The electromagnetic field meter in Arthur's hand kept buzzing nonstop. Its noise was gradually getting louder.
Alex, looking at the electromagnetic field meter, said, "Dude, why is this thing making so much noise? Can't you turn it off? Otherwise wild animals will wake up, and if they do, the ghosts may or may not kill us, but the animals surely will."
Arthur, annoyed, said, "Alex, you're talking as if I'm making this happen on purpose! This device goes off by itself when there's any paranormal activity nearby—it means there really must be some sort of invisible presence close to us."
Arthur began moving the electromagnetic field meter all around, turning it in every direction, and started heading towards the direction where the noise was greatest.
Alex tried to stop him, "Where are you going?"
Arthur called back while slipping between the bamboo, "To catch a ghost, hurry up and follow me. You were laughing at me, right? Come, I'll show you a ghost today!"
"But I—"
Alex barely finished his sentence before Arthur walked away. Alex picked up his things and quickly followed.
Following the sound from the electromagnetic field meter, both crossed out of the Blackbriar Forest and reached the Wishborne River.
Arthur, sweeping the meter left and right in the air, said, "The noise is coming from right here—it means the ghost is somewhere close to us."
Alex, irritated, replied, "What are you talking about, Arthur? All this ghostly stuff is nonsense—just forget this machine."
"Alex, will you be quiet for two minutes? Let me work. Don't distract me—we're very close to a ghost. Just watch, tonight I'll finally catch one!"
Arthur had reached the river's edge, right where the Wishborne started. The river flowed quietly in gentle waves—the water knee-deep. Moonlight glimmered on the surface.
The second Arthur set his foot into the river with the electromagnetic field meter, the device suddenly went silent.
Both Arthur and Alex were shocked, pondering how the meter had stopped out of nowhere. An abrupt silence blanketed the atmosphere.
Arthur tapped the device, "What's this now? Why won't it make any sound? Maybe it broke?"
Alex, still standing on the shore, called out mockingly, "It'll only break if it actually works! This device of yours—what did you call it—electromagnetic field meter? You know why it stopped making noise?"
Arthur said gloomily, "Why?"
"Because maybe you don't know that an electromagnetic field is affected by atmospheric conditions. So when the environment changes, so does the magnetic field. When we moved from the forest to here, the atmosphere changed, so the device stopped working at the river. The forest and this riverbank have very different air."
"And how do you know this?"
"I'm an electronics and electrical engineer, kid—I know stuff! I'm not some fly-by-night paranormal activity 'expert' like you."
"I don't buy it—I think my device led us to the perfect place."
"Why do you think that?"
"For two reasons: First, if the atmosphere changed from the forest to here, why didn't it stop working part way? Why did it only stop once we got to the river?"
Alex asked in surprise, "And the second?"
"Second, thirteen years ago, Elysira used to seduce men crossing this very Wishborne River on every full and new moon and then kill them, drinking the blood from their hearts."
Alex said, shocked, "So you know that story too."
"It's not a story, it's a fact. All the kids in Willowbrook and Redridge know it! Anyway—yeah, Elysira used to kill men after being with them at this river, so the souls of those men must still haunt this place, that's why the device stopped here!"
Alex glared at Arthur. "So you actually believe in ghosts, witches, all this Elysira stuff?"
"Yeah, I do—don't you?"
"No."
Arthur moved close to Alex. "If you don't, then why are you wearing that Cross locket around your neck?"
Around Alex's neck, a silver pendant hung catching the light and casting elusive shadows .
Alex fingered the locket, "My mom gave this to me—I wear it to remember her, since she's gone now."
Before Alex could finish, Arthur said, "Whatever the reason, you believe in something—even if it's because of your mom. So you should learn to believe in ghosts too."
"But how should I believe in something I can't see?"
"Well, we can't see God either, but we believe, right? See, these ghosts—they're always with us. Eating, sleeping, waking, sitting—everything. But we don't see them. You know why?"
"Why?"
"Because ghosts, like the gods, have powers—dark powers. God and ghost, two sides of one coin. See—both words start with 'G', in any other language or English, whether it's Ghost and God."
"Now you sound really intelligent. Where did you get all this stuff from?"
"From your dad."
Alex asked in surprise, "What do you mean, from my dad? When?"
"It's all written in his books. Didn't you ever read them? The way he wrote—gave me goosebumps, every time."
Alex, sad, said, "No, I never read them. And anyway, it's all just stories, nothing more."
"They're not stories, Alex. A writer only writes what really happens in their life. For all you know, all this happened to your dad."
"Look, I don't want to talk about my dad. I'm tired, I want to rest. I need to get to my home—Graveyard Manor."
"But why go there so late? Why not go stay with your relatives in Redridge?"
