wolfxofxnovember
DIS Veteran, Future Haunted Mansion Butler WDW Ann
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I think this qualifies as creativity. I would like feedback on my story 
The Real Haunted Mansion
By McKinnie Lee Sizemore III
Prologue:
Once upon a happier time the ornate mansion that stood over the Louisiana bayou may have welcomed visitors and provided shelter for those who seek it. However those few who would take shelter in the manor would quickly find themselves dripping in ice cold sweat running for fear of their very lives! For you see something so strange happened to this particular manor that changed the occupants on that fateful day into nothing more than dust on the mantle of existence. Perhaps I should start this story where it first began long, long, ago
Chapter 1: George Gracey
George Gracey stared deep into the mirror before him. He saw the handsome reflection of a young man with a thin face looking sullen, staring back. The young man knew very well (although his servants pretended not to) that he was far from the perfect son and heir to the Gracey Mansion. The first time that he placed his eyes upon the elaborate manor overlooking the Louisiana bayou, the first thoughts he had were for his fiancée Lilian to whom he would be married to. He knew very well that no matter what he said about a small romantic wedding that she wanted the elaborate, fancy, and extravagant wedding that the Graceys were easily able to afford. George Gracey learned only three weeks ago that his father Edward Gracey had died due to an unfortunate accident with dynamite that some claimed to be suspicious and that he was now the owner and master of the Gracey Manor. This would be the perfect place for Lilian and I to be wed Gracey thought. This happy thought was quickly diminished when the knock on his door came to his ears like a rolling thundercloud. Master Gracey the voice called. I understand that Lilian is in need of some hats, am I correct? Gracey thought it was an odd question until he remembered that his bride to be was very particular about her accessories and outfits. Yes Gracey called from his wardrobe she is in the attic preparing herself you should find her there. Thank you sir called the voice from the hall. Although it may sound odd the wedding plans had been so rushed by Lilian that George Gracey did not remember that they would need dressing rooms. Therefore George Gracey had used his old bedroom he had as a kid to prepare himself and ordered that the only spare room (the attic) be transformed into Lilians dressing room. As George Gracey looked once more again into the mirror he thought about his bride to be Lilian and even though it was against tradition he made his decision. I must speak to Lilian and tell her of my apprehension for our wedding. She wont mind.
Chapter 2: Lilian
Lilian stood in the dark and cramped attic attempting to prepare herself when the attic door creaked upward. Hello madam, Master Gracey said I would find you here. The man who spoke these words was dressed in a fine gentlemens suit and was carrying a black hatbox. Lilian had almost forgotten about her familys tradition. For every member of Lilians family (even the men) had to wear a hat on their wedding day. Thank you for coming sir, I was just about to call for help she said. You see I just cant get my dress fixed up in the back . Never putting down the hatbox the gentleman began to stride toward her holding a candle he had picked up from one of the attics many candelabras. Here you go madam hold this so that I can see the back of the dress please. Lilian was nervous because her thoughts had strayed from her groom to be George Gracey. George Gracey had been a fine young man but he was very mysterious and dark in an alluring sort of way. Therefore one thing about George Gracey that Lilian disliked was that he very seldom smiled or made jokes. George Gracey was a very dark individual with a family history that did nothing more then enhance his mystique. The man carrying the hatbox had a wide grin placed in the very middle of his round face that seemed to be a centerpiece for his complexion. For only a moment Lilian began to regret her marriage to Gracey and began to think more romantically about the gentleman before her. He had a warm tone that seemed to comfort Lilian. At that very instance it began. The horror and drama that was to become the entire night and that would soon become the rest of her life had started. The attic door creaked open to reveal a handsome young man in a fine suit. George Gracey.
