MIRIAM AND THE HANDSOME GHOST
In a picturesque town nestled amidst Hills of Rivers and Hamlet forests, resided a captivating young woman named Miriam. Renowned for her benevolent nature and exquisite beauty
Miriam captivated the hearts of numerous suitors. However, Miriam harbored a secret - she possessed the extraordinary ability to perceive and communicate with ethereal beings.
Miriam embarked on a fateful day, venturing far from the comforts of home to explore the wonders of sightseeing. Along her journey, she stumbled upon a road that led to a desolate manor, piquing her curiosity and beckoning her to pay it a visit.
As she made her way towards the building, an elderly gentleman appeared before her, his demeanor grave as he earnestly cautioned the young lady against venturing anywhere near the manor.
The man revealed that a ghost resided within its walls, a well-known fact among the townsfolk. He expressed his surprise that Miriam, unlike everyone else in the town, seemed oblivious to this chilling truth.
That notwithstanding, Miriam's insatiable curiosity compelled her to venture closer. As she approached the dilapidated structure, an otherworldly aura enveloped her, beckoning her inside.
Within the decaying and dilapidated walls of the manor, Miriam encountered the spirit of a young man. His extraordinary handsomeness captivated Miriam, drawing her closer to him with each step she took. For reasons shrouded in mystery, the young man's spirit was bound to the manor, unable to find solace.
Despite the eerie atmosphere that filled the surroundings, Miriam detected a deep sense of sadness and longing in the boy. "May I ask your name?" Miriam inquired softly. The boy replied, "My name is Michael."
However, while rumors of a ghost haunting the manor circulated among the townsfolk, no concrete evidence had ever been presented. The only substantiated accounts came from the courageous few who dared to venture inside, attesting to the faint cries for help that echoed through the halls. Yet, when they searched for the source, no one was to be found.
As Miriam contemplated the ghost's striking handsomeness, she noticed his unwavering gaze fixed upon her. Curiosity piqued, she inquired as to why he regarded her in such a manner. To her surprise, he expressed astonishment that she had not fled like all the others who had crossed his path.
In response, the resplendent lady revealed her unique ability to perceive spirits. "But they all saw me,"Michael protested. "No," she gently replied. In that moment, Miriam comprehended that the ghost remained oblivious to his own predicament.
Approaching him with utmost care, she whispered softly, "You are deceased, and you exist as a ghost. I am blessed with the gift to perceive spirits." It took every ounce of her wisdom to convey this revelation.
In that moment, Micheal's demeanor shifted to a state of calm as he detected the genuine sincerity in Miriam's voice. It was evident that she truly cared.
Curiosity sparked within her as she inquired about the duration of his presence in that place. Micheal responded, revealing that he had been there for about twelve hours and had arrived in the morning.
Once again, Miriam's conviction grew stronger within her. She realized that Michael's spirit was not only trapped, but completely lost.
The spirit confessed that he had never encountered anyone as beautiful as Miriam in his entire existence. Miriam reciprocated these sentiments, acknowledging that the only way she could express her admiration for him was by freeing his spirit from the confines of the manor.
Day after day, the determined young woman tirelessly sought answers. She visited libraries, consulted charlatans, sought guidance from priests, and even sought the assistance of magicians, all in the hopes of finding a way to liberate the handsome ghost.
Each evening, she would secretly return to the manor to be with him, sharing her research findings and discoveries, even though they seemed futile.
As time passed, their love grew stronger. To Michael , Miriam's unwavering presence and devotion were the epitome of love. For Miriam, true love emanated from within, even at first sight, and it was a force that could not be contained.
One day, during their heartfelt conversation, Michael expressed his willingness to accept his fate, as long as Miriam continued to visit him frequently.
However, Miriam revealed that her research had uncovered a grim truth. When a ghost remains lost or trapped for an extended period, it becomes devoid of purpose and happiness, losing all memories from its time in the world of the living.
It was clear that with time, Michael would no longer recognize her or be able to communicate meaningfully. His spirit would remain trapped and tormented indefinitely, without any respite. Therefore, the best course of action was for Miriam to help him cross over.
On one fateful evening, as Miriam prepared to depart, a radiant light, brighter than the sun, emanated from the wall opposite to where they stood. Suddenly, a powerful voice boomed from within the light, proclaiming, "Last passage."
The young girl was filled with terror, yet Michael reassured her to remain calm, explaining that it was the twelfth time he had witnessed the ethereal light and heard the haunting voice. Swiftly, the girl comprehended that this was the ghost's final opportunity to transition to the other side.
With urgency, she implored the ghost to move towards the light, but it remained rooted in place, unable to take a single step. Trembling, she cautiously approached the light, beseeching for one more chance, only to have the voice echo back, declaring that today was the last opportunity. In an instant, the brilliance of the light dimmed by fifty percent.
Michael summoned Miriam and guided her to her grandmother's house, hoping that she might offer assistance. After an arduous journey to the farthest reaches of the town, Miriam finally located the boy's grandmother and divulged the entire ordeal. However, the elderly woman appeared unsurprised, though she was unfortunately afflicted by illness, loneliness, and immobility.
Michael's grandmother revealed a shocking revelation to Miriam. It seemed that Michael and his friends had ventured to the manor in search of a valuable hidden stone. This stone, left behind by a wealthy merchant who had passed away during a distant journey, held great significance.
The merchant had confided in his wife about the stone's existence, but unfortunately, he had not disclosed its exact location within the manor. As a result, individuals would occasionally visit the manor in hopes of stumbling upon this precious treasure.
Miriam realized that Michael must have discovered the stone, but he had neglected to follow the instructions given by the merchant's wife. It was said that the stone possessed magical powers, and one must pour water on it before touching it. This oversight may have led to the ghostly encounter and subsequent entrapment of Michael within the manor for the past twelve years.
