Summary: A trip to an abandoned manor with the Unus Annus crew takes a turn as old faces creep back into the light
Prompts:
82. “No. No, no, no. Nope. I’m not dying today. Nothing you can say or do will get me into that creepy old house.”
One glance at the tall, overshadowing structure made every rational cell in your body freeze up; a second glance allowed you to take in all the grimy, overgrown details and made you shudder. You wanted nothing to do with the decrepit manor, but Mark and Ethan had thought it would be a great idea to go searching for ghosts in the abandoned building. Shaking your head, you began to back away from the structure. Everything about it radiated bad vibes and you wanted to get the hell out of dodge before the whole thing collapsed on you all. To you, a single puff of wind could knock it over and you didn’t want to mess with such a compromised structure.
“I’m… I’m going to sit this one out, okay? I don’t really think this building is up to code anymore and I don’t—”
“Oh, come on, [Y/n]! Live a little! We’ve only got a year, so why don’t you try something out of the ordinary?” Mark exclaimed, wrapping an arm around your shoulder as he looked up at the tall, imposing building with determination. “It’s not everyday you get the opportunity to go ghost-hunting in an abandoned manor.”
“And you’re with friends!” Ethan interjected, a lop-sided smile on his face as he looked your way. “Besides, what could go wrong?”
You sighed and rubbed your arm, still uncertain about the whole ideal. Everything about this whole endeavor was giving you the chills and you didn’t appreciate the peer pressure. There was something about this house that felt creepily familiar, something that caused an itch to crawl its way up the back of your spine. The whispering wind tickled your ears and you took a step back.
“No. No, no, no. Nope. I’m not dying today. Nothing you can say or do will get me into that creepy old house.” Your voice didn’t shake as much this time. “There’s something really, really off putting about this house. I don’t think this is a good idea, guys. Please.”
The two boys looked at you with frowns. They understood your fear and anxieties toward the house. It was not in the best condition and the history surrounding it sent chills down their own spines. Old news articles spoke of a string of murders occurring in the house and that no one survived. The killer was never found or brought to justice. The stories alone would have put them off, but they felt confident nothing bad would happen. Besides, with only a year to explore and do crazy, impossible things, they wanted to go all out, and with you in tow. You brought out the best humor in them and Unus Annus wouldn’t be the same without you. Mark stepped forward with a sympathetic smile.
“Okay, okay. If that’s how you feel, you can wait out here in the car. But we’ll probably be in there for a while, so try and not get too bored without us, alright?” He teased while tussling your hair.
Your lips twitched upwards and you laughed. “If you die in there because some ghost decided to come and haunt your ass, know I won’t be coming in to save you ex-machina style or anything.”
Ethan laughed and patted your shoulder. “Like that would ever happen, [Y/n]. Have a little faith in us—we’re professionals, after all. Besides, if anything, maybe Mark will get himself possessed and we’ll finally be free from his insanity. Then Unus Annus can finally become what it was always meant to be!”
Mark gave an indignant cry and pulled Ethan into a loose headlock. You laughed as the pressure of going into the mansion lifted from your shoulders. Amy shared a look with you before grabbing the last of the filming equipment. She handed you a camera and smiled.
“Why don’t you record yourself in the car while we’re in the house? It would make for an interesting second point of view.” She suggested, completely understanding of your hesitance. “And, if you’re feeling up to it, you can walk us to the door and then head back. No pressure, though.”
You took the camera in hand and started playing with a few of the settings. You hummed before looking back up at Amy. “I… guess I could do that. At least then the guys can’t say I completely chickened out.”
Amy smiled and offered you a side hug as Mark and Ethan broke from their quarrel. They offered the two of you good-natured grins before the rest of the crew walked around from the back of the car. With that, you all approached the manor. The sense of uneasiness refused to abate as you drew closer and closer to the abandoned building. The ivy creeping along the walls seemed to move out of the corner of your eye and wisps of color blurred past as they ran along the cracked pathways. Another chill ran down your spine as the stairs creaked under your combined weight. It felt like the ancient wood would collapse at any moment, sending your group to the underbellies of the porch. Luckily, it held as you stepped onto the porch and stopped before the wide oak doors.
