As my cab drove up the long gravel driveway, the pine trees separated on either side as if pathing a way, I felt an uneasiness in my belly. Not because of the rural location I was to be living at for an unpredicted amount of time, but because of the reasoning behind my travel to Stillwater Manor.

“Strange place it is.” The driver stated, his gruff voice piercing through the eerie silence that had settled between us when we had reached the entrance to the driveway of the manor.

“Why's that?” I query him curiously, not recalling anything that Jacob, my brother-in-law…former brother-in-law, may have mentioned.

“A buddy of mine did some repairs on the house a few years back, he ended up working until late one night and…well, apparently, he said…he said he heard and saw some weird stuff,” the driver informed, speaking reluctantly as if the subject was taboo. I knitted my brows and sat forward in the back seat, crossing my arms on the passenger side in front of me.

“What sort of weird stuff, if you don't mind me asking?” I question further, my interest piqued. The driver glanced over to me with an uneasy look and I raised my eyebrows in expectancy. He turned back to the driveway ahead and let out a tsk before shaking his head.

“I do mind Miss Taylor, but…it's better that you find out from me than go looking for it yourself so…” the driver began before unexpectedly pulling the cab over and turning off the ignition. I let out a hum of surprise and before I could ask what he was doing he turns to me and continues.

“You didn't hear this from me but…he said he saw flickers of light in the forest at night and while he worked during the day, he heard strange noises like wind howling, when there wasn't any, and even splashing in that damned lake next to the property.” The driver spoke in a hushed voice, as if the trees could hear the conversation, and his fingers fidgeted with the loose button on his white work shirt. I looked at him carefully to see if there was any hint that he may be playing a practical joke, but when I found none I hummed in contemplation and sat back in my seat, crossing my legs and thinning out my black pencil skirt.

“I'm sorry sir, but all of those things can be explained; the lights are obviously from passing cars, the howling wind is from the air passing through the trees and the splashing…well the splashing is obviously from fish!” I retort, not believing in the unusual but coincidental occurrences that the driver spoke of. The driver let out a laugh before spinning around to the steering wheel and restarting the car.

“I'm telling you, Miss, Stillwater Manor is…well…its haunted, to say the least, and since Mrs Norwood's passing, I doubt that place will be any better,” he scoffed before putting the car into gear and taking off.

“Please don't say that about my sister,” I swallow dryly, my voice sharpening in response to the unthoughtful comment, triggering a tense silence. The driver cleared his throat after a moment of comprehension and looked at me apologetically through the review mirror.

“I'm sorry Miss Taylor, I didn't realise…I didn't realise that Mrs Norwood was your sister," the driver apologised, his brown eyes sympathetic. I gave him a small smile.

“That's quite alright sir, how were you to know?” I ask him rhetorically.

 A few moments later the tree-lined driveway opened up and the presence of the manor became apparent. I let out a small gasp as I beheld the beautiful manor. In the courtyard, where the car now drove up towards, stood a large white stone fountain. Although not operating, the wavy architecture of the sculpture was stunning. However, my eyes quickly shifted to the magnificent manor that now towered over me as the car pulled up to the front door. Its walls were built from strong cobblestone and bore large windows on either side of the front double doors, signifying the locations of the different rooms. Vines creeped over some of the exterior walls, indicating the manor's age, and even extended to balconies of the story above. The manor itself was large, considering it was located in the middle of the forest, and the wide stone pathways on either side of the building, separated from the grey gravel by long rectangle flower beds, suggested that the property was even larger. I was so entranced by the spectacular place that I hadn't noticed the grand oak double oak doors opening. I exhaled sharply as my eyes rested on the tall, stocky figure of  Jacob Norwood.

“Oh my,” I murmur to myself as I shove open the taxi door and pace up to my former brother-in-law.

“Jacob,” I say his name as I tug him into a tight, relieving hug. 

“Emily,” he said my name in return, his tone strained as if holding back tears. Jacob reciprocated the embrace, clutching his arms around my back and burying his face in my brunette hair that must remind him of his deceased wife…my deceased sister.

“You haven't the foggiest idea of how wonderful it is to see you, Emily.” Jacob let out a relieved sigh before pulling away from me to look at my face. As he did, I looked at his own. Lack of sleep tugged at the grey pockets beneath his eyes, tainting his fair skin, and his crystal blue eyes were weary as he studied my face that he had not seen in some time. That last time being a few months ago at Helena's funeral, where his beard had been neglected, but now he was trimmed considerably to a short black stubble that travelled from the sides of his face, to his jaw and around his chin and mouth. I smiled as his tidy face, besides the grey under his eyes, indicated that some of his grief had subsided.

