He really wasn’t alone. Someone was in here in this house too. There were two possibilities on who it could be. One of those jerks was messing with him or something else entirely. And he didn’t want to stick around to see if it was the latter. He dropped the camera and raced out the door just as it began to clatter on the floor.

Colton sprinted through the corridors, running as fast as he can. But the farther he thought he ran from the source, the louder the laughter seemed to get. His ears were ringing, booms of laughter were coming from all directions. He closed his eyes, covering his ears with his hands. But he could still hear the noise, no matter how hard he pressed his hands on his ears.

“No!” He screeched at the top of his lungs. “No!”

But that was when Colton lost his footing and flew into the air. His arms automatically went up to shield himself. In midair, he twisted his body to his left side. His left shoulder was what he sacrificed when he crashed on the floor. Then he tumbled on the ground, curling himself into a ball. Colton lied there, clutching his shoulder and whimpering in pain. It’s broken he realized, broken really badly. Colton got to his knees and used the wall to support him as he got off. He leaned on the wall, sucking in air through his teeth when he touched his shoulder. He winced, his shoulder felt like it was on fire.

“Perfect,” he growled. “Just perfect.”

Being injured in a haunted house with someone or something trapped with him. That’s all he needed. He took a step with his right foot but suddenly recoiled. Was his foot broken too? He inspect it with his good hand, no it’s only sprained.

He could just give up and stay here until help arrives. But the thing might get to him first. And he doubt anyone would come here. No one knows he’s here except those guys who dared him, so help wouldn’t be coming anytime soon. He could find something to defend himself, he still has his good hand. A battle axe would be good, or maybe a chainsaw. But all in all, a bazooka would be more preferable. Colton made a wry laugh. His sense of humor might be the only thing that’s keeping him going. They always say it’s best to die laughing. Did they say that? He didn’t know. He shook the thought away, stay focus he reminded himself.

He started going to the opposite direction from which he came. He limped as he walked, one hand always on the wall to help him as he walked. As he winced every time he accidentally stepped on his bad foot it got him thinking. The place where he found the portrait didn’t look anything like the ballroom. When he thought ball room he either thought where the school equipment is stored or the ball like in Cinderella. He guessed it was the latter.  People didn’t know where the portrait was really located since they all lied. So either that wasn’t the portrait or there is a second portrait in the ball room.

The conclusion didn’t make him feel any better. Would it still count taking a picture of a faceless portrait? No one would really have to know. That could be the real portrait all they know. Besides, maybe someone moved the portrait there for some apparent reason. And it’s the real portrait after all. That comforted him and he continued to limp down the corridor. But something happened that made him stop short.

The ballroom, Colton, a soft, faint whisper said that tickled his ear. Find it.

He froze in place. The ballroom, Colton, find it. But that wasn’t what worried him, it was the message himself. Who said that? Where did it come from? Was he losing his mind? He was only in this place for a couple of hours and already he's losing his mind.

Colton began to walk faster, regardless of his limping. His fear of that whisper was more than each pain his sprained ankle took with every step. But his fear made him forget that, it was a sudden adrenaline rush. He needed to survive, to live, a survival instinct. And that just made him walk even faster.

But his body suddenly tensed, the temperature seemed to drop. He could feel a presence. It was like he developed a sixth sense being trapped in this place. It was faint, but it was there. And it was right behind him. He slowly turned, expecting a monster, a ghost, a guy in a hockey mask with a chainsaw that he wanted. But when Colton turned, all he saw was a girl.

Colton blinked, but when he did the girl was gone. He whipped around and took a step back, falling back on the floor. She was there, right behind him. No one could possibly be that fast, that nimble, that quiet.

She looked around his age maybe even younger, but something about her seemed timeless. Maybe it was her pale white skin that could have her mistaken for a ghost. Maybe she was one. Or maybe it was her large eyes that looked like they were big black orbs of empty nothingness. Her long, raven hair cascaded down her back, hanging right at her waist. And she wore a simple white dress that seemed out of style decades ago probably and was barefooted, despite the fact that it's a cold December night. If he wasn’t so freaked out by her sudden appearance, he would have called her pretty. 

But Colton didn’t recognize the girl. He thought he knew everyone in town. He would have known if there was a girl who’s actually willingly to be this close to him without the use of a dare. So he didn’t know if she was new in town or not.  He would’ve know if she was, news spreads fast in Baskerville Heights. You couldn’t hold a secret without the whole town knowing. So the girl’s existence itself was a huge mystery.

