| General Fiction posted May 14, 2024 | Chapters: |
...18 19 -20- 21... 
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Who's to blame and where's William?
A chapter in the book The Unwilling Heir
The Unwilling Heir - Chap 20
by Begin Again
ENDING OF CHAPTER 19
His words were desperate, pleading for her to understand. "Your future — our future — lies in redemption."
Victoria moved toward the desk where William had laid the key. He'd underestimated her determination. "We've waited too long for this moment." Her hand reached out and brushed against his face. "You once had a fiery blaze burning in your body and mind, seeking the best of everything, regardless of who or what you trampled beneath you."
"Those days are gone. It cost Billy mortality and even his chance at eternal life. I can't turn my back on him — or the others — simply for this pursuit of yours." He pleaded, praying he could make her see. "It would bring us peace. Let Billy find the treasure and, hopefully, our salvation."
Victoria snarled, "We've searched every corner of this mansion, even deep into the bowels." Victoria chuckled, making a bitter sound. "The mortal, Sandra, traipsed into their den and handed them the book. How long before they discover the clues and find the treasure themselves? Then, we will all be damned."
William's state of weakness was taking its toll. He couldn't continue this battle with Victoria. His voice resonated with sadness. "Your way will cost us our souls."
Victoria shook her head, her voice trembling with disgust. "Who are we? We're empty spirits, William! Shadows of our former selves. The key and the treasure are our only chance to reclaim what is rightfully ours."
William sighed, his breathing growing ragged. Making his decision, he reached for the key. "I won't let you sacrifice everyone for your dream, not even if it means our eternal damnation. I'm giving the key to Billy."
Victoria's gaze hardened. "Then you leave me no choice." Her fingers clasped the heavy candlestick holder, and she swung it with all the force she could muster, bringing it down against William's head. An eerie swooshing sound, reminiscent of hundreds of bats taking flight, filled the room as his figure crumbled to the floor, disappearing in an icy mist.
His words were desperate, pleading for her to understand. "Your future — our future — lies in redemption."
Victoria moved toward the desk where William had laid the key. He'd underestimated her determination. "We've waited too long for this moment." Her hand reached out and brushed against his face. "You once had a fiery blaze burning in your body and mind, seeking the best of everything, regardless of who or what you trampled beneath you."
"Those days are gone. It cost Billy mortality and even his chance at eternal life. I can't turn my back on him — or the others — simply for this pursuit of yours." He pleaded, praying he could make her see. "It would bring us peace. Let Billy find the treasure and, hopefully, our salvation."
Victoria snarled, "We've searched every corner of this mansion, even deep into the bowels." Victoria chuckled, making a bitter sound. "The mortal, Sandra, traipsed into their den and handed them the book. How long before they discover the clues and find the treasure themselves? Then, we will all be damned."
William's state of weakness was taking its toll. He couldn't continue this battle with Victoria. His voice resonated with sadness. "Your way will cost us our souls."
Victoria shook her head, her voice trembling with disgust. "Who are we? We're empty spirits, William! Shadows of our former selves. The key and the treasure are our only chance to reclaim what is rightfully ours."
William sighed, his breathing growing ragged. Making his decision, he reached for the key. "I won't let you sacrifice everyone for your dream, not even if it means our eternal damnation. I'm giving the key to Billy."
Victoria's gaze hardened. "Then you leave me no choice." Her fingers clasped the heavy candlestick holder, and she swung it with all the force she could muster, bringing it down against William's head. An eerie swooshing sound, reminiscent of hundreds of bats taking flight, filled the room as his figure crumbled to the floor, disappearing in an icy mist.
*****
CHAPTER 20
Victoria's breath came in shallow gasps as she paced the room, running her hands through her hair. Horrified by what she'd done, she searched the room, hysterically crying, "William! What have I done?" Finally, falling to her knees, her trembling hands touched where William had fallen and disappeared. Weeping, she asked, "My darling, where are you?"
In her moment of panic, Victoria neglected to sense the change in the room. The ghostly whispers had heightened to a chorus of voices, some mourning and others sneering words of regret. Elongated shadows lurked in the corners, each contorting and stretching as if to grab her. Her home with William had transformed into a menacing space.
One voice, vaguely familiar from the past, was louder than the rest. The tone was neither accusing nor forgiving but filled with warning. "My dear Victoria, your spirit has not diminished over the years."
The other shadows faded into the walls as Victoria raised her head and searched the room. "Leave me be! I have no desire to hear your mockery." A wave of shame and regret washed across her soul.
The voice spoke again, more explicit and less friendly, "You've done the unthinkable, my dear Victoria — striking William." His words hung heavy in the thick air.
