by Amy Cross
As soon as those words have left my lips, I remember Daniel's offer.
“I mean... I must stay for my cousin,” I continue. “I cannot possibly leave him alone here.”
“He would not be alone. He has his father.”
“You do not know his father,” I reply. “My uncle, Matthew's father... I could not in good conscience leave the boy here at his mercy.”
“Why not?”
“Because then the boy might become like his father. Another monster.”
I flinch. I know I should not have used that word, yet I also know that I am right.
“If you stay,” Miss Tremayne says soberly, “you may be sacrificing your own sanity. Even your life.”
“And how can I go to Bristol,” I continue, “and try to live a normal life, knowing that I abandoned my own cousin?”
“Is his father really so bad?”
I nod.
“There is nothing you can do to deter the visitors,” she explains, and now I am certain that there are tears in her eyes. “I wish I could tell you that they can be repelled, but in all my experience... They will come night after night, my dear, and they will not leave you alone. This house is built upon cracked land, and they use those cracks to come through at night. In doing so, they also disturb other spirits. I do not know what they are called, perhaps they do not even have a name, but they often take such opportunities.”
“Perhaps I can give them what they want.”
“They will take that regardless.”
“And then they will leave me be?”
I wait for an answer, but she almost seems too overwhelmed.
“You said you have met others like me,” I continue. “Other people who have experienced the visits of these creatures. What happened to those people?”
“My dear...”
“Tell me!”
She pauses. “Madness, mostly. Death in a few cases. Usually they end up locked away in some asylum, or left to wander the streets. One hung himself, another tore open his own chest. Some were abandoned by their families, while others were given all the help that money can buy. In every case, however, the victim could not be saved. And in every case, the victim insisted that he or she had a very good reason why they could not possibly leave their home. Some bind is created in their thoughts, something to anchor them so that the visits will not stop. Elizabeth -”
“My cousin is just a boy!” I tell her firmly. “Please, try to understand, to leave him here would be an act of gross abandonment!”
“Then take him with you.”
“I cannot!”
“But -”
“I must stay to look after him!”
“Then you will die!” she replies, as a tear runs down her face. “Or you will go mad. Or both. They will offer no respite, they will show you no mercy. Perhaps it will take six months, perhaps twelve, but they eventually these creatures will decide what they want from you, and then they will take it. They are cautious by nature, they work slowly, and they do not like to be seen.”
“Then I will look at their faces,” I tell her. “Next time they come, I will open my eyes!”
“You must not!”
“What happens to those who do?”
“I do not know,” she continues. “To the best of my knowledge, no-one has ever confronted them. It is best to just stay calm, keep your eyes closed and -”
“I will open my eyes,” I reply defiantly, interrupting her, “and I will sit up, and I will ask them directly. Perhaps they are not reasonable, perhaps I cannot discuss the matter with them, but I must at least try!”
She shakes her head.
“I will not stay supine and cowardly,” I continue, feeling a rush of courage that I pray will not desert me later. “If these creatures wish to examine my body, perhaps even to take something from me, then they can at least do me the courtesy of speaking to me about the matter. If nobody else has ever tried that approach, I shall be the first. And whether you approve or not, I will ask them to explain their actions to me. After all, it is not as if I can make the matter any worse than it already is right now.”
“Oh, you poor brave fool,” she replies.
“I have made up my mind.”
“But -”
“Are you here to do anything about my wound?” I add, hoping to get to the point of her visit. “If not, there really is nothing else for you to do. I am quite busy, and I would very much appreciate the chance to return to my duties around the house. My uncle is meticulous, you understand.”
She opens her mouth to reply, but evidently she sees that there is no point.
“I cannot leave Blackwych Grange,” I continue, getting to my feet. “Not while my cousin is still here. I have a duty to him. And as for these creatures that torment me... I shall simply do what I should have done at the start. I shall look at their faces and demand to know they want from me. And I might even give it to them.”
