The Haunted or not so haunted house

I sit on the stool, staring at my reflection. I see a narrow face, round eyes, with hair falling neatly behind my back–I still look young, though in the last few months I turned 20. I pin my hair, tying it up in a clean updo. “Scarlet”, my dad says, peeking his head through my room. His eyes catch mine in the mirror. It is too late to look away, but instead of scolding me, he slides at our reflection. I frown a little.

“So today is the day,” he says.

“Yes,” I reply, feeling as if he's mad at me

It's been a long time since I moved out of the state, and to be honest, I didn't feel ready for it.

"Are you actually serious about this? He said frowning

“You wanna live there? Do you know what people say about her, Scarlet?".

"Yeah, I know, Dad!" I said, turning to face him, my voice pitched higher in an inflection when I responded. But how could he say that about my grandmother? After Grandma died, her house was all I had left of her. After my mom died, she was the one who took care of me when my dad was always at work. I crumple my thoughts to a side as I yell, "I'm moving there, and that's final!"

"Fine, do what you want," he said, narrowing his eyes, looking disappointed. "But I'm telling you, you're gonna come back and say the rumours are true."

There were speculations about how there were a lot of rumors about how my grandmother was some sort of a witch, saying her house was haunted. But it didn't matter; arguing with him about it wasn't going to change my mind. Then, a few moments later, I heard a door close muffled, which signifies he's done talking for now.

It was late in the afternoon, as I grabbed a bag of books, my laptop, and way too many clothes, I'd get the rest of my items back later; for now, I needed to get settled in the house. I took a quick glance at the mirror before getting in the car.

I picked out a pair of blue jeans, a black tee, and quickly put my wavy back hair in a messy bun, and I ran out the door, into the car.

It was like a slow cinematic reveal as I turned onto the street. There it was. I'd never been there before, but it looked old and ominous, windows covered with black curtains, like something from a 19th-century horror film.

I got out of the car and clicked the button to open the trunk, grabbing all my luggage before heading to the front door with the set of keys I had been given. Grandma had left me this house after she passed away; it was the only thing that was mentioned in her will. It felt strange to inherit a house, especially because I had never seen this house before, but I was happy she had given me something to remember her by. I thought of the house, which probably had gardens everywhere like a castle, and it's quite ironic how I was so, so wrong.

I approached the door, pulling out the keys. As I unlocked it, the door creaked open to reveal a stunning interior; it had multiple

Golden chandeliers contrasted sharply with the red and black decor.

After setting my things down, I decided to start cleaning. I should have called someone else to do this, I thought, but it was too late now. The sooner I cleaned the house, the better I’d feel about settling in here. I dusted room after room until I came across a door at the edge of a wall.

That was odd; this door seemed to lead nowhere since it was at the very end of the wall. I tried to open it, but it wouldn’t budge. Clearly, I needed a key. I rushed back to the table, where I left the house keys, but they didn’t fit. I shrugged it off and returned to my room.

Eventually, it was dinner time, I took out my phone and ordered some pizza. After several minutes of fighting with the internet, the doorbell rang.

Ding!

Ding!

When I opened the door, there stood a shivering pizza delivery guy, which struck me as odd since it wasn’t cold outside. He glanced nervously around the house before hurriedly handing me the pizza and rushing back to his motorbike. Strange, I thought, shrugging. I ignored the weird reaction and closed the door, ready to eat the pizza.

I returned to the kitchen, ate my pizza in the black and red checkered dining room, and soon fell asleep back in my new room. When I woke up, I quickly brushed my hair, picking out black jeans and a simple red top

I decided that I wanted to keep my room in the same space my grandmother had used. It made me feel closer to her, and it was exciting to explore the room as well.

While organizing her old belongings, I discovered a tiny chest that had no lock. Curious, I opened it without any trouble. Inside, I found a red key that looked small yet almost identical to the keyhole of the mysterious door I saw yesterday.

I wasn’t sure if it would be a perfect fit, but I figured there was only one way to find out. I made my way down the long stairs, careful not to trip. It was quite late in the morning, almost at the lunch line, and I wasn’t exactly a morning person, but I couldn't stop the excitement racing through my veins. I took out the key from my pocket and walked back to that door, my heart racing with anticipation as I placed the key into the lock, and the key perfectly snapped into place.

