Once Bound Always Bound

Chapter 12

Ember was just hanging around, waiting to lock up the museum while her fellow tour guide, Pat was finishing up a tour through the museum that used to be known as the Crump mansion. While Ember sat at the front of the museum waiting for Pat to finish, Ember heard a soft voice calling her name, causing her to look around, trying to find who is calling out to her.

Who is calling my name? It's only Pat and I left here to finish up the tours and lock up the museum, Ember thought to herself as she started following the sound of the mysterious voice calling out to her. Ember made her way to the bedroom that once belonged to Alistair Crump and his new wife Emmeline. Ember stood outside of the closed door, contemplating opening and seeing if there was someone hiding inside of the room, trying to be funny and scare her.

As Ember placed her hand on the doorknob, getting ready to turn the knob, she was stopped by Pat speaking up from behind her.

"Ember, what are you doing? Didn't you hear me calling for you," Pat asked.

"I'm sorry. I must have been daydreaming again. But I thought I heard a male's voice calling me up to Alistair Crump's room," Ember explained.

"Ember, sweetie, it was just a figment of your imagination. Besides, there is a good reason we stopped taking the guided tours into that room. Many strange things happen when people go in there. The owners deemed it too dangerous for paying customers. But reality of it is, the owner is too cheap to want to settle any lawsuits out of court. That's why he demanded that guided tours be stopped in that room immediately. Besides, nobody has been in that room for quite a few years now. I don't want to begin to think about the amount of dust that has collected in there over the years," Pat said while hobbling over to Ember. "It's about time we get out of these costumes and lock up for the night. We both could use a break from hanging around this place."

"Maybe you're right. I could go for a relaxing evening. Are you scheduled to come in tomorrow," Ember asked.

"Unfortunately. How about you," Pat asked.

Ember shook her head no. "I was given the day off."

"Lucky. Why don't you do something that you enjoy? And don't worry about making your way here tomorrow. We can manage without you for the day. Make tomorrow all about you," Pat said.

Ember thought about Pat's suggestion for a moment before finally agreeing with Pat. "Maybe you're right. I haven't had much time to do anything for myself. Maybe I'll take a look around some old stores and see if I can find anything interesting, or check out the local bookstores that I have been meaning to check out for a while."

"There you go. While you're at it, treat yourself to something a little extra to make your day a little extra special," Pat suggested.

"I will. Oh, and Pat, if you need something while I'm off, feel free to give me a call; even if you need me to come in and take over one of your tours, because of your limp bothering you," Ember began to say.

"Oh, nonsense Ember. I know exactly what you are trying to do. And let me be the one to say it, I'm not falling for it. You do so much already here at the museum. Any more time here, and I will begin to assume that you live here," Pat said.

"I just want things to go smoothly," Ember said.

"And they will. Just have a little faith and everything will work out for the best. Now what do you say to going home; and you can begin to get a head start on spoiling yourself. Remember don't have too much fun. Try to be semi responsible if you do," Pat said.

"I plan on it. And no I won't be having any visitors showing up for any reason. Tonight is about me and me alone. Have a goodnight Pat," Ember said getting ready to walk out the door, but stopped when she heard Pat say something under her breath, causing Ember to stop. "Is everything alright Pat?"