possess by something extremely evil atleast I could jump through the freaking window. Then again did the doors and window not always lock at that crucial moment when you sought escape?

Fuck! These thoughts were not helping. I nestle further into the pillows my eyes every now and then trailing to the spot where I could not shake the fact that I saw something. I stiffle a yawn and quint my eyes numerous times to keep the sleep at bay but before I know I was asleep.

When the figure return this time it came to the bed and touch a wisp of hair that had long since fell from its puff.

It stood watch, its glowing eyes drinking in every detail of the new stranger. When dusk gave way to dawn and the stranger shifted and her eyes fluttered open it was not there but it had left behind something.

I was a bit disoriented when I woke and for a minute was wondering where I was. I lift my a hand to wipe it over my face and saw wound around my wrist the pearls from downstairs painting.