KARA

KARA
By Kirsty Everiss

I didn't know what was going to happen that summer of 1988, when my
newfound Uncle came and invited me to his mansion in England for five
weeks. How was I supposed to know that I would befriend the ghost of a
girl my age and that I would discover a witch! Only in the space of
five weeks&;#8230;&;#8230;&;#8230;
It all started that sunny morning at breakfast in late June.
"Hi Mom, I kind of started breakfast without you. Sorry, but I want to
get to school early", I explained to Mom.
"Oh, that's fine Melissa. Just fine, but I need to talk to you before
you go", she stated.
"Mom, I told you I've got to get to school early this morning. I've
been late enough as it is. Now what could you possibly want to tell
me", I asked her quickly.

You see my Mother and me haven't been that close since Dad up and
left. It was really hard to talk to her during then, so most of the
time I avoided her.
"Now, Melissa. This is important&;#8230;&;#8230;&;#8230;."
She started but I interrupted her.
"It's not about Dad is it? I mean he hasn't got into trouble with one
of those schemes of his, has he? If he has I'll find him and sort him
out!" I exclaimed to my expressionless Mom.
"No dear, it's not about your Dad. It's about me. I got a letter a
couple of days ago from my estranged brother back in England, Mike,
apparently he wants to come over here, to America and wants to see you.
Really it's uncanny because he has never seen you before and now
suddenly out of the blue this letter".
She held up the letter, looking at it with a puzzled expression, all I
could say was, "Can I go to school now, and we can talk about this
tonight, Bye!" And with that I rushed out of the house, leaving my
confused Mother in my wake, still holding the letter from her
brother.

* * *

When I got to school I was wondering why my Mom was so uptight about a
letter from her brother back in England and the fact that he wanted to
come and see me, then I remembered the way she used the word
"estranged" as if she didn't like him! No, that's not possible, Mom
hating a member of her own family, but anything is possible with
Mom.
"Hey, Mel, wait up. You're walking as if you've got Linford Christie
on your tail. Ohooo, something is up, I know that gleam in your eye,
you are thinking about something. You haven't had it since we watched
"Withnail and I" a couple of weeks ago. You still thinking of that Paul
McGann, the best actor you say in the world!" My best friend rambled
on.
I thought back to the film we'd watched at my place two weeks ago,
with Paul McGann and Richard E Grant. I'd told Marcie that I'd been
admiring Paul McGann for months, ever since I'd heard about the film
coming out on video and how good it was, ah, how I wish I was back in
England, because it was made there, I guess I'll have to ask my Uncle
what has been going on there. Anyway ever since, Marcie has never
missed a chance to slip that little embarrassing fact about me into the
conversation.
"Oh, hello Marcie nice to see you, too. Don't you ever give up on
that? I mean get serious, get in the real world with the real problems
of life!" I heard myself saying to Marcie, my most trusted friend in
the world.
"What happened to you? Geez, Mel did aliens abduct you or what!" She
exclaimed, surprised at me.
"Oh, I'm sorry Marcie. I was just thinking about Mom".
"Heh, your Mother has no worries in the world, except she thinks too
much about back home, England, and so do you from the look of
it!"
"Marcie you're not going to believe this. My Mom this morning over
breakfast asked to talk to me in a serious tone. Well, of course I
thought it was about my Father. Who wouldn't if your Dad up and left
you? So I started ranting on if it was about Dad, and in the end it
wasn't about my Dad".
"Who was it about?"
"It was about a letter from my Uncle in England, he wants to come and
see me, but I don't know when he is coming".
"Uncle? In England? But you have no Uncle, oh, but that's just what I
know. So don't tell me off for saying you don't have an Uncle, how do I
know!" Marcie told me in an exasperated voice, she could be so funny at
times, not all the time though.
"Well, that's what she told me, but I said to her I'll talk to her
tonight. Wish me luck! I mean I don't know what she is going to say
about this Uncle, I've suddenly come to have", I said in a massive rush
because we'd ran out of time for idle talk of my problems.
All that time we'd been talking we had also been walking to homeroom
though we did not realise it until the bell went. At that moment
everyone in the hall always rushes to their homerooms because if you're
late you get the worst from Mrs Potts, luckily since I've been late
I've always had an excuse, you have to be tactful with Mrs Potts!
At lunch I met Marcie in the cafeteria. We talked and we ate. To be
honest I didn't know what to tell her. Ever since Dad left I've been
down in the dumps and Marcie was there for me. Well, tonight is the
night Mom tells me about this Uncle of mine.

