Chapter 19: Not your fairy tale ending


When I was little, I would pretend to be the hero of my own fairy tale. Instead of a prince to save the day, I would. Of course my real fairy tale turned out quite differently.

I opened my eyes. I had been sitting at George’s grave for an hour now. Not many ghosts that passed me seemed to mind my presence. They figured I would be dead soon. I clutched the book, not wanting to lose track of it. Curled up, I started to cry silently, feeling hopeless. I did not know what happened to George or if he was all right. Suddenly I laughed. I was worried about how a ghost was doing!

I inhaled deeply. The air was cold and filled my lungs with a icy chill. Upon looking around I studied the area around me. It was amazing how many graves were here. Somehow I did not feel scared by the fact that I was surrounded by all the dead bodies. All my thoughts were turned to George. It was torturous not knowing if he was all right. Who knows what Leota was doing to him?

“Rosie?” I heard a small timid voice say.

I looked up, spotting Gus, one member of the insane trio I met earlier in my stay here.

“Gus? What are you doing here?” I wiped tears off my cheek.

“Why is your face wet?” Gus tipped his head to one side. “Is Rosie sad?” he said with childlike wonder.

“Yes Gus, I’m sad… and scared. Madame Leota has gone insane… to put it lightly.” I grimaced as I thought of Leota.

“Where’s George?” he asked, floating over and sitting--or more like levitating--by my side.

“I—I don’t know,” I said softly. I clutched the book tightly, trying to hold back tears. Why did I feel so hopeless? I didn’t even know what was happening.

“Oh…” Gus replied, staring off into space. Who knows what that little man was thinking? “Rosie! I show you friend … he help!” Gus tried to grab my hand. Much to Gus’ dismay it kept going through mine. Maybe he did not have as much control as George did on focusing his energy.

“Here Gus, I’ll follow you,” I stood up. My legs were a little shaky but I forced myself forward. Gus led me through the graveyard. I passed many spirits, some of which glanced my way. When they looked at me they either grimaced or laughed. I think all of these ghosts are psychotic. “Gus… who are you taking me to?”

“Graham,” Gus answered, floating at a brisk pace.

“Graham… all right…” I drawled. “Any information other than a name?” I was a little frustrated. I wanted to know exactly I was headed to. I walked as Gus… levitated for awhile longer until we reached a gate. It was tall and black, with some odd shapes on the top. I scanned the area, straining to see. A small odd shape bolted toward me. Then was followed by a glowing sphere. I braced myself to run.

“Lookie Rosie! It’s Graham!” Gus shrieked jumping up and down.

I looked at the shapes that were nearing me. I heard an odd sort of sound, like a dog’s yelp. My heart started to beat faster. “Gus… what is Graham exactly?”

Yet Gus did not answer, standing there giggling like a little boy. As the first shape neared me I looked down. It was no bigger than… a dog. A dog? No, it was much too skinny to be a dog. Yet it was a dog. It barked, its long ears flopping around as it jumped up to me.

“Bony! Bony you—brute get over ‘er!”

The figure neared and I noticed it was a man. His features were old and worn. He was skinny. The poor man desperately needed to eat something. He was wearing a tattered cap and a green scarf. His clothing was old and dirty, as if he rolled on the ground. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw me.

“Eh—I haven’t seen ya ‘er before,” he said by way of greeting, holding up his lantern to my face. “Who are ye?”

“I’m Rosalie… Anderson,” I answered a little reluctantly. He had a rather large shovel. Upon studying him I noticed his face had color in it. He was… alive? I gasped in surprise. “You’re alive?”

“Yes’m. I’m alive. I’m the grave keeper… and what is a livin’ girl doin’ ‘ere?” he wagged his finger in my face. “It’s dangerous! There are too many of the dead floatin’ around. You could get yourself killed!”

“I’m here because George Gracey wanted me to be,” I said softly, backing away before the light from the lantern blinded me.

Gus floated over to my side and grinned at the old man. The keeper in turn looked down. Immediately his knees started to shake and he whimpered.

“Graham no like Gus,” Gus chuckled. He floated over to Graham and looked up at him. “Graham help Rosie! She needs help!”

