Haunted Hollow

Banshee trudged through the dense forest. The rumors had pushed him to the point of needing to see it for themself. A haunted house in the Harrow? Only a few had actually seen this supposed house before, but none could really describe the design nor the location properly. Each time they had heard the stories, the house seemed to take on different details. No one house was described exactly alike. The trees in the Harrow were thicker in this area than those around the outskirts. Banshee wondered if Gonewell was somewhere nearby considering the air seemed thick with magic. No leaves were on the branches above, and the soil was cracked and hardened from lack of water. The wind blew coldly along the pathway, channeled by the dense growths. Many would be filled with fear in this situation, but Banshee didn’t seem to care one way or another. The money he’d be making on this dare would be worth seeing whether or not this house really existed. They hoped their cloth pieces would avoid the lie hanging branches that’s reached in their direction. The others said the walk wouldn’t be too long, so where was it? The house still wasn’t in sight. Banshee huffed in irritation. The walk was another ten minutes before the scenery changed. The trees gave way to a large brick wall. Iron decorations lead up to a matching gate, intricate designs danced across the dark bars and locks. Moss grew up the sides of the cracked bricks. One side of the gate hung open, one of the hinges having rusted off. Banshee pushed the door fully open. I guess the house was real. They thought to themselves. The house was a mute grey tone, windows alit with a light purple hue from an unknown source. Banshee could see shadows dancing behind thin curtains. What could be inside? They heard a crunch to their left, what could that have been? Banshee turned to investigate the pile of bones decorations that were lying about on the ground. While sifting through the piles, Banshee discovered a crystal collar, one that Aphex typically used to communicate. It lit up a bright orange and a very robotic voice came out. “Can you help me please?” Startled, Banshee dropped the collar. “Ah, sorry to startle you. My name is Bones. Some kids took my head into the house, and then ran out screaming a few minutes afterwards. They didn’t bring my head back though. I’m able to reassemble my body, but I can’t see anything. Well, I guess I can see some sort of couch or chair. My head’s somewhere on the floor I think. Do you mind helping me?” “U-uh wow, okay, I’ve never seen an aphex? You are an…?” “An Aphex, yes I am. If you want you can take my collar with you so you’re not alone in there.” “S-sure. So, how do you stay together and such?” Bones chuckled, “well, it’s kind of a curse I seem to have been born with. I used to be an all white feathered beauty, but one day I just woke up and… it was just all gone. Most of my memories too. Still not sure what all happened, but now I kind of just wander around. I don’t really know what to do now. I frighten most people who come across me, so I just live here on the outskirts of the Harrow. Happened upon this house today and wanted to check it out.” Banshee and Bones continued chatting as they walked to the front door and entered the house. It opened up to a theatrical double staircase with a massive chandelier above. Candles lit with a strange purple fire lined the walls and the three doors leading in each direction. “I think the hatchlings went right when they came in.” Banshee nodded and turned towards the wide frame that lead into a sitting room. Ornate couches, lamps, and shelving filled with books from various time periods filled the space. Glass cabinets sat in two of the four corners of the room with lavender plates, cups, and trays. Banshee found Bone’s head rather quickly. It lay on its side near a white marble fireplace and a single seat chair. They walked over and picked it up carefully, asking “So where should I hold it? Like… would be uncomfortable for me to hold you by your horns?” Before he could answer, a loud thunk upstairs started them. Shuffling noises and a groan could be heard through the ceiling. Banshee held onto Bone’s head like a football and hustled back out of the house. They were done exploring for today. Banshee wasn’t the one to go stick their neck into trouble, and didn’t want to find out what could possibly reside in such a strange place. With his head back where it was supposed to be, Bones stood to his full height. He was significantly taller than Banshee, needing to angle his head down to look at them. After a moment’s pause, Banshee finally stuttered out, “w-would you like to walk with me? Y-you can maybecomelivewithme…” Bones cocked his head, not understanding the last part of what was said. “What?” “Huuuuh,” Banshee huffed out in embarrassment. “Would you like to come home with me or be my roommate or something?” Banshee looked away blushing, they weren’t sure how Bones would feel about such an upfront question. “W-would that be okay with you? I mean I don’t mind living like this in the Harrow, and I wouldn’t want to be a bother.” Banshee turned their head back to the skeleton beside them, “I’m sure, plus I’d feel bad not inviting a friend over after all we’ve been through ha ha…” What am I saying, we just met and all I did was grab his head from inside this house! “Alright then, I’d love to come be your roommate if you’ll have me.” The two continued to chat as they walked back along the path, neither noticed the house disappearing in a cloud of mist.