* * *

"Mom, Mom. Are you home? I'm home!"
When I got home that afternoon Mom wasn't home, not surprising the
hours she works! Huh, I know I sound ungrateful for my Mom bringing me
into the world, but it is just the hours she works. Most of the time
I'm on my own in the house&;#8230;
I didn't know what time Mom came home, but I knew I had to find out
about this Uncle of mine back home in England.
"Dinner honey", Mom shouted back.
I slowly went down the stairs, not wanting to go to dinner, but if I
didn't I wouldn't find out.
"Hi, Mom. Look I'm sorry about this morning; it is just that I didn't
want to be late for school. Anyway you were telling me about this Uncle
of mine in England".
"Sit down Melissa and I'll explain everything".
"Oooh, I don't like the sound of that. You're using that stern look,
the one you only use when you're telling me bad news", I chatted
happily.
"Now Melissa don't get funny with me, young lady. This may be
upsetting to you like it is to me and it may not. Well, I'll begin,
years ago my brother and me had an argument about me marrying your
Father. He didn't like him, and vowed to never get in contact with me
ever again. I took this as a joke and sooner or later he would forget
about it. Ever since he has always remembered it, up until now! The
letter I got from him surprised me, the fact that he still lives in
England, that he lives in a country house and that he wants to get to
know you better by coming over here to America for a week really does
surprise me in the least. He also wrote a bit that he says you should
read", Mom told me.
I don't know how long Mom had been talking, but lots of images were
going through my mind. What was he like? Well I could get that
information from the letter, but why after all these years of silence,
why NOW, after Dad's gone? Does he want to make up to Mom through me?
I'll just have to find out when he comes.

* * *

Next morning at breakfast I was still thinking about the talk Mom and
I had had last night. When Mom told me something, interrupting my
thoughts of the other night&;#8230;
"So what do you think, Mel?"
"What?"
"Oh, you haven't been listening to me have you? No, I didn't think you
were. You didn't look it. So I'll tell you again. I got a phone call in
the middle of the night, never one to know the time difference my
brother, and it's all settled he's coming this afternoon. He took the
first early flight to be here, he's so eager to meet you and he told me
that he had a surprise for you, oooo, I wonder what that will be", Mom
said teasingly. She looked so happy, last night she seemed angry and
mad with my Uncle, her brother.
"Mom, last night you seemed as if you didn't want Uncle Mike to come
and visit me", I asked her, worried what the answer would be.
"Oh, darling. I know I was like that, it's just that I wasn't sure how
he'd react to you once he was here and what you would say to him. But
we had a talk, my brother and me and we've sorted out our little
differences. But shouldn't you be getting ready for school, you'll be
late!" Mom answered.

I felt really good on the way home from school. I mean its not
everyday you get to meet your long lost Uncle, is it? I wonder what his
surprise will be, oh I'll just have to wait, but who knows what is
around the corner!
"Hi, Mom. Is he here yet?" I asked Mom when I came through the front
door.
"No, course not dear. He's not here yet, you know he won't be here for
another forty-five minutes!" Mom exclaimed, surprised.

