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Author's Note: Dedicated to 8tracks because she's an amazing writer and we're supposed to dedicate a chapter to our favorite author from the Paranormal or Historical Fiction genre. So, ta da! :D Love your work.
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Genre: Paranormal and Historical Fiction

Word Count: 1155

"Lucy, we really should not be here," Katherine whispered, looking over her shoulder with weary eyes. But her friend ignored her and continued to walk across the dusty floor, her footsteps echoing lightly.

Katherine whined. "If your clothes get dirty, Uncle John would be very upset."

Lucy scoffed. "He's the least of my problem, Kathy. Now be a dear and keep quiet, would you?"

"We shouldn't be here," Katherine shook her head, looking at the old pictures on the cracked walls. They were inside the abandoned mansion where the charming Mr Coles and his family used to live only a few years ago. But then, Mr Coles went away all of a sudden and his family were found to be missing shortly afterwards. It was all rather strange and all the more reason for Lucy to be curious about the place.

But Katherine knew she wasn't just curious. Lucy was still a bit in denial about the whole thing, claiming that she would find him.

Richard was Mr Coles' eldest son and he and Lucy had been sweethearts before the unfortunate incident and ever since then, Lucy tended to sneak into the old mansion and upon asking, she would simply admit that she was looking for Richard. Her uncle was worried about her but he couldn't find the strength to forbid his beloved niece to stop going to the place of her deceased lover. It was only logical to conclude that they were all deceased since they were missing for so long and their bodies were never recovered.

But Lucy refused to accept that.

Katherine who couldn't stand dark places, was starting to freak out and she had to jog to keep up with Lucy's pace, who knew this place like the back of her hand. What had once been a glorious home to live in was now crumbling in ruins but Lucy had no trouble pushing past torn tapestries or stepping over broken shards of china. They entered a large room where the smell was even more repulsive and while Katherine cringed, Lucy appeared to be unaffected by the smell.

Katherine's patience was wearing out. "And you claim that you will prove to me that Richard is still here?"

Lucy turned her head to look at her friend and her green eyes twinkled excitedly. "He already has joined us."

She froze before shaking her head. "I don't see him."

Lucy tilted her head to the side. "Remember when I told you that sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye?" She continued, "I always see him. In my dreams, in the gardens, even at Uncle's birthday party."

She frowned before looking closely at her friend in concern. "Lucy, darling, you have to stop. This isn't-"

There was a cracking sound that made Katherine jump and she looked around the room wildly. "What was that?"

Lucy's smile widened. "That's my sweetheart."

Katherine took a step back and watched in horror as one of the furthest walls of the room appeared to move and shift a little. She watched as a dark form, almost shadow-like appeared out of thin air and slowly materialized right in front of their eyes. A handsome pale face with deep blue eyes and thin lips they were pulled slightly into a smile, gazed down upon them. He had a glow around him that was almost enchanting.

Katherine whimpered as she recognized Richard's face. She was too transfixed on him that she didn't notice Lucy walking towards him. It was only when she held out a hand to the glowing figure that Katherine snapped out of her trance.

"Lucy, what are you doing?" she screeched.

Her friend paused but didn't back away. Instead, when Lucy turned to look at her, her eyes were filled with tears. "Dearest Kathy, you'll tell them, won't you?"

Katherine blinked. "What?"

"Tell them that I couldn't take it anymore. That I wanted to rejoin with my beloved Richard. I don't want to live anymore."

As those last few words tumbled out from Lucy's mouth, Katherine caught a glimpse of the apparition's face from the corner of her eye. The glowing Richard seemed to frown at Lucy's words and slowly, he stepped back and away from her, as if he'd just now realized the difference between the two of them. He was dead while Lucy lived. Two worlds apart.

Lucy looked at him. "Richard, please. Take me with you," she pleaded with him, tears streaming down her face. "I want to go with you."

But Richard shook his head slowly, as a small sad smile spread across his lips. The glow surrounding him was disappearing and soon there was nothing there. No sign of Richard or anything that might have happened out of the ordinary.

Lucy fell to the ground and burst into tears, hiding her face in her hands and Katherine approached her with shaking legs, still thinking about what had just happened.

"Lucy, please don't cry. It is very unladylike and-"

"Why didn't he take me?" The question was muffled, her voice breaking.

Katherine thought about it for a minute. "You said it yourself didn't you?" She bent down and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "You told me you see him everywhere. He probably wanted you to live on and appreciate life, Lucy. After all, he's always with you, isn't he?" She paused and then added, "I shall be very lonely without you. You won't leave me, right?"

That caused a slight chuckle to escape from Lucy and she looked up at her with tear-stained cheeks. "I shall miss him."

"Me too. But love isn't always easy, dear."

"I need to compose myself for a few moments. Will you please wait for me outside?"

"Certainly, take all the time you need."

----

After that incident, Lucy hadn't visited the old abandoned mansion in months. She didn't mention Richard at all and years later, when she stood at the altar and wiped away the tears of happiness as the man standing with her vowed to spend the remainder of his years with her, Katherine knew that Lucy had moved on and had finally bade Richard farewell.

After the ceremony, Lucy pulled Katherine aside and for a second her contagious smile wavered.

"What is it?" Katherine asked her.

She shook her head slowly before a smile broke on her face. "Richard is here," she whispered, beaming.

"What?" Katherine started to look around but when she didn't spot his face among the happy and cheerful crowd, she frowned turning back to Lucy.

"Are you quite sure, dear?"

She nodded, smiling. "Oh, yes. He's smiling right now. He wishes me the best of luck."