When I was growing up in Highlands there was a Mansion known as the bloody mansion. To get to this home you had to go past Twin Light Towers and follow the small trail from the back of the parking lot lined by the woods. After thirty minutes of navigating the trail you will find the gate house to the mansion. The property is surrounded by a twelve foot stone fence around the entire property. There were gate houses all around the property but the most common one to find was the one from the south as the one to the west went over a cliff the one to the east went into a mountain and the one to the north went to the woods and lake beyond.
The gate houses each had their own history and lore. The gate house to the south would be where invited guests were received. The gate to the west opened to the cliff where you could climb down a steep path that led to the river. This way to the mansion was treacherous an many have went to god on tis path. If you made it from the dock and up the path to the mansion you were very lucky. The gate house to the east and went right into the hill. There was a cave or you had to climb over and many claimed it was like a mountain. Then the final gate house was to the north. It led to the lake and behind the lake the forest which was reported to be haunted.
So how did I come to be at the forest? I received a letter from someone who was connected to the property that said, "I am finally ready to tell the story of the bloody mansion."
I called the phone number on the letter and spoke with Ben the current descendent who owns the property. We made arrangements to meet at the south gate of the property and I arrive early with my recorders, camera, pen and paper in my bag, eager to learn about the mansion. Parking my car outside the gate I got out and used the intercom to buzz the house.
A voice responded with, "I will be with you in a few minutes."
Taking out my camera I started to take pictures from the gate. A few minutes later a young man looking quite ragged came through the gate and said, "Mollie I am so sorry that I took it so long to come and meet you. The house seems to know you are here and they are a bit surprised I let you come here."
"You mean the ghosts?" I asked.
He looked surprised and said, "You know the stories?"
"My Grandpa was Frank," I said. "The gatekeeper back in the eighties."
"Well," He said. "Would you be shocked if his ghost showed up here?"
Chuckling I said, "He still visits at the family home so no it would not shock me. Ben are you alright? You seem like something happened before you came out here."
He sighed and rubbed his temple. Looking at me he said, "Lets walk the walls you may get some pictures for your blog and newspaper article."
We headed to the cliffs as he said, "The last death on the property was the man that replaced Frank after your Grandpa left. Mark had radioed in telling me to stay in the house there was someone trying to come up the west entrance. When I did not hear from him for a while, I called the police and explained the situation. They found Mark's body an hour later. The police think that Mark fell off the cliff."
"What happened today?" I asked.
"I let the spirits in the home know you were coming last night," He said. "The noise they have been creating has been short of chaos, and I had to get them to agree to not hurt you."
"I appreciate that," I said. "However do not be afraid I am used to ghosts being buttholes. The ones in my home think they run the place when they do not."
We went towards the mansion and I asked, "You live here but the house looks like it needs a facelift."
Sighing, he said, "That is because it does. However, due to the residents in the home, we cannot hire anyone to come in and repair the building."
When he got to the door he said, "Welcome to the famous murder mansion."
We walked into the entryway of the mansion and he directed me to the door on the left. Going into the first sitting room he pointed to the chairs next to the fire and he gave me a smile. "I appreciate you coming here to interview me. There was a reason that I offered to let you come here to interview me and it is not a good reason."
"Oh," I said. "Should I be worried about becoming the next murder victim?"
"God no," He said. "I am dying. Frank always told me his Granddaugher had a eye and ear for the paranormal but you were so young when he worked here, he did not want to bring you here."
"Ben what can I do to help you," I asked.
A woman appeared behind him and screamed, "Nothing you harlot, you leave my boy alone and let him die at home in peace."
Before Ben could say anything I said, "If you are his mother you are a shit one. I do not have children but if I did and one of them was sick, I would fight hell itself to save them. You maam are a cranky bitch and do not make me say it again when I say if you raise your voice to me again you will loose yours."
She looked shocked and Ben asked, "You see my mom?"
Nodding I said, "I see her as she was yelling at me and I see more in the shadows."
Nodding he said, "Well I would like to offer you something that no one can."
"What is it?" I asked.
"Stay with me till the end," He said. "Be my companion and help me as I cannot have a nurse come here. If you stay here you will inherit the home and can do whatever you want with it after I die. The Doctors say I have about two years left."
"Is there any chance that you can make it through treatment?" I asked.
"I have been to two doctors and if you are willing to come with me to my next appointment we will see what can be done," He said. "You do not have to decide after coming with me to the next doctors appointment. You would get paid to stay with me and a place to say. When I pass you will get the home and property to do whatever you want with it."
I sat thinking for a while and asked, "Why me?"
"Because of Frank and I have read your articles at the paper," He said. "If anyone can do this place justice its you."e
"Okay," I said. "So as your companion what would you expect me to do?"
"Be a friend who is not dead," He said. "Maybe a companion with benefits later on if we form that relationship. The second would not be deal breaker. During my remaining time we can go through the house and you can learn the stories. Also, four hours a day you will be able to remodel the house, starting with the greenhouse."
I sat thinking about the offer for a few minutes and said, "I will do it. I will have to pack a bag and come back."
He nodded and said, "You did not think about this for long."
Sighing, I said, "Recently, my boyfriend left me and I have been sleeping in the guest room of a friend's home. I really do not have much going on at the moment and I would love to help you. Besides Ben we can always hope the Doctors are wrong and you will be around for a long time."
Mollie+ Main
Ben- Homeowner
Frank- Grandpa
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