In the tranquil and peaceful slumber of the night, Emily was lost in a world of dreams. But as the night wore on, the peaceful silence was disturbed by a series of footsteps and murmurs that crept into her subconscious like a thief in the night. She stirred slightly, her mind still foggy from the drowsy embrace of sleep. The sounds grew louder and more distinct, invading her unconscious mind with increasing persistence.

As the sounds continued to penetrate her consciousness, Emily slowly opened her eyes, a sense of disorientation and confusion engulfing her senses. The soft light of the moon filtered through her window, casting a pale glow over her bedroom ceiling. She tried to make sense of the sounds that had awakened her, but they were too muffled and jumbled to decipher.

Suddenly, the voice of Jamilla reverberated through Emily's room, jolting her into full wakefulness. "Emily is awake!" Jamilla exclaimed, her voice laced with excitement and concern.

Emily's vision was still blurry from her sudden awakening, and she could only make out the shadows that loomed around her bed. She tried to focus her eyes and make out the faces of the people who had gathered around her, but they remained indistinct and hazy.

Her ears caught the sound of someone making a snide remark about her past drinking habits, and Emily felt a pang of shame and embarrassment wash over her. The thought of being judged by those around her only added to her discomfort she felt.

Despite the confusion and disorientation that still clouded her mind, Emily managed to gather her wits and address the gathering around her bed. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice hoarse and raspy from sleep.

Jamilla stepped forward, her face etched with concern. "You had a bad fall, Emily," she said gently. "We've called for an ambulance, and they'll be here soon to take you to the hospital."

Just as the words escaped the woman's lips, a trickle of blood landed on Emyli's hand. Frowning, she lifted her right hand and touched her forehead. She winced when she touched a wound. Instantly, Emily felt a surge of panic and fear rise within her as she realized the gravity of the situation. She had no memory of falling or hurting herself, and the thought of being taken to the hospital filled her with dread. She hated hospitals. It reminded her of her boyfriend's death.

As the minutes ticked by, Emily lay in her bed, surrounded by the hushed whispers and murmurs of those around her. She tried to make sense of what had happened and why she had fallen, but her mind remained clouded and confused. She knew something happened, but it wasn't about her falling. What was it, she mused, wincing again as her heart started to throb.

Amid Emily's disorientation and confusion, the sound of sirens pierced the stillness of the night, signaling the arrival of an ambulance. The blaring of the sirens grew louder and more insistent, filling the room with a sense of urgency and foreboding.

Emily watched in a dazed stupor as someone rushed into her room, their movements swift and practiced as they assessed her condition and prepared her for transport. She felt their strong arms lift her gently from her bed, their touch reassuring and comforting amid her fear and confusion.

As they carried her out of the room and into the dimly lit corridor, Emily's eyes caught sight of a second shadow following them, its presence ominous and unsettling. At first, she paid it no mind, assuming it was one of the Mansion workers going about their business.

But as the shadow walked past their side and then stopped in front of them, Emily felt a creeping sense of unease wash over her. The shadow seemed to loom larger and more menacing than before, its presence casting a pall over the otherwise tranquil night.

Suddenly, she let out a blood-curdling scream, her voice echoing down the empty corridor. The person carrying her stopped in their tracks, their faces etched with concern and confusion.

"What's wrong, Emily?" the man asked, his voice laced with concern.

Emily struggled to find the words to explain her sudden outburst, her mind still foggy and disoriented from the events of the night. But as she looked up at the shadow looming before her, she realized with a start that it was not a hospital worker at all, but something far more sinister and malevolent.

The shadow seemed to pulse and writhe before her, its movements erratic and unpredictable. Emily felt a surge of fear and panic rise within her, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to make sense of what was happening.

As the person who carried her - whom she only now realized was Jasper - looked on in confusion, Emily felt herself slipping away, her consciousness fading into the dark abyss of unconsciousness.

***

The sun shone brightly down onto the small town, casting its warm, golden rays across the streets and buildings. Birds chirped merrily in the trees that lined the sidewalks, while the soft rustling of leaves filled the air. Children played in the park, their laughter bubbling with unrestrained joy as they ran around on the soft grass.