Chapter 3: Reconnaissance
The wedding guests were beginning to grow anxious. Especially a man standing near the altar looking very tall and gentleman like, where were they? he thought. I dont know honey, but you would be better off not saying things like that out loud. Said a woman standing by his side in a lovely hostess gown colored green, ah, Emma the man said. Emma was Ezra Dobbins wife she had a kind of beauty that many found odd. She was beautiful yes but a bit strange. Ezricus honey you need to think more before you speak Emma chuckled. Ezra winced at these words I told you I hate that name please call me Ezra. Ezra was not the only one who became worried, next to him he saw the face of his friend Phineas Queeg. Phineas and Ezra had been friends ever since school. Both Phineas and Ezra had been average minded students but they got by. However Ezra being tall and handsome had been able to attract the attention of his wife Emma. Ezra Phineas said, You dont think that something has happened to the Master do you? George Gracey found Phineas and Ezra by attending the same academy they were not friends at school nor did they dislike each other. However both Phineas and Ezra had been invited to work as landscapers for the mansion and after talking to Master Gracey they found they attended the same school. They used to work on the mansions grounds then go inside the manor to talk to Master Gracey and to make jokes about the old students and teachers. Ezra and Phineas had both put out brand new wet concrete on the mansions pathway after all the guests arrived. After this they went to their homes to change into nice suits then attend the wedding. Ezra came crashing back to Earth from his daydreams when Phineas prompted him again. You dont think anything is wrong do you? Phineas said. I dont know Phineas Ezra said honestly perhaps we should check. I will go Phineas said you stay with Emma and try to keep the guests occupied.
Chapter 4: The prisoner
Gus Gracey sat in his cell looking very distraught and filthy. Gus Gracey was Master George Graceys second cousin he had been unfortunately burdened by being the first in the family to have been vertically challenged. He looked very dwarf like with a long grisly beard and a very short figure. Master George Gracey had learned that Gus tried to expose the medium Madame Leota as a fraud. Disgusted by these accusations he had placed Gus under lock and key watched over by a guard with an axe and a belt with the dangling key tempting Gus to try to grab it. Today is the day I make my escape and expose Leota for what she really is. Gus thought. Madame Leota had held séances, and spiritual readings of the manor for Master Gracey and she had reaped the rewards. Madame Leota may have been reclusive but when she put her mind to it she was very, very, dangerous. Gus waited for the guard to sleep, it only took a half hour due to the guard sneaking extra wine from the wedding ceremony. Gus saw his opportunity and grabbed the key off of the guards belt.
Chapter 5: Madame Leota
The plan had gone quite well. Madame Leota thought, she now carried a vast amount of money and valuable items thanks to her powers with the supernatural that she had displayed for Master Gracey. The last step was about to unfold, although Madame Leota pretended to be a psychic for Master Gracey the truth was that she had saved her powers for a grand plan she had made when she was invited to live with the Graceys. Madame Leota had foreseen the events that would unfold in the manor tonight and if all went well the only person able to stop her would be out of the way. Madame Leota had her thoughts interrupted by loud noise coming from the ballroom where the wedding was to be held. Opera singers had just begun their second song to distract the guests from the absence of the bride and groom. Foolish mortals Leota thought, soon they and all the occupants of this manor would be under her control. The only thing that had went wrong so far was when Gus Gracey had come into her séance room after overhearing all of her diabolical plans. This might have been a danger to the plans success had Gus not been accused of being insane. Master Gracey trusted Madame Leota and this had been his downfall.
Chapter 6: The horror unfolds
As the attic door was fully opened George Gracey stepped into the cramped and dark room looking heartbroken. For a moment Lilian thought that George Gracey could read her mind and knew the thoughts she had about the man helping her with her dress. With one swift movement Master Gracey grabbed one of the many rusty axes from the numerous suits of armor. He held the weapon in front of Lilian and the hat deliverer threatening them. He swung the axe with shocking quickness towards the mans throat. His head landed in the hatbox looking up at Lilian with a horrified look on his now pale face. Master Gracey then raised the axe over his head and said to Lilian I trusted you my love, and you commit such infidelity? Then with a glint of betrayal in his deep blue eyes he thrust the axe over his fiancées head killing her instantly.
Phineas had seen it all. Phineas went up to Master Gracey and told him that Lilian was not what he thought she was. Master Gracey gave him an evil smile and said I know, she is unfaithful as are you trying to defend her I trusted you as well Phineas Queeg. Then with yet another sweep of the axe Master Gracey had struck Phineas in the stomach.
