And how could he explain that? Words were impossible, not helped by the raking pain in his skull and the deep-rooted sickness in his gut. Even in his state he knew the power of words, and if he didn’t pick his answer wisely, Edward would be the next person to condemn William as crazy.
He couldn’t have that.
“Help me… back to bed,” William managed, hyperaware that Edward’s eyes were scanning every inch of him, searching for answers.
“Not until you tell me what you saw!”
Why was he so adamant I’d seen anything?
A sharp pain sliced through William’s skull. He straightened, hyperaware of the comfort this stranger’s touch offered him, and how – deep down – he didn’t want it to end. “Nothing, Edward. You’re right, it was just a bad dream.”
Although they both knew that wasn’t the truth.
William could see that Edward didn’t believe him, but he didn’t question William. Instead, Edward helped him up from the floor, wrapped a firm hand around his side and guided him back down the stairs. With every step they took, William fought the urge to turn and look back, searching for that ghastly figure he’d seen.
One, to prove he wasn’t crazy.
Two, because the apparition had worn Archie’s coat. The flash of red, the light catching on shiny material, that was what he’d seen. It didn’t make sense, and as soon as he got back to his room and found the coat on his bed, he would prove that this was all just some fucking nightmare.
“God. You really spooked me there for a second,” Edward gasped through a forced laugh. “I thought I was dreaming about someone shouting, and when I woke it was like the sound had been drained out of the manor entirely. On top of that, I’m beginning to think you are a liability to yourself.”
“I didn’t mean to frighten you.” William admired Edward’s attempt to make light of the situation, but nothing could cut through the haze clinging to him. Numb. “And I’m sorry if I woke you. This… this has never happened before.”
“It’s okay.” Edward brushed a soft hand down William’s back. “You don’t need to explain yourself to me.”
Was it? William was beginning not to trust himself. He’d even barricaded his room from the inside, and by the time they got to it, the furniture had been put back into its original place.
Had he done that?
“I’m just overtired – I think the move and all theexcitementthat followed has sent my head on a bit of a spin. I regret to say it out loud but I don’t think the wine helped either.”
“Maybe,” Edward said, releasing William when he sat on the edge of the bed. Even in the dimly lit room William could see the levels of disbelief etched into Edward’s face. “But you should try and get some more sleep. It’s like three in the morning or something. You’ll be exhausted tomorrow if you don’t try and rest.”
As if it would be that easy. William never wanted to close his eyes again. “I’ll do my best.”
Edward turned his back on him, clearly feeling unwelcome in the bedroom. William wondered what was going to happen next, like he sensed options but couldn’t name them. That was until he watched Edward take steps to leave. Suddenly, that wasn’t the option he wanted for himself, so he found words tumbling out of him. “I did see… it.”
Edward paused, back facing him. His stare was serious, an expression that was almost misplaced on his face. “See what, William?”
“You asked–” William swallowed hard, embarrassment swiftly overtaking his previous terror. “Nothing. Forget I said anything.”
Forget. That was all William wanted to do in that moment.
As Edward turned back around, he winced. His lower lip caught between teeth, and he took a moment to gather himself. His eyes fell on something to William’s side. William followed the line of sight to find Robert’s journal resting amongst rumpled bedsheets. “I think, just like you said, what you saw had just been a nightmare. That’s all. Perhaps the talk of ghosts, deaths and your strange night-time reading choice is the cause of what happened. You could be right about the wine as well. Maybe it’s all one big melting pot of factors that resulted in you sleep walking. Either way, you should at least try and get some more sleep otherwise the hangover tomorrow will be the least of your worries.”
William didn’t have it in him to say that he actually believed sleep was going to be impossible, especially after what he saw. Let alone how he felt. However, Edward had just answered his previous question in a roundabout way, and William couldn’t unhear it.
“So you saw something too.”
“I didn’t see anything,” Edward affirmed, deep voice cracking. His eyes diverted, suggesting another answer.
“I don’t believe you,” William whispered, fisting the sheets. “Why did you just point at the journal and mention ghosts again? You asked me on the landing if I saw something too, and then pretended like you never said it.”
Frustration boiled over, replacing Edward’s hesitation almost instantly. Everything about his demeanour shifted. “What do you want me to say to make this better?”
Edward was scared. William could see it. The fear was so palpable he could almost taste it.
“I want you to tell me you saw that fucking man hanging above the staircase.”
