StarLovesYou (2012-07-02 04:22:33)

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The mansion had first been constructed in 1764 by Jonah Hadasler, an immigrant that had made his way to the colonies and had worked hard to forge a successful business for himself. Before he passed away he had built this magnificent structure as a testament to what a man could do if he applied himself and worked hard. Ever the shrewd man he made it very clear in his will that the house was never to be sold as long as a decedent was alive to occupy the house. This turned out to be a very wise move on Jonah’s part as throughout the years the Hadasler family proved to be much less successful than their patriarch and often died with nothing more to their name than the very house they could not sell. Living in squalor, the mansion turned out to be a mocking curse to many of its residents.

Riding in a rickety carriage as it rolled down the dirt path, Sebastian looked out the window and saw the glowing eyes of the nocturnal creatures that passed and felt sadness. It was as if they wanted to be part of his world but were delegated to the shadows. It was a feeling he was far too familiar with, for he had grown up next to the Hadasler house but he was not a family member himself. His father had been a laborer for Cyril Hadasler. He took care of the beautiful landscape and any other duties that needed to be tended to. His father was a large, strong man and extremely proud. While they lived in the small servant’s quarters, his father dreamed of someday owning a mansion of his own. A dream that would sadly be cut short when Sebastian was fourteen years old and witnessed his father fall to his death before a team of horses. Sebastian shortly took over his father’s duties.

It was during this time that Cyril Hadasler discovered that Sebastian had been reading a book that his son, Percival, had left carelessly thrown on the ground to go play. Cyril was impressed that Sebastian was not only able to read difficult books but had a great understanding of the material. He decided to take young Sebastian under his wing and while Sebastian was never considered part of the family he was allowed to study along with Percival. This was of great offense to Percival as he considered Sebastian to be in a lower class and his presence alone was a great insult. To add insult Sebastian was much smarter than Percival. He was able to easily comprehend the readings while Percival had great difficulty. This was largely due to Percival’s disinterest in education. After his father had worked to regain the family fortune Percival had little interest in anything but his inheritance and a life of leisure. Formal education had no place in his plan. Sebastian always considered it shameful the way that Percival squandered his education and took his fortune for granted. Shortly before the boys were to finish their education Cyril Hadasler passed away. This was a day Percival had dreamed of and he quickly abandoned his studies for a life of travels and debauchery. Thanks to his education Sebastian had been able to study Pharmaceutical Chemistry and become an apothecary. He was not rich but held a respectable position.

Percival had summoned Sebastian out to the mansion that evening for reasons unknown to Sebastian. A light cracked through the tree branches and Sebastian could see the mansion up ahead and behind it the small servants’ quarters in which he used to live. Arriving at the door to the mansion Sebastian was greeted by Percival. Sebastian found this odd as most wealthy people employed an individual for that purpose. “Sebastian! I’m so glad you were able to make it on such short notice,” exclaimed Percival. There was something off about Percival. He seemed agitated and nervous. Sebastian noted this as odd. Walking into the mansion Sebastian was shocked to see that the place was nearly empty and what little there was seemed to be in disarray. He heard the door slam behind him.

“It’s all gone,” stated Percival and he went to the counter to pour a drink. Sebastian looked at him and knew immediately what had happened. Predictably, Percival had gone out into the world with the mission to spend his inheritance but had been successful far earlier than he had planned. Looking around, Sebastian could see that Percival had resorted to selling nearly all the furnishing in the home. He felt anger towards Percival for wasting something that he himself could never obtain and at the same time felt a great pity for Percival. Curious as to why he had been summoned Sebastian asked, “Why is it that you have called me here?”

“As you can see, all of the money is nearly gone. I am left with little more than my drinks and a bed,” said Percival.

Sebastian looked at him and said, “You still have this home. What more could you need?”

“Money, Sebastian! I need money!” exclaimed Percival. “I have nothing to my name. I have this building, this curse which is of no good to me now. What am I going to do? Invite guests to my empty house and overgrown lawns? I would be the joke of the community.”

“Sell the house, then,” suggested Sebastian.

“I would if I could,” said Percival, “but my great grandfather made sure that would never happen. No, as long as a Hadasler is living the mansion is not to be sold. But that’s where you come in.” Sebastian got uncomfortable and feared Percival was going to kill him. Perhaps he had planned on switching their bodies. “Relax,” said Percival, “I have a plan that should greatly benefit the both of us.” Sebastian looked at him cautiously. “I’m quite aware of your profession, Sebastian, and as it was my very father than made your life possible I feel that you owe it to me to do me a favor.” Sebastian did not like where this conversation was heading. Percival said, “Listen, I cannot sell this mansion while I am living but should I die it can be sold to anybody. Of course, I can’t sell it while I am dead, either.” Percival went over to a cabinet and pulled out a document. “This is my will, Sebastian. I am leaving you everything when I pass.”

Sebastian jumped to his feet, “You cannot seriously be contemplating suicide. This is madness.”

“Calm down, Sebastian,” said Percival. I have something far cleverer. You and I are going to fake my death. I know you have the training to be able to make me appear dead. We just need to be able to fool the doctor that examines me and then we are set. You sell the house you inherit and I will give you a percentage of the money. We both win. I get back on my feet and you make a lot of money for doing nothing.”

“Percival, this is highly unethical and I won’t be part of it. Your father would be ashamed!”

Percival stood up and gravely said to Sebastian, “I am doing this whether you are a part of it or not. I will find somebody else to agree so why not make the money yourself?”

Sebastian had known Percival well enough to know that he was not bluffing. Reluctantly, he agreed to the plan. He knew the exact mixture to do the trick and make Sebastian appear dead. He warned Percival that he would be unconscious for nearly three days and when he did wake up he would probably not be able to use his arms or legs. His mind would be awake but the body would not awaken until much later. Percival said he understood and reclined on the couch ready for his extended sleep. Sebastian administered the dosage and Percival slipped comfortably to sleep.

Percival awoke to darkness. At first he thought that perhaps his eyes were unable to open then he realized they were open and he could not make out what was an inch in front of him. Clearly, he was in a very dark room. He faintly heard a cracking noise and odor that seemed familiar but he couldn’t place his finger on it. Not that he could move his fingers anyways as his body was still very much immobile. The cracking noise got louder and he felt like he was moving. What is going on? He thought to himself. Then the smell got much stronger and it was then that he was able to identify the smell. It was the smell of burning pine and the sound of flames crackling over the wood. He was being cremated. Try as he might he tried to scream and movie his body but was only able lay in silence.

Two days later Sebastian was finally able to fulfill his father’s dream of having a mansion of his own.

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MadHatter (2012-07-02 19:50:27)

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True that^

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AmayaTime8D (2012-09-15 21:58:41)

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Lolol I just skipped to the end rofl.

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