Penelope was simply staring at this man who stood in front of her, curious about him and also somewhat apprehensive, wondering how he could possibly be the one from her dreams.

"May I come in?" Oliver asked. "I have a bum leg which bothers me from time to time, especially if I'm standing on it for too long."

Penelope silently moved aside, allowing for the man to enter. He was dressed entirely in black. Was that a statement of some sort? Was the man proclaiming that he was in mourning for someone?

"I hope my sudden appearance isn't too troubling for you." Penelope was studying Oliver's face. He looked weary and sad. She felt a pang of sympathy for the man. She could sense his distress and had a strong desire to soothe it.

"It is a little bit," Penelope replied honestly, hurrying over to grab the chair in the corner of the bedroom so that Oliver could sit down. He attempted a small smile as he sat down heavily, absently massaging his bum leg.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Certainly."

"Why were you in my dreams?"

"You have the gift, do you not?" Penelope blinked in surprise. She wasn't sure she'd necessarily refer to it as "a gift." It was unsettling and frightening and downright confusing at times. She didn't know how to hone her skills when it came to her visions.

"I..I..guess." Penelope sat on the bed. "It's strange and truthfully I don't like it."

"It can definitely be overwhelming at times." Penelope's brow furrowed. How would he know? Unless..he had it as well.

"You have it, too, don't you?" Oliver nodded gravely.

"Yes. I've had it since I was eight years old. It was indeed frightening for a child to start having these odd dreams only to discover that they came true and I had no control over the circumstances."

"Wow. I'm sorry you had to deal with something that scary at such a young age."

Oliver lifted one of his shoulders in a half hearted shrug. He looked around the room Penelope was stating in. Nothing had changed in this house. Nothing.

"You said you needed to speak with me? What about?"

"I'm the one who called you here through telepathy. There's a mystery in this old house that needs to be told."

Oliver saw the confusion on Penelope's face. She appeared to be mulling over what he'd just said to her.

"I'm not sure I'd be much help, Mr. Esper."

"Please. It's Oliver. We are family."

"How are we related?" Penelope wanted to know.

"We're third cousins."

"Ah. Did you know about me from before?"

"Yes. We've actually met before but you were quite young at the time so I wouldn't expect you to remember me."

Penelope knew that Oliver had be correct in his statement. However she was getting a strange sense of dejv vu. Like she'd has this conversation with him before. Perhaps she had. Only it was a vision.

"How am I supposed to help with the mystery, Oliver?" Penelope looked pensive and unsettled.

"Well here's the thing: my beloved was murdered in this house. Along with my grandmother, which would be your great grandmother."

"Oh!" Penelope put a hand to her forehead, her face drained of color. Oliver was out of his chair in seconds, kneeling beside her legs and took her hand. It was ice cold and it reminded him of...Addie.

"Is something the matter?" Oliver asked softly, as he began to gently rub Penelope's hand between his, trying to warm her up.

"No..No not exactly. I just had a strange sensation of..falling." Penelope smiled at Oliver. He looked so concerned about her well-being. She touched his cheek, his scruffy beard soft against her skin.

"You're well now?"

"Yes. Please. You mustn't sit on the cold floor with your bad leg." Oliver smiled and rose up, preparing to return to the chair but Penelope's fingers tightened on his arm and when he met her gaze, he knew she wanted him seated next to her.

Oliver sat down opposite of Penelope and smiled down at her. She was more than he could have ever expected.

"I don't mean to pry," Oliver said. "However I'm curious if your mum or aunt has mentioned me?' Penelope shook her head. She couldn't remember either of them ever mentioning an Oliver Esper before.

"Not that I can recall," Penelope responded.

"Hmm. I can't say I'm surprised. We all kinda had a...falling out a few years ago."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Say, Oliver?"

"Yes, Penelope?" Oliver was warming up quite nicely to this young lady. She was easy to like and easy to speak with.

"How did you get into the house this evening? I'm pretty sure that my aunt had all the doors bolted shut."

"I'll answer that question in due time, Penelope. It's a bit of a secret." Penelope's face lit up at the idea of Oliver's "secret."

"I respect that, Oliver. Is there anything else you wish to discuss this evening?"

Oliver went to stand, bracing himself on the bed. Penelope seemed concerned and went to assist him but he assured her that he was all right.

"Not at the moment. I'll be in touch with you, Penelope. Sleep well."

"I'll be anxiously awaiting your return, Oliver. I don't know what it is, but I can tell I can trust you."

Oliver smiled fondly at the girl. He knew he'd made the right decision by summoning her here. If anyone could expose the truth about his beloved and his grandmother, it would be Penelope.

"I'm pleased to hear you think such. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Oliver. Sleep well."

****

Jane had just awoken from a deep, dreamless sleep when she'd thought she'd heard a male voice speaking. The sound was coming from the direction of Penelope's room.

She quickly climbed out of the bed, snatching up her bathrobe, slipping it on and hurrying towards her daughter's room. Just as Jane reached the door to the room Penelope was staying in, she froze, gasping softly as she could have sworn she'd seen the figure of a person leaving.

Jane flew to the door, pounding on it, frantically calling out for Penelope to open the door. Penelope did, looking somewhat cross.

"What's the matter?" Penelope was scowling at her mother.

"Was..someone just in your room?"
Penelope frowned. She knew better than say that Oliver Esper had been in here with her. Her mother would probably have a heart attack.

"How in the world could someone get inside my room?" Penelope asked. "All the doors are bolted shut."

"Right. Of course. I apologize, darling. I'll go back to bed. Good night." Penelope immediately closed the door and Jane decided she must have imagined seeing someone.

She turned and as she entered the hallway that led to her room, Jane stopped short, gasping as she put her hands over her mouth. On the wall there was a message sprawled upon it. It said: Beware! Darkness is upon you and there will be no escape.

***

A/N: I know this was a short chapter! Hope you enjoyed anyways!