“Well, looks like this is where we part paths, [Y/n].” Mark said, glancing over his shoulder at you. “Have fun hanging out in the car dying of boredom while we chase ghosts!”
You rolled your eyes, unaffected by his jibe. “Oh, I will. Prepare to find my corpse in the front seat when you return. And you can blame it on Mark’s playlist if you so desire.”
The group laughed as you readjusted your grip on the camera Amy had given you. Mark chuckled and shook his head before returning his attention to the door. You pulled the camera up to eye level and began filming as he reached for the doorknob. Time seemed to pass by achingly slow as he turned his wrist and you almost wished he would have whipped the door open if only to save you from the chilling suspense. With a subtle click, the door creaked open with a gentle push. You leaned forward on instinct, your curiosity pulling you forward to catch a glimpse of the inside.
An entryway greeted you all, its ceilings high and arching. A broken chandelier laid only a few feet away from the door. Bits of gold framing and crystal laid scattered across the broken tile floor, glittering in the muted moonlight. Mark tried to push the door open further, but found it to be blocked from the other side. Your nose scrunched up at the sight. You all knew that this house was ancient and abandoned, but this was far worse than the descriptions you had read only a few days prior. Getting permission to be on the premises alone was a hassle, and you could see why. The entire manor was a breath away from collapsing.
“Mark, I still don’t think this is a good idea. What if part of the ceiling falls on your head?” You worried, stepping back once you had gotten your fill of the front hall.
“Everything’s going to be fine, [Y/n]. There are a few parts we’re not allowed to be in, but other than that, the owner says everything else is safe.” He replied before shimmying his way through the doorway.
Ethan followed suit after giving you a reassuring smile. Amy lifted the camera through the door and disappeared with the rest of the crew. The sound of their fading footsteps and muffled voices were your only reassurance they hadn’t died the minute they entered the manor. You shifted your weight and the porch groaned in protest. Another few minutes passed before you scampered back to the car. While you felt guilty for leaving your friends, the feeling of dread refused to leave your stomach, causing it to churn. You looked into the camera and bit your lip. Amy’s words came floating back to you and a long breath escaped you.
“I still think this is a bad idea. I know Mark’s all confident about the integrity of the building, it’s what’s inside that scares me. Something doesn’t feel right about this house. There’s something sinister in there. I can feel it.” You muttered, glancing back over to the manor.
It was harder to see with your overhead lights on, but the silhouettes of your friends wandering past windows helped settle your stomach. Fiddling with your pant leg, you continued to self-soothe as the night wore on. The moonlight shifted from the right side of the manor to the left, manipulating the shadows into more horrific distortions and shapes. Vines clawed at the crumbling stone foundations, grabbed for the cracks in the walkways, and hid among the flowers. The iron gate swung idly on its hinges, squeaking quietly in the distance. A shiver forced its way down your spine as the ambiance became darker with every hour. You tried to lighten the mood by talking to your camera, if only to distract your mind, but it did little to help.
A soft breath rasped through your lips as you checked your phone. 11:43 PM. No new messages or calls. The crew had been in the manor for over three hours now. Surely they had gotten all of the footage they needed by now, so where were they? You peered out the window and found the manor to be dark once more. Slight panic arose in your chest but it was forced down by a light in a top floor room. A few shapes moved around. They had to be wrapping up now.
“You’d think Amy would’ve kicked them out of the house thirty minutes ago, but no. They’re still wandering around, though I think they’re almost done.” You murmured to the camera, offering a small smile. “I’m kinda regretting staying out here in the car. It’s creepy. I swear I keep seeing the shadows move in the garden.”
Speaking of the devil, another blur of movement appeared in your peripheral, dancing through the trees. Your head shot up. What was that? Your jaw hung open a little as you tried to analyze the darkness. Nothing popped up again, but you were still uncertain. Heart pounding, you turned off the overhead light. Maybe you’d be able to see more without it on; though you were anxious about losing your only light source, you had to see if you were simply imagining things. It wouldn’t be the first time. A common gag moment of Unus Annus was you “freaking out” and staring off into space.
This time, however, you weren’t faking it.
“Guys, I’m dead serious. Something is out there and it’s… taunting me? I’m not kidding.” You looked back into the camera lens, hoping your eyes wouldn’t betray you. “I’m gonna call Mark. See how long they’re gonna take.”
