Marcia and Rusty head off to find Christine. They find her, sipping a cup of coffee in the dining room. Her mouth briefly hung open when she spotted the reduced Marcia and ash covered Rusty, but she quickly composed herself and greeted the duo.
"I see you two have met those unpleasant beasts that have been causing so much trouble."
Marcia laughed as she took a seat next to the woman, "Yeah, I got a really good look at that banshee of yours when it did this. I don't suppose you knew about that little power."
Marcia felt the confusion coming from the woman when she responded, "Certainly not. Everyone in the mansion has avoided those horrible creatures. If I had known it could do that I would have told you."
"I believe you. I'm sorry if I sounded accusatory, it's been a stressful night."
"No need to apologize. I can't imagine how you deal with these kind of things and aren't completely off your rocker."
Marcia laughed, "It's certainly an adjustment, but we do need to talk more about this place. This is more than a simple haunting."
"Of course, but if you're going to be here for a while let me get you some refreshment first," the woman rings a bell and a butler soon emerges, "Richard get these two something to drink...and if you could please find this young lady some more appropriate clothes."
The man nods and exits the room. A few minutes later he returns with two cups and a folded school uniform. Marcia is thendirected to a small side room to change. She tossed her oversized shirt aside reluctantly and pulled on the uniform.
Marcia looked in the mirror when she was done and imagined herself as the star of a children's book; Marcia Caldwell, Junior Detective, 6th grader by day paranormal detective by night...as long as it's before bedtime. She returned to the dining room, ignoring Rusty amused expression at seeing her outfit and takes her seat.
"So is there anything at all you haven't mentioned about this house?" Marcia took a sip from her cup and was disappointed to find it was hot chocolate not coffee, "It doesn't matter how unimportant it may seem or whether it's rumors that seem impossible. Anything might shed some light here."
Christine ponders for a moment, "You know there's this one thing. I never believed it before but now so many impossible things have happened. There's a story about one of my ancestors who lived here..."