In the distance, the singing from a group of kids poking a dead frog drifted on the gentle breeze, their cheerful melodies adding to the general feeling of happiness in the air. People strolled down the dirt roads, greeting each other with friendly smiles and nods.

The dust-ridden streets of the town were lined with quaint, colorful buildings that exuded a charming, old-world charm. Flower boxes adorned the windowsills, overflowing with blooms of every color and variety. Cats basked lazily in the sun, contentedly grooming themselves and watching the world go by.

The whole town seemed to bask in the glow of the sun, alive with the promise of a perfect day. It was a day meant for enjoying life, taking pleasure in the simple things, and savoring the beauty of the world.

However, inside its only hospital, a woman slumbered with gauze around her head. Another woman sat beside her bed watching her like a hawk.

"Emily? Emily?" The woman whispered when she noticed the patient on the bed stirring. Slowly, the patient's eyelashes fluttered open.

As Emily slowly awakened, her eyes were met with the sterile walls of a hospital room. A feeling of claustrophobia enveloped her as she realized that she must be in a low-class medical facility.

Suddenly, Jamilla startled her with the words, "You're awake," speaking from beside her bedside. Jamilla went on to explain that she was, in fact, in a local hospital that didn't offer much in terms of luxury or comfort. Having just awakened, Jamilla's mouth annoyed Emily, so she turned to look out the window beside her bed, where she saw an expanse of grass, shrubs, and trees.

The trees were magnificent in their towering height and their lush green canopies, which seemed to stretch up towards the sky. Cattle were grazing on the grass about twenty meters from the window, a reminder to Emily that she was truly far from the city. She also glimpsed a couple walking toward the cattle. They were wearing ragged clothing; hands intertwined. The scene made her smile. Then she shifted her gaze toward the horizon. The clouds rode the sky lazily in different shapes.

Jamilla continued to blabber beside her but her mind barely registered the words she said.

Soon, Emily got tired of the scene outside. Staring at the trees and rolling clouds on the horizon made her dizzy and want to vomit.

Disoriented and confused, Emily asked Jamilla what had happened. Jamilla smiled, "We'll, last night after I left, the effects of the alcohol you drank on the third floor must have taken effect and you slipped and hit your head," she recounted.

Emily's jaw hung open. "I didn't drink. What the hell are you talking about? She asked.

Jamilla gave a weak smile then reassured her, "It was likely just the stress of recent events and the drama that had accompanied you since you got here that made you do it. It's okay Emily. We're not judging you or anything."

Emily once more shook her head. "I didn't drink! I don't even remember falling or hitting my head or anything of the sort. What are you talking about," she retorted.

Jasper soon entered the room carrying a transparent plastic bag holding an empty vodka bottle. "Would you mind explaining this?" he said, sternly pointing to the bag and addressing Emily.

Emily eyed the bag and immediately shook her head, "I've never seen that before," she answered.

Jasper sighed. "This was found on the third floor. Since you're the only person who has access to it, please humor me, how did it get there if it isn't yours?" he retorted.

Emily rose from the bed with a sudden rush and felt a moment of dizziness. However, she quickly regained her senses and scowled at Jasper, her jaw clenched in anger. "What exactly are you suggesting?" she demanded.

Jasper didn't respond to her. Instead, he shifted his gaze to Jamilla, who bowed her head before looking up to meet Emily's eyes. "When I got you from the third floor, you smelled like alcohol and your legs were wobbly. You couldn't stand on your own. I didn't say anything because..."

"That's preposterous!" Emily yelled.

"Enough, Miss Hudson," Jasper interjected. "Let her speak."

Jamilla let out a sigh and spoke softly. "You stayed on the third floor for an entire day, Emily, and well..." she paused then looked at Jasper then shifted her gaze at Emily again. "It's okay, Emily. I mean, I understand. You must have been stressed and..."

Emily didn't wait for the woman to finish. She left her bed and approached Jasper. "I didn't drink that bottle. I have no idea how it got there," she said, running her hand through her hair. "I'm just done with all of this. I quit."