With that, I turn and start making my way out of the room.
“Be careful, child,” Miss Tremayne calls after me. “There are evils in this house that are far, far worse than your wretched uncle.”
***
A short while later, I sit in the old nursery and look out through the window. Far below, my uncle is showing Miss Tremayne to her carriage. I cannot hear what they are saying, of course, but they seem to be engaged in some frightfully important discussion, and I cannot help noticing that they seem to be on very good terms. In fact, as Uncle John helps her up into her carriage, the pair of them appear almost friendly.
And then, just as Miss Tremayne's carriage begins to pull away, I spot somebody else riding this way. A shiver passes through my chest as I recognize the figure.
“No,” I whisper, filled with panic. “What are you doing here?”
Chapter Eighteen
“And I told you, Sir John,” Daniel says firmly. “I am here to see Elizabeth, and I will not move from these steps until she and I have spoken.”
Stepping out through the front door, I see that Uncle John is standing in Daniel's path. The pair of them have never been on good terms, and something about Daniel's temperament makes me think that right now he's particularly agitated.
“Elizabeth!” he calls out as soon as he sees me.
He tries to come closer, but Uncle John steps in his path once again.
“Elizabeth,” Daniel continues, “please -”
“Go back inside!” Uncle John calls back to me. “This ruffian has no business at Blackwych Grange, and I most certainly shall not let him through the door!”
“I don't want to enter your foul house!” Daniel sneers. “I can speak to Elizabeth just as well out here, provided you give us a moment alone!”
“That will not happen!”
“Please,” I stammer, hurrying over to my uncle and placing a hand on his arm, “just let me try to -”
“No!” he roars, turning to me. “Elizabeth, do not put my patience to the test. Go back inside at once!”
“Just let me speak to him,” I continue, trying not to sound too desperate. “He merely -”
“I'm leaving for Bristol this evening,” Daniel says, interrupting me. “Elizabeth, I shall find lodgings and an appointment, and then I shall send for you. We can -”
“Be gone with this childish nonsense!” Uncle John scoffs, grabbing my arm and trying to pull me back into the house.
“I can't say how long it will take,” Daniel continues, “but as soon as -”
“My niece is too wise for these games,” my uncle adds, squeezing my arm tighter. “Such grand claims might fool the girls of the village, but Elizabeth is a cut above them all. You are nothing but a lowly wastrel, and -”
“Leave her alone!” Daniel shouts.
Before I can say anything, Uncle John pulls me toward the door with such force that I trip and fall, landing hard on the stones. Still gripping my arm, John immediately starts hauling me up, but a moment later I feel Daniel grab my other wrist.
“Come with me, El
izabeth! Let's leave this place at once!”
“No!” I stammer. “I can't!”
“We'll find a way to make it work!”
“You don't understand,” I continue, as they each try to pull me in a different direction. “Daniel, please! I cannot leave Matthew behind!”
“You owe him nothing!”
“I cannot leave him with his father!” I shout, turning to him. “Daniel, try to understand! I cannot leave Matthew in this house with this awful -”
I freeze, but I know it's too late. I have already said more than I should, and a moment later I turn to see the anger in Uncle John's eyes. I am quite sure that he already knew of my misgivings, but doubtless he will now think that I have betrayed and humiliated the family by expressing these misgivings so openly.
“Elizabeth Marringham,” he snarls, “get into the house. Now!”
“Please,” I stammer, “I only -”
“Now!”
Pulling me with all the force he can muster, he drags me away from Daniel and sends me crashing into the wall. I feel my bones shudder as I slump down, but I quickly get to my feet again.
“Leave her be!” Daniel shouts, hurrying closer.
“Or what?” Uncle John sneers.
“Wait,” I gasp, turning to them just as Daniel swings his right fist and hits my uncle, knocking him back against the wall.
