Chapter Text
"Alright, so your room is just upstairs. First to the left." Samantha said with a warm smile, one which you returned.
"Thanks, I hope I don't get lost on my way there."
"Do you need any help with your luggage, or...?"
You quickly shook your head, already dragging your bags up the stairs. You weren't exactly the strongest, but you also didn't want to bother the woman. "Nah, I'm alright. But I appreciate the offer."
"Okay, let me know if you need anything! Or let my husband know, if you catch him. He's the only other person here right now, so I think you'll know it if you see him."
You only gave her a small nod in response, a polite smile on your face.
The Woodstone estate was definitely not the place you wanted to stay at, at first, but it was the cheapest option in the area, so you couldn't complain. It was definitely a nice place to stay at, to be fair. And thankfully quiet, since there were no other guests. Just two nights and you'd be gone, that's it.
When you finally managed to get to the room, you threw your bag on the floor and slumped down on the bed, closing your eyes. Finally some peace after the absolute nightmare of a bus ride you had. Suddenly you felt buzzing coming from the pocket of your jacket, and you knew immediately who it was.
"Hi, mom. What's up?" You mumbled as you picked up the phone and rolled over on your stomach.
"Oh, I'm fine. Just wanted to check on you, see if you made it safely to that...place."
"Yeah, yeah, I made it."
"I still don't understand why you didn't want to spend the night with us-"
There it was. It was incredible how often your mom managed to get into countless arguments with you, yet still expected you to want to stay with her and dad. You rolled your eyes, then responded.
"It's not like I didn't want to, mom. I just...you know, I just don't want to be an inconvence. Anyway, uncle Robert is already staying with you guys, it'd just get crowded."
"You could sleep with him, what's the problem?"
"Yeah, I'm...I'm not doing that."
"Fine. Do whatever you want. You know, this is what I always say! You're constantly acting like you're better than us-"
A barely audible groan left your lips as your mom continued to complain about you. You've never had a great relationship with her. Honestly, the last thing you cared about was speaking to her right now when you just wanted some peace and quiet.
"Uh, mom? You're breaking up, I'll call you back."
"What? I can hear you just fine, I don-"
"Byeee..." And with that you hung up the phone. It was just a little white lie, and for a good cause. So you wouldn't get into an argument again.
You slowly stood up from the bed and stretched your back out, then looked around the room. Everything seemed so well kept, but it was clear the place was old. And you were pretty sure the mattress you just laid on was ancient. Still, it had a certain energy to it. Not to mention, the room seemed bigger than your apartment.
You spent the evening walking through the mansion, admiring all of the antiques. It was scary to even touch anything, you were scared you'd break something that would put you in debt. As you strolled through the first floor, a voice called out to you.
"Hi! Are you finding everything alright?"
The blonde woman asked with the same bright smile. She quickly walked up to you, but seemed distracted by something, constantly glancing around. Maybe you just listened to way too many true crime podcasts and were paranoid, but it was... strange.
"Uh, yeah, yeah. I just wanted to look around, I hope that's alright. It's a gorgeous house."
"It is, yeah. So what brings you here? Just...we haven't had anyone stay here in like two weeks."
"Just came to visit my mom on Saint Patrick's day." You responded with a shrug and sat down on the sofa. Samantha did the same.
"Oh, does she live around here?"
"Yeah, she's in the area. We don't really celebrate the holiday, but we still have a family get-together every year."
"That's fun!" The blonde nodded, but it was clear she was being polite. Once again she looked around, then nodded after a few seconds. God it was creepy. Like she was seeing things. She turned to face you again, and you gave her a tight lipped smile. "So you're leaving tomorrow?"
"No, I'm actually going to see my mom on the 18th. So I guess the day after Saint Patrick's."
Once again Samantha glanced in the same direction, her expression turning to a more stressed one, her smile now tighter. She cleared her throat and stood up from the couch, then put her hands on her hips.
"You know, I have to go. Just...gotta deal with something. But you're free to look around!"
"I'll actually just go back to my room, you know? Maybe shower or something."
You slowly stood up from the couch and dusted your pants off, then began to head upstairs. But as you walked, you heard Samantha's voice. She was talking to someone, but no one was responding. It's not like you'd judge someone with a mental illness, but...well, maybe you'd judge a little bit.
It was nearly midnight as you stepped into the bathroom. You stripped out of your clothes and got in the shower. The room was cold, but the warm water coming from the shower head immediately made your muscles relax. You began to soap up your body, steam filled the space. It was hard to see anything. And yet, for some reason you felt like you were being watched. You looked around, but couldn't make out anything. Maybe you were just paranoid? That was probably it, especially after how strange the owner of this place was acting.
You slowly turned the water off, a little reluctant to lose this feeling of warm droplets on your skin. But as you stepped out from the shower, you felt your heart stop.
"O-oh my god!" You screamed and immediately grabbed a towel to cover yourself up, your movement so sudden that you slipped on the cold tiles and your body hit the floor.
Before you stood a woman who seemed just as shocked as you were. It wasn't Samantha, that's for sure. She was older, with a big head of flaming red curls, her wide eyes were a sparkling green. But as pretty as she was, it couldn't exactly distract you from the fact she was in the bathroom with you!
"Oh dear." She squeaked, taking a step back. She quickly turned around, but was clearly too surprised to even move further And so you shouted.