Meanwhile, in Micheal's chamber, Miriam's grandmother presented her with the garments her son had worn on the day his lifeless body was carried back from the estate.
Despite the fact that the young boy had been laid to rest twelve years ago, the elderly woman clung to the unwavering belief that her grandson was still alive, somewhere out there.
However, Miriam in addition to all these couldn't help but contemplate the passage of time since Michael's demise and the twelve instances he had witnessed the ethereal glow within the manor.
With this newfound knowledge, Miriam understood the urgency of the situation. Michael's last chance to escape the manor was rapidly approaching. The young girl's fear transformed into determination as she resolved to find a solution. She knew that time was running out, and she needed to act swiftly to save her friend.
When Miriam rushed back to the manor, she was greeted by an eerie darkness that enveloped the entire place. The only source of light was a feeble line on the wall, created by the dying rays of the strange light.
With a voice filled with desperation, she implored the ghost if he had found the precious stone. "Here it is," he replied, extending his palms towards the girl.
However, as Miriam peered into his hands, she found nothing. Suddenly, a faint voice emerged from the fading mystical light on the wall, whispering "last passage." In that moment, a tear trickled down the maiden's cheek, mirroring the sorrow in the boy's eyes.
Michael called out to Miriam once more, urging her to take the stone from his hand. But the girl tearfully responded, "I can't see it." Then, a realization struck her - the secret the old lady had shared. Frantically, she searched for water, but not a single drop could be found.
Once again, the light echoed, "last passage," as only a few rays remained, casting a deeper shadow over the surroundings. Miriam swiftly returned to Michael, took a deep breath, and let a drop of saliva fall onto his palms. In an instant, a radiant stone materialized, illuminating the entire place and diminishing the significance of the light on the wall.
Without hesitation, she seized the stone from his hands and exclaimed, "Run towards the light!" The ghost took a few steps towards the wall, expressing his gratitude, "Thank you, Miriam. I love you." And just like that, the light vanished, taking him with it.
Miriam's heart swelled with anticipation, for she knew that their extraordinary bond would forever be etched in the annals of history. Their love story, a symphony of emotions, would resonate through the ages, inspiring generations to come.
However, upon returning home, Miriam was met with her father seated at the kitchen table, sipping his coffee. Despite her weariness, her father could sense the joy radiating from her face.
Knowing that her father would find it hard to believe her story, Miriam made up her mind to share her proof with him. With wide eyes fixed on the glittering stone in her hands, the old man admitted to having heard rumors about its power, but had never truly believed in it.
According to the tales, the stone held immense fortune, capable of transforming even the most impoverished family into one of the wealthiest in the land. The merchant's wife was said to be willing to share half of her wealth with anyone who found the stone.
That very night, as Miriam sat on her bed, contemplating the events at the manor and wondering about Michael's whereabouts, a knock echoed through the parlor door. Her father, still not finished with his coffee, answered the door, only to be met with unfriendly footsteps and a command to search everywhere.
Miriam's heart raced as the voice boomed once more, "search everywhere." Filled with fear, she swiftly grabbed a black head scarf, carefully wrapped the precious stone within it, and quietly opened her room's window. With a leap of faith, she plunged into the abyss of the night.
As she sprinted through the wilderness, she could faintly hear her elderly father's voice questioning the strangers about their intentions. However, the voice persisted, this time commanding, "get her," from within her own room.
The darkness of the forest enveloped her as she dashed forward, her ears catching the sound of heavy footsteps closely trailing behind. One of the pursuers urgently urged the others to hasten their pace, fearing she would reach the river.
As the young woman accelerated towards the river, she caught a fleeting sight of a white flying boat gracefully hovering above the river's edge. Determined to set it free from its restraints, she realized that her relentless pursuers were closing in rapidly, leaving no time to untether the boat. With no other choice, she bravely plunged into the icy waters below.
As they gathered by the river banks, one of the four men made a bold decision to remove his boots and follow Miriam into the water, while the remaining three eagerly paced along the river sides, eagerly awaiting the girl's reappearance from the other side.
After a few minutes, the other man who had also ventured into the river after Miriam swam back towards his friends. And so, they retraced their steps back the same way they had come.
Unexpectedly, Miriam emerged from the bushes not too far from where the men were standing. Contrary to their expectations, she didn't swim to the opposite end but instead swam upwards and then concealed herself in the tall grasses.
The young girl, with her exceptional knowledge of the area, made a bold choice to venture in the opposite direction of the enemy's path. Curiosity consumed her as she skillfully maneuvered through the dense forest, eventually leading her back to her father's backyard.
Upon arrival, she carefully untied the black headscarf, inspected the valuable gem it concealed, securely tied it once again, and discreetly tucked it away in her pocket.
Determined to gather information, she stealthily circled the building, attempting to eavesdrop on any conversations, but unfortunately, her efforts proved fruitless. Undeterred, she resolved to spend the nights hidden within the safety of the woods.
As the girl awoke to the melodic tunes of the singing birds, she found herself feeling weary, disheveled, and famished. The incident that had led her to possess the precious stone had not yet fully sunk in.
Nevertheless, she cautiously made her way to the front yard, where she noticed that the door stood wide open. With a sense of urgency, Miriam hurried inside and headed straight for her father's room, only to discover that every corner of the house had been ransacked.
It became evident to her that the intruders who had visited during the night were solely interested in the precious stone. Where was her father now, and how had these men come to know about the stone? These questions raced through her mind as she hurriedly changed her clothes.
Miriam's heart raced as she darted towards the parlor door, desperate to escape the impending danger. The sound of a car engine roared in her ears, its speed increasing as it barreled towards their home. Without hesitation, she sprinted into her room and leaped through the open window, propelling herself into the safety of the surrounding woods.
Finding refuge behind a sturdy tree, Miriam peered through the branches, her eyes fixed on her room's window in the distance. A surge of fear coursed through her as she witnessed the face of a man appearing in her window, followed by another in her father's. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her mind, leaving her anxious about her father's well-being.