"Wow, you look nice, dear. You wouldn't be trying to impress someone
named Mike whose thirty-nine years old and who is your Uncle, are we!
Well, I don't think you're Mike's type. No, seriously he isn't married,
if he was, he would have told me!"
"Aaah, I was hoping you wouldn't say that, but&;#8230;"
The doorbell cut me off. I ran to the door. I was thinking if my black
jeans and white silk blouse was too casual, but it was too late to
change now, anyway I'd already changed into six outfits and that is not
like me. I got to the door, flounced my hair and with my heart pounding
like a drum. I opened the door&;#8230; the pounding of my heart
stopped and replacing it, was the breathtaking style of the middle-aged
man stood before me in the doorway. This was my Uncle Mike.
"Hi! Oh, do come in", I could have kicked myself for the way I talked
to him.
My Mom ran into his arms and from that time onwards I knew that we
would get along, just fine.

"So, Melissa, I've heard so much about you from your Mom", he drawled,
his voice sounding perfect English.
"I've read all about you in the letter", I told him.
"Good, because I have a treat for you this summer. How about coming
and staying with me in England for five weeks of the summer holiday.
Wait before you say anything, it has all been arranged for next
Saturday, now what do you say?" He asked me.
"But what are you going to do in the next week?" I asked him back,
surprising myself by speaking.
"Of course I'm going to stay here with my favourite niece!" He
exclaimed.
I was flabbergasted that I had been invited for five weeks to England
to live in a mansion in the Yorkshire countryside, great! I wonder whom
I'll befriend, what will I have to take to wear?

* * *

Two days later it was Sunday morning and I woke up groggily, I went
down to see Mom and I found her making breakfast! She never makes
breakfast, oh well; there is always time for a change.
"Hi, Mom!"
"Oh, don't do that Melissa. You scared me", Mom exclaimed.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. Why are you all dressed up, you only get dressed up
if you are going to Miriam's and Kate's", I asked.
"That is because I am going to Miriam's, and you had better get
dressed or we'll be late. Come on, eat some breakfast".
"MOM! You are kidding. We are not going to Miriam's. Why can't I stay
home, Mike is home here! I am thirteen years old, why won't you let me
stay home just this one time, please, you know I hate playing with Kate
and her crummy dolls while you and Miriam yak about business. You have
got to let me go, I'm old enough to look after myself!" I argued
lamely.
At that moment Mike walked down the stairs, dressed and crisp for the
day. Yesterday we had gone to the cinema to see a run of sci-fi
films.
"Talking about me. Now I wonder why that is, is it because I'm so
irresistible", he said jokingly.
"Oh, Mike we weren't talking about you, we were just talking about
what we're going to do with Mel this morning. Because I've got to go
out somewhere, but usually Mel comes with me but she doesn't want to
today, so I told her she couldn't stay here, because it would be
imposing on your time here. Now Melissa go upstairs and get dressed".
Mom said.
"Oh, but Mom, I'm sure Mike could look after me just this once", I
pleaded, catching a look of plead to Mike.
"Okay, I'll look after her, sis, anything for my niece", he
said.
"Well, if you're sure, Mike. Oh, alright you can stay home, but just
this once", Mom gave in.
I ran upstairs to have an extra hour of sleep! Bliss without Kate for
a Sunday morning, you don't know what she is like!

* * *

"Oh, Melissa, I'm going to miss you, you know that don't you? Now be
careful", Mom cried over me as she said goodbye to me. I was so
embarrassed in front of Mike, I didn't want him to see me blush. I'm a
terrible blusher!
"Come on Mom. It is only for five weeks, I'll be back soon, just you
wait and you be careful too, OK, and I'll be back", I tried to comfort
her down.
We finally got on the plane just before Mom nearly got me in tears! I
was excited about going back to England after all that time. You see
I'd moved to America when I was six years old, seven years ago, it
seems so long ago. I wonder what this mansion is like!

