The Eternal Tenant-part 10

I opened my eyes. Eveline and Henry were looking at me with concern, I was laying on the floor, in the chalk-drawn circle, I didn't remember how I got out of the veil and came back to the house. In front of me the veil was still open and I could see Belle in the archway standing with a soft smile on her lips. Before I could stand, Belle began to speak. "It is over dear, you can get up now!". I was confused "what is over? am I...alive again??" I said with such excitement just to be disappointed by Belle saying "We're not there yet, but we will soon." she then turned to Eveline and nodded her head as a sign to tell her to explain. Eveline hesitated first when she saw me looking at her with anger but she opened up eventually "I...I...I wanted to tell you before you... before everything, but I feared you would not agree as this was a huge burden and a risky act to be done by you..." she stopped for a few seconds and then continued "When I shared the story with you, I intentionally left out certain parts, because I wasn't sure if you'd still agree to risk your life if you knew the entire story.".

I was now sitting down on the wooden floor, looking at her with confusion and rage. What did she mean risk my life? I had countless questions, but I held back from asking them because I wanted to know what she had to say. She continued "I believe you remember that in the story, Morgana had cursed the people of the town and not only the house, when Belle sacrificed herself and became part of the veil, she had only enough power to open the veil for those who pass away on the house's lot, giving them a chance to go to their eternal home. But...the curse wasn't only on the house as it was in fact on the whole town! So it meant that anyone who would die in this town, their soul couldn't leave, and since Belle could only protect this house, many souls are now left on the living side in this town and can't pass, or shall I say couldn't!"

She looked at Belle and smiled and then looked back at me and her smile faded away, giving its place to a hint of shame. I was quiet and still waiting to hear the whole story, Henry was also standing there quietly with worried and confused expressions on his face. Eveline continued "One of the people whose soul is still lingering in the living world, is my grandmother... she was such a kind and caring woman, but when she passed away, her soul couldn't leave. At first, she was calm and it was just like having her back, but then she became hostile, throwing things, destroying them, attacking us, I had to find a way to open the veil again. For a long time, I was searching for an answer, until Henry brought me here. when I came here and I realised your abilities, I knew this might be my only chance to at least try to bring the peace back to my town. Countless souls are trapped in this town, having lingered for so long that they no longer remember who they are, not even realizing that they are dead. So I didn't...couldn't tell you the whole truth darling, but everything I told you about yourself was true. You are an astral projector and you are still alive but...but we needed to do this ritual for the sake of people of this town, for Belle to be able to be freed from the veil and pass the veil herself. For you to become one with your physical body, there was no need for a ritual, You just... need to lay back in your own body!"

"What?" I said furiously, overwhelmed by anger and a sense of betrayal! I shouted at Eveline "You used me? You used my life to save your grandmother's? I don't give a damn about the people of this town! They did this to themselves!" I got up, walked over to the window, ran my hand through my hair, and turned back to Eveline and continued "You selfish prick! I asked for your help and you sold it at the price of MY LIFE! This is unbelievable! You are a fraud!".

Eveline remained silent, appearing as though she was experiencing utmost embarrassment. The room was quiet, with no one speaking until Belle broke the silence "My dear, I cannot begin to imagine the pain you have borne in so short a time. Your sacrifice, though not your choice, has my deepest gratitude." She turned to Eveline, her voice firm, and said, "Eveline, what you did was wrong. You had no right to risk her life—it was not yours to decide! But what is done is done. Let us not delay any longer. It is time for her soul to be reunited with her body."

Suddenly, I felt something sink in my stomach. I've been through so much in such a short time that it felt like a thousand years has passed since the day I signed the lease. I was overwhelmed with emotions, anger, fear, uncertainty, excitement, but I didn't even hesitate for one more moment. I walked toward the basement door, with Henry, Belle's spirit, and Eveline gradually trailing behind me. I dashed down the basement stairs and rushed toward the freezer. For a moment I stopped and it was like my legs were frozen, like I was stuck in a swamp and couldn't move. Henry got ahead of me and stood next to the freezer, looked at me in an apologetic way, like he was taking responsibility for all his actions and opened the freezer door. My dead body that was laying dormant in the freezer, seemed intact and perfectly preserved. Henry and Eveline both took my body out of the freezer and put it/me down on the floor. Then Eveline nodded her head and said "Come darling, join the world of the living again...".

As I couldn't move, I felt a gentle hand slowly pushing me forward, I turned back and saw Belle's smiling. She nodded her head once as a sign to tell me to go on. One step, two steps, three...I was right on top of my dead/undead body. I slowly sat down and touched my own hair, my hand went through. Then Eveline told me to lie down. I took a deep breath and laid down on my own body; For a second nothing was happening, I just was laying on the cold hard floor of the old basement, but then..."Oh my god!" I said as I felt I was falling from the sky, then a blinding light shined my sight away and at the last moments It felt like I was being drawn by a magnet with such a high speed and then...

I was awake...