Colton opened his mouth to say something but no words came out. He didn't know what to say exactly.

The girl’s eyes were studying him as if he was some sort of other species, which he probably is. And for only a second there was a small smile that formed on her lips. But it was only for a second, because her face went blank once more. Then the expression on her face turned from blank to cheerful, like she took on some happy pill.

“Thank goodness I’ve found you,” the girl said sincerely with a hint of relief. “I thought I would be trapped here forever.”

He was surprised by her voice, it gave out a nice calm, reassuring feeling, like he should listen to everything she said. And he did.

“Trapped here?” Colton heard himself say without even realizing it. “You mean you came here in the challenge, too?”

She nodded eagerly. “Oh yes, I was dared to write my name on the portrait. I did, but now I can’t find my way out.”

How would a new girl be forced to go into the challenge? Unless people are getting even crueler these days. He couldn't help but be surprised by the girl's bravery in going into the challenge. Maybe she was like him, just not wanting to be the school outcast. But he didn’t see any names on the portrait other than his own.

“But luckily I found someone a strong guy that could protect me.” She said, taking his arm and hugging it making his cheeks flush. “Now we could find the way out together.

Colton gulped, not knowing what to do much less say. Though Colton was more than happy having a girl holding his arm, he wasn't sure of something. Colton didn’t know why, but he felt as lie in her words. He was obviously flattered by the words, but really? The last word he’d describe himself is strong, it takes him a huge effort just lifting the weights in gym. And here he stood with a broken shoulder and sprained ankle, and she calls him strong.

He knew he should be relieved that he’s not alone anymore. But he did find it strange that at the moment he needed someone, this mystery girl popped out of nowhere. And not just that, she looks fine, not traumatized or hurt like he is. But she could be the one who he heard laughing. But the thought of someone laughing while trapped in a haunted house didn’t make any sense. And her presence itself wasn’t reassuring, like she wasn’t real or just not there.

She blinked. "Is something the matter? Aren't you glad you have company instead of being alone in this haunted manor by yourself? Because I am."

He nodded, not wanting the girl to thing otherwise. “Y-yeah, of course!" He reassured her. "We should find a way out of here.”

Colton took a step forward, but completely forgot that he had a sprained ankle. He winced and had to use the wall to help him stand up. Colton looked back and saw the girl flash the same small smile, but then covered it up with a started look. It was beginning to look like she was some sort of sadist, but looking innocent to cover the fact up.

“You’re hurt!” She gasped. “This is terrible!”

Colton chuckled, doing his best to hide the pain. “This? This is nothing. Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not okay,” her worried face looked very sincere. “Here let me help you.”

She reached for his hand, but he pushed it away and continued to walk forward.

“It’s okay. We should keep going.”

He didn’t hear any footsteps that the girl was following him. He looked back and held back a gasp when he saw the girl was right next to him. Her footsteps were silent, she didn’t make a sound. It was as if she was floating on air, or maybe even weightless. She gave him a smile and continued to walk next to him. Her hand softly brushed against his, taking the flashlight out of his hands. She then pointed it in front of them, showing the way. But when he touched her a sudden shiver went down his spine. Her hand was freezing, cold to the touch.

They walked in silence. His mind wrapped around conversation started, or coming up with something to talk about. He even couldn't find up the courage to ask her to tell him about herself. He never really talked to girls, or actually girls just didn't want to talk to him. And she didn't seem at all interested in having small talk. She kept on walking ahead of him, muttering stuff to herself and becoming frustrated with herself. It was as if she was desperately looking for something. He didn't bother to ask her what she seemed to be searching, maybe a purse or even her shoes when she came here for the challenge. 

“Do you know the legend of this manor?” The girl asked him, taking a glance at him and breaking the silence.

He was surprised at the question, why would she ask him this? It was obvious he knew the legend, then he would be here in the first place. And this is literally the last topic he wanted to talk about here.

Colton scoffed. “Who wouldn’t?”

“About the part of the demon I mean.”

That took Colton by surprise. “Yeah, he sold his soul to the demon to make the hallucinations stop.”

The girl just shook her head, looking forward again. “Then the legend is wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

“There is a real reason he sold his soul to the demon,” she told him.

“There is?” Colton asked incredulously.

The legend took place centuries ago, and no one could possible know the specific details of it. And he doubt the new girl in town would possibly more about the legend then a local who's been living in Baskerville Heights all his life. But she didn't let that fact stop her.

“The demon was said to be beautiful, like one of God’s creations, an angel who came from above." She smiled as if she was talking about herself. “And do you know what he did when he laid eyes upon the demon?”