Placing the camera on the dash, you pulled up your phone and quickly dialed your friend. The phone rang for what seemed the longest time before someone picked up. “[Y/n]?”
“Mark! How long are you gonna be? I keep seeing stuff out here and I’m… scared.”
“What do you mean? We’ve been done for like… twenty minutes. Been sitting in the car waiting and wondering where you went. Are you in the house?” He asked, concern in his voice.
“What?! No! I told you I wouldn’t go near that place. And I’m sitting in the car. All alone. There’s a light on in the upstairs window. Isn’t that you?”
“Uh… no? [Y/n], stop playing around and come back to the car. Ethan’s complaining about being tired like a big baby.”
Cue a familiar indignant screech and the sound of the phone falling. You would have laughed if you weren’t so petrified. What was going on? You jumped as the trees began to sway with a gust of wind that howled outside of your window. Another shadow, another flash of dark movement. The light in the upstairs window continued to gleam, becoming akin to a beacon that seemed to call your name. Faint swing music began to seep into the car and a small whimper escaped you. Was this a hallucination? Had you fallen asleep waiting for the others? Yes. That had to be it. Why did it feel so real though? Your heart began to pound and you curled into a ball on the seat. Another movement in the trees. The garden, once so peaceful, had become a dark abyss of terror.
Risking a glance upwards, you caught a figure staring out the top floor window. Its gaze wasn’t directed to you. From its demure stance, it seemed to be wistful. Reflective. Sad, even. Cocking your head, you studied it with great interest. Something about it felt familiar but you couldn’t place how or why. A few moments passed like this before the shadow shifted and disappeared from the window. A tug appeared in your chest, pulling you towards the house. Initially, you resisted, having wanted nothing to do with the manor in the first place. However, as time wore on, the feeling grew stronger. Abandoning the camera and grabbing your phone, you slowly opened the door and slipped out. The wind had grown in strength and your clothes thrashed around on your body. Trees shook and creaked but you felt calm.
Your feet carried you towards the manor’s front door with ease. The vines cowered at your presence, disappearing into the brush and you climbed the steps. Hand molded around the doorknob, you pushed the door open and it swung on silent hinges. Nothing obstructed it and you were surprised to find no shattered chandelier in the front hallway. The manor seemed to glow with life, an extreme contrast with the dark exterior. Candlelight guided your path as you wandered towards the stairway. Tucked away beside a polished set of armor, the red carpet seemed to stain the hardwood stairs and you studied it for a moment. The rail felt smooth and familiar under your palm as you climbed to the top floor.
Distant laughter, soft murmurs, and the same swing music from before surged from the silence as you wandered deeper into the manor. Something inside of you screamed that this was wrong; it seemed to yank you down by the collar and tell you to leave, but you couldn’t bring yourself to listen. Turning into another hallway, you spotted light seeping out from underneath one of the doors. It had to be the one where the figure had been. With soft, sure steps, you approached the light and opened the oak door.
“He… Hello?”
The hinges creaked and groaned in protest as you entered the room. It was a large bedroom with a four-poster bed resting in the center of the room. A wardrobe, a few bedside tables, a vanity, and another closed door filled in the rest of the space. The furniture, however, wasn’t the only thing that caught your eye. Red seemed to cover every surface: curtains, bedspread, small decorative rugs, books. The vibrant color popped out in your vision and drew your attention like a moth to a flame. Everything looked so pristine. How? From what you had researched, no one had lived in the house for over thirty years. All this stuff should be in shambles or covered in white sheets.
“Oh, hello there.”
The sudden appearance of a voice startled you and you whipped your head around to face its owner. A man, dressed in crimson satin robes stood in the doorway of an adjacent bathroom. His dark hair sat tousled on his head and scruff darkened his jaw. He bore a striking resemblance to someone you knew, but you couldn’t remember. Who was this? Why did he look familiar?
“I know I’m good-looking, but never have I brought someone to stunned silence. Especially not a dame like you, dear.”
His voice brought you out of the reverie and you looked at him with more recognition. “Who… Who are you? Why are you here? This place was abandoned.”
The man laughed. “Oh, dear. You must have hit your head. I live here; at least, last time I checked I did.” He snickered. “As for my name, that isn’t important. What is, is how you arrived here.”