“You look well,” Jacob observed as his eyes glanced over my face and figure.

“You're not that bad yourself. How have you been?” my concerned mind racing at all the possible emotions and thoughts that he must have experienced these past few months. Jacob let out a small smile before scratching the short black hair of his head.

“Well…I'm sure you're familiar that it has been quite hard, especially on the children…but things are getting better, and even better so, now that you are here,” Jacob answered, hope and somehow hurt lingering in his eyes. I smiled softly at his words.

“I am happy that you are better, and I'm so glad that I can be here to help the children…and you of course,” I reply in appreciation, reaching out to squeeze Jacob's shoulder, his pristine navy suit, that complimented his eyes, crinkling under my grasp. He smiles and places his hand over mine, that still held onto his shoulder, squeezing it in return. After a moment of silence Jacob let out a small gasp as if he had forgotten where he was.

“Speaking of the children, they would be delighted to see you, come on in, I'll get the butler to fetch your bags.” Jacob spun on his heel to push open the large oak doors. Once again, I was induced into a trance-like state as I beheld the splendour of the manor, lured in by its intricate design before being consumed by it as the looming doors slammed behind me. 

“It's marvellous!” I exclaim in awe of the beautiful seventeenth century interior design. Behind the front double doors, where I had just entered, the manor opened up into a spacious foyer where a tall knight's armour stood in the centre. I spun around slowly in my spot, taking in the design of the place. The sturdy walls of the manor were fashioned from oak wood and the smooth wooden floorboards that displayed a simple criss-cross pattern, was covered by a large wine red Persian-style rug with intricate rose and vine patterns. This rug also lay beneath to looming silver knight's armour that bore a medieval sword within its scabbard, in its hands.

“Olivia! Harry!” Jacob called out to his children as I continued to admire the manor that was to be my home for the next few months. On either side of the foyer was a drawing room on the right and a living room on the left, expensive furniture and an equally lavish interior in each. I think I even spied a grand piano in the drawing room. My attention was drawn down the hall, beyond the suit of armour and the end of the foyer, as I heard giggling from one of the rooms beyond.

“Little rascals they are. They've been so excited for your arrival and now they won't even show their faces,” Jacob let an exasperated laugh. I look down the wide hallway which too was made from oak wood and no doubt contained many other rooms. However, my eyes were quickly attracted by the large wooden staircase that, from the left side of the foyer, ascended up to the second story which it allowed access to the left and right side of the manor. Even the railing that surrounded the upper level, around the foyer, was intricate as it displayed weaving patterns in the wood.

“That's quite alright. I guess they won't be getting these gifts I bought for them!" I exclaim in a louder tone so the children could hear me. Surely enough, the giggling went silent and thundering footsteps echoed through the main hall, in front of me, as the children ran towards Jacob and I.

“Auntie Emily!” Olivia and Harry chanted in unison as they rushed up to me, throwing their arms around my torso and squeezing me tightly.

“Hello there! I missed you both so much!” I laughed as I enveloped the twins in my arms, kissing the tops of their heads.

“It is just wonderful that you are here, Auntie Emily!” Olivia looked up at me with a bright smile.

“Yes! Perfectly wonderful!” Harry echoed, also looking up at me with a wide smile before pulling away, along with his sister, to stand back respectfully. I smiled kindly at my niece and nephew, seeing them again warmed my heart and I looked forward to spending the next few months with them.

“Are you well, Auntie?” Olivia queried politely, her light brown plaits swinging from side to side as she swayed her hips. Her eyes, the same blue as her father, shone in the sunlight spilling from the window, above the door, behind me.

“I've never been better.” It wasn't a lie as much, travelling to Stillwater Manor had somewhat raised my spirits and that was truthful, but the emptiness of the space that Helena had filled seemed to get wider every day. Of course I wouldn't tell the children that, they were already going through so much and they needed someone the help them process their feelings, someone to look to for guidance now that their mother was gone. 

“That is perfectly wonderful to hear Auntie Emily! We're all so glad that you're here!” Harry exclaimed, his hands behind his back in a gentlemanly manner but his childhood youth still present in the way he lightly bounced his knee.