“Get off!” shouted the grave digger, flailing his arm around. After Gus backed away, he looked to me. “The name’s Graham O’ Dell. I’m the Caretaker of these grounds…” He looked me up and down and sniffed. “Never thought I would see another human ‘ere. ‘Sides Maynard, but I’s never sees him.”

So this was Graham! I was relieved to find that he was just another human. I felt something brush my leg and jumped, but only to find it was the dog. The poor thing looked like death. You could see the contours of its skeleton. I knelt down and patted it on the head. “Hello…” I said, looking into the animal’s eyes. It seemed so sad, frightened. I always had a thing for animals. It broke my heart to see one in such a state.

“That’s Bony,” Graham wiped his nose with his sleeve. “I’s forget to feed ‘im at times… but no matter, he’s alive.” He placed his shovel into the ground so it stood upright.

Gus floated over to my side and tugged on my arm. I looked over at the small spirit. His eyes were wide.

“Tell him what you need help with… Yes?” Gus said, then floated back over to Graham, who shrieked and ran away from Gus .

Yes, it seemed like this man would help a great deal indeed, I thought sarcastically.

“You--you need my help?” Graham stuttered. “What do you need my help for?”

“Do you know Madame Leota?” I asked, still clutching the book.

“Yes—what do I have to do with ‘er?” Graham shot me a dark look.

“I don’t know what she has to do with you… but the curse that is on these grounds, well, it’s here because of her. And she has George. I need to know some way to… stop her,” I said, realizing how pathetic it was that I had no idea what I was doing.

Graham cocked and eyebrow. “Ah… So old Master Gracey finally got what was coming to him. You see these ghosts whisper things. I’ve ‘eard them talk of what happened when Leota came. They say she always wanted these lands, not for the wealth but for the use of all the spirits around ‘ere. You see this grave yard has been here for centuries, giving the ultimate source of spirits…” The man shook his head solemnly. “If Leota has her book, there’s nothing you can do now.”

“She doesn’t have the book—I do!” I held it up for him to see.

The old man cackled. “Clever girl! I suggest you destroy it, so Leota can’t gain more power.”

Gus’ eyes grew wide. He floated over to it and reached for it. “Book!” he cried, straining his stubby arms for it.

I held the book higher. “Gus no… No one can see the book,” I said darkly.

Gus huffed, crossing his arms and disappearing. I looked back at Graham who was picking up his shovel. He whistled for Bony and the beast immediately went to his master’s side.

Sighing I walked towards him. “Listen, I need help. I cannot do this alone. I'm worried for George’s sake… I'm the only one who may be able to help him. Who knows what Leota could be doing to him... I don't know what to do."

Graham cocked an eyebrow. "What makes ya think I can help? I’m nothing but the gravedigger," he growled. "I barley even know Master Gracey-- all I know is of his madness in life. It's his fault this curse is upon him."

"I know," I whispered. "Does that mean he should be condemned?"

"... I 'spose it does." Graham turned as if to walk away.

"Wait! I-- I'm scared. I'm all alone. I don't know what to do! Please is there anything you know that can help me? I have to help George."

Graham sighed and turned to face me, Bony still by his side. He studied me for a moment then shook his head. "I've lived here for years. All the spirits have been talking of this day-- the day that Leota would finally take over. You know there was also great talk when you arrived," Graham sat on a large stone. "Some say that only one of the living can destroy Leota..."

"That makes no sense—Listen, do you know how to stop Leota?"

Graham laughed. His laugh was raspy. "Isn't if obvious? Just smash her against a wall!" He continued to laugh.

I huffed, "No... There has to be more to it than that."

Graham sighed and shook his head. "Listen, I don't know how to get rid of Leota! I am just the gravedigger here... I can’t be of any assistance to you. If I were you, I’d turn back."

"I can't."

He leaned back, eyes wide. "Why? There is nothing you can do now... The master is already dead... so why do you care?"

"Mr. Gracey-- He is my friend. He had a sorrowful life. Even if he is already dead he does not deserve anything bad happening to him." I hung my head, feeling the weight of the world on my back.

"You pity him then? "

When I did not answer, he sighed. "Listen-- Maybe your best chance is in that book. I cannot help you," Graham stood back up. A ghost flew by in the distance and at the sight of it he froze and began to shake. "I best be off." He walked away, and then turned before he went out of sight. "Good luck.”

