It was a warm night in England, a perfect night to host a party and show off your new mansion and success to you friends. The mansion was a cosy place with beautiful marble floors and doorways and velvet curtains that hung at the top of the ceiling and draped to the floor like liquid gold. The lounges and furniture were all shining like silver and bronze and Phillip Macbeth had no doubt that if a burglar came into his living room they would surly die of shock before they could even take a teaspoon.
Death, Phillip smiled wickedly out the window at the thought of the cruel dark being that took your soul and dragged it away from the world. Despite the calming air around Phillip he still managed to feel cold and insane. So many times he has tried to shake off the madness, but it always came back to him even more vigorous than the time before. That was the thing with madness, it was not to be held back, and it demanded to be felt, to be embraced by the men worthy of such a cruelty.
Phillip could hear the soft voices and laughter from his study down the hall where he stood, it was the perfect night to pull off something as wickedly mad as he was about to do. He had tried to resist the voice in his head urging him on but to no avail. Phillip focused on Mary's voice:
'What would she say?' he would wonder to himself but then smirk at himself at such a silly question. 'She doesn't need to know,' he would tell himself, 'She would probably think it was a good plan anyway, so there is no need to worry her more with such nonsense as this small errand.' He thought to himself.
"It is a bad idea." Came a women's voice from the door, Phillip spun around, a softer smile played along his lips when he saw his wife, Mary standing in the doorway. She was wearing her best dress; it was blood red silk with black high shoes and black gloves to match. Her makeup was done perfectly and she held herself with poise and dignity. "What is a bad idea sweetie?" Phillip asked her, pushing down the insanity that shone in his eyes.
Mary looked at him sceptically, "You know exactly what the bad idea is. I have been watching you for days. Sneaking around with strange men and never speaking to Benjamin for more than five minutes at a time." Phillip's smile faded as he realised that he has been cornered. The couple stared at each other for a while before Mary broke the silence:
"You're planning on murdering Benjamin."
It wasn't a question, it was a statement. Phillip looked away from her and back out the window where he could see to shadows making their way across the dark courtyard.
"No, I planned for two others to carry out the deed. And it looks to me that it has already been done." Phillip explained as he observed the men stop at the bushes just a few feet away from the window. One of the men's head gave a nod; Phillip inclined his head in acknowledgment and the men disappeared into the night. Phillip felt a considerable weight lift from his shoulders, he knew Benjamin was becoming curious of him and he had to be disposed of.
"This has gone too far." Mary's voice had become hoarse with shock.
Phillip whipped around ready to make a snapping comment when a knock sounded and Lawrence voice came through the thick mahogany door: "Dinner is being served Phillip."
"Alright then Lawrence," He called back. "We are coming now." Mary pursed her lips at him but said nothing as he crossed the room and held the door open for her.
They made their way out to the dining room where people were seating themselves around the two long tables that had been set out. The amazing aroma of the chef's savoury cooking wafted through the room making the place a little too comfortable for the mood that Phillip was in.
Lawrence and Rees were talking happily to each other, wine glasses in hand while they seated themselves near the head of the table where a man had his back to Phillip, Mary had already made her way to her friends, leaving Phillip with no place to sit. Rees looked over to where he was standing awkwardly in the doorway. "Join us Phillip." He called.
Phillip walked over to them. "Sit down here Phillip," Lawrence gestured to the chair next to him and Phillip gave him a confused look.
"But somebody is already sitting there, I do not wish to be rude," He said this last part in benefit for the man that still hadn't turned to face him yet.
Rees and Lawrence looked at each other looking as confused as Phillip was. "Nobody is sitting there." Rees insisted, giving him a cautious look. "Are you alright Phillip?"
Phillip stared at the man in the chair, how could they not see him? But then Phillip's eyes widened as the figure turned to face him, his hands began to shake and breathe hard.
The man had multiple bullet wounds in his chest and blood dripping everywhere and his face was as pale as a ghost. Phillip screamed and stumbled back. Benjamin stood up from the seat and made his way towards him. "No! It cannot be!" Phillip yelled in disbelief.
Phillip felt arms encircle his wrist and pull him back, insisting to everyone that he was just ill. All the while the ghost followed them. Phillip screamed at it to leave. He was dragged from the room. Benjamin the ghost disappeared. Phillip turned and held Mary close in his arms.
"I saw him, I saw him," he kept chanting while a voice in his head laughed.
'Madness is not to be restrained.' It cooed to him.
