The Spectral Dance of Miravale
Once upon a time, in the quaint town of Miravale, there lived an orphaned boy, Sam. Sam was a 12-year-old little boy with sparkling blue eyes full of mischief, a mind full of enthusiasm, and a heart full of dreams. He was an orphan, living under the charitable hands of Mrs. Mary, who ran the local orphanage.
Every evening, Sam used to sit beside the window and gaze at the old, abandoned house at the end of the town. The house, said the town folk, was haunted by the spirits of its old owners, Lord and Lady Brooke. They were known to have been some of the richest people of the town, and hence their fortune was rumored to lay hidden, somewhere in the depths of their old house. Despite being warned about the dangers, Sam’s adventurous spirit found the house intriguing.
One day, with bravery stowed firmly in his heart, he decided to step in the haunted house. Guided by his torch and the eerie moonlight, he stumbled into the luxurious ballroom. Suddenly, his torch flickered off and the ballroom lit up, with spectral figures waltzing to melodious music. Sam’s heart pounded as he saw the ghostly figures of Lord and Lady Brooke leading the dance. With a gasp, he hid behind a dusty old curtain. The music concluded and the ballroom was once again immersed in darkness.
The next day, Sam returned with two friends, Mark and Luke, who too were eager to smother their curiosity. As they stepped into the house, it welcomed them to the mesmerizing sight of the spectral banquet. Mouth-watering spectral dishes floated about, being devoured by transparent ghostly figures. At a distant table, Sam noticed a ghost alone, noticed its transparent tears, and felt her suffering seep into his heart. He ran outside, leaving Mark and Luke behind.
For the subsequent days, Sam visited the distraught woman alone, curiosity driving him to learn more about her story. She introduced herself as Eliza, the maiden niece of the Brooks’, who died waiting for her lover to come back from the army. Sam sympathized with Eliza, his heart ached for her unfulfilled love, and he decided to help her.
Days turned into weeks and weeks into months as Sam diligently researched. His efforts finally bore fruit when he traced Eliza’s lover’s lineage and discovered that the lover's great-grandson was living in the next town. Convincing the man wasn't hard because he, much like the rest of his family, was aware of his great-grandfather’s love story. The man readily agreed to accompany Sam to the old house.
When Eliza’s eyes fell on the man bearing striking resemblance to her lost love, her spectral face brightened. As the man echoed his great-grandfather’s unfinished vows, her completion ignited the house. Lights flickered, music played and ghostly figures appeared for one last time, finally dancing in peace. A secret trapdoor appeared beneath their waltzing feet, revealing the lost treasure of the Brooks’. As dawn approached, the spectral figures vanished, leaving behind a silently cheering Sam and the fortune.
Today, Miravale is a bustling town, home to an excellent school and hospital, built from the Brooks’ fortune. Sam now has a home and a family, a prosperous town that he has helped build. The old mansion stands tall, not with haunting specters, but with the beautiful memories of its spectral inhabitants; a beacon of hope, love and bravery.