The Lost Castle

I had an excellent comeback:

“I didn't know my castle had an illegal invader and I don’t mind the rest of factors , besides living people scare me that's why I prefer living with ghosts at least they wont cause u any legal trouble or use your property without consent”.

The mafia don actually pauses at that.

He looks toward the old walls, then back at me.

“That's an unusually strong preference for ghosts.”

I shrug.

“Ghosts have been considerably more respectful of my property than the living so far.”

From somewhere downstairs:

“We heard that.”

I call back:

“Good.”

The mafia don suppresses a laugh.

Then he becomes serious.

“For what it's worth, I understand your distinction. You didn't knowingly purchase a property with us here. We were already occupying part of it.”

I nod.

“Exactly. So either we establish boundaries, or you find somewhere else.”

He considers that.

Then:

“Boundaries it is.”

He extends his hand.

“You own the castle. We stay within the areas we've agreed on. Nobody enters your private spaces. Nobody interferes with your life. And if circumstances change, you are informed beforehand.”

I shake his hand.

“Perfect.”

He starts toward the door.

Then the older ghost suddenly materializes beside him.

“Does this mean we can finally tell her about the third tenant?”

I freeze.

Slowly turn.

“...Third tenant?”

The mafia don closes his eyes.

“I was hoping you'd forgotten about that.”

I put your coffee down.

“I absolutely did not.”

The ghost smiles nervously.

“He's not technically human.”

I stare at both of them.

“I have been awake for approximately five minutes and already regret buying this fucking castle.

“Congratulations. Your experiment has concluded. Now sit down because I have questions.”

The mafia don sits.

The two ghosts immediately appear behind him like an extremely dysfunctional supernatural board of directors.

I look at all three.

“Right. Nobody speaks until I ask.”

The ghosts exchange a look.

The mafia don smiles.

“You really do run this place now.”

I take another sip of iced coffee.

“Damn right.”

“Ok so now who the hell is third tenant”

I paused for brief moment and I look at mafia and ask him if he wants to part of this conversation.

The mafia don looks at you, then at the two ghosts.

“If I'm being invited, yes.”

He pulls a chair over and sits down.

The older ghost looks deeply uncomfortable.

I fold your arms.

“Excellent. Now. Third tenant.”

The younger ghost clears his throat.

“His name is—”

The mafia don interrupts.

“We don't know his name.”

I slowly turn toward him.

“You've been living under my castle and you don't know who your third roommate is?”

“He doesn't speak to us.”

I blink.

“Does he pay rent?”

Everyone goes silent.

I point at the ghosts.

“That's becoming my first question about literally everyone.”

The older ghost sighs.

“He occupies the sealed west wing.”

Me: “The one you told me never to enter?”

The mafia don nods.

“And unlike us…”

He pauses.

“…he doesn't like being seen.”

I lean forward.

“Is he dangerous?”

The mafia don considers his answer carefully.

“We don't know.”

“Is he human?”

Another pause.

“We don't know.”

“Alive?”

Silence.

“Dead?”

Silence.

I look around the room.

“So basically nobody knows anything.”

The older ghost raises one finger.

“We do know one thing.”

“What?”

“He's been there longer than all of us.”

I sit back.

Then look at the mafia don.

“And you were going to let me live here without mentioning the mysterious prehistoric roommate?”

The mafia don looks genuinely apologetic.

“In my defense, you were busy negotiating treasure rights.”

I stare at him.

“…Fair.”

Then I stand.

“Fine. Nobody investigates him yet. I want breakfast first.”

The mafia don nods.

The ghosts disappear.

And from somewhere deep beneath the castle comes a single, slow knock.

Knock.

Everyone freezes.

I look at the mafia don.

He looks at me.

“That wasn't him.”

I sigh.

“Of course it wasn't.”