Reaper's Word

Clair Tanner's jaw nearly dropped when she saw the building that was a house come into view as they drove up to it. She'd never seen anything like this in her life. Even the picture she'd been shown by Michael, their guide, didn't do it justice. She was eager to draw it. This would be amazing for the architectural series she was doing. It looked like a mansion right off the cover of a European magazine. The old style of it was incredible. The place had to be worth double or triple digit or millions.

Clair was an international student studying in Italy. Her major was in the arts. Her favorite subject ever since she could remember. She liked charcoal medium over paint or acrylics. She was amazing at architectural drawings along with drawing living objects. If she could get this series finished it would really help her with the gallery spot she was paying for. She didn't really listen as their guide told them about the building already planning and preparing. However she brought herself around to make sure she noted the history. What was art without a back story?

Apparently it was a mystery as to who originally built the place. There were over one hundred rooms. A garden area both in front and on the left side of the house. It was built into the side of the mountain. The front portion sticking out and the left side had a wing that swung out toward the road. Honestly she didn't even know where they were. The drive was rather fuzzy now that she tried to think about it. Though she'd been daydreaming most the time. Still she did notice an odd kind of pressure in her head that she didn't like.

This place was very far out of the way. There hadn't been any other signs near here that anyone even lived remotely close. Clair's attention was caught by the building again, as the sun glinted off of it to her eyes. Like the place was watching them. There were huge windows in the front that faced the drive and mountain area.

The grounds were immaculate and the house itself was a brownish red with white pillars and trim. It was beautiful and yet Claire felt a sadness there. She was sensitive for a human, but never really indulged the talents. Others would call her crazy or a freak, but she couldn't ignore the sensations coming to her now as they got closer to the house. Something didn't seem right. A Primal intuition trying to speak up.

The front drive came up and under an overhang supported by four large pillars. Different pillars went around the building as well with intricately carved designs in them. As they pulled up to stop, Clair's smile faded. She didn't like the feel of the place. It felt wrong, it felt oppressive. They were slowing to park the large van. Their little tour group chatting. Laura, her roommate, turned and smiled at her. She was a photography student at the same school. She took a picture of Clair.

"See and you were worried this wouldn't be what you wanted. You're glowing." She moved with her now that they were out. However the pit of her stomach was starting to churn and her happiness driving up was fading a bit.

"It's beautiful." She kept her feelings to herself. Clair wasn't exactly normal and to tell others that she got vibes. Knew what those around her felt didn't get her far. Nor did the fact that she could move things with her mind. She kept that secret tightly guarded and would tell no one. One time she'd shared and had nearly been checked into a psyche ward. Never again. Laura turned around with a smile and Clair looked back out the window as they pulled to a stop.

She knew one thing for sure, once they were allowed to look around she was finding a quiet spot alone. She didn't much care for the company of others and Laura would just ruin her concentration. They weren't all that close, just friends really because they lived together. She also shook off her nerves. Maybe the place was just haunted or something. That made her smile. If only she knew the truth. That they were being watched by something far more sinister than a ghost.

Their guide was going on about the ballroom that was here and a few other things. Clair decided that she would visit that room first. She loved to dance, loved music and could just picture what this room would look like. It was better to just focus on what she was here to do. They were allowed a self tour. So she figured the inside was like a museum and set up accordingly.

She'd brought her supplies with her. All of them, wanting to take as much time as she could drawing while she was here. Her solid case was in her right hand. She also brought her own camera to capture different rooms and the outside so she could draw them later.

"If you would all please follow me." The guide said carrying a very old and tattered looking book. Claire thought it was time for a new one. That one had seen better days. They got out of the vehicle, as did the others in the van ahead of them. There were twelve of them in all. Not including the guides and drivers. Michael was one of the drivers. The one that had told her and Laura about this place.

The foreboding feeling was very strong out here now. So much so she wanted to get back in the van and just wait for the others to return in a few hours. She rolled her eyes at herself. No, she had come here and no haunted mansion was going to run her off. She needed something new and fresh to draw. All the other historical sites had been done a million times. The group here had a mean age of perhaps thirty. No young children and that was a relief to Clair.

She liked kids, just not when she was trying to focus on what she wanted to do. She stood next to Laura. Laura had gold colored hair and dark green eyes with a stick figure. Clair had dark brown hair that fell in a wave around her. She twisted it up into a bun now. Her eyes a bright aqua. She was slender not overly skinny as Laura was. She believed eating was essential to living unlike Laura.

"If I could have all of you sign in, and to our agreement." A small line formed and they took turns signing it. A few asking questions. Laura went before Clair signing. Then handing her the pen with a smile when she finished. She moved off taking a few photos. Clair looked at the old book. The man in front of her was giving her a sense of nervousness and glee. She eyed him. What an odd thing to feel. Not that he knew she could tell, but still.

does this say?" She asked, pointing to

it you buy it." He said with

"If I don't sign?"

the page and then signed her name. However she felt a bit nauseous as she did. Like she'd just given something up. She frowned, it was just a book. This was just a site to visit. There were three more after her that signed. Then their guide moved to the

me. We will have lunch first and then you will be free to move about the house." He turned and

alongside her. He'd been talking to her the entire way. Laura giggled

the only one it seemed either. A woman near her shivered and a

through a small hall and into a huge dining room with a long table set up.

sliding in their chairs. "Now all of you have heard what me and my coworker have told you about the house. All

to the house?" A woman asked. "Are we allowed

he looked a little pale. "Of course, just be careful."

of safety in here. After that you may go where you please." The guide turned and left

a laugh. "Who says that? What a weirdo." He added. Clair looked around the room. She wasn't all that hungry. She got up and moved to one of the doors. She almost reached it when a man came running in the room looking wild eyed and crazed. He nearly knocked her over. He was very clearly in a rush. Everyone instantly noticed him as he ripped

Stained with what looked like rust, or... blood? Was he hurt? Claire felt anxiety coming from him. Plus fear, and joy at the food. It was clear he hadn't showered in days. More like weeks. He came in and had a small bag. He started grabbing things as others looked at him. Some stood up. Was this some homeless man in the house? Should

doing? Who are

right now. Run and hide, trust me. Or you are going to die. Trust no one, grab some food and go." He was shaking and stuffing food into the bag.

to find a man standing in the doorway. He didn't come in the room. He did not look like a staff member. All possible warning signals went off in Claire's

you?" Someone else

live here." He answered. Gregori had backed up looking around the room for an escape that didn't lead to where the

word I can't attack you if you leave the room at this time. But you

fading. What sounded like a huge dog let out a snarling growl. That was all they heard. Those around the table looked around and a few stood

those in the room. "You should take his advice. You have ten minutes now."

Asked a

and pushed his hand forward. It was easy to see that something resisted his hand. The flesh of his palm appeared to flatten slightly like he was pushing on

toward different rooms. The man standing there was over six feet tall, with solid black hair and hazel colored eyes.