Chapter 7: Ezra Awaits
Where is he? Ezra whispered to his wife Emma. I dont know but this is starting to feel strange she said. With Emma everything was strange Ezra thought. I need to check on Phineas he must be having some kind of trouble. Ezra said to Emma. He kissed her on the cheek then he started up the stairway towards the attic. Master Gracey sobbed over the body of his friend Phineas and his fiancée Lilian. The bodies had landed close to one another all three looking horribly disfigured. Lilian had her skull crushed by the axe exposing bone and tissue to the atmosphere of the attic. Phineas lie bleeding on the floor. The man with the hatbox had coagulated blood formed around the stump which was his neck. The mans head remained in the hatbox looking straight up at the dark attic. What have I done? he screamed in anguish. I dont know. said a voice from behind him sounding choked and fearful. What have you done? Master Gracey turned to see Ezra standing before him. You killed Phineas and your fiancée and the hat deliverer? Ezra spoke these words as if he could not believe what he knew was true. As the reality of his actions set in Master Gracey suddenly began to go insane with guilt, frustration, and rage. Master Gracey pulled up the axe from beside him and struck Ezra in the stomach as he did to Phineas. He then used the axe to chop his dead fiancées finger off. The finger on which sat a beautiful and extravagant wedding ring. He slid the ring off the warm finger dyed red with blood and threw it out of the attic window. The ring traveled down a long way until the wet concrete consumed the ring like a hungry pit, embedding the ring into the concrete path before the Gracey Manor. Master Gracey strode to the long corridor below the attic still holding the finger. Master Gracey pulled the bones out of his dead fiancées finger and slid the limp finger like a glove over the hour hand of his grandfather clock.
Chapter 8: Madame Leota Hatches Her Plan
In the dark séance room Madame Leota called all the forces of evil and all of the dark spirits to aid her in her plot against the Gracey family. Madame Leota brought the 999 spirits from her crystal ball and set them free throughout the house intending them to inhibit and kill the occupants of the manor. Madame Leota came from her séance room and looked down upon the happy occupants in the ballroom. Watching the spirits inhibit all of the occupants. Standing behind Madame Leota Gus Gracey raised the axe he had stolen from the sleeping guard and tried to swing over Leotas head when Madame Leota used her telekinetic power to manipulate the axe and swing it over Guss head killing him instantly. The very last person alive in the manor could not be affected by the spell that had turned everyone still alive into ghosts. Because this particular person had ownership of the mansion, Master George Gracey.
Chapter 9: Leota revealed
After Master Gracey went to change into a new suit that was not covered in blood he descended the staircase intending to tell his guests that the wedding was off. He discovered Madame Leota standing over the rail of the ballroom looking triumphant. He then saw a horrible sight. Every one of the occupants of Gracey Manor had become less than human. However their movements were more solid than that of ghosts they were all spirits. All 997 wedding guests were ghost and Lilian made 998. Master Gracey confronted Madame Leota and asked What have you done! Madame Leota threw her head back and laughed. I have gained control of your manor and all its fortune but there is one little problem you. Master Graceys blood ran cold. Yes Leota said. I have become infatuated with you and because of this I have decided not to kill you and turn you into the 999th spirit but to capture you in my crystal ball for me to gaze upon when I choose.
Master Gracey from being a frequent guest at Madame
Leotas séances knew what spell she would use to capture his soul. But instead of allowing this to happen Master Gracey ran up the stairs to the attic and grabbed the rope that had been used to tie the hatbox together. He knew that if he allowed himself to be imprisoned within Madame Leotas crystal ball that she would have ultimate power over the manor and its occupants. Eventually she would have controlled the manor and used it as a portal to another realm. Master Gracey had a plan that would make it so that he would not be imprisoned in the crystal ball. He made the knot of a noose. He then threw the rope over the rafters of the attic and jumped breaking his neck instantly and killing himself. He had become the 999th spirit of the now haunted mansion. Madame Leota retained a small amount of power as she was now stuck in her own crystal ball due to her plan backfiring.
