The canopy of spiders had hit this small winery hard, grapes withered died on the vines. Illness had already stolen her brother and now a sickeness of the mind had taken her father as well. But for the moment Charliegh knew nothing of this.
Feet pressed against the corpse littered ground , holes were appearing in the canopy, this years crop was gone but there was hope for next years. a smile curved lips that had for too long had no reason to find joy. That would plesae her father, lift his spirits. Fingers gathered her skirts into her hands and she began to run , she had to tell him had to let him know there was hope.
She knew something was wrong when she saw the door to the winery swinging aimlessly in the wind, Her father never left the door like that. "father" she called out as she slipped inside, but there was no answer. Amongst the vats and barrels she moved searching for him, but there was nothing. "what is that smell" the words fell from her lips as a foul stench tickled her nostrils. It smelt kind of like an unclean stable but there was something else a scent beneath that which was growing stronger. It was then she heard the sound, the creaking and saw the shadow moving back and forth across the floor. Gaze drifted upward and a scream of terror of grief tore from her throat "Father!!"
Up the steps to the balcony she flew "please dont be dead" the words fell over and over from her lips in a useless prayer for she knew, felt deep within herself it was alreayd far to late for prayers. She reached out grabbed a cold clammy hand of the swinging winemaker "I'm sorry i left you daddy" She sank to her knees that hand pressed against her forehead.
She was still there later when the workhands found her and
made her come away, when they cut her father down question was now what were they to do, with no other children Charliegh now owned the winery, would she keep it carry on or seek a buyer to banish the dark ghosts the meories this place would hold for her.
many futures can be changed, held in the balance by a single persons deed.