That afternoon I go to grab my phone from the master bedroom. It was the end of my duties. But I had... admittedly, decided to leave the master bedroom untouched.
It wasn't cleaned this time, but I would do it next time.
I walk toward the closed white door, and grab the grey handle.
Fontaine had been absent in his haunting, since our tiff in the garden and the laundry.
Now I open the door, with a plan simple in mind.
It was dusk and I knew how quickly the light faded, so... I was leaving immediately. I wasn't going to linger.
Even if Fontaine and I repeat last week... when he cornered me up here.
I suck in a breath and I open the door.
My phone is on the floor, and it's slid... just under the master bed.
The – the bed. It wasn't a master bed. What a stupid way to phrase it.
Nothing about the room is out of the ordinary – which makes me oddly disappointed.
Time to scoop up that damn phone and get out of here. I take a few steps forward, and then I do notice a difference.
There's a riding crop on the bed.
At the edges.
The door behind me creaks, and I spin but it doesn't shut.
I look around, turning in two circles, waiting for Claudius to appear. When he doesn't, my phone buzzes and I face it once more. It still had battery, but it was low.
I walk over and lean down, my eyes level with the bed sheets and the riding crop, as I pick up the phone and stand back up.
I check the message that just came through.
Rob.
Hello, Alix. I know you're backpacking before college, but I would like to make the offer anyway. Please consider a full time position of caretaker for the Red Wing. I need help for 6 months. If you can accept, you can even stay in the Red Wing – the master bedroom is all yours. Let me know if you'll take up the offer. Rob.
I look at the master bed – which I decide to call it. And I stare at that riding crop.
I have a little smirk on my face, as I lean down to touch it.
Realising at the last moment that it's not clean – and it's actually dotted with dried brown blood stains.
I stumble back from it and I turn around, feeling a chill pass through my entire physical body.
Out the window, the beige sky is turning amber.
Time to bolt!
Claudius Fontaine is not here – or at least, not showing himself.
Heart clenching from the view of blood on that dusty old crop, I power walk out of there.
This time I make it to the car safe, with no rolled ankle.
I turn the car on and the head lights, putting it into drive before I linger any longer.
I pull out – and I decide to think about all this when I get to my accommodation.
****
After another week walking around town, I'm half way through my stay and in just one more week I'll be going home... to begin college... or, if I push college back one more year, I could be... yeah, I'm thinking about it, alright?
Against all common sense.
I'm thinking about Rob's offer.
To be a temporary caretaker for the Red Wing.
For 6 months – it was thousands of dollars. Easy money.
Easy, easy, money.
B-but... more than the money. Was the ghost.
Claudius.
Yeah, I could handle the day but... at night... how the hell could I sleep in such an old place, that didn't even have electricity? Rob said he'd provide fire wood and fire starters, to help keep me warm.
He knew I was thinking about it.
Well, on my second last drive back to the Red Wing – I have some serious questions for Claudius. If he appears.
But I was afraid how to approach the subject.
I wanted to stay because of him. I was magnetically drawn to him. But, I was either crazy and delusional, if I thought I could have some kind of thing with a ghost.
I should just tell Rob no thanks. I should just say no. I should just go straight to college.
I park the car outside the Red Wing mansion, and I see Claudius almost immediately.
He's walking from the old run down stables, which were locked shut with chains – and he's heading towards the side of the mansion. He walks in through a side gate – and then enters the Red Wing.
I get out of the car with my cleaning equipment in my fanny pack, and I leave my phone and keys in the car. The Red Wing was isolated enough so I could keep it all together without worrying of someone stealing my possessions.
I walk into the mansion through the front, eager to get this discussion rolling.
"Sir?" I call out immediately, my voice echoes, as I shut the door behind me, "Can we talk? Fontaine?"
I wait, staring at empty air, hands in my pockets of my ripped jeans.
I tap my foot as I wait for Claudius to appear.
After a minute of standing still in the lobby, I start to blush on the spot.
He's not appearing.
But I feel like he's just taunting me.
I guess I was going against the rules. Ghosts chose when to appear.
It wasn't up to me.
So, I get out my rag, and I start to clean on my second last shift in the Red Wing.
****
8 hours later
I am completely alone in the Red Wing.
I even felt it. Loneliness. Alone-ly-ness, you could say. He was gone. I don't know where.
Strangely... I felt like I was comfortable here now.
Like I could do it.
I stare at the fire place, where Robert has stacked up wood for me to use if I stay, or for whoever takes the job.
I even head to the master bedroom, and I see brand new white sheets on the bed. New pillows too. The riding crop is gone.
Rob was a very generous and kind owner.
I feel at ease.
And it's almost like Claudius never existed at all.
"Cozy," I murmur under my breath, looking around, I wonder how much online content I could get for my vlog channel online. Maybe I could even do it full time.
The school counsellor taught me to take opportunities when they arose.
I had the best day – my best day yet.
I knew every room. I knew where everything was. It was absolutely gorgeous. It was going to make me a big buck.
Caretaker of Red Wing.
Hmm.
So.
Why the fuck not?
I turn on my heel and I skip right out of there, back to my car.
Fontaine out of sight, out of mind – I pick up my phone and I go to send the text.
To accept.
And I hesitate.
I look up one last time, through the windshield, searching for the ghost.
Claudius is nowhere to be seen. Huh.
My parents had approved the move if I wanted to try it.
My friends thought it was cool, and wanted to visit.
I had approval from every angle.
Fuck it.
I text Rob.
Thank you. I would love to. Thank you for the new bed sheets and firewood.
I start the car to move off.
And just like any older man – Rob is right onto replying quick.
A thumbs up, a smiley face and then one final text.
Mansion will be ready for you next Sunday.
I raise a brow.
My last day at Red Wing.
Was about to become my first day.
I look it over.
Majestic in the early sunset.
With a grin, I pull off – I already can't wait to get back next week!