Chapter 10: The Hitch-Hikers
As the spirits of Ezra Dobbins, Gus Gracey, and Phineas Queeg materialized they knew they could not leave the mansion unless with a mortal. The three of them stood in the catacombs of The Haunted Mansion awaiting mortals with which they would hitch-hike. Mortals came by very seldom and when they came by they hardly even glance at the cursed hitch-hikers. Gus wanting to be free of the burden of knowing Madame Leotas plot and not being able to stop her. Phineas to be free of his horror knowing that Master Gracey had mistaken Lilian and though she was committing infidelity. And finally Ezra the saddest soul in the mansion missing his wife Emma and wanting to escape the mansion to be freed of the pain from witnessing the deaths of his friend. Therefore they await mortal souls which they will accompany out of the mansion and be freed of the horrors they know.
Epilogue:
The mansion began to decay over time. Things were possessed and moved on their own accord. The curse set Master Graceys grandfather clock at the 13th hour marked by a severed finger from his fiancées hand. This finger bore a pale line around it where a ring once sat. The walls of the mansion became darker; the spiders moved in and made themselves at home. Even the portraits became haunted showing Master Graceys decaying form, showing the portrait occupants as bones or bodies. Some paintings even watched the mansion decay through their own eyes. Some portraits even stretched revealing the death of its occupants. One portrait even showed the unfortunate demise of Master Graceys father. Madame Leota held séances regularly to keep her powers sharp. She had also abandoned her body which she had shrunk to the size of a doll to fit more comfortably inside the crystal ball gazing upon the images she had made true. Watching her plan unfold and watching the handsome Master Gracey throw his body over the rafters and killing himself. The only mortal ever to visit the mansion was the caretaker who was hired by Master Gracey to watch over the mansion due to its age. The caretaker did not like the creepy mansion and brought his dog with him. The day that the caretaker walked into the graveyard through the catacombs he saw that all the residents of Gracey Manor had become spirits. He had been frozen to the spot, his knees trembling, sweat dripping down his face. His dog had also been trembling and had even grown skinny from not eating. Due to Leotas curse they could not die but were forced to be frozen to that one spot scared out of their minds for eternity. The concrete had hardened where it had been laid and now permanently sealed the wedding ring in its immovable tomb.
The Real Haunted Mansion
By McKinnie Lee Sizemore III
Prologue:
Once upon a happier time the ornate mansion that stood over the Louisiana bayou may have welcomed visitors and provided shelter for those who seek it. However those few who would take shelter in the manor would quickly find themselves dripping in ice cold sweat running for fear of their very lives! For you see something so strange happened to this particular manor that changed the occupants on that fateful day into nothing more than dust on the mantle of existence. Perhaps I should start this story where it first began long, long, ago
Chapter 1: George Gracey
George Gracey stared deep into the mirror before him. He saw the handsome reflection of a young man with a thin face looking sullen, staring back. The young man knew very well (although his servants pretended not to) that he was far from the perfect son and heir to the Gracey Mansion. The first time that he placed his eyes upon the elaborate manor overlooking the Louisiana bayou, the first thoughts he had were for his fiancée Lilian to whom he would be married to. He knew very well that no matter what he said about a small romantic wedding that she wanted the elaborate, fancy, and extravagant wedding that the Graceys were easily able to afford. George Gracey learned only three weeks ago that his father Edward Gracey had died due to an unfortunate accident with dynamite that some claimed to be suspicious and that he was now the owner and master of the Gracey Manor. This would be the perfect place for Lilian and I to be wed Gracey thought. This happy thought was quickly diminished when the knock on his door came to his ears like a rolling thundercloud. Master Gracey the voice called. I understand that Lilian is in need of some hats, am I correct? Gracey thought it was an odd question until he remembered that his bride to be was very particular about her accessories and outfits. Yes Gracey called from his wardrobe she is in the attic preparing herself you should find her there. Thank you sir called the voice from the hall. Although it may sound odd the wedding plans had been so rushed by Lilian that George Gracey did not remember that they would need dressing rooms. Therefore George Gracey had used his old bedroom he had as a kid to prepare himself and ordered that the only spare room (the attic) be transformed into Lilians dressing room. As George Gracey looked once more again into the mirror he thought about his bride to be Lilian and even though it was against tradition he made his decision. I must speak to Lilian and tell her of my apprehension for our wedding. She wont mind.