"I don't want to stay with them."
"Why not?"
Alex didn't answer.
Arthur placed a hand on Alex's shoulder. "You're still angry with them, aren't you?"
"Anger is for those who are ours. And they're not, not really mine."
"Don't say that, man."
"Arthur—for real, just drop it. Let me go."
"Not so fast—here, I'll go with you. I've heard Elysira had two haunts—first, the Wishborne River, second, Graveyard Manor."
"And how do you know all this?"
"I know a lot about Elysira, that's how I became a certified paranormal activity expert, after all."
"Stop talking and let's go—I just want to sleep. Still, glad I met you—I'd lost my way."
"That's why I'm here, to show you the way."
"What?"
"Nothing. Look—there's your Graveyard Manor."
Arthur pointed to the right.
Where Arthur pointed, Alex saw the top of the manor was visible from beside the river. Graveyard Manor was perched on elevated ground, so its dome could be seen from a distance. The manor was about 600–700 meters away from the river. Ominous, dark clouds gathered above it, as if some dark force was waiting for Alex's arrival.
Alex and Arthur started walking toward Graveyard Manor.
Soon, they reached the front. Graveyard Manor stood in the middle of fields, no other house for miles. It was surrounded by about two hectares of empty land. The manor was two stories tall, with, by the look of it, fifty or sixty rooms, and painted gray.
Arthur, gazing at the building, said, "Dude, this looks exactly like one of those haunted movie houses. Look how the black clouds are gathered above it!"
Irritated, Arthur said, "This isn't a movie house—it's my ancestors' manor, the one they bought from the English."
"I know, I already researched this place. Those British guys were unbelievable."
"How?"
"Did you know when and why this manor was built?"
"No."
"Two hundred years ago, on May 29, 1610, the English arrived in the Americas. Back then, they didn't rule yet, and had no permanent residence. When they came up to Greenridge, our people wouldn't let them stay in Willowbrook Village. One English general, flashing money, tried to buy land, but the village refused."
"So what happened?"
"What do you think? There have always been greedy people in every country. The King of Willowbrook wanted the Englishman's money, but didn't want to upset his subjects, so he sold them the land outside the village, the old cemetery. Villagers wouldn't even go there during the day, but the English were fearless, busy looting what they could. They built this manor right on the cemetery. At first, locals called it 'the house of corpses', then the English named it Graveyard Manor."
"I see."
"Whenever English troops came in from another village, they'd stay here—ample arrangements for their feasts, treats, everything. Nights of revelry, performances, even dancing girls here in these halls. And you say there's no Elysira? The English officers wrote about her in their diaries!"
The mention of Elysira irritated Alex, who snapped, "If your story's over, can we go inside, or do you plan to keep telling tales all night?"
"Let's go—I only kept talking 'cause you looked interested!"
The door to Graveyard Manor was nearly ten feet tall. As Alex and Arthur reached it, Arthur noticed a giant old rusty lock.
Touching the lock, Arthur said, "There's a lock on this—do you have the key?"
Alex started searching his bag. "I was sure I brought the key—where did I put it... Wait—got it!"
He pulled out a large old key.
A woman's voice called, "Open up! Hurry, open the door!"
Alex paused. "Did you hear that?"
Arthur asked, "Hear what?"
"A woman's voice saying, 'Open the door quickly.'"
Arthur shrugged, "Sounds like your ears are ringing. And you called my story 'just a movie script'? Hurry up and open the door—I want to see what's inside this mansion."
Alex inserted the key into the lock. The moment he did, lightning flashed fiercely across the sky—as if midnight had suddenly turned to daylight.
He tried to turn the key, but the rust wouldn't let it budge. "Why won't this turn... Come on, come on, open up... Shit."
Arthur asked, "What happened?"
"The key snapped inside!"
"What, it broke? How?"
"It's so old—and rusty. Of course it would break."
Arthur pressed his hand to his head, "So what now?"
Before Alex could answer, a woman's voice echoed, "Pick up a stone and break the lock."
Alex said, "Good idea—but why are you doing the girl voice?"
Arthur looked confused, "That wasn't me—I haven't said a word."
Alex ignored him, picked up a big rock nearby, and began using it to smash the padlock.
After only three strikes, the padlock broke with a loud snap.
And with that, a woman's scream rang out, "AAAAAAAAHHHHH!"
Alex slid the bolt and started pushing the door, but it was too heavy for him alone. Arthur jumped in to help, and together they shoved the door open.
(The sound of the door swinging open.)
As soon as the door opened, rain started pouring down in sheets.
Immediately after, another chilling woman's scream came from inside: "Aaaah!"
Alex, frightened, called, "Who's there?"
From inside the mansion, a woman's voice replied.
"I am your death!"