Trapped

The mysterious circumstances surrounding Lem Castle had been well known by everyone in the area. Nobody had been willing to investigate. The noises they’d heard throughout the years left an uneasy feeling with everyone. Except for Riley. She’d been drawn to it. For years. She’d done all the research. She was the resident Paranormal Historian. She had grown up there after all. Her interest in the paranormal reached back to her childhood. She loved everything Halloween. Everything nature. It was no surprise she wanted to investigate the Castle. She knew she’d likely encounter Julian. That he was the reason behind the noises. That she’d find the truth that lay within the Castle walls.

Julian was considered recluse before his death two hundred years prior. There were no records of his death. The records of Lem Castle weren’t readily available. Its construction and early years were the only documentation. The brief time its care lay within Julians hands were the records nobody had. As if he had something to hide. A set of records he didn’t want out for some reason. Riley knew he’d left clues. Julian was an intelligent person. He would’ve left a detailed account of his time there prior to his death. It’s part of human nature after all. To leave something behind for others years later. To share their story in some way.

Riley followed clues Julian had left behind. Adam had let Riley have free rein over the Castle. For as long as he wanted. He didn’t think Riley would find anything. He hadn’t in the few years since he’d become the Curator. None of the past Curators had either. Riley knew they hadn’t looked everywhere. Julian would’ve left everything in a place nobody would ever think to look. He’d begun looking in those places. He’d talked to Julian while he was roaming around. Hoping he’d be listening. Hoping he’d show himself at some point.

Julian appeared while Riley was taking a break in the Study. Riley wasn’t surprised. It was a welcome sight. He’d told Julian he knew he’d appear at some point. He wanted the truth to come out. He wanted everyone to know the truth. He’d been searching for hours by that point. To no avail. He’d not really found anything until Julian told him where to look. The few things he found were from Julians assistance. Julian led the way. Riley had been right all along. Julian had left everything where nobody would look. Places he’d suspected had everything.

Riley had sat down with the layout of the castle with Adam after getting there. They’d gone over what they knew. Riley kept his theories to himself. He wrote them down after Adam left. He’d realized everything he needed to find was likely scattered in the spots nobody looked. Puzzle pieces that’d come together when put together. Julian had confirmed that theory Riley had along with all the other theories he had. Julian had known Riley was the one to set him free. Julian knew Riley was the one that would better take care of the Castle

Julian had been poisoned. His own family had done so. They’d buried his body where nobody would find it. He wanted his bones left where they lay. A headstone being the only thing he wanted changed. A landmark of where his bones were. A headstone that commemorated the life he’d lived. Julian had wanted the Castle to be a lively place. Where parties happened as often as possible. A safe haven for people who needed a place to go for a short time. There were plenty of rooms to make that happen. He’d built the Castle to help the community. Of his time along with future generations. His family hadn’t shared his views. They didn’t see the community as worthy enough to even consider indulging Julians requests.

Neither one of them could prove anything. Obviously. It’d been far too long since the event happened. Julians testimony was credit enough though. Riley made promises he intended to keep. Changes to the Castle that would bring people there to learn about its history. To share the true nature of what he wanted the Castle to be used for. Riley’s notes of that night left Adam speechless. The papers Riley had found only further proved Julians story. Riley led Julian to his bones. To the headstone that was made commemorating his life. Julian went to the afterlife knowing the Castle he’d once occupied was in safe hands.