“Such a gentleman you have grown into,” I laugh and reach out to ruffle his dark brown hair and thinning out his brown jumper before looking over to Olivia.

“And what a lovely young lady you have become, Olivia,” I smile at her as I admire her blue dress, with white floral patterns, and black stockings. Olivia grinned up at me with a heart-warming tenderness and I couldn't help but spot the features that she had shared with her mother. She had rosy cheeks like Helena and the cutest button nose, not to mention the trademark Taylor brunette hair that always seemed to be present in my family line. 

“Are you alright Auntie Emily?” Harry's voice broke me from my thoughts, immediately making me wash the sombre look from my face. As I straighten myself, I notice Jacob walk up next to me.

“Auntie Emily must be very tired from the long drive, how about you two go help Mrs Griggs with supper while I get Emily settled in.” Jacob instructed the children, sparing me from lying to the children about my true feelings.

“Yes father!” they both say in unison before skipping off down the hall, to where I suspect the kitchen was located.

“You…are a horrible liar,” Jacob joked as he stepped into my view, standing where the children previously stood in front of me.

“They don't need to worry about me, they've already got enough on their plate,” I explain crossing my arms and knitting my brow in concern.

“Fair enough, but…just know that I'm here for you always, Emily, whatever you need.” Jacob placed a caring hand on my shoulder, gazing at me with empathetic eyes.

“Thank you, Jacob but I'm honestly fine. It is Olivia and Harry I'm concerned for, how have they been? Really?” I ask Jacob once again as we begin walking down the hall towards the kitchen. Despite having already been told about the state of the children, I still needed reassurance as the children have just lost their mother. The person who is supposed to raise them, guide them and love and protect them no matter what the cost is gone. Surely, the toll it would take on the ten-year-old twins would be steeply heavy and not one that they could bare alone. Jacob sighed before tugging at his shirt collar as if he was uncomfortable 

“Well…Harry has had some behaviour issues which isn't unusual for boys and Olivia…well…Olivia likes to pretend she's fine but…she gets nightmares often and…she's recently started sleep walking which has been worrying,” Jacob informed, his voice low with worry.

“That's horrible, Jacob! I'll have to keep an eye on her. Is there anything else I should know?” I ask him, twirling my silver chain in worried thought.

“They enjoy hot chocolate before bed and like playing hide and seek in the garden," Jacob continued making me let out a low scoff.

“I mean anything that I should be concerned about?” I correct him. Jacob stopped suddenly in the middle of the hallway, causing me to turn to him in confusion.

“Just don't wander about the manor or it's gardens late and night…it's…well…it is easy to get lost and some of the staff have reported wild animals,” Jacob hesitantly replied, his demeanour becoming serious.

“Is that all, Jacob? The driver…the driver told me that Stillwater was…well he told me it was haunted." Jacob lifted his eyes to meet mine and my stomach twisted at his intense stare.

“I take your silence as an indication of it being true,” I say, clearing my throat.

“It's silly really, Emily. Strange things happen in a large property all the time but…well…I'm just saying to tread carefully at night and if you see anything extraordinary, please let me know.” The seriousness of Jacob's tone made me feel uneasy.

“Promise me, Emily, promise me that you will tell me if something is wrong, okay?” Jacob asked me, his voice lowering to a demanding but concerned tone, his eyes staring intensely into mine.

“Okay Jacob, I promise.” I reassure him, nodding as I look into his eyes. Satisfied with my answer, he let out a hum and nodded his head before scratching the back of his neck.

“Thank you Emily. Now, let's go see what those little rascals are cooking up.” Jacob leads me into the kitchen where the twins and Mrs Griggs are preparing dinner. Surprisingly, the kitchen was large, which now that I think about it, is not unusual for a manor. As soon as I entered, a long black marble island was in full view, with a long stovetop behind it and a row of ovens on the left side of the kitchen.

“Ah you must be Emily! Pleasure to meet you, I'm the cook Mrs Griggs." Mrs Griggs introduced herself, her voice kind with a light Italian accent.

“It's a pleasure to meet you too, Mrs Griggs. It smells amazing in here!” I comment.

“We're making our favourite!” Olivia cried.

“Roast chicken and potatoes!” Harry exclaimed, jumping in the air as he waved a pair of tongs in the air.

“How…perfectly wonderful!” I compliment, quoting the twins from earlier.