Colton was absorbed in the whole thing, eating it all up. “What?”

She whispered in his ear, her cold breath sending him chills. “He fell in love.”

"Falling in love with a demon?" Colton asked. "Why would someone fall in love with some thing with horns and wings?"

The girl narrowed her eyes at him. "How dare you-" She caught herself, and covered it with a smile. "I mean, it's a bit more complicated than that. Demon's come in many shapes and forms, what you just said is one of the examples. But in this case, this demon took on the form of a beautiful woman."

Colton nodded, getting the idea. "So then what?"

"The two couldn't be together, there were different species after all." She said, trying hard to hide the smirk on her face. "But she persuaded to him that if he would say, sell his soul to her for her hand, then they would be together."

Colton was speechless at her reply. “He actually sold his soul to a demon for love?”

Colton tried hard not to laugh. He’d sell his soul for something better, like the next popular game system or something. But that was only his opinion. Bentley was just nuts to do that. Selling his soul for a girl. No offense, but no wonder he was delusional.

“The things people do for love is a mysterious thing.” She said with a small shrug. "But you can't help but think that a romantic love story end up as a horrid ghost story. Such a shame."

He opened his mouth to say something, but she suddenly gasped. At first he thought maybe she found the exit. He looked at the direction she was looking from. And to his disappointment, he saw two grand doors that looked like they open to something important. The huge doors seemed to touch the ceiling. The size itself was intimidating, and it’s golden embroidery and detailed carvings made it look really fancy.

Colton was about to move on. He didn't care about the huge doors that could possibly hold something really valuable like hidden treasure or bad like a fire breathing dragon. What? He couldn't believe dragons are real after all of this demons and stuff? He'd actually prefer the dragon. And he could always use the girl as a shield, but he knew that he'd already be running away leaving the girl alone. Yeah, he's great companion in adventures. He turned to go back into the corridor since it was a dead end, but the girl tugged on his jacket sleeve.

“No, we should go in.” The girl told him.

It seemed like some sort of command, but had softness behind it. At first, Colton wanted to follow her plead. Wanting to do everything she asked him to. This was the first girl that was nie to him besides pity, and he'd do anything to keep her. But he caught himself and found the will to disagree with her.

“We shouldn’t." He explained. "We’ll only be wasting time. We need to find the exit.”

“The ballroom, Colton,” she said in a calm and controlled voice, as she stared right into his eyes.

The words sent a chill down his spine. The ballroom, Colton. It sounded like the whisper he heard what seemed like hours ago. No it seemed exactly like it, the words, the voice. He stared at the girl, who looked like she desperately wanted to go through the doors.

“What did you just say?” Colton asked her in a quiet voice.

She smiled innocently. “The ballroom, Colton. Maybe it’s the door to the ballroom. We should go and see.”

Before Colton was able to turn her request down, she was already heading towards the doors. He wanted to just head off the other direction, but she was holding the flashlight. So he obediently followed behind her. He knew at the back of his mind that he was going to regret it.

He watched as the girl’s hand slid over the door, studying it. Then she whispered something to it, like she was telling it a secret. But it was in some other language, an ancient language. She gave the doors a slight push, and both doors blew wide open. Colton’s jaw dropped all the way to the floor, he knew it himself that it would take ten men just to open the first door. But she just did it in a small push.

The girl smiled at him. “Let’s go, Colton.” And she went inside.

He followed behind. But the thing was he didn’t realize something. That he never told the girl his name, and she never told him hers.

He stay close behind the girl as the two walked the grand stairs that led them to the lower level. Colton watched in amazement as how the girl seemed to glide over the stairs, her hand sliding down the slick banister. She still wore that same smile, as if she was in some dream. Maybe he was in a dream. But he didn't want to pinch himself since he's already hurt this badly.

The room was huge, it looked as big as the football field, maybe even more. Though the place looked abandoned and neglected after so many centuries, it still gave off this grand aura. Huge windows went up to the floor to the ceiling, but were covered in huge velvet curtains. And the ceiling was high up, like it was trying to reach the skies. Huge chandeliers hung on the ceilings, looking like they are just begging to crash onto the floor like one of the chandeliers already has. The air felt cool and he felt a small draft from maybe a broken window. He sniffed the air, and that’s when it hit him. Blood, dried blood hung in the air. It was faint, but it was there. It was then Colton realized that this is where the massacre took place. He looked on the ground and saw that the ground was clean, dusty, but clean. They must have cleaned the place when they picked up the bodies to bury at the cemetery.