After what felt like an eternity, Miriam's concern for her father grew unbearable. Determined to uncover the truth, she made the decision to return to the house. As she cautiously approached, the sound of the car faded into the distance, leaving her with a sense of unease. However, upon entering the house, there was no sign of her father, leaving her with a deepening sense of worry and uncertainty.
Uncertain of what course of action to take, Miriam hurried into the kitchen. She grabbed some bread, packets of cheese, and a bottle of water, hastily stuffing them into a bag before darting back into the woods.
As she traversed the forest, she nibbled on the bread, her steps swift and purposeful. At a certain point, a peculiar sensation washed over her, as if the powers of the precious stone were influencing everything unfolding around her.
Intrigued, Miriam resolved to navigate her way through the woods to the abandoned manor, the very place where she had encountered the Ghost who bestowed upon her the treasure.
Approaching the manor from its rear, she cautiously entered. After taking several steps into one of the halls, she halted and pressed herself closer to the wall. Her gaze fixated on the surface, her eyes darting about as if attempting to decipher its secrets.
In a hushed tone, she whispered tearfully to the wall, "Dear Michael , it is true that I possess the gift to perceive spirits. However, since your ghost vanished into this very wall, leaving me with this stone, I have been unable to sleep and my sight has been obscured.”
After uttering these words, she fell silent, straining her ears for any signs of eavesdroppers. Then, she cried out once more, "If you truly love me as you claimed, guide me on what I must do. I yearn to find my father and deserve to find happiness.”
Stepping back a few paces from the wall, she pondered her own actions, questioning whether it was right to fall in love with a ghost. This notion, combined with the unfolding events, instilled a deeper sense of fear within her spirit.
Miriam had made a firm decision not to carry the precious stone with her. With the unknown threat looming over her, she believed it was wise to conceal the stone within the Manor. Her priority was to locate her father, and that was the foremost thought in her mind.
As she ventured deeper into a dimly lit corridor, searching for a suitable hiding spot for the stone, she heard the sound of crushed eggshells beneath her sneakers. Curiosity piqued, she knelt down to investigate, only to discover a freshly broken egg on the floor.
"Someone was just here," she whispered to herself. Without wasting a moment, she swiftly exited the Manor and made her way back to the woods. It was there, amidst the trees, that an idea struck her. She decided to pay a visit to the ghost's mother. However, before doing so, she dug a hole beneath a sturdy tree and carefully buried the stone.
Upon reaching the old woman's residence, Miriam found her confined to her room. Aware of the lady's frail condition, Miriam bypassed the formalities and entered her sleeping quarters directly.
To her surprise, the old woman rose from her bed as if anticipating Miriam's arrival. With a curious gaze fixed upon her, she inquired about the whereabouts of the stone.
Perplexed by the question, Miriam's thoughts were interrupted by approaching footsteps from the parlor, heading straight towards the old woman's room.
Recognizing the voices, Miriam knew exactly who they belonged to. One was the individual who had ordered the search of her father's house, while the other was the person who had urged their companions to chase her relentlessly through the dark woods. Before she could formulate a plan, the latter voice declared, "This is the girl.”
Miriam was taken aback when she realized that she knew one of the first two men who entered the room. It was strange to see him there, considering they lived in the same part of town. He was the young man who had encouraged the others to follow her up at night. It became clear that he had been hired to assist in finding the girl, which explained how the other men were able to chase her so easily in the woods.
The second man, with a mix of happiness and a threatening gaze, fixed his eyes on Miriam. "Marcus, what's going on?" the old lady asked, clearly recognizing him as her son.
Despite his fake smile, Marcus's appearance was unsettling. His long, cranky face, dry and worn from what seemed like years of drug abuse, along with his large, red eyeballs, gave Miriam the impression that he had some connection to the devil himself.
In contrast to his nephew Michael , who had the face of an angel, Marcus had nothing to offer a beautiful and humble girl like Miriam. His lanky figure lacked any qualities that she could desire in a man.
Suddenly, Marcus opened his palms wide towards Miriam and uttered the words, "my stone." Confused, his mother shouted back at him, demanding to know which stone he was referring to. But Marcus seemed unaffected by her words, as if they were water off a duck's back.
Miriam found solace in the lady's voice, realizing that she was not alone in this situation. With newfound courage, she exclaimed, "What have you done to my father?" However, Marcus remained silent, his palms still outstretched towards her, focused solely on the stone.
His mother, struggling to stand on her feet, asked Marcus, "What is she talking about? I hope you haven't done anything foolish." In response, Marcus fired back at his mother, telling her to shut up.
At that moment, Miriam was convinced in her heart that the devil truly had no respect for anyone. Suddenly, the other three men who had been in the parlor entered the room.
One of them, unmistakably an Arab from his accent and appearance, advised Marcus to stop shouting and instead retrieve the precious stone from the girl. It was clear that they were all after the same thing.
However, Marcus's response to the Arab man shed light on Miriam's understanding of how he could track her down. He emphasized that her mother's revelation of their family secret to Miriam was evidence of her lack of love for him.
He was straightforward in expressing his intentions to sell all their properties, including their home, and distance himself once he became wealthy. Miriam could sense the seriousness in his words, as there was no hint of humor in his tone.
This deepened her concerns about her father's well-being, prompting her to ask the man, "Where will you leave your mother?" His response was not surprising to Miriam, as he shouted, "She can go to hell." This made her realize that inquiring about her father's whereabouts would be futile.
The other men simply observed their supposed boss's actions, understanding that it would ultimately benefit them.
In a sudden frenzy, Marcus's mother requested him to fetch her medication. Without hesitation, he stormed towards a small cupboard in the room, grabbed two packets of tablets, and ruthlessly threw them on the floor, crushing them under his feet.