“Please, have a seat in the dining room dear, dinner is almost ready,” Mrs Griggs instructed. However, before I could do so a loud thump thundered from somewhere in the house. I let out a short cry before jumping backwards, not realising Jacob was behind me.

“What on earth was that!?” I exclaim as he caught me in his arms.

“Mrs Griggs, keep the children downstairs, Emily you stay here too.” Jacob ignored my question, slipping away from me and striding quickly down the hall. I looked at Mrs Griggs for some sort of explanation, but she shook her head as if to say that I shouldn't follow Jacob. But I still did.

Despite Mrs Griggs' protests, I paced down the hall after Jacob, curiosity of the source of the noise and concern for Jacob's safety, motivating me to follow.

“Jacob?” I called his name once I reached the foyer. I heard a creak from the level above and I spin around to scout the railing.

“Jacob?” I repeat but still no answer. I sigh and before overthinking about my actions, I walk up the stairs.

As I reached the top I looked to either side, where a walkway split to the right and left, leading to either sides of the house. As I contemplated which way to turn, I realised that the loud thump echoed from the right side of the house. I took careful steps as I walked to the right passage way before turning down a hallway, on the left, that lead deeper into the house. The upstairs hallway was larger than I expected and was littered with various different artworks. Some were of people, some were of animals and some were just meaningless patterns. However, as I reached the centre of the hallway, my eye caught sight of a peculiar piece of art. Unlike the other paintings, it wasn't easy to decipher what it displayed. It was a canvas painted with dark and light blues, grey and light green colours on the outside in a circular motion with a portion of the centre painted with brown and sandy colours. It was almost like an eye but as I looked closer I spied small drawings of rocks and shells within the circle of sandy brown shades. I hummed and stood back to take a better look at the painting as I realised that it had to be a direction of a birds-eye view of an island.

Satisfied with my interpretation of the artwork, I continue down to the end of the hall.

“Jacob?” I call out his name again before waiting for a response.

“In here.” I hear him say gruffly, probably disappointed that I didn't stay downstairs liked he asked. I turn to the right and his standing in front of a fireplace in the room on the right. His hands were tucked into his pockets as he looked at me from where I stood in the hallway.

“What was that noise?” I questioned him as I stepped into the room to approach him. The room appeared to be a library with a long table at the centre and shelves of books lining the wall. The familiar scent of pine and old books wafted into my nose as I strode further into the room. As I did however, I noticed a large portrait of…Helena, resting against one of the shelves at the back of the room.

“Her portrait fell off the wall,” Jacob croaked out, his voice hoarse.

“Oh.” I was not usually the superstitious kind but the coincidence of Helena's portrait collapsing made my stomach turn in uneasiness. I feel a puff warm air on the back of my neck, like breathing, but as I turn, Jacob is standing on the other side of the room, not moving from when I had first entered.

“The hook may have come loose again,” Jacob excused the falling of my sister's portrait. I shake the strange feeling off as just a draft passing through the room and turn back to the large portrait. It was a simple painting of Helena who adorned a royal purple dress with her hands folded together in front of her waist. I was so mesmerised by the intricate details of her face as if it was real life that I didn't notice Jacob walk up beside me.

“She was so beautiful,” he sighed as he gazed at the portrait with me.

“She was.” I echoed, a sad silence settling between us.

Jacob hired one of the most talented artists in London to paint the portrait of Helena for her 30th birthday. Father had said that it was a tacky gesture but Helena loved it. To her it signified just how much he was devoted to her.

“It had pride of place in the dining room…before,” Jacob broke the silence.

“But after she passed, I couldn't bear to keep it up anymore. Staring at it every morning…it just…it just hurt too much.” Jacob admitted. I silently raise my hand and rub his back empathetically.

“It's okay, Jacob, she loved the library anyway,” I try to reassure him. Jacob let out a small laugh before rubbing his eyes.

“Before the twins were born, whenever she wasn't working, she would be here,” Jacob reminisced.

“Helena really did love books. Mother and father dedicated most of the attic of our townhouse to her books. We used to joke about how if we couldn't find her, she would most likely be there, sitting in that dusty attic, flipping through one book or another…or even two at once,” I smile as I speak of the memory, letting out a small sigh. It was kind of a relief to talk to someone about Helena. Mother and father had passed years before and friends…well, I didn't really have any friends, so being able to speak to Jacob about my sister gave me a sort of closure. It was still hard to say her name though as, now that she was gone, whoever uttered it laced their voice with a low melancholic, empathetic tone that was a reminded that she wasn't here and that she never would be again. 