Chapter 2: Lilian
Lilian stood in the dark and cramped attic attempting to prepare herself when the attic door creaked upward. Hello madam, Master Gracey said I would find you here. The man who spoke these words was dressed in a fine gentlemens suit and was carrying a black hatbox. Lilian had almost forgotten about her familys tradition. For every member of Lilians family (even the men) had to wear a hat on their wedding day. Thank you for coming sir, I was just about to call for help she said. You see I just cant get my dress fixed up in the back . Never putting down the hatbox the gentleman began to stride toward her holding a candle he had picked up from one of the attics many candelabras. Here you go madam hold this so that I can see the back of the dress please. Lilian was nervous because her thoughts had strayed from her groom to be George Gracey. George Gracey had been a fine young man but he was very mysterious and dark in an alluring sort of way. Therefore one thing about George Gracey that Lilian disliked was that he very seldom smiled or made jokes. George Gracey was a very dark individual with a family history that did nothing more then enhance his mystique. The man carrying the hatbox had a wide grin placed in the very middle of his round face that seemed to be a centerpiece for his complexion. For only a moment Lilian began to regret her marriage to Gracey and began to think more romantically about the gentleman before her. He had a warm tone that seemed to comfort Lilian. At that very instance it began. The horror and drama that was to become the entire night and that would soon become the rest of her life had started. The attic door creaked open to reveal a handsome young man in a fine suit. George Gracey.
Chapter 3: Reconnaissance
The wedding guests were beginning to grow anxious. Especially a man standing near the altar looking very tall and gentleman like, where were they? he thought. I dont know honey, but you would be better off not saying things like that out loud. Said a woman standing by his side in a lovely hostess gown colored green, ah, Emma the man said. Emma was Ezra Dobbins wife she had a kind of beauty that many found odd. She was beautiful yes but a bit strange. Ezricus honey you need to think more before you speak Emma chuckled. Ezra winced at these words I told you I hate that name please call me Ezra. Ezra was not the only one who became worried, next to him he saw the face of his friend Phineas Queeg. Phineas and Ezra had been friends ever since school. Both Phineas and Ezra had been average minded students but they got by. However Ezra being tall and handsome had been able to attract the attention of his wife Emma. Ezra Phineas said, You dont think that something has happened to the Master do you? George Gracey found Phineas and Ezra by attending the same academy they were not friends at school nor did they dislike each other. However both Phineas and Ezra had been invited to work as landscapers for the mansion and after talking to Master Gracey they found they attended the same school. They used to work on the mansions grounds then go inside the manor to talk to Master Gracey and to make jokes about the old students and teachers. Ezra and Phineas had both put out brand new wet concrete on the mansions pathway after all the guests arrived. After this they went to their homes to change into nice suits then attend the wedding. Ezra came crashing back to Earth from his daydreams when Phineas prompted him again. You dont think anything is wrong do you? Phineas said. I dont know Phineas Ezra said honestly perhaps we should check. I will go Phineas said you stay with Emma and try to keep the guests occupied.
Chapter 4: The prisoner
Gus Gracey sat in his cell looking very distraught and filthy. Gus Gracey was Master George Graceys second cousin he had been unfortunately burdened by being the first in the family to have been vertically challenged. He looked very dwarf like with a long grisly beard and a very short figure. Master George Gracey had learned that Gus tried to expose the medium Madame Leota as a fraud. Disgusted by these accusations he had placed Gus under lock and key watched over by a guard with an axe and a belt with the dangling key tempting Gus to try to grab it. Today is the day I make my escape and expose Leota for what she really is. Gus thought. Madame Leota had held séances, and spiritual readings of the manor for Master Gracey and she had reaped the rewards. Madame Leota may have been reclusive but when she put her mind to it she was very, very, dangerous. Gus waited for the guard to sleep, it only took a half hour due to the guard sneaking extra wine from the wedding ceremony. Gus saw his opportunity and grabbed the key off of the guards belt.