Unexpectedly, he bypassed the men standing by the door, entered the adjacent room, and returned with a dagger as sharp as the word itself. He menacingly pointed it at Miriam and uttered, "The stone."
The Arab man, who seemed to have some control over Marcus, calmly approached and took the knife from him. "This is unnecessary," he stated.
Marcus moved in closer, his eyes scanning every inch of Miriam's body in search of the precious gemstone. As he struggled to unbutton her trousers, Miriam's voice erupted in a defiant shout, "It's not here.”
The Arab, undeterred, demanded to know where she had hidden the stone. Miriam, her voice filled with determination, responded, "Bring me my father, and then we can talk about the stone." She added, almost sarcastically, "If bargaining with Satan himself is not an option, we might as well try his agents.
The Arab, intrigued by Miriam's boldness, suggested that she be allowed to see her father. Marcus, with a firm grip on her arm, forcefully pulled Miriam outside, the other men following closely behind.
With Miriam in tow, Marcus confidently led the way into a small structure resembling a parking store, not too far from the main building. As they entered, Miriam's eyes widened in shock, and she cried out, "Oh! Father!" There, before her, was her elderly father, bound to a chair with a cloth tightly secured around his mouth and neck.
Upon seeing his daughter, her father, aware of the hardships she had endured, could not hold back his own tears. "That's your father. Where is the stone?" Marcus demanded.
"Please, untie him. I will take you to the place where I hid it," Miriam pleaded. Marcus inquired about the exact location of the stone, and without hesitation, the girl revealed that she had concealed it at the Manor.
Marcus was taken aback, his face breaking into a wide smile. His admiration for Miriam's cleverness was evident. The Manor was the last place he would have ever considered. The Arab man suggested keeping Miriam's father close, and Marcus agreed.
However, Marcus felt a sense of frustration when Miriam revealed the gem from its hiding place beneath the tree. In his opinion, Miriam should have kept it securely within the Manor where it was originally stored. "If I had killed you, no one would ever be able to find it again," he remarked with certainty.
Without uttering a single word, the Arab man retraced his steps towards the pickup they had arrived in. He retrieved a black bag and extracted an egg from it. Reciting what seemed to be a prayer, he handed the egg to Marcus, who accepted it eagerly.
Following this, Marcus instructed Miriam to place the stone on the ground. Summoning all his strength, he forcefully smashed the egg against the stone. With a triumphant cry of "Alleluya," he picked up the stone.
These individuals were the ones who had previously visited the manor, a fact that Miriam confirmed when Marcus forcefully smashed the egg against the stone. It was evident that he had traveled a great distance to bring the Arab man, who appeared to be a true expert in his field.
Now, the Arab man sat, tapping the dagger he had taken from Marcus at the old woman's residence, displaying an unfriendly smile. He informed Marcus that he had completed his task and desired to return.
Marcus locked eyes with him and firmly stated, "You know the plan. We must proceed to the next phase before you can go back." He then turned to one of his silent companions and inquired if he was prepared to assess the situation and provide immediate payment. The man nodded in agreement.
This was no laughing matter. Marcus intended to sell their family property, all while his elderly mother remained in the house. The other men entered the car, while Marcus hastily attempted to wipe the egg residue from the stone using a handkerchief.
Miriam, comprehending the gravity of the situation, softly questioned Marcus about his intentions regarding his mother. He looked at her with a mixture of surprise and mockery, questioning why she cared for the elderly.
"You even sacrificed a precious stone that could have made you wealthy for a lifetime just to protect your aging father," Marcus added. He then informed Miriam that he understood she had no mother, and if she desired, she could take his own.
As if anticipating his response, Miriam replied, "Yes, I need a mother." Marcus erupted, exclaiming that she should go and retrieve his mother, accusing her of collecting old people. He swiftly joined his friends in the car and sped away.
Miriam turned to her father, who had remained calm and silent throughout the ordeal, and inquired about his thoughts. Her father regarded Marcus as a lunatic and emphasized the urgency of reaching the old woman as quickly as possible.
When they arrived at the old woman's residence, the Arab man and the two other men accompanying Marcus were in the front yard, adjacent to the storage room where Miriam's father was initially held captive. Upon entering the old lady's room, Miriam noticed that Marcus himself was nowhere to be found.
"My dear, please take me away from here," the old lady cried out to Miriam, mustering the strength to rise from her bed and stand on her feet. For Miriam, this only made her task easier. With the assistance of her father, they gathered a few belongings belonging to the woman from both the room and the parlor.
Marcuss's mother instructed Miriam to use her pickup truck, and although the young girl initially hesitated, the Arab man, who had approached the main building, encouraged her to accept the offer. It was the best available option if she intended to leave with the two elderly individuals.
Without any further hesitation, Miriam carefully positioned the grandmother in the back seat, with her father seated beside her in the front. They drove away. However, the absence of Marcus lingered in Miriam's thoughts.
It was approximately 8pm, and the elderly woman, who had already taken some medicine after a lunch prepared by Miriam, had retired to bed. Miriam had insisted that she use her own room, while she sat in the parlor with her father, engaged in a discussion.
The loss of the precious stone had shattered their dreams of transforming their family's fortunes. Miriam and her father were discussing this unfortunate turn of events, along with other family matters, when they heard a knock at the door.
Diligently, Miriam walked to the door and peered through the peephole. It was Lyncon, the young boy who had assisted Marcus and his friends in chasing her all over.
"What do you want again, Lyncon?" she asked, without opening the door. He assured her that he came in peace and simply needed to talk.
Meanwhile, Miriam's father had retrieved a gun from his room and instructed the girl to open the door. Lyncon entered cautiously, exuding an air of reassurance.
He was followed closely by a sophisticatedly dressed lady, whose exquisite jewelry and captivating perfume hinted at her high social standing.
Miriam observed as Lyncon sat across from her at the table, his arms folded and his gaze fixed on her. It was evident that he had something to say, but didn't quite know where to start.