"Leave! Jesus...fuck!"
At your words, she immediately stepped out of the bathroom. Through the steam it almost looked like she went right through the door without even opening it. You sat there on the floor, not sure what to do. But as soon as you managed to compose yourself, you quickly stood up and got dressed in your pajamas. Your heart was racing in your chest, and you didn't even want to walk out of the room. But you had to.
You hesitantly stepped out the door, clutching your towel as tightly as possible. You saw the woman's silhouette moving down the hall, and you immediately followed, a deep frown on your face.
"Hey, who are you?"
But she ignored you and just stepped into a room. And this time, when there was no steam blurring your vision, you were sure you saw her step right through the wooden surface. It made your heart stop. Were you going crazy? You slowly walked into the room, and there she was again, looking at you with those wide, green eyes.
"Why were you creeping on me in the shower?"
"I was not!" The stranger shook her head immediately and took a step back, as if afraid you'd harm her. She bit her lip, then continued. "I simply...well, I didn't know you could see me."
"...what?!"
"No, I don't mean it that way!"
"What is going on?" You ran your fingers through your damp hair in frustration, then slowly walked over to the bed and sat on the mattress.
She cleared her throat, then spoke, almost shyly. "My name is...Hetty."
"Oh thanks, now I know who to report to the police."
A small scoff left her lips and she looked away in embarrassment, the flush of her cheeks now more prominent. Hetty hesitantly walked over to the bed and sat down next to you, then muttered.
"I suppose I simply...am not used to being seen. I do apologize. Oh, you don't even know how humiliating it is to walk in on someone."
You lifted your head up and your expression softened ever so slightly. A faint, almost resigned huff of laughter left your lips as you shook your head. "Believe me, it's even more humiliating to be walked in on. But...fine, it was an accident. Maybe I overreacted, I've just been so on edge."
"Oh?"
"Yeah... I mean, I don't want to bore you, just... Just know that there's no bad blood here."
"Oh god, I want you to bore me." Hetty said with an almost desperate groan.
"Huh?"
"You don't even know how nice it is to talk to someone other than..." The woman looked around, then rolled her eyes and shook her head slightly. "Well, it's simply nice to meet someone new. Even under these embarrassing circumstances."
"It is. So what brings you here, anyway?" You turned your body to face her a little better. Now that you calmed down, talking to her was...nice. And the thing with the door, you knew you were probably just still stressed and in shock.
"Oh, I..." Hetty paused, biting her lip in thought. It was hard not to find that habit of hers a bit endearing. "I simply enjoy places like these. Antiques, mansions. Uh...vintage things?"
"I could tell."
"Oh?"
"Because of the dress you're wearing." You said with a flustered laugh and leaned back on the bed. "It's beautiful, by the way. Suits you well. Are your pajamas also this... Victorian?"
Hetty let out a small huff and ran her slender fingers over her bodice. Your eyes followed each movement with adoration. There was something special about her. Otherworldly. You've never met a woman like her. So timeless. Her voice brought you out of your thoughts. "Well, I once had the most beautiful nightgown. With a big bow on the front."
"A big bow? A bit tacky..."
"Tacky?!" Hetty scoffed and immediately turned to you with a pout. She straightened her back as she spoke, her voice was even higher in pitch. "I'll have you know it cost me 3 dollars. It wasn't cheap."
"3 dollars?"
"Um, I mean...3 hundred! Yes, that is what I meant."
"Alright then. What do I know about nightgowns anyway." You said with a small laugh and looked down at your old, worn out pajamas, then back up at the woman before you. Just like Samantha, Hetty seemed to drift off every few seconds. As if listening to something. Her neck would stretch ever so slightly and it was as if her ears did the slightest twitch. It was...cute. You cleared your throat, trying to compose yourself. How stereotypical, falling for a woman after minutes of knowing her. "Well, I'm sure you'd look gorgeous in a nightgown like that, Hetty."
"You do?" Even in the darkness of the room you could see her cheeks flush a soft pink.
"Of course. I mean...you have a nice figure and all."
"Oh, it's...just the corset, I'm sure." Hetty giggled bashfully, looking down at her lap.
You smiled warmly and shook your head. "Come on, don't be modest."
"I suppose I simply...do not get complimented often."
"Maybe people around you are just blind."
"...perhaps. Your body is also...quite beautiful."
"I guess you've seen it all. I'm glad I didn't disappoint."
You couldn't hold back a faint grin even if you wanted to. She was just so effortlessly charming. And she liked your body? You really hoped you weren't being delusional when you thought that maybe, just maybe, she was into you, too. And that, perhaps, you'd be able to make the most of this time in the mansion. You glanced up at the grandfather clock in the corner. It was way past midnight by now. Reluctantly you got up and gave Hetty a soft smile.
"I should go to sleep. I'm sure you're tired, too."
"I...I am a bit, yes." Hetty nodded, a hint of sadness in her voice as she watched you walk to the door.
As you grabbed the handle, you turned around to face her and shrugged. "But maybe I'll see you tomorrow? I'm here till the 18th, so..."
The woman immediately perked up at the information, a bright smile appearing on her lips. "Oh! Well, I will see you tomorrow!"
"....bye." you whispered, then slowly left the room, already giddy to see her in the morning.
And all Hetty could think about, was how the hell would she hide the fact that she was a ghost for a whole day?