Chapter 5: Madame Leota
The plan had gone quite well. Madame Leota thought, she now carried a vast amount of money and valuable items thanks to her powers with the supernatural that she had displayed for Master Gracey. The last step was about to unfold, although Madame Leota pretended to be a psychic for Master Gracey the truth was that she had saved her powers for a grand plan she had made when she was invited to live with the Graceys. Madame Leota had foreseen the events that would unfold in the manor tonight and if all went well the only person able to stop her would be out of the way. Madame Leota had her thoughts interrupted by loud noise coming from the ballroom where the wedding was to be held. Opera singers had just begun their second song to distract the guests from the absence of the bride and groom. Foolish mortals Leota thought, soon they and all the occupants of this manor would be under her control. The only thing that had went wrong so far was when Gus Gracey had come into her séance room after overhearing all of her diabolical plans. This might have been a danger to the plans success had Gus not been accused of being insane. Master Gracey trusted Madame Leota and this had been his downfall.
Chapter 6: The horror unfolds
As the attic door was fully opened George Gracey stepped into the cramped and dark room looking heartbroken. For a moment Lilian thought that George Gracey could read her mind and knew the thoughts she had about the man helping her with her dress. With one swift movement Master Gracey grabbed one of the many rusty axes from the numerous suits of armor. He held the weapon in front of Lilian and the hat deliverer threatening them. He swung the axe with shocking quickness towards the mans throat. His head landed in the hatbox looking up at Lilian with a horrified look on his now pale face. Master Gracey then raised the axe over his head and said to Lilian I trusted you my love, and you commit such infidelity? Then with a glint of betrayal in his deep blue eyes he thrust the axe over his fiancées head killing her instantly.
Phineas had seen it all. Phineas went up to Master Gracey and told him that Lilian was not what he thought she was. Master Gracey gave him an evil smile and said I know, she is unfaithful as are you trying to defend her I trusted you as well Phineas Queeg. Then with yet another sweep of the axe Master Gracey had struck Phineas in the stomach.
Chapter 7: Ezra Awaits
Where is he? Ezra whispered to his wife Emma. I dont know but this is starting to feel strange she said. With Emma everything was strange Ezra thought. I need to check on Phineas he must be having some kind of trouble. Ezra said to Emma. He kissed her on the cheek then he started up the stairway towards the attic. Master Gracey sobbed over the body of his friend Phineas and his fiancée Lilian. The bodies had landed close to one another all three looking horribly disfigured. Lilian had her skull crushed by the axe exposing bone and tissue to the atmosphere of the attic. Phineas lie bleeding on the floor. The man with the hatbox had coagulated blood formed around the stump which was his neck. The mans head remained in the hatbox looking straight up at the dark attic. What have I done? he screamed in anguish. I dont know. said a voice from behind him sounding choked and fearful. What have you done? Master Gracey turned to see Ezra standing before him. You killed Phineas and your fiancée and the hat deliverer? Ezra spoke these words as if he could not believe what he knew was true. As the reality of his actions set in Master Gracey suddenly began to go insane with guilt, frustration, and rage. Master Gracey pulled up the axe from beside him and struck Ezra in the stomach as he did to Phineas. He then used the axe to chop his dead fiancées finger off. The finger on which sat a beautiful and extravagant wedding ring. He slid the ring off the warm finger dyed red with blood and threw it out of the attic window. The ring traveled down a long way until the wet concrete consumed the ring like a hungry pit, embedding the ring into the concrete path before the Gracey Manor. Master Gracey strode to the long corridor below the attic still holding the finger. Master Gracey pulled the bones out of his dead fiancées finger and slid the limp finger like a glove over the hour hand of his grandfather clock.
Chapter 8: Madame Leota Hatches Her Plan
In the dark séance room Madame Leota called all the forces of evil and all of the dark spirits to aid her in her plot against the Gracey family. Madame Leota brought the 999 spirits from her crystal ball and set them free throughout the house intending them to inhibit and kill the occupants of the manor. Madame Leota came from her séance room and looked down upon the happy occupants in the ballroom. Watching the spirits inhibit all of the occupants. Standing behind Madame Leota Gus Gracey raised the axe he had stolen from the sleeping guard and tried to swing over Leotas head when Madame Leota used her telekinetic power to manipulate the axe and swing it over Guss head killing him instantly. The very last person alive in the manor could not be affected by the spell that had turned everyone still alive into ghosts. Because this particular person had ownership of the mansion, Master George Gracey.