We arrived in England and got a taxi to the mansion.
"Now, here we are, home sweet home, well to me anyway, but to you for
five weeks!" Mike joked.
"Yep, wow it looks cool!" I exclaimed.
"Well, lets go in there and meet my staff who'll be caring for you
over the weeks".
"Is this how you really live in England, in a big mansion, with lots
of staff?" I queried him.
"Well, kind of! Ah, here is Miss Pickering, she is the housekeeper and
cook".
"Hi, Miss Pickering. I'm looking forward to having a taste of all the
lovely meals Uncle Mike has told me about".
I couldn't quite find myself to look the old woman in the eye. When I
had to look those eyes were deep red and hypnotic! I looked away
quickly and suddenly heard a shout from upstairs; I was soon to
discover the woman in the room upstairs. I looked up, startled at the
sound.
"It is nothing Melissa, now let me show you the mansion", he quickly
said.
"Yep, you are right. It was nothing", I reassured myself, and turning
to check Miss Pickering's eyes, they weren't right I could tell!

When Mike took me round showing all the rooms and paintings I was
amazed that my Uncle could own all that! But when we got upstairs to
the highest level of rooms he was very secretive!
"This room is so nice. Can I see the room next door?" I asked
Mike.
"Oh, I don't I don't think so, why don't you go to the room you chose
to stay in and pack your things away", Mike asked me to do.
"Why can't I go in there?" I asked him and pointed to the door of the
mystery room.
"Oh, I suppose sooner or later you'd find out about Marj", Mike stated
to me.
"Marj? Who is Marj?" I asked puzzled.
"You'll find out", Mike laughed and unlocked the door to the room I
would soon discover Marj in.
I walked in not knowing what to expect. There in the bed sat an old
woman of about seventy years old! I just stood there, staring into her
kind soft eyes.
"Well Marj, I've brought someone to see you", Mike addressed my
entrance to Marj.
"It is KARA, isn't it? Oh, Kara, you've come back to see me!" Marj
whispered.
"No Marj, it is not Kara, her name is Melissa. Though she may look
like Kara I swear she isn't Kara. She is my niece from America, the one
I told you about. Look we have to go now, goodbye, Marj", Mike abruptly
explained to her.
Once out of the room I tried to get all the facts from Mike, but he
just clammed up. Who was this Kara? Was she dead or alive? Later I
would find out the answers to my questions.