“Elizabeth,” Daniel continues, reaching a hand toward me, “come at once! I cannot promise you riches or great comfort, but I swear by all that is holy, you will never have to set foot in this awful house again!”
Clearly dazed by the punch, Uncle John is still in the process of getting slowly to his feet.
“I cannot go with you,” I tell Daniel. “I wish with all my heart that the situation were different, but Matthew is too young. In a year, or two at the most, he will be a man and he can be trusted to make his own decisions. But right now, I fear that he needs me!”
Daniel stares at me for a moment, before taking a step back.
“A year, then,” he says breathlessly. “Two at most. And then you will come with me? Provided I have established myself, of course.”
As Uncle John steps back into the house, doubtless to fetch some form of weapon, I take a moment to regather my composure. Daniel's insistence is striking, and for the first time I see real passion in his eyes. Stepping closer, I find myself briefly imagining what it would be like to throw away all my concerns and obligations, and to accept his offer. Perhaps Matthew would be alright, perhaps Daniel and I could make lives for ourselves in Bristol, and perhaps I would never have to see Blackwych Grange again. More than that, perhaps I would never again wake to find a cold hand on my mouth, and I would never again hear whispered voices conspiring in the darkness. For a fraction of a second, I feel a rush of freedom. This might be my last chance to leave Blackwych Grange forever.
I open my mouth to ask Daniel whether such a thing is truly possible.
“What's he looking at?” he asks suddenly, looking up toward one of the house's windows.
Turning, I see poor Matthew watching us from the nursery window, and I instantly realize that I cannot possibly abandon him. My heart sinks at the thought of remaining here, but I have no other choice. I was a fool to think that I might escape so easily.
“Elizabeth,” Daniel continues, “please, just say that you -”
Suddenly Uncle John emerges from the house, and to my horror I see that he's holding a dueling pistol. The side of his face is already bruised from the punch that Daniel threw, and there's pure hatred in his eyes as he raises the pistol and takes aim.
“No!” I shout, stepping in the way.
Uncle John's finger squeezes the trigger, but he does not fire.
“Get out of the way!” he says firmly.
I shake my head, but a moment later Daniel steps in front of me.
“You will leave this place,” Uncle John sneers, “and never return. Is that understood? My niece will never go with you, and I shall be well within my rights to shoot you if you trespass again.”
Daniel watches him for a moment, before turning to me.
“Elizabeth,” he says, looking deep into my eyes, “I confess that I do not understand why you feel compelled to stay here, but... I shall come back for you. Perhaps in six months, perhaps in twelve, perhaps a little longer, but I shall make myself worthy of your love, and then I shall come and take you away from this awful place. And then, finally, I do not believe you will turn me down.”
“I would give anything to come with you,” I tell him, as tears stream down my face, “but right now... I simply cannot.”
He hesitates, before taking my right hand and holding it up toward his face. Keeping his eyes fixed on me, he kisses my hand gently, and then he takes a step back. He glances at Uncle John, who still has his pistol raised, and then he turns and heads back to his horse.
“And good riddance!” my uncle sneers, keeping the pistol aimed at him even as Daniel begins to ride away. “You made the right choice, Elizabeth. I am glad that I raised you to be wise. You may yet turn out to be a great credit to me.”
As I watch Daniel disappear into the distance, I feel sick to my stomach, but I know I could not have made any other choice. Still, as I turn to follow Uncle John back into the house, I cannot help glancing up at the window and seeing that Matthew is still watching me. Something about his countenance seems different now, almost as if he's angry. In fact, as I make my way inside, I cannot help wondering whether my cousin is truly as helpless as he seems.
Perhaps there is already too much of his father in his soul.
Chapter Nineteen
“And do you promise you won't leave me?” Matthew asks for the hundredth time as I lead him to his bedroom. “Elizabeth, I'm scared that I might wake in the morning and find that you're gone.”