“I… came here with my friends. Wait, Mark!” Your hands slapped your thigh, but found your phone to be missing. “Damn it, I must have left my phone back in the car.”
The man stepped further into the room, stuffing a hand into his robe’s pocket. “Seems you have a track record of being forgetful, my dear. You hardly know where or who you are. Now you’re misplacing your belongings. Tsk, tsk.”
Furrowing your eyebrows, you turned to face the approaching stranger. “Don’t know who I am? Of course I know that! I’m [Y/n] [L/n]! Now, it was very nice meeting you, but I’m afraid I have friends waiting for me.”
You moved to leave, but the door slammed in your face, echoing in the silence of the room. The sound of your heart was the only thing you registered besides the sound of footsteps. Breath soft, quiet, panting, you didn’t dare turn around. Dark chuckles tickled your ear and your entire body stiffened as you felt a presence behind you. Why had you thought it a good idea to come inside the manor?
“Oh, darling. You always were one for bad ideas.”
His voice. Oh, his voice. It struck you to the core, freezing it and you in place. You squeezed your eyes shut, praying this would all fade away and become nothing more than a hazy memory. Fists clenched, you bit your lip, bringing bright red blood to the surface before it bubbled over. A soft touch caressed your lip before disappearing. You risked a small peek and found the man to be licking the blood from his thumb, a dark look in his eyes. A sinister spirit surrounded his person and the room seemed to darken with every passing second.
“Come now, [Y/n]. I would have thought you’d recognize your dear old pal…” He murmured, leaning close to your ear. His hot breath tickled your ear and you shuddered and your world returned to darkness. “Open your eyes, sweetheart. For real this time.”
His coaxing did nothing but send your pounding heart sky rocketing through your stomach to the floor. You refused to stand here in the man’s presence any longer. “My name is not fit to be in your mouth.” You spat and the man was taken aback, but a charming smirk replaced his shock.
“I missed your quick tongue, [Y/n]. It always brought life to our parties.”
Gritting your teeth, you reeled your fist and punched the man before making a dash for the door. You tugged it open with some difficulty before fleeing through the manor. This time, however, the exit was not easy to find. The hallways warped and transformed as you ran. All light disappeared and a small shriek escaped you. The front door appeared in your peripheral and relief flooded your systems, feeling cool beneath your skin. This had to be a dream; reach the door, run, move, quickly! You could feel him on your tail and as you reached the door, the floor faded from beneath you. The heart-stopping sensation of a free-fall overtook your senses and you screamed. It rang into the dark silence and filled your ears.
“Oh, [Y/n]. You precious little dear…” The man whispered. “I’ll see you again, very… very… soon.”
A jolt forced your eyes awake and you found yourself looking into a familiar pair of brown eyes. Mark stared down at you, worry etched into his features. Ethan stood behind him, Amy beside him. “Mark?” You croaked, voice quiet and groggy. “Is that you?”
“Yes. Are you alright, [Y/n]? You looked like you were having a nightmare.”
“I… I don’t know. It felt so real.” You replied, vision still foggy and you shook your head to clear it. “Probably just all the stress and creeps from the manor. We all finished up?”
Ethan offered a grin. “Yup! Everything’s been recorded and we’re ready to head home. Now, who’s up for late night milkshakes?”
The mood in the car seemed to lighten the further you got away from the manor. You shivered at the thought of it, as well as whatever strange dream you had had. Something about it felt disturbingly real, but you were sure it was all in your head. The house had been putting you off ever since you arrived. You would be fine after a bit of sugar and a good night’s sleep. Rubbing your face, you focused on the road ahead, trying your best to forget the frightening conjurings of your mind. It had only been a dream… right?
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I'm so, so, sorry that this came out so late, but my life got so hectic that I hardly had time for myself or to clean out my inbox; and then, I accidentally posted the original ask privately and I can't get it back, so I had to make a whole other post! Talk about annoying.
I miss Unus Annus so much; it was something I definitely needed during the pandemic and I'm so glad I was a part of it. Thank you so much for the request, @lady-raziel! I literally screamed when I saw I had a request from you sitting in my inbox because I love your blog so much.
This was some Unus Annus fanart I did during the final live stream of the channel. I hope to finish it up but it looks pretty good now in it’s WIP form. So here.