Victoria brushed the tears from her face and stood, twirling around in search of the voice. She wailed, "He wouldn't listen to me. I didn't mean to lose my temper, but now it's too late. He's vanished."
A tall, dark shadow, a faint silhouette, seemed to emerge from the wall. The vibration of his voice touched her like a soft breeze, stroking her inner thoughts. His features gradually sharpened in the room's dim light, shimmering against the darkness. A glimmer of recognition flickered through Victoria's rattled thoughts.
"All is not lost — not yet." He stepped closer, revealing a face she once knew. His gaze rested on Victoria, and he saw a spark of bittersweet remembrance flash in her eyes. He, himself, felt a stab of pain.
As his form solidified, Victoria's heart quickened with surprise, guilt, and a glimmer of hope. She murmured, "Sebastian?" Her voice choked with emotion, her whisper a silent plea for understanding and forgiveness. His eyes, once bright, now overflowed with sadness.
Her eyes dropped, and she turned away. She recalled how she'd left him, shattered and heartbroken when she'd returned the engagement ring and told him she was going with William. She hadn't tried to hide the reason, making him feel less of himself. The sad memory added to the heavy burden she felt about William.
Sebastian whispered, his voice filled with understanding, "We all make mistakes, Victoria, and hopefully, we learn from them."
She moistened her lips, swept a few delicate wisps of hair from her face, and tried to smile. "You deserved much better than me. My sights were set on wealth and power, hopefully, blended with love."
Sebastian struggled, knowing his life had been full, yet deep inside his heart, he carried the love he'd once shared with her. Pain clouded his eyes, and his form wavered, losing some of its brightness, knowing her heart would always belong to William. "He's not gone forever, but the path ahead is treacherous."
A cold wind swept through the room, carrying the faint scent of roses and decayed memories of days gone by. Victoria shivered as he backed away, almost fading into the wall.
Her panic returned. Her eyes widened with fear, and her voice trembled: "Don't go, Sebastian. I need you."
As he faded back into the wall, disappearing from view, his faint whisper echoed, "We can't undo the past."
Victoria threw herself against the wall, feeling the coldness in her fingertips as her skin prickled. She moaned, "Sebastian, don't go. I never meant to hurt you or William."
"I know." As the voice faded, it whispered, "My Victoria, beware the consequences of your greed."
Stunned, Victoria tore herself from the wall, wailing, "You don't understand! It's not greed. I truly want happiness with William, but is it a sin to enjoy the finer things?" Sebastian did not answer, and she was left standing in the cold room alone.
Distraught, she collapsed across the bed, remembering Sebastian's words — William was not gone forever. Thoughts of Judge William Parker swirled inside her mind, and she sighed, murmuring, "There's still a chance I can have both."
*****
At the top of the landing, James, Tim, and Sandra stopped, checking the hallway and the bedroom door across from Sandra's room. Satisfied, James swung Sandra's door open, allowing her to enter first.
She raced across the room, opening the jewelry box, knowing the key would not be there. Feeling foolish, she shrugged. "Guess I hoped our prayers would be answered and it would miraculously show up there. But why would Madeline steal it and then bring it back?"
James paced around the room, his eyes darting from one corner to another, his mind racing with possibilities. "A woman was here. And a man —" He trailed off, the mystery of their identities hanging in the air.
Curious, Sandra interrupted, "How can you tell?"
"Inhale."
Sandra followed his directions, then shook her head. "Nothing except maybe a faint scent of the roses outside."
"Humans! Your sense of smell fails you." He inhaled deeply, his brows furrowed as he concentrated on the scent. "I definitely smell a woman's cologne. It's one I recognize. The other scent is woodsy, a manly scent."
"Is it Madeline's cologne?" Tim asked.
James sighed and shook his head. "I think I was too hasty to blame her. She wears a soft lilac perfume. This one is more subtle, a bit alluring."
Feeling frustrated, Tim snapped, "Enough with the guessing games. We need to find that key." He walked toward the closet, opened the door, and closed it. "I tried to tell you I thought I heard voices inside the room, but when I slipped inside, all I saw was a woman's dress disappearing into the closet."
Sandra gasped. "That's how Victoria entered my room the first time she visited me about the key. She had a manservant with her then. Maybe he's the man."
James shook his head. "I don't think so. Someone far more distinguished than a manservant would wear this cologne."
Tim's eyes darkened. "You think Victoria and the Judge took the key?"
"Is it Madeline's cologne?" Tim asked.
James sighed and shook his head. "I think I was too hasty to blame her. She wears a soft lilac perfume. This one is more subtle, a bit alluring."