I turned the key in the lock, revealing the same house I was in. Curiosity pulled me in, as I stepped inside, it was the same house, I was back in my grandma's house, the exact same house. Thud, Thud, footsteps. There is someone else here, but… how…

I start panicking as the footsteps become louder, my heart beats faster, and I look for an escape. The door, who am I kidding? I can just go back to my house through the door in the wall. I turn my head to the right to the door.. Was gone.

The plain wall stood before my eyes. A creak from the main door caught my attention when I spun around. I froze. There, standing, was a figure. Tall, with dark, wind-swept hair, with bright red hair. He was wearing a cloak of deep crimson as he stood with no emotion on his face.

"You," I demanded, my voice shaky but defiant.

The man didn’t speak right away. Instead, he stepped forward, his boots making soft clinks on the stone, and his piercing red eyes never left mine.

"You’re planning to stay in the Valorian mansion," he said, his voice low and commanding, echoing slightly in the strange space. I reached into my pocket, finding the first thing to protect myself with, the tiny red key, and pointed it towards his neck. "And here you are threatening me with your…weapon ." he looked over at me, cold eyes assessing me.

"Mansion,” I repeated out loud, my mind racing. I could barely comprehend the words he was speaking, let alone what this place was or how I’d ended up here.

“Ms. Velora, what are you even doing? We've been waiting for you.” He stated, looking over at me with distain.

Valora.. He thinks I'm someone named Valor. I straighten, trying to look composed.

“You're supposed to be at breakfast now, and for Valorian’s sake, put your… weapon down." he continued, glaring at me.

“Oh, right,” I said nervously, cleaning my hands over the sides of my jeans as I tried to put a weak smile on my face.

“Your room is upstairs, room 31. It might be best if you pick a different outfit,” He snarled as he walked to the dining room.

I rushed upstairs to my so-called room, slamming the door shut behind me.

What's going on!

Who is he?

What's happening?

I hurriedly looked around the room to see a gorgeous sparkly dress, it was long, had a slit on one side, along with black heels and a bright red lipstick. On the dress, a note is placed in a red envelope.

I quickly tear it open to see the words.

WEAR THIS FOR TODAY'S BLOOD RITUAL AT 10

I WILL BE GIVING A TOUR TO ALL MY GUESTS

TODAY, RIGHT AFTER LUNCH

A blood ritual! I look outside through the window, and see people wearing extensive red and black outfits, and one of them is showing off its fangs.

FANGS!

Vampires, why didn't I realize the whole creepy mansion, and the weirdness of the whole time! I slowly step down the stairs, overthinking, what should I do? I guess I should just play into who the vampire thinks I am… Velora. If he realizes I'm a human, I definitely would be cooked at the blood ritual.

I got ready in the dress and makeup, leaving my hair open as I walked towards the dining table, I realized there wasn't just one vampire, there were a lot.

Clink Clink

I turned my head hurriedly as the vampire from earlier spoke,

“ Let me formally introduce myself. I am Chaos from the house of Valorian. I am very happy that all of you will be staying here for the Blood ritual that will be hosted by my family later today. But now, let's feast.” Suddenly, everyone starts talking with each other in hurried whispers.

“What house are you from?” a voice next to me questions. She has short curly black hair and brown eyes. I freeze. “ Um…. The house of… “

“ The house of Lavendez. “ Chaos finishes.

I gulped, “Yup.. yeah.”

I laugh awkwardly. After a couple of moments, a line of servants arrived in the dining room, plates stacked with glasses of red wine, placed in front of each of us — wait, that wasn't wine. I looked around as all the other vampires gulped them down hurriedly, it looked very much like... Blood.

Gulp

“Drink up, everyone, we will need our energy for tonight's event.” Chaos ads, right, the Blood ritual.

“What, are you not hungry?” Vivena asked, glancing at my full glass of.. Whatever they put in there.

“Nope, I'm already really full, actually.. I think I'm going to go back to my room, I'll meet you all later at the – blood ritual thing.” I quickly rushed out of my seat, rushing back to my room.

Oh boy, what have I got myself into?

The next thing I know, it became dark outside. It was almost 10, as I took slow steps down the stairs, getting ready to run away from this hellhole. Suddenly, I hear something, and I look to see a dog staring at me from the bottom of the stairs. There was a dog I swallowed back my scream when the dog didn't immediately attract. His coat is smooth and shiny and shows every ridge. He wears black spiked armour around his neck and shoulders. His ears stand straight up, tall and pointed and alert.

