The cool autumn breeze flowed through the area. Leaves still clinging to the tree rustled in the breeze whilst the deceased leaves tumbled across the overgrown and cracked cobblestone pathway. Beyond the locked black metal gates and tall stone walls sat an ancient castle illuminated by the bright full moon behind it. The air carried the scent of damp stone and decaying leaves, with the faint metallic tang of old iron.

The lawn was overgrown and unkempt. Black vines scaled the castle walls, adorned with white roses that seemingly shimmered and glowed in the light of the moon. The castle was completely dark inside, and definitely seemed abandoned. Zack stood in the middle of Amy and Daniel just outside the metal gates, gazing up at the masterpiece of scenery before them. He let out a small sigh as he held his camera up, snapping a photo of the castle. His nerves were wired now. He could barely hear Amy and Daniel chatting over the sound of his own heartbeat.

Amy wrapped her arms around her torso and shivered against the evening chill. "I don't know... This place still gives me the creeps... And that's hard to do..."

Daniel pushed his glasses up on his face, shaking his head as he spoke. "I still think this is a pointless endeavour. I don't know what you are hoping to find in there. Surely that girl isn't here anymore. It's been a year. And even then, how do you plan on getting in?"

Zack ventured into the abandoned castle by himself after climbing over the high walls surrounding the castle grounds. The rickety old door creaked open, echoing across the empty dust covered grand foyer. He stepped inside, looking around at the cobwebs hanging from the ceiling like tattered curtains. Bringing his camera up, he snapped a photo of the chandelier above, its crystals catching what little moonlight filtered through the dusty windows.

There were so many choices of where to start. He turned, looking at all the various doors and stairs leading to different parts of the castle, unsure of where to start. Clearing his throat, he decided to call out. "Hello? Miss spirit? I know you don't know who I am. I saw you about a year ago. My name is Zack. If you don't mind, I'd like to talk for a bit."

He waited. Nothing. No response. Just silence that seemed to swallow the sound of his breathing. Taking a deep breath, Zack closed his eyes and began spinning around in a slow circle, deciding to follow his heart. Stopping, he held out his hand, pointing ahead of him toward a staircase leading up. "Up it is then."

After scaling the long, winding stairwell up he found himself walking down the hall, flashlight in hand. Footsteps echoed down the empty halls like distant drumbeats. Eventually, he found a door slightly open. Taking a deep breath he peeked inside first. It seemed empty. Slowly and cautiously he entered, shining his flashlight around until it landed on a painting over the fireplace. He almost jumped back when he saw your face staring back at him. But upon closer inspection he noticed that you weren't moving. He let out a relieved sigh with a nervous chuckle.

"Oh... It's just a painting. Wow, she sure is beautiful..."

He took note that the painting resembled the girl he saw in his photo and was now more certain you were real. He was too anxious and jumpy now to realise how clean and tidy the room looked compared to the rest of the castle. Then movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention - a flash of your figure disappearing through the door leading to the balcony.