Chapter 9: Leota revealed
After Master Gracey went to change into a new suit that was not covered in blood he descended the staircase intending to tell his guests that the wedding was off. He discovered Madame Leota standing over the rail of the ballroom looking triumphant. He then saw a horrible sight. Every one of the occupants of Gracey Manor had become less than human. However their movements were more solid than that of ghosts they were all spirits. All 997 wedding guests were ghost and Lilian made 998. Master Gracey confronted Madame Leota and asked What have you done! Madame Leota threw her head back and laughed. I have gained control of your manor and all its fortune but there is one little problem you. Master Graceys blood ran cold. Yes Leota said. I have become infatuated with you and because of this I have decided not to kill you and turn you into the 999th spirit but to capture you in my crystal ball for me to gaze upon when I choose.
Master Gracey from being a frequent guest at Madame
Leotas séances knew what spell she would use to capture his soul. But instead of allowing this to happen Master Gracey ran up the stairs to the attic and grabbed the rope that had been used to tie the hatbox together. He knew that if he allowed himself to be imprisoned within Madame Leotas crystal ball that she would have ultimate power over the manor and its occupants. Eventually she would have controlled the manor and used it as a portal to another realm. Master Gracey had a plan that would make it so that he would not be imprisoned in the crystal ball. He made the knot of a noose. He then threw the rope over the rafters of the attic and jumped breaking his neck instantly and killing himself. He had become the 999th spirit of the now haunted mansion. Madame Leota retained a small amount of power as she was now stuck in her own crystal ball due to her plan backfiring.
Chapter 10: The Hitch-Hikers
As the spirits of Ezra Dobbins, Gus Gracey, and Phineas Queeg materialized they knew they could not leave the mansion unless with a mortal. The three of them stood in the catacombs of The Haunted Mansion awaiting mortals with which they would hitch-hike. Mortals came by very seldom and when they came by they hardly even glance at the cursed hitch-hikers. Gus wanting to be free of the burden of knowing Madame Leotas plot and not being able to stop her. Phineas to be free of his horror knowing that Master Gracey had mistaken Lilian and though she was committing infidelity. And finally Ezra the saddest soul in the mansion missing his wife Emma and wanting to escape the mansion to be freed of the pain from witnessing the deaths of his friend. Therefore they await mortal souls which they will accompany out of the mansion and be freed of the horrors they know.
Epilogue:
The mansion began to decay over time. Things were possessed and moved on their own accord. The curse set Master Graceys grandfather clock at the 13th hour marked by a severed finger from his fiancées hand. This finger bore a pale line around it where a ring once sat. The walls of the mansion became darker; the spiders moved in and made themselves at home. Even the portraits became haunted showing Master Graceys decaying form, showing the portrait occupants as bones or bodies. Some paintings even watched the mansion decay through their own eyes. Some portraits even stretched revealing the death of its occupants. One portrait even showed the unfortunate demise of Master Graceys father. Madame Leota held séances regularly to keep her powers sharp. She had also abandoned her body which she had shrunk to the size of a doll to fit more comfortably inside the crystal ball gazing upon the images she had made true. Watching her plan unfold and watching the handsome Master Gracey throw his body over the rafters and killing himself. The only mortal ever to visit the mansion was the caretaker who was hired by Master Gracey to watch over the mansion due to its age. The caretaker did not like the creepy mansion and brought his dog with him. The day that the caretaker walked into the graveyard through the catacombs he saw that all the residents of Gracey Manor had become spirits. He had been frozen to the spot, his knees trembling, sweat dripping down his face. His dog had also been trembling and had even grown skinny from not eating. Due to Leotas curse they could not die but were forced to be frozen to that one spot scared out of their minds for eternity. The concrete had hardened where it had been laid and now permanently sealed the wedding ring in its immovable tomb.