But Colton didn’t like this place. It felt bad, it was evil. He didn’t want to be here.

“We should go.” He suggested to her.

“No.”

Colton blinked, the force in her voice startled him. The girl froze like she caught herself in an act then she cursed under her breath in the same ancient language. She turned around with a smile plastered on her face.

“Why should we when the fun had just began?”

But hadn’t they just agreed that they should get out of here? Why would she want to stay here when they could be already finding the exit? Didn't she want to get out of here as much as he did, because he wan'ted to badly.

“Colton, look here!” She called out.

He cringed at how she said his name. He didn’t like how she said, but at the same time he loved the thought that she said it. No one ever calls out her name, much less a girl. Even though he’s a bit suspicious of her, this is probably the closest he ever been with a girl.

He followed her voice, steering around a fallen chandelier, and was careful to step over broken glass. Colton saw what she wanted him to see. At the end of the ballroom was a huge chair, maybe even a throne at the top of a smaller case of stairs.

The girl looked at him expectantly.

“What?” He asked.

“Go on, check it out.” She offered, looking up at the stairs.

“Why would I want to?” Colton asked her, raising an eyebrow.

“We both know you’re as curious as I am. You want to get a closer look just as much as I do.” She said.

“And why can’t you?”

She frowned for only a moment, and looked down at the bottom of the steps. She hesitated and lifted her barefoot onto the first step. But when she was only inches from touching it, she hissed and backed away from the stairs. She glared at it, like it was evil, but then looked up at Colton again. 

She gave a wry smile like. “I can’t at the moment. I can't explain it, I just can't. But don’t let that stop you.”

Colton was confused at her words. But was a bit curious and wanted to get a better look. He climbed the steps and studied the throne. It looked more like an armchair, but this was the first time he saw a throne. It was carefully detailed, very carving looked like it was carefully planned. And the velvet seats looked dusty but very comfortable. It was both grand and priceless, like it should be in the museum. Colton wanted to sit on it badly, the rebel in him was dying to see what it was like to be in Bentley’s shoes.

“Do it.”

He looked back at the girl, who was only a distance away from the staircase. “Huh?”

“Sit on it, no one would know.” She said as if she was reading his mind.

He was happy to oblige. He hesitated at first, but carefully sat on the throne. He closed his eyes, leaning his head at the back of the chair and took a deep breath. But when he opened his eyes, he wasn’t in the ballroom of the Bentley Manor anymore. No, he was there, but it didn’t feel right.

Everything was brightly lit, the whole room looked golden like it was all made of gold. The windows were wide open, letting the cool night air in, and showing the stars outside. And polished chandeliers twinkled as they hung in the ceiling. He looked down the staircase, but the girl was gone. She wasn’t there. Instead it was a whole crowd of people, they all were at the floor of the ballroom. They were in all ages, there were even some kids running around the room. There was a string quartet playing a song he didn’t recognize. The women wore huge, beautiful gowns in a range of colors while the men who crisp black suits. They were all dancing, talking, eating, just socializing.

Colton blinked. Where was he? No, he was smarter that he looked. The question was, when is he?

This isn’t the ballroom just moments before. It’s like he’s in the ballroom back when the Bentley Manor was at its best state. He guessed that it must have been a ball or at least a gathering of some sort. Maybe even a charity, but he wasn't very sure.

He didn't get how this is happening to him. Was he experiencing some sort of hallucination or dream? Colton pinched himself, but nothing happened. He might as well go through this dream, and maybe he'll wake up back to reality.

Colton stood up from the throne, but looked down at himself. He wasn’t wearing the jacket and jeans with his favorite pair of converse anymore. Instead he was wearing a crisp white jacket and black pants, and a huge red sash hanging across his chest. He marveled at his new outfit as he came down the stairs. But he stopped when he noticed that people were bowing down to him. Every person he passed either bowed or curtsied to him. Colton couldn’t help but feel happy at the gesture. But what he didn’t get was why he was bowing down to him. He was just an outcast, not royalty.

“It’s Bentley, is it not?” A lady in a bright blue gown asked a man beside her.

The lady said it in some sort of accent. It was some sophisticated dialogue, proving that she's of a higher class.

"Hush voices," someone scolded. "His grace might listen in to our conversation."

A man nodded, following his friend's advice. “Yes, sold his soul to a demon, I hear.” He replied in a soft whisper.

“But we must be cautious, he could have one of those infamous fits of his.” Another said, joining into the conversation.