Feeling frustrated, Tim snapped, "Enough with the guessing games. We need to find that key." He walked toward the closet, opened the door, and closed it. "I tried to tell you I thought I heard voices inside the room, but when I slipped inside, all I saw was a woman's dress disappearing into the closet."
Sandra gasped. "That's how Victoria entered my room the first time she visited me about the key. She had a manservant with her then. Maybe he's the man."
James shook his head. "I don't think so. Someone far more distinguished than a manservant would wear this cologne."
Tim's eyes darkened. "You think Victoria and the Judge took the key?"
*****
After staying behind to calm Benny and Ryan, Billy raced upstairs to join the trio in their search. He heard Tim say something about the Judge as he rushed through the door. Still heated from his conversation with the boys, his tone was rough when he addressed Tim. "What do I or my grandfather have to do with a conversation involving the missing key?"
As the two men glared at each other, James jumped in with the explanation. "The cologne in the room does not belong to Madeline. I believe it is Victoria's, and there was a man here, too."
"Perposterous! Why would my grandfather take the key? He knows we need it to solve this mystery for everyone." Billy's voice was angry, and he looked directly at Tim as he snapped, "You're wrong!"
James tried to ease the situation. "Billy, stop and inhale the air. The clues are in the cologne."
He inhaled and then walked around, retracing James's footsteps. At last, he rejoined them. "I smell the cologne, but it could belong to anyone. It doesn't prove it was them."
"You're right, but it won't hurt to talk to them. Why don't you do it since he is your grandfather?"
Billy snarled, "Maybe Victoria was involved, but not my grandfather. He knows the importance of the key." His heavy strides towards the door confirmed his determination to prove them wrong. "To satisfy everyone, I will ask him even though I know Victoria will lie, regardless."
As he hurried through the darkened hallways, deeper into the mansion, his resolve to clear his grandfather and Victoria of any wrongdoing wavered. He slammed his fist against the wall and shouted into the air, "Victoria, so help me, if you've done this —"
After staying behind to calm Benny and Ryan, Billy raced upstairs to join the trio in their search. He heard Tim say something about the Judge as he rushed through the door. Still heated from his conversation with the boys, his tone was rough when he addressed Tim. "What do I or my grandfather have to do with a conversation involving the missing key?"
As the two men glared at each other, James jumped in with the explanation. "The cologne in the room does not belong to Madeline. I believe it is Victoria's, and there was a man here, too."
"Perposterous! Why would my grandfather take the key? He knows we need it to solve this mystery for everyone." Billy's voice was angry, and he looked directly at Tim as he snapped, "You're wrong!"
James tried to ease the situation. "Billy, stop and inhale the air. The clues are in the cologne."
He inhaled and then walked around, retracing James's footsteps. At last, he rejoined them. "I smell the cologne, but it could belong to anyone. It doesn't prove it was them."
"You're right, but it won't hurt to talk to them. Why don't you do it since he is your grandfather?"
Billy snarled, "Maybe Victoria was involved, but not my grandfather. He knows the importance of the key." His heavy strides towards the door confirmed his determination to prove them wrong. "To satisfy everyone, I will ask him even though I know Victoria will lie, regardless."
As he hurried through the darkened hallways, deeper into the mansion, his resolve to clear his grandfather and Victoria of any wrongdoing wavered. He slammed his fist against the wall and shouted into the air, "Victoria, so help me, if you've done this —"
He hastened deeper into the darkness, brushing aside the shadows whispering and lurking within the walls, unaware of Sebastian.
*****
After leaving Victoria, Sebastian had roamed the mansion, his mind consumed with thoughts of her and what the counsel expected from him. He'd warned her but did not know if she would listen to what he'd said. When he detected the sounds of footsteps on the spiral staircase, he'd retreated deeper into the shadows, hidden from view. Billy's approach piqued his curiosity, but his fear for Victoria heightened as he sensed Billy's rage filling the air. Against his better judgment, he decided he needed to find William as quickly as possible.
*****
Esther had never found the courage to wander through the front part of the mansion, fearful of consequences. She'd surprised herself when she'd found the courage to approach Madeline in the garden, especially since she was a mortal.
Something about her pain and sorrow urged her to overcome her own fears and extend a comforting hand. Those few moments in the garden had touched Esther more than she had expected. She remembered the warmth two people could share, and now, in the cellar's dampness, feeling chilled to the bone, she longed to see Madeline again.
After much discussion of the pros and cons with herself, Esther decided to seek out Madeline's room. One of the friendlier occupants of her domain had spoken of Noah's wife, gossiping that she'd returned to the mansion and occupied the room at the rear of the mansion — alone. Esther also suspected the gossip about prostitutes terrorizing the widow included Madeline, as well.
