Homecoming of the Unseen🔊

In a quaint town from a bygone era located somewhere in the heartlands of England, there was an ancient manor known as Ashby Manor. Generations of the Ashby family had lived and died within its great halls. The manor had been standing tall for centuries, bearing within it numerous tales of love, war, joy, loss, and more. Amidst all such narratives, however, one tale stuck around the most; the enchanting story of the Unseen One - an entity known by various names including the 'Hidden Gentleman', 'Mister Whisper', or simply the 'Phantom'. The interaction with the unseen rendered an uncanny feeling, often making the residents and housekeepers experience an inexplicable shiver.

Jonathan was a distant descendant of the Ashby's, who had been living abroad due to his military posting. After thirty long years, he was finally returning to the town he had once called home. Like many things that are passed on from generation to generation, the story of the Unseen One was bestowed upon him by his grandmother. Jonathan was aware of the history, but not quite prepared for what was to transpire following his arrival.

On entering the manor, Jonathan was hit by a wave of nostalgia. His eyes swam through the grandeur of the building, revealing the magnificence of the royal interiors kept intact by the tireless household staff. The high, ancient tapestry, the gothic chandeliers, artful porcelain dishes, each object carried an echo of the past. However, amidst all these, the presence - or rather, absence - of the Unseen One lingered.

One cold night, while navigating the shadowy corridors, he came across a room that emanated a strange vibe; it was different than the rest of the manor. The atmosphere in the room clipped his heartbeat – it was a library that seemed to have been undisturbed for ages. Eerily, he noticed a specter of blue mist flow within the room. From behind a centuries-old tome, he heard a soft whisper. Mustered courage forced him to ask, 'Who's there?'

What followed was the echo of a man’s voice, dulcet yet mournful, confirming the existence of the Unseen One. Surprisingly, there was no fear, rather an uncanny warmth, an unspoken bond that connected them. Jonathan, with courage, continued to interact, gradually learning about the Unseen One; an Ashby family member from centuries ago who tragically lost his life in a war but continued to remain in his beloved home.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Jonathan’s encounter with the unseen became a daily affair; a peculiar but comforting friendship blossomed between them. The Unseen One's wisdom, gathered from different time periods and numerous Ashby generations, was enlightening. Jonathan, on his part, shared stories of the modern world, filling the unseen's existence with new experiences and information.

As fate would have it, Jonathan grew ill. As his health deteriorated, the unseen became his only constant companion. Despite the inability of the unseen to physically comfort him, his presence was comforting indeed. They continued their ritual - sharing, learning, comforting - until Jonathan's final day arrived.

With his last breath, he thanked the Unseen One for his companionship and promised to return. In the chilly, tactful manner, a simple whisper echoed, 'We are Ashbys', signifying the cycle of connection between the different generations and the unseen.

Ashby Manor continued to stand tall, nurturing the story of the Unseen One and Jonathan's extraordinary homecoming - a bizarre tale of friendship between the seen and unseen.