Curiosity got the better of Miriam's father, breaking the silence. He inquired about the identity of the lady, to which Lyncon revealed that she was Mrs Moore, the widow of the owner of the precious stone.
Angrily, Miriam's father questioned why Lyncon had brought Mrs Moore to their house, knowing that Marcus had taken the stone from Miriam.
"Marcus is dead," Mrs Moore interjected, causing a heavy silence to descend upon the room. Miriam couldn't help but ask what had happened.
According to Mrs Moore, when they arrived at the old woman's house, they discovered Marcus's lifeless body lying in a pool of blood, a dagger plunged deep into his throat.
"I'm certain the Arab man killed him with the dagger," Lyncon asserted. However, Miriam questioned how he could make such a claim when he had been with Marcus the entire time.
Lyncon explained that Marcus had left him on the way back from the manor. The look on Lyncon's face betrayed his feelings of betrayal by Marcus. He confirmed this by stating, "Marcus never kept his word."
Everything suddenly became clear to Miriam and her father. Lyncon, unable to obtain what Marcus had promised him, sought revenge by informing Mrs Moore that they had found the precious stone.
Miriam inquired of Mrs Moore why she had come to their home, knowing that she was no longer in possession of the stone. Mrs Moore explained to Miriam that, with the assistance of the Arab man, they could search and surely locate the stone at Marcus's mother's place.
Mrs Moore firmly believed that the stone was still somehow connected to Marcus, but it required someone with spiritual abilities to uncover it. However, based on all the evidence, Miriam sensed that Lyncon had planted this idea in Mrs Moore's mind.
While Mrs Moore was speaking, Miriam abruptly stood up and hurried into her room to check on Marcus's mother. She feared that the elderly woman might have overheard their conversation, and considering her fragile health, Miriam worried that news about her son might further distress her.
Upon entering the room, Miriam found the old lady seated on the bed, tears streaming down her face. Miriam rushed to her side and gently placed her hand around the elderly woman's neck, offering comfort.
Resting her head on Miriam's chest, the old lady whispered, "He was not truly a bad child." Miriam nodded, attempting to console the woman, but deep down, she struggled to find a justification to accept the old woman's assertion about Marcus.
The old woman instructed Miriam to accompany her to the parlor, where she desired to have a conversation with Mrs Moore. Miriam gently guided her to the parlor and ensured she was seated closer to Mrs Moore.
During their discussion, Mrs Moore expressed her urgent need for the stone to fulfill a wish. The refined woman revealed that her husband had passed away, leaving her childless, and now she faced the risk of losing her new partner due to her inability to conceive.
As Mrs Moore spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, evoking sympathy from everyone present in the house. Just as Marcus's mother was about to respond, a knock on the door interrupted the moment.
Miriam's father, still holding his gun, approached the door and peered through the peephole once again. He then turned and whispered to those behind him, "It's the Arab man."
The man outside pleaded, "Please open the door." Mrs Moore, desperate to meet the Arab man, urged Miriam's father to let him in. As he entered, he raised his hands upon noticing the gun in the old man's grasp.
The Arab man's shirt was disheveled, with the first three buttons missing from the chest area. He turned his attention towards Marcus's mother, boldly asserting that her son was of questionable character.
With an air of confidence, he assured the elderly woman that she need not worry, as he had taken care of her wayward offspring. The grandmother scrutinized the Arab man, attempting to glean something from his piercing gray eyes.
Curiously, everyone in the house regarded him with a mixture of confusion, as even his accent seemed to have undergone a peculiar transformation, leaving them perplexed.
In a bold move, the Arab man proceeded to request payment from the old lady, not only for his services but also because his son owed him money. He disclosed that Marcus had compelled him to travel from his homeland solely to assist in retrieving the precious stone from a ghostly entity.
However, Miriam informed the Arab man that Marcus's mother was not obligated to repay him, as she had not instructed her son to invite him for any business purposes. With Marcus now deceased and the stone missing, it would be more prudent for him to return to his home country.
In response, the Arab man, wearing a friendly smile, turned to Miriam and uttered, "I can offer you even more, my dear." Miriam reiterated, "We do not owe you anything."
The Arab man's face flushed with anger and impatience, causing the elderly lady to feel a sense of fear. She then questioned the man, "As you can see, Marcus even sold my house. How do you expect me to compensate you?"
The Arab man proceeded to reveal that Marcus had not actually sold the house, but rather attempted to deceive everyone. According to his account, Marcus left them waiting in the yard alongside the buyer, claiming that he would secure the precious stone inside the house. However, Marcus never returned.
Furthermore, the Arab man disclosed that upon Miriam's departure with Marcus's mother, he entered the house only to discover that Marcus was nowhere to be found. Marcus had managed to escape through a window.
The Arab man explained that both the buyer and the other individual left upon realizing Marcus had fled. However, he made the decision to remain in the house, and fortunately, Marcus was taken aback when he returned.
When Marcus declared that he would not pay the Arab man due to the disappearance of the precious stone, a heated altercation ensued, resulting in Marcus losing his life and two of his teeth.
At this juncture, everyone in the house finally comprehended the reason behind the Arab man's altered accent. Each word he spoke was accompanied by a hissing "s" sound, as air escaped through the gaps left by his missing teeth.
However, in an attempt to persuade the Arab man to leave, Marcus's mother informed him that the only asset she had left was her house. She proposed that if he could find a buyer for the property, she would use the proceeds to settle her son's debt.
In response, the Arab man informed the woman that he was unable to find a buyer due to his non-national status. However, he tantalizingly offered to reveal an intriguing secret about the stone if she could compensate him.
Upon hearing the Arab man's proposition, Mrs Moore interjected and expressed her willingness to purchase the property immediately. The sophisticated lady then turned to the Arab man and inquired if he could locate the stone. After a brief moment of contemplation, he responded affirmatively.
