Once, not that long ago, there was a storm. A pretty big one, too. It was far off in the distance, and my sisters and I ran out to see it.

Lightning, then thunder. My sister counted. "Thirteen miles away," she said. We continued to watch the grey clouds, alert for lightning. It was beautiful, not the typical white but mid purple and pale orange and occasionally yellowish blue.

The clouds were turning darker. "Twelve miles."

Darker. "Ten miles."

"It's still far away," my other sister said. "We can stay out a little longer."

An orange flash from our right. "We're being surrounded," I said, both afraid and awestruck.

My other sister (the careful one) moaned. "We should go inside soon," she said. "But it's still so cool, so let's stay a little longer. Ten miles away."

Another from the right. "Ten miles."

Then a purple one from the left. "Eight miles," one sister cried. "We're being surrounded. It will come over our heads! We should go inside soon!"

"It's not on us yet," my other sister said. We stayed.

Another flash. "Seven miles."

"Five."

"Three. We should go inside now!"

"Not yet,"

"It's almost on is! It'll start raining soon!"

"But it's so cool!!"

She only stayed because i was out, watching my sister, and she was out, watching us both. Even though I am the oldest. Her loyalty is stronger than her fear.

The sky was dark, lightning coming, lighting up the sky. One sister stood with a neighbor boy (who was six at the time) and watched the lighting come.

Finally, she agreed to come in, when the storm was upon us. We turned and walked the direction of our home. There was no rain.

The sound of pouring behind us, growing ever louder, and suddenly there was rain. Pouring, starting from a simple drizzle, becoming a down rush in a second. We ran. Thunder still crackled, no seconds after the lightning this time.

We ran about, preparing for rain of the sudden storm. Soaking through, I felt like a peasant in a storm, middle ages, as I scooped leaves from a drain with a rake, sometimes bare hands. I ran the grill into the overhang and ran through a giant puddle.

I'd repeat the experience, given the chance.

Jim Bung

June 8, 2000

I was there when shouts sounded from the lower floors. I was there when they carried the battered body of our proprietor to his room. I watched as a frantic, grim faced healer marched into the room, telling the others to remain calm.

I, unnoticed, remained hidden behind a vase stand. I saw everything.

~

The night was falling and the shadows long as the last of the staff wandered away. I crept out, and began to dance. A voice that was not male came from the room.

Hesitating, I crept close. They were talking. There was one left with him. I pressed my ear to the door, careful to keep my breathing shallow. No one must hear.

"He may have said what brought the curse, not why," a lady said. Ginny. "It has something to do with the founders. Some sin of theirs?"

"Perhaps." The proprietor could think despite being injured, evidently. "Can we trust the ghost? The first spirit was of a human, the second, not."

"He said he was there."

Ah, that'd be Pennyblighter. Always complaining and making vague moans about the curse, him. Rather dramatic for a kitchen boy.

Ginny went on, "I see. So what was the sin of theirs?"

Silence. Appeared to be thinking. I knew something more, but there was no need for it to be said. Let them figure it out if they could.

" 'whole nights together,' " the proprietor suddenly said. Was he...sad? I heard Ginny gasp in what might have been horror. The proprietor sighed, then said, "I think we know. Then who laid the curse?"

"The Church wouldn't have, they aren't that kind of people," Ginny said.

I couldn't take it anymore. In a fit of anger, I turned the knob and marched boldly in. Ginny turned to glare, the proprietor jumping in bed.

"Of course they might," I said hotly. "Plenty aren't perfect, you know. It might have been a back alley thing, or something!" My eyes glittered with the idea, but it made the proprietor look sick.

"I know," he said, shushing me with a glare when I made a triumphant sound. "but in order to lay a curse one has to be very deep into the evil side of the spiritual world."

I delicately ignored his last comment. "Well, it makes total sense that the Church would do it, they have been our enemies for years...Guys, just admit it. God made the rainbow. He's on our side."

"What of Sodom and Gomora?" the proprietor levied evenly.

"That was unjust!" I said triumphantly.

"If so, that would mean He is capable of acts that are unjust. That would make him as broken as the rest of us," the proprietor said calmly.