“Oh my god”, I whisper, shuffling my feet in the middle of the stairs.

“Cotton,” I look up to see no other than Chaos, the vampire from the house of Valorian. He doesn't sound too happy. “What are you doing here, mutt?”

I glare at Chaos. “Don't call him a mut.”

He delivers a glare that dares me to try that again. "He’s my dog. I call him what I want.”

Cotton growls.

I take a couple of steps forward, with the urgency to get out of here without being suspicious.

I freeze. “Is he going to eat me?”

“He's not growling at you,” Chaos grumbles through his teeth.

I give him a slow blink. “He's growling at you?” I can't contain my grin as I slowly walk to the end of the stairs to the dog. “Can I pet him? He’s amazing.”

“No.”

“Yes, pretty lady, you may.” A voice like a wise elder resounds in my head,

Cotton is talking to me. In my head!

“I love pettings from nice ladies,” Cotton replies when I slowly pet him.

I smile, my mind wandering towards the open main door, ready to run.

“The Blood rituals already stated we're gonna be late”, Chaos says, eyeing me for a response. He leans over, offering his hand to me. I stare at his hand before hesitantly taking it.

I follow him outside of the house. Ironically, I know the same one I was playing to run out of just a moment ago, as I frantically looked around, I realized that even the outside of the house looks exactly the same.

Suddenly, I turned back around to see a black limo in front of us. “were driving in that,” I asked, surprised, turning around to chaos

“Yes,” he replies, giving me a judgy look,

“I know it's not the fanciest for you.”

Taking a back I blankly stare at him. Who does he think I am, I mean, who does he think Velora is?

The driver opens the door for me, and Chaos as I hop in the back of the car, I break the awkward silence, “Where is the... party hosted?” I say quietly their has to be some way to escape this place.

At Varoian’s family's place,” he responds. I decided not to embarrass myself and stay still till the diver stops at our destination.

We step outside and enter into the massive hall, inside which was filled with golden chandeliers, red tablecloths with large gold rimmed mirrors on the ceilings for decor.

A speaker was in the main hall announcing that the human blood ritual would happen towards the end. I quickly walked outside to the garden to get a fresh breath away from the so-called party, where multiple flowers were growing. Suddenly, I hear a voice Chaos “Come back inside,” he says, his voice like a stone. When I don't move, he pulls me into the ballroom and then disappears, leaving me in the center of the room.

A slow harmonic music starts playing, and I freeze as vampires start dancing in a slow rhythmic dance. I sense chaos behind me as I quickly turn around, where I am face to face with chaos’s crystal red eyes, as soon as I blink there dark brown again, strange. “We have to dance,” Chaos says, looking at the other vampires around us. “Do we have to?” I question trying my hardest to sound confident. “Yes, Your dads the one who told me to be your escort; he would be disappointed.”

“My dad.. Oh Yes” I look at my heels thinking of any idea to get away from this.” We start dancing, and I see a flicker of light brown hair surprisingly similar; I brush it off, thinking it must just be the nerves.

We start dancing as I see 2 gold thrones placed above the ballroom. One for the vampire, who I believe is the king, and the other, which was left empty.

“Who is the other throne for?” I ask, tilting my head to see Chaos.

“The queen is supposed to be here anytime now. Nowadays she's here for all the events.” He starts.

I stare, replying, “ That is probably the most words you have spoken to me since the moment I came here.” I laugh uncontrollably, and he smiles, replying, “ Says the one who can't dance”.

“ You're actually not as bad as I thought you would be,” Chaos said, staring at me with what seemed like true appreciation.

“ You don't even know me." I stated with utter honesty

“ I guess that's true.” He said smirking

The music started to move faster as we started spinning in the center of the dance floor, we continued laughing, talking about the party when —

I sharply turn my head as everyone begins to whisper, looking up at the mirror-covered ceiling. I follow their eyes, bracing myself for what I’m about to see.

Me, I see me, and no one else

Vampires have no reflection

I'm the only one who has a reflection

Everyone knows

Everyone knows I'm human…

human, the vampires begin to gasp, some whispering the question of how I got here, and some are ready to kill me.

Chaos takes a couple of steps back, leaving me at the center of the dance floor once again, but this time, everyone knows what I am.

“ Seize her,” said a voice in a sharp command that came from none other than the vampire King himself.

And beside him

looking at me, stone-faced

My grandma...