Caught in a state of confusion, the old lady found it challenging to decline Mrs Moore's proposal in the presence of the Arab man, whose unwavering gaze bore into her.
Without hesitation, Mrs Moore hurried outside, accompanied by Lyncon. Meanwhile, the Arab man addressed those remaining in the house, expressing his observation that they were all good-hearted individuals who did not deserve their current predicament.
He proceeded to inform the elderly woman that it might be of interest to her that her grandson Michael was still alive. Upon hearing these words, Miriam rose from her seat and approached him with a gentle stride, locking eyes with him. "What do you mean?" she inquired.
The Arab man spoke with unwavering certainty, his voice filled with conviction. "I mean, Michael is not dead," he replied. However, Marcus's mother, her voice trembling with mixed emotions, interjected, "My grandson has been buried for twelve years today”.
Miriam approached and sat beside her, gently holding and caressing the old lady's hand in an attempt to provide comfort. Meanwhile, the Arab man's revelation was nothing short of astonishing.
He claimed that on the day Michael disappeared in the manor, he was with Marcus. Marcus, aware that his nephew had discovered the precious stone and mysteriously vanished, staged Michael 's death.
Curious, the Arab man asked the old woman if she had seen Michael 's body before it was laid to rest. She replied that she had only seen the coffin on the day of the burial. However, Marcus had given her the clothes Michael had worn on the day of the incident at the manor, which supposedly took his life.
"You are correct," the Arab man continued. He explained that Marcus didn't want anyone to know that Michael had found the stone which is why he lied.
Then, locking eyes with Miriam once again, he revealed that what she had seen in the manor was actually Michael . However, the truth was that the mystical stone had held him captive in a way that no human could perceive him, even if they heard his voice.
The Arab man informed Miriam that she possessed supernatural gifts, which allowed her to see the boy. "Now you understand why I couldn't spare Marcus when I had the chance to kill him. It was either him or me," the Arab man confessed.
He further explained that all the lights and voices Miriam had witnessed in the manor were orchestrated by the stone. "It is a peaceful and precious stone, but its powers surpass human imagination," the man revealed.
"So, what can we do to rescue Michael ? How certain are we that we can bring him back alive?" Miriam inquired, her voice filled with concern. The Arab man advised Miriam to do everything in her power to retrieve the stone, as it was the only key to revealing and freeing the boy.
According to the man's words, when Michael was twelve years old, it was equivalent to twelve hours in the Manor. Miriam found some reassurance in this, as she remembered Michael mentioning that he had been in the Manor for twelve hours.
The Arab man then instructed Miriam that once she obtained the stone, she should go to the exact spot where Michael disappeared and recite the Arabic words "alhubbu w alsalam" four times on the stone, followed by making her wish.
He made it clear to Miriam that she needed to ensure that whatever she said came from a place of authenticity and sincerity. "A wicked and deceitful heart is not accepted," he emphasized.
Suddenly, there was a swift and forceful knock on the door once again. Mrs Moore and Lyncon had returned, with Mrs Moore holding a briefcase. As they hurriedly took their seats, Miriam quickly informed them that the old lady refused to sell her property.
However, Miriam's father interjected, suggesting that they allow them to purchase the plot, as the elderly woman had already given her word. Mrs Moore gently opened the briefcase and placed it in front of the old woman, informing her that she could have everything inside.
The old woman calmly advised Miriam to take the money and pay whatever she could to the Arab man. She explained that there was no need for her to keep anything, as all her children were deceased.
Feeling the anguish in the elderly mother's voice, Miriam's father expressed his desire to escape the town and start anew in a distant place, far away from the troubles that plagued them.
In that moment, Mrs Moore assured them that they finally had the means to make this dream a reality. With a confident gesture, she pointed towards the briefcase. Miriam's gaze shifted towards the Arab man, and she urged him to retrieve the amount Marcus owed him from the briefcase.
Silently, the man approached the table and meticulously counted ten bundles of cash from the briefcase. He then requested a bag from Miriam and carefully placed the money inside.
Mrs. Moore retrieved two copies of an agreement from her bag, along with a pen, and placed them in front of the elderly lady for her signature. Without taking the time to read the documents, the grandmother promptly signed them.
Lyncon then inquired if he could access his own funds from the briefcase, but Mrs. Moore declined, reminding him of their agreement and assuring him that she would compensate him accordingly.
Having settled the matter, Mrs. Moore secured a copy of the signed agreement in her bag, rose from her seat, and informed the Arab that they should proceed immediately to search for the stone. Lyncon followed closely behind.
In the morning, Miriam awoke to the melodious songs of birds outside, after spending the night pondering and daydreaming on the couch in the parlor. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of performing a miraculous feat to obtain the coveted magic precious stone.
However, her attention was abruptly drawn to a copy of the agreement that Marcus's mother had signed with Mrs Moore the previous night. The enchanting maiden hastily seized the document and began to scrutinize its contents. One particular clause within the agreement threatened to shatter her sanity.
Frantically, she searched for Marcus's mother in her room, only to find it empty. The same fate awaited her when she checked her father's room. Desperate, she rushed outside, where she discovered them both seated in the yard, engrossed in a discussion, basking in the gentle rays of the early morning sun.
"Father, have you read this?" Miriam's question was directed at both elderly individuals. Without waiting for their response, she proceeded to highlight a clause in the agreement that stipulated Mrs Moore's inability to demand a refund for the property she had purchased from Marcus's mother. Furthermore, the agreement explicitly forbade the old lady from setting foot on the property.
Additionally, according to the agreement, Marcus's mother had no right to claim the precious stone under any circuMrstances if Mrs Moore were to discover it on the property. "This implies that if Mrs Moore were to find the stone, all hope of rescuing Michael would be lost."