As she moved through the corridors, an angry voice halted her progress. Fearful of approaching, she stood in the darkness, out of view, as the man banged on the door, demanding entrance. She thought it odd that he didn't just slip through the walls if he wanted to gain entrance so much. The fiery red glow from his eyes told her to steer clear until he left. In the bowels of the mansion, one learned it was better never to interfere in something that didn't pertain to you.
Billy slammed his fist against the door, regretting his promise to his grandfather to respect Victoria's privacy and his when they were in their quarters. When it was apparent no one would answer, he slumped against the wall, moaning, "Grandfather, where are you? Has that woman put you into jeopardy, or worse yet, have you been damned?"
Esther did not know who Billy was seeking, but she felt a pang of sorrow for him — another unexpected show of emotion in this dreary place. Esther clutched her shawl tighter around her shoulders, amazed that her cold, defeated heart felt warmth, not once but twice in a matter of a few hours.
After leaving Victoria, Sebastian had roamed the mansion, his mind consumed with thoughts of her and what the counsel expected from him. He'd warned her but did not know if she would listen to what he'd said. When he detected the sounds of footsteps on the spiral staircase, he'd retreated deeper into the shadows, hidden from view. Billy's approach piqued his curiosity, but his fear for Victoria heightened as he sensed Billy's rage filling the air. Against his better judgment, he decided he needed to find William as quickly as possible.
*****
Esther had never found the courage to wander through the front part of the mansion, fearful of consequences. She'd surprised herself when she'd found the courage to approach Madeline in the garden, especially since she was a mortal.
Something about her pain and sorrow urged her to overcome her own fears and extend a comforting hand. Those few moments in the garden had touched Esther more than she had expected. She remembered the warmth two people could share, and now, in the cellar's dampness, feeling chilled to the bone, she longed to see Madeline again.
After much discussion of the pros and cons with herself, Esther decided to seek out Madeline's room. One of the friendlier occupants of her domain had spoken of Noah's wife, gossiping that she'd returned to the mansion and occupied the room at the rear of the mansion — alone. Esther also suspected the gossip about prostitutes terrorizing the widow included Madeline, as well.
As she moved through the corridors, an angry voice halted her progress. Fearful of approaching, she stood in the darkness, out of view, as the man banged on the door, demanding entrance. She thought it odd that he didn't just slip through the walls if he wanted to gain entrance so much. The fiery red glow from his eyes told her to steer clear until he left. In the bowels of the mansion, one learned it was better never to interfere in something that didn't pertain to you.
Billy slammed his fist against the door, regretting his promise to his grandfather to respect Victoria's privacy and his when they were in their quarters. When it was apparent no one would answer, he slumped against the wall, moaning, "Grandfather, where are you? Has that woman put you into jeopardy, or worse yet, have you been damned?"
Esther did not know who Billy was seeking, but she felt a pang of sorrow for him — another unexpected show of emotion in this dreary place. Esther clutched her shawl tighter around her shoulders, amazed that her cold, defeated heart felt warmth, not once but twice in a matter of a few hours.
Inside the room, Victoria cowered, praying Billy would leave and she would not have to explain William's disappearance.
Sandra Monroe - fledgling investigative reporter
Annie - Sandra's loyal assistant
Les - Sandra's boss
Detective Ryan Hamilton
Judge William Parker
Benny Gonzales - The Hitman
Lorrie - the housekeeper
James Matthews - writer living in the mansion's carriage house
Noah Wakefield - deceased
Madeline Wakefield - widow
Tim - The Familiar Stranger
Kitty, Maggie, Frank, Teresa - ghosts from Madeline's past
The sheriff - An evil man given one last chance to change his ways
Victoria - the ghostly FORMER mistress in the 1800s
Esther - a female ghost from the 1800s, hoping to reclaim what's rightfully hers
Sebastian - once a lover and friend of Victoria's
Pays
one point
and 2 member cents. Annie - Sandra's loyal assistant
Les - Sandra's boss
Detective Ryan Hamilton
Judge William Parker
Benny Gonzales - The Hitman
Lorrie - the housekeeper
James Matthews - writer living in the mansion's carriage house
Noah Wakefield - deceased
Madeline Wakefield - widow
Tim - The Familiar Stranger
Kitty, Maggie, Frank, Teresa - ghosts from Madeline's past
The sheriff - An evil man given one last chance to change his ways
Victoria - the ghostly FORMER mistress in the 1800s
Esther - a female ghost from the 1800s, hoping to reclaim what's rightfully hers
Sebastian - once a lover and friend of Victoria's
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