At lunch we sat in the dining room, Miss Pickering served us. But when
she served me, she whispered two strange words in my ear. I quickly got
up and ran out, I didn't want to see those eyes staring into
mine.
Mike followed me out and found me sat on the stairs, he picked me up
and practically dragged me to his study for a talk&;#8230;
"What do you think you were doing? Running off like that in front of
Miss Pickering. What were you doing?" He shouted at me.
I was so startled at the way he reacted.
"I'm sorry, but I'm telling you her eyes are not right, she is evil
and if you think I'm staying here for another minute you've got another
thing coming. Oh, and that old woman, Marj, and Kara&;#8230;" I
faded away.
Just then as I looked out the window I saw her on the swing. She was
pale and wearing a white lace dress, she looked in my direction.
"I've got to go", I quickly said.
"Oh, no you don't".
Mike suddenly grabbed for my arm and pushed me down on to the
couch.
"Mike I have to go. I saw someone", I shouted out to him.
He let go of me, whispering we'd talk later. I ran out into the
garden, nearly knocking over Miss Pickering. Mike didn't follow me but
I knew that he was watching me. I ran to the swing, the girl was still
there swinging on the swing. She looked up startled to see me. I was
surprised too for she looked exactly like myself! I walked slowly
towards her.
"Are you the girl my Mother was talking about?" She asked.
"What girl? You're Kara, but you're a a a a ggggghost!" I answered
surprised, suddenly realising whom this "image" was.
"Yes, I am a ghost. Here lets sit on the bench and talk. Don't be
afraid, I won't hurt you. You are staying here with your Uncle?"
"Yes", was all I could say as Kara reached out my hand.
I took it reluctantly, still sensing my Uncle watching I sat on the
bench next to Kara, we talked.
"What is your name?" Kara asked.
"Melissa. I suppose when you died you were thirteen years old", I
stated.
"Yes. Now Melissa, there is something I must tell you, but I have to
trust you. Your Uncle may know it, being that he owns this place. If
you are worrying that he doesn't know about me, he does we are great
friends and soon we will be!" She told me, looking round for any
eavesdropper.
"Of course you can trust me. So tell me all about yourself, before and
after you died", I said quietly.
"I was happy here, living with my Mama and Papa. I wasn't really a
Victorian because of the dress, no I didn't die that long ago. I died
in 1953. I had been in the attic looking through Grammar's things from
the war. When Miss Pickering, oh, she was horrible to me, she never
liked me in the first place and she didn't stop showing it. She came up
to the attic. I was dressed in this dress of great-Grammar, she came
towards me with a rope, she grabbed me screaming and kicking outside to
the apple tree. I was shouting at her when she let go of me, but there
was no one to hear, Mama and Papa were out. Then she got me again and
took me down to the stream in the garden and stuck my head under the
water tying the rope around my neck tight, she pushed me into the
water, but what she said made me know why she was doing it. You see two
weeks before I'd discovered something so sinister about Miss Pickering,
I was so terrified about her. I'd discovered that she was a WITCH! And
she knew that I knew about it! She just couldn't stand me anymore. So
she killed me! Nothing really happened after that. Papa died, but they
never found out who killed me. They just went along with Miss
Pickering's story about how I'd fallen in and she'd found me! Recently
though Mama, up in that room, discovered about Miss Pickering too and
now she wants to kill Mama! I have to stop her! Oh, I've talked too
much now it is your turn&;#8230;"
Suddenly Kara began to fade, I tried to hide a startled cry, but I
couldn't. I looked round and saw Miss Pickering, her arms in front of
her stretched out with a strange glow around them. I tried to grab for
Kara but I couldn't, she'd faded away&;#8230; then Uncle Mike came
running out and grabbed me. Miss Pickering had gone back to the
kitchen. Once again I was pulled to the Study.
"This is beginning to get beyond a joke, Melissa. Now if you don't get
your act together I think I'm going to have to take drastic
action".
"You know about her, don't you. Yet you don't want to believe it. You
think it is some mad brain kid playing a prank", I shot back at
him.
"Yes, I know about her, but I do believe it. I just can't sack Miss
Pickering. She has been here for over forty years!"
Just at that moment I heard Miss Pickering going upstairs with a tray
carrying Marj's tea. I quickly ran out and followed her with Mike on my
tail. She opened the door and suddenly it dawned on me that she was
going to poison Marj! I rushed in and saw to my horror that she had a
bottle in her hand and was going to pour it into Marj's mouth! I lunged
towards Miss Pickering, the bottle slipping out of her hand. I got her
on the floor. Then she hissed at me.
"You're not strong enough to kill me. I'll kill both of you!" She
claimed.
Then Kara appeared from thin air.
"No you will not kill any more you witch, you know your time here has
ended. At last I can be free and rested forever. You are the one to
die!" Kara whispered at her as if it was a curse she was putting on
her.
Miss Pickering suddenly crumpled up. I got up quickly. Mike held on to
me, as a great gush of wind whipped the window open and she was sucked
out into the early evening never to be seen again. At that moment I
felt as if I had known Kara all my life and not just met her that
afternoon. I knew at that time I would never see her
again&;#8230;

* * *

I can't explain what it was like to see Kara's spirit laid to rest. I
just ran out of the room and went into the garden down to the stream.
It was like losing my best friend!

* * *

The five weeks went without incident. Mike got a new cook, but sadly
Marj passed on with her daughter Kara. I went back to America having
experienced something no one else would in a hundred years! I never
told Mom about Miss Pickering, Marj and Kara&;#8230;
Now that was eight years ago and I am twenty-one years old, happy with
my job. I am engaged soon to be married. You are probably wondering
why, if it was so upsetting, I am telling this. I wanted to remember
this by writing it in a story and you have just read it!

THE END