My face became red, and I snapped. "SHUT UP!" I screamed. "You're wrong! So very wrong!"

I saw him smile faintly, and spat his direction. "Curse," I hissed. I dashed out the door, shaking.

"Jim!" Ginny's firm voice roared. "You show respect!"

"Just don't come any deeper! The secret is ours!!!"

The rest of the day went by flawlessly, except Emmie accidentally spilling an order on her apron. She took the mug from Frankie’s hand, insisting to not waste it, and let her drink it ‘to help for that moment’ as Emmie put it. Frankie nodded as she sipped, fighting back the evil memory with the sword of Wolf’s kindness.

The day was winding down and the sun was setting. Evangeline returned into the kitchen to gather her things, but Frankie delicately turned her eyes away and was glad to have Emmie to focus on instead. The girl was kind of pretty now that she thought about it.

James approached with the last sugar dusted caramel doughnut. “I saw what happened,” he said, smiling almost unsure. Afraid of her wrath, she knew.

She smirked wryly. “Why yes, thank you.” She took the doughnut, and once biting into it, realized she didn’t eat lunch. Ah well, work was work and he always came with something for her, even if she refused it. Besides, she thought it was good for staying thin. (Whether it truly worked was another question.)

“How will you get home?” Emmie suddenly asked. “There were only five cars in the lot when I came, and you were already here. There were six workers today. Wait, my mum’s coming. Do you want us to drive you home, or do you have a ride?”

Frankie internally bristled. No, she didn’t need help. “I have a ride,” she said, a bit colder than she had wanted to let on. “It’s fine.”

Emmie just nodded meekly and, pausing to squeeze out her apron into the sink, went out. Frankie heard a car pull in. She leaned in relief against the counter as James wiped down the rest of it. The last few minutes went by, as she finished her doughnut. Really nice of James to clean for her. She hated crumbs and spills like the plague.

Then Wolf’s roaring motorcycle shrieked its way into the lot and, after stopping, rumbled in front of the shop. She finished licking her fingers, hopped up, and rushed out.

“You know I hate waiting,” she complained.

“Mhum,” he smirked. “Got your helmet. Now hurry, because you take forever to get ready.”

She fastened her black and red helmet and hopped on. It jerked away suddenly and roared down the street. She laughed—he drove motorcycles the way he drove cars. She let the wind rush through her hair and beat her face cold, and her mind wander as they roared to the house.

Ginny Hawkins

June 7, 2000

First thing's first. We need to know why the place is cursed. We need to know how to break it. We must find out and end it before the guests start disappearing. I was told many things, but not all.

Sam seems pretty surprised how well the place is doing. Some people were fine paying both the small admission fee, and the price of a room (which was discounted for guests at the ball, first night.) Many stayed, since we are indeed in the middle of nowhere. A few brought children, which makes me even more nervous. After running breakfast rounds to those who didn't make it to the kitchen, I rush to find Sam.

He was leisurely walking down a corridor (I didn't realize he was deep in thought) when I seized his arm. "We must find out."

He jumped and jerked away, but once he spent a couple seconds realizing it was me, he relaxed. "Good grief," he said. "Yes, I know. I was just thinking of how and where to start."

"The grave?" I suggested. "Secrets haunt the place."

"Basement," he said, determined. We turned right around and took the first stairs down.

"It doesn't seem to have changed," he said in surprise as we went down to the third floor. "It is the same as it was yesterday!"

"It's because guests are here," I said softly.

He laughed. "I kind of which guests would stay then!"

"Don't," I cautioned. "Last time, the spirits kept the hotel grounds the same, to keep the guests in place. The wish of anyone in the staff keeps the spirits in their game."

He sobered, frown growing more intense as he struggled in himself, as he told me later.

We went deeper and darker, thankfully knowing our way a little bit from last night.

We got close to the final ending, where we saw the little alcove of the grave ahead. Our pace quickened in excitement, only to stop short.

"Who...who comes..."

We froze. My chest began to hurt as my heart went overtime, and Sam seized my arm. He was deathly white. No one was down here.

"Let's go back," he whispered.

"You will never know what you came here for," the voice said, clear as day, as though the person stood in front of them. The doors where closed. No guests were on this floor. The voice was not that of any of the staff.