“Of course not,” I tell him. “Now please, just try not to worry or -”
“But how can I be sure?” he continues, and there's a real hint of panic in his voice now. “I saw you talking to that man again. What if he returns and asks you again? You might change your mind and decide to go!”
Stopping at the door, I turn to him.
“That simply is not possible,” I explain. “Why, Daniel is most likely more than thirty miles away by now, and soon he will be in Bristol.”
“And you won't go after him?”
“Of course not.”
“Do you promise?”
I nod, even as I feel my heart sink.
He hesitates, before a slow smile crosses his lips. “And once he's in Bristol,” he says cautiously, “he won't think of you again, will he? After all, there must be so many pretty girls in Bristol, he'll soon be distracted. Most likely, he won't even remember you come Monday week.”
“He might,” I reply, feeling a flutter of sadness in my chest, “but... Regardless, I am going nowhere, Matthew, so you must not worry. I stayed for you, and I shall continue to teach you and guide you. Please, do not entertain any worries to the contrary.”
“So long as you promise,” he continues, and this time I see a hint of his father in his features. Just a very brief flicker, but enough to repulse me. “I suppose I shall sleep well now. I just would hate to lose you, Elizabeth. We have such fun together!”
I feel a shudder pass through my chest as I stop in the doorway. More than anything, I know I must protect Matthew and ensure that he does not become like his father. At the same time, I am starting to wonder whether there is anything I can do to keep him safe. So long as we are under this roof, and trapped by the thrall of Blackwych Grange, his father's influence will seek to grow.
A moment later I hear a faint scratching sound in the distance, and I turn to look along the corridor.
They are here again tonight.
“Elizabeth?” Matthew says cautiously. “Are you alright?”
I pause for a moment, before glancing back at him. Suddenly the truth has revealed itself to me, and I know without a shadow of a
doubt that I have made a terrible mistake.
“We can still catch him,” I whisper.
“What was that?” he asks. “I didn't hear what -”
“We can still catch Daniel,” I stammer, feeling a rush of panic. “He's not that far ahead. Life will be difficult for us in Bristol, but at least we shall be away from this terrible house.”
“What do you mean?” Matthew asks, stepping closer. There are tears in his eyes again, and a hint of a whine in his voice. “Elizabeth, you're scaring me. Please, don't leave.”
I stare down at him for a moment, trying to make sense of the knot of thoughts that rush through my head. Finally, however, I realize that I have only one option, even if I have almost left the matter too late.
“You trust me, don't you?” I ask, placing my hands on his shoulders.
“Of course, but -”
“Meet me at the rear of the house in ten minutes,” I tell him. “Tell no-one, do you understand? Meet me and I shall take you away from this place, Matthew. If we stay one more night in Blackwych Grange, we shall both be doomed to die in this awful house, but there's still a chance. We'll go and catch up to Daniel, and somehow we'll find a way to survive in Bristol.”
“But -”
“Trust me!” I say firmly. “Matthew, please, just meet me at the rear of the house, and tell me no-one of the plan. Is that clear?”
He hesitates, staring up at me with fearful eyes, but finally he nods.
“Alright,” he says, even though he's clearly scared. “Whatever you say, Elizabeth. I'll go with you.”
***
Rain is falling on the roof of the old shed as I hurry through the darkness. There's just enough moonlight for me to see Uncle John's stallion at the far end, tied to the wall, and I quickly get to the task of removing the rope so that I can lead the horse outside.
“There's no need to worry,” I tell him, running a hand across his flank in an effort to calm him. “I've ridden you before, remember? This time, we're all getting away from this frightful place.”
The rope is thick and old, and tightly coiled, so it takes a couple of minutes for me to start pulling it loose. My hands are trembling with fear, and I cannot help but glance over my shoulder constantly, in case there should be any sign that Uncle John has discovered my plan. Finally, however, I get the rope free from the hook on the wall, and I immediately start leading the horse to the shed's open door.