Miriam's father gently informed her that he had also reviewed the agreement, which aligned with their discussion with the elderly lady. He explained that Marcus's mother had insisted on leaving the town on the same day, if possible.
Miriam began to speak, but reconsidered, mindful of the frailty of the elderly lady's health. Despite her deep love for Michael and her burning desire to rescue him, the young girl deemed it wise to heed the suggestion of the elderly individuals.
Therefore, Miriam responded, "If that would bring you happiness, then I am in agreement." Recognizing that his daughter would never give up on the search for the precious stone, Miriam's father proposed that she begin packing while he inspected the pickup to ensure it was in optimal condition for a long journey.
Miriam was busy parking their luggage, she heard her father talking to someone with an unusually loud voice. Curiosity piqued, the young girl hurried outside to meet her father, only to discover that he was conversing with Lyncon.
Lyncon appeared disheveled and in a state of disrepair. When he caught sight of Miriam, he approached her, while her father followed closely behind, clearly irritated and determined to prevent any nonsensical conversation from bothering his daughter again.
Without uttering a word, Miriam locked eyes with the young man, who bore a striking resemblance to Marcus, save for the fact that some financial assistance could greatly improve Lyncon's physical appearance.
"What seemed to be the issue, Lyncon? Did you find the stone?" Miriam inquired. However, with a sincere and pleading voice, Lyncon implored Miriam to give him some money from the funds Mrs Moore had paid Marcus's mother the previous night.
Perplexed, Miriam still asked if they had found the stone. However, Lyncon admitted uncertainty, expressing doubt that the stone could be located even if they scoured the entire town. As anticipated, this news shattered Miriam's spirit.
Calmly, with his hand resting on Miriam's neck, her father asked Lyncon about the whereabouts of the Arab man and Mrs Moore. According to the boy, the Arab had deceived them. He had coerced Lyncon and Mrs Moore into digging a grave and burying Marcus that very night.
Lyncon, his voice seething with anger, recounted how the Arab man had sat idly, watching them dig the grave, while indulging in wine from a bottle he had taken from the old lady's house. Miriam's father nearly burst into laughter upon hearing this, but for the sake of his daughter, he suppressed his amusement.
After a few moments of silence, Lyncon let out a sigh and continued speaking. He expressed his frustration with the fact that the Arab man had instructed them to recite Arabic words while seated on Marcus's grave. "We've been chanting 'ana ahmaq aljashae' since last night until dawn."
At this point, Miriam's father could no longer contain the laughter that had been building up inside him. The situation became even more amusing when Miriam asked Lyncon if he knew the meaning of "ana ahmaq aljashae," and the boy admitted that he had just discovered it meant "I'm a greedy fool."
Miriam couldn't help but join in the laughter, but her amusement quickly faded when she remembered that the Arab man had also given her some words to recite once she arrived at the manor. She turned to Lyncon and asked about Mrs. Moore.
"When I left this morning, she was still busy chanting 'ana ahmaq aljashae' at the old woman's place, hoping that the precious stone would resurface," Lyncon replied. Miriam then pleaded with her father to stop laughing, as the old man had found something amusing after a long time.
Suddenly, the old man excused himself, went inside, had a discussion with Marcus's mother, and returned with two bundles of cash, which he handed to Lyncon. This brought a spark to Lyncon's eyes, and his face lit up slightly. Miriam thanked her father for the kind gesture.
With a considerable sum of money lining Lyncons' pockets, he divulged Mrs Moore's closely guarded secrets to Miriam and her father. It was a shocking revelation that the seemingly sophisticated lady was now bankrupt. In fact, the funds she used to purchase the old woman's property were the last remnants from selling her late husband's remaining properties.
According to Lyncons' account, Mr Moore married the lady from a destitute background and elevated her to wealth. Unfortunately for him, she began an affair with her former boyfriend and her husband, after numerous futile attempts to halt his wife's infidelity, he tragically took his own life.
Consumed by anger, her late husband concealed the precious stone that had brought them prosperity within the manor. He hoped that his wife would change her wicked ways upon realizing their wealth was dwindling.
However, somehow the lady managed to extract the stone's location from her husband before his demise. For several nights, she visited the place but failed to locate the stone.
Frustrated, Mrs Moore revealed the existence of the powerful stone to the entire town, hoping to negotiate with anyone who could find and return it.
To make matters worse, the man with whom she cheated on her husband, after aiding in the squandering of her riches, abandoned her and vanished to an unknown destination.
Upon seeing the expression on Miriam's face, Lyncon realized that she pitied Mrs Moore. He reassured her not to feel sorry for the sophisticated lady, as he believed she deserved her current situation. Lyncon made it clear to Miriam that Mrs Moore's sole concern was money, nothing more.
Miriam, recognizing the similarities between Lyncon and Mrs Moore, inquired about the whereabouts of the Arab man. Lyncon informed her that he had searched for the man extensively that morning, only to discover an open window facing the backyard upon returning to the house. Following the same path, Lyncon left Mrs Moore behind.
This revelation left Miriam with conflicting emotions. She pondered whether the Arab man had found the stone and would come to Michael 's rescue, or if he had absconded with the valuable gem for good.
In a surprising turn of events, Lyncon joyfully announced his departure from town that very day, citing his desire to avoid further encounters with Mrs Moore. It was evident to Miriam that Lyncon had realized Mrs Moore had nothing more to offer him.
"I wish you all the best," Miriam bid farewell to Lyncon, who departed with a leap of joy.
It was around 8 pm when Miriam's father returned from the garage after checking and servicing the pickup. Miriam had already packed everything necessary for their journey.
Without hesitation, she placed Marcus's mother in the back seat and helped her dad load their belongings into the vehicle. As she did this, she glanced down the road, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Arab man approaching their compound.
When the tires of the pickup hit the pavement, Miriam's heart skipped a beat. She couldn't believe they were leaving town without Michael , despite everything the Arab man had told them about.
