Blackwood Manor is residence for one of the oldest families in Windhaven, the Blackwoods. Built in the 1700s, it was thought to be erected on hallowed ground in order to work in relationship with the Blackwoods’s innate abilities. Both Warren and Abigail Blackwood were known for possessing strong powers in the postmortem realm, gifts that were rare then and even more rare now. Together, they were a formidable team. Warren could both see and hear the deceased, making it easier to communicate with the dead. Abigail, on the other hand, was born a necromancer, with the ability to summon the souls of those who had passed and, under the right circumstances, bring them back to life.
Unfortunately, Abigail met an untimely death herself and her loss drove Warren into madness. He began creating additional rooms in the home at a feverish pitch. Those close to the family believed it was to make rooms for all of the children they would have liked to have had. However, in talking with the current descendant living in the home, Mr. Lyle Blackwood, he paints a very different picture.
“I think it would be a special kind of hell being able to see and hear spirits, but not being able to bring them back—especially when the one who could, is the one you lost,” Mr. Blackwood said. “I’m sure being a postmortem medium in the pre-supernatural revolution wasn’t easy. On one hand, Warren had people knocking on his door all the time, trying to get him to speak to their dead relative, friend, or whatever. Or if they needed help with exorcisms and hauntings. Then, on the other, people were scared to death of what he could do. He couldn’t win.”
When asked if he believed the rumors of why Warren built so many rooms, Mr. Blackwood had this to say: “It had nothing to do with children. He just wanted to keep himself busy. Some people in the community thought he killed Abigail. In reality, all of our family records indicate he loved Abigail deeply and was extremely distraught after her death. He couldn’t deal with all of their accusations or requests, so he threw himself into a different kind of work, hoping it would alleviate his pain. Together, they only had one son, William. So, building and remodeling became something they were able to do together as William got older. Then, it turned into an obsession that was passed down from generation to generation. My father was the same, until he passed the house on to me a couple of years ago. We’ve each added our own special touch to the house, continuing Warren’s legacy and adding our own personal mark.”
Mr. Blackwood was more than gracious, granting a tour around the sprawling estate. He pointed out various features of the home, including the additions he, himself, has made to the manor. They include transforming what used to be Abigail’s parlor into a bedroom for his young daughter.
“She loves the view out into the courtyard and I just can’t seem to say no to her,” he laughed.
Other interesting aspects of the home include the expansive courtyard and view of his large pond. However, it was clear the home is where his heart is. Mr. Blackwood hinted a number of times that the home has many hidden realms to it that he hopes to one day show his daughter.
He also described the house as having a mind of its own at times. Or, perhaps better stated, “more residents” than you’d expect. Over the centuries, it has seen many people come and go. However, not all who entered the residence left, according to Mr. Blackwood.
“There are definitely ghosts wandering these halls. I feel them from time to time, but unfortunately, I’m unable to see them. I can only vaguely sense them. I wonder about my daughter at times, but she’s still too young to be sure what—if any—powers she may possess. Regardless, I still do my part, making sure the community is safe from harmful or unwanted unearthly energies. The catacombs on the grounds act as a final resting place for many of the early supernaturals, who were scared of persecution after their death. They needed assurances their remains wouldn’t be desecrated. My family has been entrusted to that task ever since.”
When pressed further about this, Mr. Blackwood declined, stating, “Blackwood Manor has many secrets. It has to maintain a few of them.”
My eyes widen and I read the last few sentences again.
Catacombs?
Since when do we have catacombs on the property? And where in the hell are they?
Chapter 10
Who's Out There?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about my house, it’s that its secrets unfold in their own time. If Abigail wanted to direct me to the catacombs, she could have easily told me about it. Instead, she wanted me to find this information on my own.
Why?
I pull up to the front of the house, parking Blue as close to the door as possible, and hop out. Once I walk around to the other side, I grab my backpack and close the door. As I turn to the manor, I scan the outside of the enormous building with more than a little suspicion, and maybe a blossoming sense of awe. I’ve lived here for nearly six months and it’s still a mystery to me. Part of me wonders if I’ll ever understand its whole history.
Straightening my shoulders, I inhale a crisp January breath and head inside. The midafternoon sun is hanging heavy in the sky, blaring through the barren tree branches and into the windows. It won’t be long before the sun sets completely, so I need to hurry.
“Dad? Dad, are you home?” I call out, hoping to have a word and pin him down on the information I found today. If anyone knows where the catacombs are—it’s going to be him.
When silence greets me, I drop my backpack on the hall tree bench and make
