Phantom: A Love Story
“There is nothing more desolate in all the abodes of men than an unfurnished house dimly lit, silent, and forsaken, and yet tenanted by the memories of evil and violent histories.” -Algernon Blackwood, “The Empty House” *** “I guess no one mentioned that Devereux Manor is supposed to be haunted?” Amelia paused with trowel in hand in the flowerbed, considering Ms. Price’s question. The older woman sat on a nearby stump and fidgeted, anxious for a reply, so Amelia took her time formulating one. Eventually she settled on: “What’s Devereux Manor?” Ms. Price blinked. “Why, that’s this house, dear. Your house.” Amelia looked sideways at the house. It was still hard to think of it as hers. In her mind it was just “the house”, an entity unto itself. “Didn’t you know about the Devereux …