Recalling Lyncon's warnings about the Arab man, Miriam struggled to justify asking her father to stay behind and search for the magic stone to save Michael .
As her father drove in silence, Miriam scanned the streets, desperate to spot the Arab man and ensure they didn't miss him on his way to their home.
Silently, the elderly woman sat in the back seat, her head slowly turning from side to side as she gazed out onto the street. Miriam couldn't help but wonder what thoughts were running through the old woman's mind. Despite her curiosity, she refrained from asking any questions, aware of the hardships the woman had endured.
As the car passed by the rundown manor, everyone in the vehicle stole a glance at the fading structure. Miriam's father, noticing the sadness in his daughter's expression, suggested, "Perhaps you'd like to take one last look at the manor before we continue our journey."
Concerned that revisiting the manor might be unsettling for the elderly woman in the back seat, Miriam replied, "I would love to, but it's dark outside." Sensing Miriam's hesitation, the old lady spoke up, "I would like to bid farewell to my grandson before leaving this town for good."
Upon hearing the elderly woman's words, Miriam's father swiftly made a U-turn and drove directly to the manor. The darkness enveloped them as they approached, with her father strategically positioning the vehicle's lights to illuminate the structure.
Guiding the elderly woman, Miriam led her to the wall where Michael had vanished, her father closely trailing behind. As they reached the spot, the car's light dimmed, casting a shadow over the hall.
After a few moments of silence, Miriam's father inquired if she remembered the Arabic words the man had instructed her to recite at the wall. She confirmed, whispering "alhubbu w alsalam." He then asked how many times she was to repeat the words, to which she replied, "four times."
"Repeat it at least four times," the old man instructed Miriam. As the young girl repeated the words for the fourth time, a light brighter than the sun filled the entire room. The sudden appearance of the light was so intense that Miriam's father had to hold onto the two ladies as they panicked.
"Grandma," a voice called from behind them, causing the old woman to shiver as a young man approached them with confidence. Miriam detached herself from her father's arms, walked gracefully towards the boy, locked eyes with him, and proceeded to embarrass him.
"Oh Michael ," the old woman exclaimed as she joined Miriam in teasing the boy. Miriam's father then urged them to quickly leave the area and get into the car.
As they sped away from the town in silence, the seating arrangement in the car had shifted. Miriam now sat in the back seat with Michael , while the old lady found the strength to sit in the front seat with Miriam's father.
Breaking the silence with a smile, Michael said, "Papa give me the precious stone." Miriam's father stopped the car, looked at Michael , chuckled, and then handed the stone to him.
"How did you know about the stone?" the old woman inquired. Michael explained that from the other side where he resided, he could see everything.
Ever since Miriam helped him cross into the otherworld, he had been living among people in a different realm. The only distinction was that while those on the other side could perceive things in both worlds, those in the physical realm could not.
Turning to Miriam, Michael disclosed that he had seen her the day she visited the manor, but was not allowed to speak to her. He then informed his grandmother that they were the ones who caused Marcus to forget the stone on the table in her room the day he fled.
Meanwhile, Miriam appeared to be overwhelmed by the situation. She had numerous questions swirling in her mind, but didn't know where to begin. How did the precious stone end up in her father's pockets? And why did Michael's grandmother seem unfazed by it all?
Seeing the frustration in his daughter, Miriam's father turned to her and explained that they simply wanted to surprise her with the stone. "Reciting the Arab words wasn't enough to activate the magic, my dear," he said.
Angrily, Miriam asked her father if he had the stone in his pockets, to which he nodded in confirmation, pointing to the elderly woman as the one who had given it to him that morning. Feeling overwhelmed, she requested that her father stop the vehicle as she didn't want to continue the journey.
However, Michael intervened, gently taking her hand, locking eyes with her, and reassuring her not to be upset as everything was predestined from another realm. He then produced a golden box from his jacket, placed the stone inside, and handed it to Miriam.
The stone fit perfectly into a slot in the box, clearly designed for it. Michael explained to Miriam that the people from the other world had chosen her to be the guardian of the precious stone, as they saw her as the one capable of caring for it. This was why she had faced the trials she had endured.
Miriam was informed that the people from the other world had guided her spiritually to the manor from the very beginning, recognizing her ability to see spirits.
Michael emphasized the importance of the box in relation to the stone, explaining that the stone could not exist without it. He advised that it was necessary to pour water on the stone before touching it, unless it was in the presence of the box.
In that case, pouring water or breaking an egg on it was not required. "It is a clean and peaceful stone that deserves to be kept in a clean and peaceful environment, and handled by peaceful individuals," Michael added.
Furthermore, Michael revealed that there were only a few other stones like it on Earth, and they were only possessed by individuals who were peaceful, loving, and kind-hearted. This revelation helped Miriam understand why Mrs. Moore had been unable to locate the stone following the passing of her husband.
With a smile, Miriam exclaimed, "Don't tell me you were also chosen to go into the other world just to get the box for the precious stone." Michael replied gently, "Yes, you're correct."
The young, handsome man then pulled Miriam closer to him, kissed her, and held her close to his chest. With one hand, he removed a map from his jacket and gave it to the driver. "Do you know this place?" he asked.
Miriam's father, with wide eyes filled with excitement, said, "This is by the sea shores, I know this place." Michael replied gently, "A house and a yacht await us there." Miriam smiled at her father, knowing this had always been his lifetime dream.
"I'll need some swimming pants and sunglasses," the old woman, who had been quiet, made everyone burst into serious laughter.
The driver exclaimed "Alhubbu w alsalam" as he drove more quickly, his headlights cutting through the darkness of the chilly night. Miriam, seated in the back, inquired "Dad, what does that mean?" The old man responded, "It means love and peace."
While Miriam's father found his dreamed life, the old woman found a good reason to live longer in her grandson. As for Miriam and Michael , it was just the beginning of a true love story.