Chapter 1
Julia walked up to the door or the creepy old mansion, wrinkling her nose. She could practically smell the dust. Julia hated dust. The newspaper advertisement stuck in her mind, keeping her from turning around and walking away.
Looking for live-in housekeeper and cook. If interested, interviews will be conducted at 9:30 am on Sunday at 249 Valley View Drive.
Well Julia had inquired. She could not say this was what she expected, but Julia could not afford to be picky. She'd recently graduated from culinary school. Her parents wanted her to be a doctor, so she was on her own. Finding any sort of work had been difficult. Julia was new to Moonlight Falls. The town was small, the residents wary of newcomers.
Looking for live-in housekeeper and cook. If interested, interviews will be conducted at 9:30 am on Sunday at 249 Valley View Drive.
Well Julia had inquired. She could not say this was what she expected, but Julia could not afford to be picky. She'd recently graduated from culinary school. Her parents wanted her to be a doctor, so she was on her own. Finding any sort of work had been difficult. Julia was new to Moonlight Falls. The town was small, the residents wary of newcomers.
Julia rang the doorbell, tapping her foot as she waited for an answer. The door swung open with a rusty-sounding creak. The sound made Julia wince. On the other side of the door was a grandfatherly looking man, apart from the transparency and the purple tinge.
Julia did not faint. She did not scream. She did not even bat an eyelash. The man grinned at her.
"My name is Julia Shen, I'm here about-"
“You're hired.”
"My name is Julia Shen, I'm here about-"
“You're hired.”
Julia stepped through the front door, into what appeared to be a parlor. The wallpaper, furniture, floors, and curtains were all a faded shade of brown.
The ghost floated over to the loveseat and sat down, gesturing for Julia to sit. Julia sat. Before Julia could ask any questions, the ghost began to speak.
“My name is Samuel Goth. About ten years ago a woman by the name of Helen Hall came to live here as she had nowhere else to go. My wife was not pleased, but Helen died within two years and we thought that was the end of having a living person around the house. It wasn't. When I died I left the house to my niece because my wife always hated the place so I figured she would leave as soon as she could. What I didn't figure was that both my wife Olivia and my niece Frida would both be joining me ghosts.”
Julia's face betrayed some surprise. Three ghosts? She was going to be the housekeeper for three ghosts?
“...of course Frida left everything to her brother's boy Mortimer. He showed up, oh, eight years ago and has been here since. He focuses so much on his work he doesn't take very good care of himself, which is why I put out an advertisement. "
So three ghosts and a person.
"Err... are you sure you're qualified?”
Julia's face betrayed some surprise. Three ghosts? She was going to be the housekeeper for three ghosts?
“...of course Frida left everything to her brother's boy Mortimer. He showed up, oh, eight years ago and has been here since. He focuses so much on his work he doesn't take very good care of himself, which is why I put out an advertisement. "
So three ghosts and a person.
"Err... are you sure you're qualified?”
Julia's face turned red. A t-shirt and jeans wasn't the best interview outfit, but it was all she had. Julia cleared her throat.
“I'm 100 percent positive.”
Samuel nodded.
“Then I'll show you to your room. You can put on your uniform and then you'll meet Olivia and Frida.”
Julia was thankful he had not asked her more questions. She didn't want to explain why she hadn't been surprised by Samuel's.... state of being.
“I'm 100 percent positive.”
Samuel nodded.
“Then I'll show you to your room. You can put on your uniform and then you'll meet Olivia and Frida.”
Julia was thankful he had not asked her more questions. She didn't want to explain why she hadn't been surprised by Samuel's.... state of being.
Samuel stood and headed over to the staircase. Samuel hovered just above the steps, not making any sound as he walked. Julia followed, wincing every time she took a step. The stairs creaked. Samuel led her to a small room.
The room was small and extremely purple. It smelled of old potpourri and mildew.
A surprisingly clean dress and apron had been laid out on the bed. Julia shut the door before pulling the dress on.
As she looked in the ancient mirror, Julia couldn't help but wonder what she was getting herself into.