By The Water

It’d lay abandoned for over one hundred years. The Mansion sat by the water. One side connected to land while being surrounded on three sides by water. Hidden away by trees. Trees that protected it. Trees that provided safety from the world that’d forgotten it even existed. A mansion with secrets that were as forgotten as the mansion itself. Until Remi found it after getting lost. She wasn’t so sure what to make of it. She just knew it was a mystery she wanted to solve. An eerie feeling washed over her. As if the Mansion didn’t want her to. 

Remi considered herself a Historian. Her obsession with everything paranormal led her down a far different path than most wanted her to go down. She’d saved everything she could from the odd jobs she had growing up. The part time job she had gave her income she saved as well. She led a minimalistic life knowing she’d eventually leave the area that never once loved her. She’d gone looking for Garamond Mansion after further research revealed new information she’d not been aware of. She went looking knowing she may never find it. She’d known where to look for a while now. Deep within the swamps of Louisiana. 

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Emery asked
“Yeah, positive. Why?” Remi replied
“You don’t know-” Emery began
“I can’t explain it. I just know I’ll find it. It’s been hidden away for a reason ‘Em. It was built where it was for a reason also” Remi answered when she cut Emery off 
“I know it’s just that-” Emery started
“I KNOW Emery. Your worries are noted. I’m going either way. I know it's out there somewhere. I have an idea where. I just have to get there. Somehow” Remi retorted

Remi left knowing Emery had a point. Remi trusted her instincts though. She knew she was going to find it. Her research rarely led her down the wrong path. She was known for being thorough. For her diligence. She knew if anyone was going to find Garamond Mansion it’d be her. The breadcrumbs left behind seemed easy to find for her. Breadcrumbs disguised as information on pages. Pages giving people the history of the Mansion. She was simply following the breadcrumbs left behind. To find a place she wanted to see for herself. A place most thought didn’t even exist. 

The storm that followed her left her stranded in the Mansion she’d finally found. She knew she’d be stuck until the following morning. She knew there was a chance she’d be stuck there for a few days. She didn’t mind either way. It gave her more than enough time to solve the mystery that was Garamond Mansion. The mystery, however, deepened. She’d been unable to find any documentation of anything. As if someone hid it away for safekeeping. As if someone didn’t want anyone to know what happened within its walls. She looked around anyway in hopes of finding something. 

Presley owned the house. He was born there. He’d died there. Under suspicious circumstances. Lucian, his Head of Staff, retreated from sight after Presley died. To everyone else’s suspicion. Rumors swirled after that. The entire staff except for Lucian left after Presley’s death. There was no need to stay. It was Lucian that had stopped her from going any further than she already had. As if he was scared of her finding things she shouldn’t see. Lucian had led her further away than Presley. Remi had wandered into one of the more decrepit rooms of the house. A room that held all the information she’d been searching for. She confronted the pair citing her interest in sharing the truth with others. She wanted nothing more than for everyone to know the history of the mansion. 

“I see your point” Lucian sighed
“I think it’s a good idea” Presley chimed in
“I know it’s a good idea. People, for years, have wondered where this place is and why it’s so steeped in mystery. They want to know about Garamond Mansion” Remi replied
“You’ll do this place well I hope” Lucian asked
“That’s been my plan this entire time. Restore it, turn it into a Museum so people can visit. So people can see the beauty of the Mansion and its grounds. To share its history as well obviously” Remi replied
“Do you have a plan?” Presley asked
“Yes, I do” Remi answered

Lucian shared the Mansions history that hadn’t been shared. Presley wanted peace in his life. He’d built the Mansion by the water because of the peace he felt. He had everything he needed in the immediate vicinity of the Mansion. It was by the water, had land that connected to the nearest town, and a garden that supplied all the food he knew he’d eat. Remi shared her plans for what she was going to do with the Mansion. She planned on each room being a different aspect of the Mansion. A progressiveness of sorts that ended with their love for each other being revealed to people. That it was in good hands with her. The pair led her to the papers she’d need to have on hand. The water that left the bridge underwater leading back to town had receded. She’d planned on using the waterways to get back to town prior to seeing the bridge was accessible. 

She’d led Local and State officials back to the Mansion days later. After telling them everything. After they verified everything. They thanked her for bringing it justice. For finding a now historical site. They were going to cover the costs of the renovations with her leading the charge. Lucian and Presleys only request was to follow what they wanted done to the Mansion. She was going to restore it to its former glory either way. She hadn’t planned on making any changes other than decorating her room her way. It was done one year later. The Grand Opening being a spectacle that people flocked to see. Lucian and Presley were there, hidden from sight, watching as people wandered about the rooms. They were happy with what Remi had done. Their souls were at peace knowing their beloved home was in good hands. That people would know its history, in full, and love it as much as they once had.