"Good, Miss Hudson. Now I don't have to make the necessary arrangements with management to have you removed," Jasper stated firmly. Emily gritted her teeth, responding with a curt "Fine. I'm finished here."

As she turned to leave, Jasper's words paused her in her tracks. "I hope you read your contract thoroughly, Miss Hudson. Who will hire you after this?" he sneered.

As Emily stood there, her mind racing with the sudden recollection of that obscure clause buried deep within her employment contract, she could feel her frustration mounting. A hundred thousand bond which she would have to pay if her alcoholism creates a disturbance within their workplace or caused the company to lose money. She scowled, her dark eyebrows furrowing as she processed the implications of what she had just remembered.

Her eyes flicked over to Jasper, who was watching her closely, his expression cool and collected. She could feel his unwavering gaze on her, assessing her every move and word.

Summoning her courage, she turned to face him squarely, her voice ringing out with a fierce determination. "I did not drink!" she declared, her words echoing through the room with a fierce intensity.

But Jasper simply shook his head, his own voice calm and measured. "Don't take us for a fool, Miss Hudson," he replied, his words cutting through the air like a sharp blade. "We have our evidence. You know the terms of your contract, and you know the consequences of your actions."

Emily felt a wave of frustration wash over her, her mind racing as she struggled to find a way out of this situation. She knew she had to tread carefully, to choose her words and actions with care. She smiled before directing her intent toward Jasper. "According to the contract, I am only obligated to pay the bond if my alcohol addiction either causes the company to lose money or creates issues with my colleagues. As far as I am aware, the only one who was hospitalized was myself. Therefore, I do not believe I am liable to pay that bond."

Jasper shook his head and pulled out a photo from his pocket, showing it to Emily. "You hit your head on the vanity mirror — a furniture worth thousands may I add - causing a crack, and the blood smeared on it will be difficult to remove," he stated.

Emily frowned, questioning how that happened. However, Jasper continued, "Last night when you were being carried out of your room, you spouted nonsensical words about ghosts and Clariss being dead. This caused an uproar among the workers, and some even quit their jobs. Now, Miss Hudson, do you still think you're not liable?"

"Bullshit!" Emily yelled, but then she stopped. Memories of her encounter inside her room came flashing before her eyes. She started to shake and then yelled, "That house is haunted!" She looked at Jamilla, who had wide eyes fixed on her. "I remember it now. When you left my room, something happened. A shadow. A ghost came to me." Emily stumbled back and then stuttered, "I-I... That's what happened. I remember now. Then I fell off a staircase."

Jasper retorted with a mix of frustration and anger, "Enough, Miss Hudson. I have heard a lot of ridiculous attempts to get out of a company bond, but this is perhaps the funniest and stupidest thing I have ever heard."

"It's true!" Emily insisted. "Besides, I know I didn't drink. And Clariss, she..."

"Clariss is right here, Miss Hudson," Jasper interjected, his face furrowing in anger.

Almost as if on cue, Jasper's phone rang and Clariss's face appeared on the screen. "Not only did you steal my job, but now you want me dead too?" the woman mocked.

As Emily's eyes fell upon the image of Clariss staring back at her from Jasper's phone screen, her eyes widened in shock, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. The woman mocked her, hurling insults at her and labeling her a crazy alcoholic. Emily's heart felt as if it were being ripped apart at the seams, her entire body shaking with emotion.

Then Jasper spoke. He demanded that Clariss stop and called an end to the vicious attack. Emily had tears streaming down her face, her voice heavy with uncertainty as she tried to speak, but no words came out.

Jasper's words were cold, detached, and cut through the air like a sharp blade when he informed Emily that the owner of Brice Manor would be speaking to her shortly. Then he left with Jamilla trudging behind him, leaving Emily to grapple with her emotions alone.

Defeated and left standing there, her heart shattered, as questions, logic, and uncertainty continued to spin mercilessly around her. What the fuck had I gotten myself into, Emily mused as she laid a hand over her bandaged head.