Sam could not speak, so I tried for him. "What is it? No lies."

"I was there in the beginning," the ghost said. "I saw. I saw the founders. I was one of the staff, I one of the first. A chamber boy. But someone cursed us---not only are there evil spirits who were never human, the original staff remain and haunt the place."

A dread chill ran through me. Sam adjusted his sweaty grip on my arm.

"I saw our founders, I know why they are cursed," the ghost went on. "They were inseparable--spent all their time together. Every second. Whole nights, even...people questioned them...and then they cursed us, cursed us!" The voice rose to a shrill and mournful howl that made one fear for one's life and pity the spirit deeply at the same time.

"Who cursed you?" I tried, but the ghost was silent. There was not a sound.

Sam finally could speak. "How can we believe it?" he cautioned, arm out to keep me from going farther. "We must test his words."

A new, deeper voice suddenly spoke, a presence more sinister than that of the human spirit. "Believe me." And I felt the words draw, the creature pulling us in, drawing us by his will alone, forcing us to bend to his will as the draw of the tide. I saw by the strain Sam felt it too.

"ENOUGH!" he suddenly roared, and, tearing himself away, he seized my arm with a grip harder than anyone had put on me and almost threw me ahead of him. "Take it!" he shouted, desperately perhaps, but I wasn't sure what he meant in the panic. So I raced ahead. But I couldn't leave him to the doom...

I slowed and glanced behind me. "We both will die if you do not run," he managed. "Neither will of ours is strong enough to resist. You go. You live. Return when you have more strength."

The ceiling crumbled behind me, in front of him.

Curse thee I need not, for thou hast e'er been

From the beginning of thy wretched days!

O brood of darkness and one soul of sin,

O cursed be thy covert and tempting ways!

See sorrow's share, to all thou hast long claimed

To the beauty thou hast dragged to thy lair!

To all the bleeding souls thy sword hast maimed,

The end of young souls so bright and so fair.

To be thy end, alas! Strength I have not,

Small wretch mortal I be! O sing we now--

Rest alone in shadows deep, thou heal naught!

May no one ever find thee, O curs'd thou!

My mum and I are writers and editors, so first we would have gone to a publishing house to see what it's like, then she'd take me to a cool fantasy brewery or some crazy thrill type thing like riding a motorcycle, (she's that kind of lady!) and ending the day with ice cream. She has always liked ice cream, especially mint, which is also my favorite.

One of my favortie songs is the Fall of Gil-Galad, but Tolkien. It is part of an ancient lay of the elven king Gil-Galad, high king of both Teleri and Noldor in the second age of Middle Earth. He fell heroically fighting against Sauron in Dagor Dagorlad.

Here is how the first part goes, (the rest is unwritten far as I know:)

Gil-galad was an elven king

of him, the harpers sadly sing.

the last whose realm was fair and free

between the mountains and the sea.

His sword was long, his lance was keen.

His shining helm afar was seen!

The countless stars of heaven's field

were mirrored in his silver shield!

But long ago he rode away

and where he dweleth none can say.

For into darkness fell his star,

In Mordor where the shadows are.

My favorite version of this song is sung by Clamvadi De Profundis

William Eckert

June 6, 2000

It must be today, it must be today.

Tradition must be kept. Must be today...it was the last time. Good thing I already sent out the advertisement. Now we have no choice.

Mr. Jay was not pleased. "TODAY??" he howled. "What? You know how ready I am?? NOT."

"I assure you, it is set for noon," I said, frowning.

"I was going to advertise it as a historical experience!" Mr. Jay cried. "How can we do that? How--we don't have time to advertise---"

"I assure you, that has been done already."

Silence, while our proprietor panted as he struggled to contain himself. "What do you have planned?" Mr. Jay asked thickly, as though through barely restrained frustration.

"Masquerade ball," I said. "It was in all the posters."

"I see," he said, regaining his calm. "And...I don't suppose we have anything for that? Do we make the guests bring their own?"

"Of course, all is accounted for," I said. "Costumes for all of the staff, and you, of course, are in the closet at the very end of sixth floor hall."

