Chapter 27

We were walking back to my car when, she said something that I didn’t expect. “Let’s go to your place tonight and hang out. I want to see it.” I smiled, as we started to drive, and head towards my house. I was all up for having some company. I feel too much to myself.

“Sure, that sounds fun, I got more drinks if we want some.”

“Sounds like a plan”

“I want to see the mansion too  but, we’re not going to do any investigating tonight, we’ve been drinking and I don’t have any of my paranormal devices with me.”

“You’re right, it’s better to plan and be prepared.”

“I would still love to look around and see what it looks like.”

“We can do that” I say with a smile.

“Wait, do you have to let your husband know?”

“I already texted him.”

“Oh okay.” I see her going onto F******k.

“What are you doing?”

“We need to have this be a party. I love you as a friend, but, I also know that you’re a lot to yourself out here. You need to meet people and have some friends over.” She said with a smile.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, didn’t you hear what I said happened to me?”

“That’s because, you’re so alone here.”

“I understand that but, I just moved in, I am not ready to throw a huge party yet.”

“Oh, come on, it’ll be fun! You can meet people. Possibly a special man! You need it!”  I gave her a dubious look. I was not happy with this, and I was making her aware of it.

“I know you said that you’ve had some bad history with love but, that was New York, this is now. Let go of the past and live for the right now moment.” She said with a deadpan look on her face. I didn’t want to spoil the night by refusing, and she was right, I could do with meeting new people here.

“Only this time, I never even did this in New York.”

“Seriously?” she said in shock

“No, I had my college friends and work friends but, I never partied, especially on a work night.”

“Wow, you’re a plain jane, aren’t you?” I immediately stopped the car. Her comment pissed me off. She lurched forward and gripped the dashboard.

“What the hell was that?” she screamed.

“I am getting tired of people calling me that. It’s made me feel like I am some ugly urchin of a creature. If that’s how you’re going to be, I will drive you home!” I said. I was pissed.

“Okay, I apologize, and by the way, that doesn’t always mean “ugly” it can reflect a person who leads a boring life and doesn’t have fun.” She said in a defensive tone. I think the evening was just ruined.

“Fine, we’re not having a party tonight. I am not in the mood now but, you need to get acquainted with other people here. I’ve noticed you. You go to and from home. That’s it. I was only trying to help.”

“Fine, I am sorry, that’s just touchy for me. My ex made me feel like I was undesirable. Several girls I went to college with dubbed me “plain jane” cause of him. they said it was surprise we stayed  together considering what I am, and how he told everyone I am not attractive or worthy of any man.” I said morosely. She stared at me in sympathy.

“I had no idea; you’re not like that at all. Our male coworkers check you out constantly. I have heard Steven was talking about asking you out.”

“Steven from accounting?”

“The same one”

“I don’t know, I am not looking for anyone right now.”

“I am just saying. Be prepared. Owen, is a dirt bag, you’re worthy of the best man the universe can bring your way.” She said while giving me a hug. That made me feel a lot better.

We continued driving, after I turned the car back on. We reached my place. I turned off the car, stepped out of the vehicle with her and we walked inside. I gave her a guided tour of the place. As I was giving the tour. There was a door I never noticed. It looked painted into the wall. We decided to check it out. It was really difficult opening it. It showed how long it had gone without being opened. Someone had painted it shut for a reason. It lead to stairs heading downwards. I realized that it lead to an underground tunnel. Fascinating. We looked at each other. I never mentioned that I was actually claustrophobic. She nudged me forward. No backing out now. I will just have to pray that I stay myself. I tend to have panic attacks while in enclosed areas.

We walked forward. The tunnel seemed to stretch for miles it felt like it would go on forever. It felt like we had been walking for hours. I know it wasn’t really the case but, everything was so dark and cramped it felt like it. I suddenly realized the tunnel was possibly leading to the mansion. Shit I should not have committed to this! Once we walked  a little further, I started to notice chamber rooms with windows. Was this where the slaves were kept? Or maybe this was also an escape route during the French revolution? I know that my ancestors were royalty, and all those miserable souls who decided to overthrow the government that was lead by King Louis. That man was intolerant to his people, a cruel menace, and he  also couldn’t keep it in his pants; it’s a grateful miracle that he never noticed my ancestor. From what I understand Gabrielle was a rare beauty. She didn’t have to try and look beautiful; she just was no matter what she did. History has taught us that Louis loved women like that. He loved to bed them as well, then cast them away like the were nothing. If they got pregnant, he would exile them to the French countryside where they could raise the child but, never see him again. That’s similar to how my earliest ancestor became owner of the house. She was the maiden of a King before Louis’ time and had similar happen. She raised the child at the manor and named him “Francios La Fleur” Through her family connections, she maintained her nobility. She was the daughter of a nobleman that the King took interest in. Her name was “Cybil La Fleur.”

Strange, just thinking of the name, just sent goosebumps through me, and my phone flashlight flickered like a torch trying to be snuffed out. We continued walking. It was eerie, as I looked into some of the chamber rooms. I noticed that some were meant for storage of goods. I saw the gunny sacks and powder around them, that much have been some type of food left to spoil for so long ago.

We continued walking and I knew we were almost to the manor seeing all the different rooms. There was an iron gate ahead of us with rose stem engravings and the initials “L F” engraved in the center.  I wasn’t sure if it was locked or not. It didn’t look like there was a lock on it. These type of gates would have been chained closed. It may be possible that in an effort to escape the mansion from persecution, they didn’t have time to lock it and that could be why later the escape door in the gate house was painted shut. This makes the most sense.

As we continued walking, we approached the gate. I tried it, I put my hand on it. It became warm like it recognized me. Was there something magical on this gate? Cause I felt a tremble pass through me then; it opened with a loud creaking noise.

We walk through the gate; I am pondering what that could’ve meant. As we move forward, I start getting flashbacks again.

I see colored people who must be slaves. They’re down here, they’re coming from an entrance just off to the left up ahead. They’re bringing in sacks of provisions. They look exhausted and one of them has scars on his back. I am not sure how I am seeing this but, I am. In the vision, I walk past them and go inside the house. The kitchen is ancient but, beautiful and I can smell fresh baked goods being made. I continued walking through the house, the formal dining area, to the lounge where I saw a bunch of people gathered reading, crafting and other activities. I sat down and started to needle point and socialize with everyone in the room.

“Katherine, what’s going on?” I snapped out of my vision by Judith shining a light in my eyes.

“I am sorry, what’s happened?”

“You, you were acting weird. You were walking forward completely leaving me behind like I was not here. Your walking changed to, it’s as if you were someone else.”

“I don’t know, lets just go. We’re actually right outside the mansion. You wanted to go in and browse. I guess we’re doing that right now. We’re already here, no turning back.”  I tell her as we begin to walk forward towards the ancient ruins of the La Fleur mansion. No turning back now, no matter what happens. If that creepy man is here, we’ll use this passage to go straight back to the house.