Chapter Text
As soon as I stepped through the window, I found myself standing on another veranda like the one on the ground floor. However, as I stepped out, I found that the dull, grey sky and the dead trees were gone. Instead, a warm sunlight bathed the area as the trees were a lively green color complete with green grass on the ground. I could even hear birds singing. A pleasant breeze blew past me, almost as if to reassure me that the ordeal I had just been through was finally over. I took a deep breath and blew it out, feeling a sense of relief like I hadn’t felt since this whole nightmare began.
Then I looked and saw Dylan sitting atop the railing of the veranda, a smile on his face. Almost immediately, I ran over to him and hugged him tightly. “Oh Dylan, you’re all right! I was so worried about you!” I exclaimed, tears sliding down my cheeks.
“So was I, sis,” Dylan replied to me. “After that accident we were in, I tried to rouse you but you were out like a light. I decided to look for help, and I found a house nearby. I went inside and I fell asleep. I ended up having a horrible nightmare.” He looked down a little. “I dreamed that there were these monsters all around, and one of them took control of me. It said that it was going to use me to take over the world. Can you believe that?” He smiled, but his smile began to fade a little. “Wait, was it really a dream?” He started to shiver a little, and I could tell he was getting really nervous.
I patted Dylan on the shoulder and smiled. “Of course, Dylan. You were just so stressed out that you had a really bad dream.” Dylan smiled again. “Come on, let’s go home. I bet mom and dad are wondering where we are.” I looked around and then noticed that there was a set of wooden stairs to the right, leading down to the ground.
As Dylan and I walked down the stairs, I looked over to the front where the accident had occurred. I had to do a double-take as I saw that my car was good as new and parked on the road again, almost like nothing had happened to it. Most likely, it was some kind of supernatural reward for what I had done. Or maybe it was all just a bad dream after all?
Dylan and I got into the car and I started the engine up. I was relieved to see that the car started instantly and I shifted into gear. As we started to drive away, I looked into my rearview mirror and, with disbelief, saw something that indicated this was definitely not just a bad dream.
The mansion no longer had its cold, grey design to it, but rather a beautiful yellow design to it, with the window shutters done in a crimson color. Flowers were blooming around the mansion, and the gothic statues that were once there were gone. It was almost like the demon had placed a curse on the mansion itself as well, and defeating it ended the curse.
Then I saw what looked like the spirits I had seen before, standing in front of the mansion. Only this time, it was more than just Abigail and Jefferson. There was the spirit of Master Crowley and countless others who wore robes similar to his. They must have been the disciples of his who roamed the labyrinth. I also saw Dracan standing there, although the evil that I sensed in him was no longer there. Instead, there was a gentle smile on his face and I could sense that he was a benevolent person again. Even the two dogs I had seen were sitting there, panting and wagging their tails.
As we drove off into the distance, I saw the spirits start to wave good-bye to us. I smiled a little before focusing on the road ahead. I figured that nobody would believe this story were real unless they had been there for it. Not that it mattered anymore. The evil had been banished, my brother was safe, and the spirits were all released.
“What are you looking at, sis?” Dylan asked from the passenger seat.
“Oh, nothing,” I replied with a smirk. “Just the place where we had shown up as uninvited guests.” I looked briefly at Dylan and smiled. “What do you say we stop at the diner for a bite to eat? I’ll call mom and dad while we’re there so they don’t worry.”
“Sounds like a plan to me,” Dylan replied with a grin. I smiled as I pulled into the parking lot of our favorite diner, which was always open no matter what. As we got out, the thought of a cheeseburger and a milkshake felt good for my rumbling stomach.
Apparently, adventuring as unintended guests can make one hungry. Especially when they just saved the world from a massive evil!
THE END