I waved to him. Some help he was.

Looking off into the distance, and through some trees, I could see the mansion. I went and stood near George's grave once again and touched his engraved name. Maybe the answer to save me was in the book after all. As I looked at it, anger rose in me.

I opened it to the first page, which was an index. Turning to a page entitled, "Spells of the Damned," I read. The pages were filled with unreadable writing. I let out a cry of frustration and in my anger I threw the book against George's grave. For a moment I was too furious to think strait. I was overcome with rage. There was no way I could help George! As I walked over to pick up the book I noticed a dark shadow nearing me.

"Who--Who's there?" I whimpered, grabbing the book and clutching it tightly.

"Rosalie? Is that you?" I recognized the voice. It was Maynard.

"Maynard? Maynard! What's going on? Where is George?" I ran up to him. If it was possible he seemed even paler than normal.

"He's still ... alive?" he squeaked, obviously in distress.

"I-- I don't understand..."

"The Master is confined to the house. However, Leota did manage to cast a spell on him. Master Gracey is fading away. She is draining him. He sent me to find you... To tell you that you must leave. We've discovered that Leota plans to…" Maynard frowned.

"What?" I took a step towards him.

"She's going to use this Mansion as a portal of some sort. She wants power..."

"Then... how do I stop her?" I asked, frustrated

"The master told me you would want to help... You must leave Miss Rosalie," Maynard commanded grimly.

I set my jaw tight. "I'm not leaving.”

"She's going to kill you if you so much as take another step in that house. The master cannot bear the thought of you in harm’s way. It's a miracle I escaped-- Please honor his wishes." Maynard cast his eyes around the graveyard.

"No, listen, what was the point of me coming here if I can’t even help? I am going to... so you might as well tell me how I can."

"Very well, then. I did not say that I was going to honor his wishes. I'm just the messenger. We must hurry. The master is fading fast. I believe there is something that can help in that book." Maynard grabbed my hand and lead me back to the mansion.

My mind couldn’t focus. First, Maynard came to tell me I must leave. Now he was leading me back. This whole experience has been confusion non-stop. When Maynard and I reached the Mansion he pulled me to the side.

"There is a door on this side of the house. It leads to a hidden staircase. It goes to the Master’s quarters," Maynard instructed, pointing to the door. "You must go find him. I will go about my business as usual. Do not make yourself known. Stay in the shadows. Go and be quick about it. I will keep Leota distracted."

With that, I ran as fast as my feet could carry me. When I reached the door I stepped in, shutting the door behind me. Immediately I was plunged into darkness, the only sound my breathing. I reached out one hand and felt around for the first step of the stairs then stumbled up the steps. When I reached the top I saw a crack of light coming from under a door. I felt along the door’s surface trying to find the knob. Before I could, the door opened and I fell forward and hit the ground. I let out a shout of surprise as the book flew from my hands.

The light hurt my eyes, making me blindly feel around for the book. Then a light pressure grabbed my hand and pulled me upwards. When my eyes adjusted I saw it was George.

"Rosalie? I thought I sent Maynard to tell you to leave..." His voice echoed now, more than it ever had before. I could clearly see through him. Now he actually did look like a ghost.

"George-- What happened?" I was on the verge of tears.

"I made a mistake a long time ago..." He smiled softly, "And now I'm paying for it"

"I brought the book back." I picked it up and held it in front of him. "It can help you"

"You should have gone home, Rosalie," George said, his eyes never leaving me. "I can't stand the thought of you dying"

I glowered. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I've noticed..." he said sadly. "Why?"

"Because ... I can't leave you. You don't deserve to suffer this fate."

"Yes, Rosalie, I do. It's all my fault. I brought Leota here. My time is up. It has been for over one hundred years. I brought you here because I thought that you could help me break this curse. Then I found something else. I was not expecting to be so drawn to you. It could be because I was tired of being lonely, I don't know." George looked at me a moment longer then removed his gaze. "I was foolish. I only brought your strait into harm’s way... I'm so sorry."

"That does not matter now... Here, I have the book. Let's find a way to help you."

George turned and looked at me, then he shook his head. "You’re a foolish mortal girl Rosalie Anderson."