“My cousin's friend, a maid who worked here, was caught in one of them. Poor soul, died trying to save her friend.”

“A shame. There are times when I think Bentley himself is a demon.”

That made me pause, they were talking about Bentley. Maybe Colton was in Bentley’s time. But the thing was that those people were staring right at him. As if he was Bentley.

"Is the ball to your liking, your grace?”

For some reason, the voice seemed to make Colton’s heart melt. But at the same time he despised it. He turned and saw the girl, the same girl. But instead she wore a huge white gown and golden jewelry. But it was her. Same pale skin, same length of raven hair, and same black orbs of eyes. Colton was confused, how could the same girl be here with him? And why is he calling him, your grace?

The girl gave a sad look. “I regret that this is the only way for this to be. If I were only more powerful, I would able to do it myself. But only you should be able to do it with your own hand.” She took his hand and softly kissed it with cold yet soft lips.

He was sad at her words, heartbroken even. What did she mean?

"But this is what you have asked for in return during the bargain." She said, letting go of his hand and letting it drop to his side. "So though you must to it by yourself, I will do what is needed to assist you."

He didn't get what she was saying, so Colton couldn't reply.

"But remember this my love," she said in a hush town, glancing around her to make sure no one was listening. "We will be together soon enough, I promise you. Now I must take my leave, be patience my love."

She did a perfect curtsy to him. And when Colton blinked but she was gone, just vanished right in front of his eyes.

Castor, tonight is the night. A voice in his head said. Be prepared for what comes next, my love.

Who was Castor? Why is tonight the night? What needs to be prepared? What will come next?

Then a sudden pain was in his head. Like something was burning his skull or a huge gong was in his head. Or maybe it was both. It was horrible, it was so painful that Colton screamed. He clutched his head, screaming his lungs out. The people around him took a step back, one even dropping his champagne glass and it broke to a million pieces on the floor. There was a huge pause, everyone froze in place staring at him. And then everyone started to run.

He was angry, in rage. They should be helping him, but instead they ran. Like he was some kind of monster. They ran towards the doors but they couldn’t open. He smiled knowingly, they were bolted shut. He requested that they were, the moment everyone was inside. But how did he knew that, why did he do that? But that was when the people started to transform. They were the ones who turned to monsters, hideous, disgusting monsters. Some ran away from him, some came towards him with weapons and ropes. They wanted to get him, to kill him.

He could let them do that. He ran towards the nearest suit of armor that was only used as decoration. He yanked out the sword out of the armor’s hands. He clutched the hilt with both of his hands, and lifted it with all his strength. But it was like someone, something was helping him. A monster charged towards him and then he swung with all his might. And that was his first victim.

Colton watched as a head rolled beside the headless body. He never used a sword before, but it was as if someone was helping him. Guiding the sword to it's target the neck. And he knew it was his love keeping her promise. But who was his love? What was he thinking about? Who's thoughts were this? These thoughts weren't his, it was like someone was in his head with him.

And for some reason, he smiled, a grin forming on his face. His first blood, his first kill. He brought the sword's blade to his lips. And slid his tongue across it, feeling it's liquid metallic taste. The taste brought a shiver down his spine of pleasure. The monsters hesitated, their looks holding a look of disgust. But still came at him with their weapons. He swung at every direction, slicing one person after another. Beheading victim after victim. He came towards that same lady that was talking about him. And even when she was crawling on the floor getting away from him, crying and begging for mercy, he cut her head off like the others. Colton laughed in glee, he was thrilled by this new fun, this new game.

And as soon as he murdered the last person in the ballroom, Colton was grinning like a maniac. Maybe he was one, but he didn’t care. His outfit was soaked in blood like the curtains were drenched in both blood and tears. The walls were splattered blood that wasn’t his own. And the whole floor was covered with bodies, hundreds of dead bodies. Colton laughed, he loved this thrill and joy of killing these defenseless victims.

But then the thrill was gone, the game had ended. Colton dropped the sword and stared at his hands. They were covered in his blood, and they weren’t his. Then he screamed. What had he done? Why did he do this? He was a murderer, a serial killer. He was evil.

A soft giggle echoed the room, that turned to laughter. And as the laughter rang in his ears, Colton reached for the sword, facing it towards him. He plunged the sword into his chest, feeling the cold metal beating against his heart. And the last thing he saw was a girl in a white gown dancing by herself in a pool of blood, singing an ancient melody that was both sad and beautiful. But it was in his common togue, so he could understand it. So with his last final moments, he listen to the beautiful song of his first and last true love.