Samuel Jay

June 6, 2000

We all scrambled, but managed to make it. I got first pick of costume but didn't care what I got. Ended up with a green-black striped suit, and the masque of a plague doctor. Odd. O well.

All was set, I waited nervously as the guests arrived. Rich people, some middle class probably, all able to make their own gown. It was really impressive watching them trickle in from my spot on the music stage at the front of the ballroom. They were in the fanciest gowns and suits I had ever seen all in one place. Marveling, it suddenly came to me, that this palace was of the 1800s but Shakespeare was four hundred years ago...I mentally noted to perhaps try other times in history as well.

"Ladies and gentlemen," I said, hugely relieved out butler had written a speech already. The guest's chatter died down and they listened, all eyes on me. Quickly, before my courage failed me, I went on, "Tonight--well also tonight--Today is the day you have awaited. Today, this hotel opens to the public. Today Letare is --- well, able now to be enjoyed by all who love history...Ah, 'Letare' is the Latin word for rejoice. So let us do so."

People cheered and clapped. I resisted the urge to swipe the sweat off my brow as I stepped back, glad at least I had only forgotten my lines a couple times. Maybe nobody noticed.

Lively music began, starting the party. I watched the guests begin, slowly at first, to pair up and twirl around the lovely room.

I went into the crowd, dancing with several ladies, knowing that the entertainment would last until long after the sun set. My mind went on with plans, what was for dinner, when I should check, and all the while I found myself glancing around the room. Almost lazily, as though I were looking for someone.

When I realized who I was looking for, there she was. A dark blue dress, fluffing outward and speckled with little silver specks, making her skirts look like the night sky at its finest. They winked at me with every little turn of hers, and I peered at her face to be sure. Through her matching butterfly masque, I recognized her eyes instantly.

Restraining myself from walking over then and there like in movies, I waited and nodded politely to the lady in pink I had just danced with, waiting until the song ended before I went to find Gin.

The song ended, I kissed the lady's hand and thanked for for the dance. Nearly dying with the wait, I didn't leave until she wandered away and took the arm of a man in a blue suit and green stripes. I rushed over to where I last saw Gin. She noticed me as I approached her on the stairs before the entry.

"You're radiant," I breathed.

"Pinstripe," she said.

I was startled a moment before I saw her grin. I relaxed, now that I knew she wasn't making fun of me.

"The sun has set." Matter of factly she said it, softly, like a butterfly perhaps. "Come."

I followed out into the cold air, biting, but I only noticed it for a second. We wandered to the edge of the property, or at least to a decorated fence that stood some ways from the entrance. It served no purpose other than to look fancy. We leaned against it, pretending to be on a balcony. Or I was, at least.

"What a lovely night." I looked to her, dreamily, only to realize she was staring at the sky. Sheepishly, I looked too. I could see the Milky Way. We were out in the middle of nowhere.

For hours we talked, (ok fine, it was probably maybe only one) and suddenly there came a scream from inside.

We ran. The lights were off---the chandeliers!! What happened---

Wait. We burst into the ballroom, and stared at the lights. "They're flickering!" I panicked.

Just as suddenly, the lights went out. Ladies screamed again. Men shouted.

Then the lights returned, just as bright as before. An awed gasp went up from the audience, and then some cheered, more clapping. Music stared up again, a lively jaunt, as though nothing had happened.

I had been frozen in the doorway. I felt I knew what happened.

"They think it's part of the show." I turned to look at Gin, behind me. She went on, "The spirits undoubtedly want people to come and stay, so they shock and amuse." She frowned. "At least at first."

"We need to drive them away before it comes to that," I said, urgency slowly flooding my chest.

Her hand was on my arm, calming me. "Tomorrow."

How high above be the one kind,

angel in simple garb of man.

Light of above that cometh down!

How rare be they to find!

Light shineth through thee can

reverse the despair'ed frown.

Soft chant, gentle hum that flow

the air alive, when the kind find me

in the darkness of my despair.

The tears from heart that glow!

Naught before hath I found be;

angel of above, gentle and fair!

Fall not into despair of dark,

A light remaineth in darken world!

There be angelic souls amid foul men,

For thee of above left ever thy mark.

The gentle touched doth unfurled,

A sweet blossom amid chains of the evil fen!