“Once again Emily, I'm glad you are here, it is nice to talk to someone again about her,” Jacob echoed my thoughts.

“I feel the same. Helena would want us to speak about her,” I smile softly at him. A few moments later Mrs Griggs' voice boomed throughout the manor, notifying us that dinner was ready. Jacob and I smiled at each other at the cook's call before heading back downstairs. I almost moaned at the delicious taste of the tender roast chicken in my mouth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I almost moaned at the delicious taste of the tender roast chicken in my mouth.

“Mrs Griggs this is absolutely amazing,” I compliment her cooking. The woman scoffs and throws her hands in the air.

“Don't look at me dearie it was all the twins doing,” she replied, gesturing to Olivia and Harry who sat next to each other, opposite Jacob and I.

“Well then, fantastic job you two, I believe you're well on your way to owning your own restaurant!" I exclaim to the children, making them laugh.

“Thank you very much Auntie Emily,” Harry puffed out his chest in pride and Olivia flicked one of her pigtails behind her. As I looked at the twins I wondered how hurt deep down they were, how much their mother's death had effected them.

“So Emily, what do you work as?” Mrs Griggs asked, making conversation. I smiled before answering.

“Um well, I own and run a bookstore in London,” I reply shortly. Mrs Griggs smiles and raises her eyebrows slightly as if waiting for me to continue. Jacob cleared his throat as if he noticed the awkwardness settling over the dinner table.

“Emily has been trying to attract national buyers in the hopes of opening other stores across the country,” Jacob announced, not entirely true but a suitable addition to my story nonetheless.

“Yes! I have! But it's not so easy when you are limited in expenses and when you…are…a…woman,” I drawled on, becoming uncomfortable with the lack of success in my career.

“Oh yes…unfortunately that's…understandable,” Mrs Griggs said solemnly, silence enveloping the table again. I return to my food, not wanting to dwell on the subject of inequality but the twins had a different idea.

“If only you had someone to lend you some money!” Olivia shattered the silence with her high-pitched exciting voice. My mouth went dry and I felt Jacob stiffen beside me. Mrs Griggs eyed us carefully but neither of us said nothing as neither of us wanted to speak on the subject.

“Olivia, you know we're rich right?” Harry questioned his sister. Olivia blinked before look up at her father who sat across from her.

“Oh…that's right. Daddy, maybe you could lend Auntie Emily some money to help her bookstore business!” Jacob clenched his jaw at Olivia's comment. Olivia was formidable even when she didn't intend to be.

“That's not necessary Olivia, I'm quite content with the circumstances of my bookstore at the moment, and plus, I can't fret about my work now when I'm supposed to be looking after you two rascals!” I smile, tugging them away from the subject. I felt Jacob relax beside me as he took a sip from his glass of wine and Mrs Griggs sat back in her seat. I return to my food once again, wanting to enjoy such a delicious meal which I have not had in awhile. Helena and Jacob had offered me money awhile ago, just after mother and father died, to help me extend the reaches of my bookstore across the country, but I had declined, numerous times in fact.

“Speaking of you rascals! It's getting late, why don't you two go get ready for bed,” Mrs Griggs instructed the children who rolled their eyes and sighed in unison before giggling at their synchronised behaviours. I watched the children as they skipped down the hall, the darkness swallowing them. As I stared down that dark passage, it was almost like something lurked beyond it. I couldn't see it but it was as if there was a watchful presence eyeing me. I shook myself from my thoughts once I realised I was being silly. Being an avid reader meant I always had a wild imagination that at times, my mind would drift into another world or another “dimension” as Helena used to say.

“Are you alright, Emily?” Jacob noticed my strange behaviour. I shake my head, clearing the fog in my brain, before answering:

“Yes quite alright, maybe just a bit drowsy from the drive over.”

Jacob eyed me carefully with his stunning blue eyes, that even I have to admit gave me butterflies, before returning to his meal.

“I should be getting ready for bed too,” I announce, excusing myself.

“Sounds like a good idea, darling, you do look a bit tired,” Mrs Griggs commented.

“I'll see you in the morning, Emily.” Jacob told me, his voice soft. I smile at him before walking down that same dark hall that the children went through. My imagination still made me believe that whatever I felt was in there, but reality provided a haven as I stepped through the empty darkness.