The first three chapters if you haven’t read them!
Chapter 01 | Chapter 02 | Chapter 03
I spent hours in the library, flipping through book after book, each one revealing a fragment of Willowbrook's dark history.
The more I read, the more entangled I became in the web of secrets and tragedies that had plagued the estate for centuries.
I learned of a series of mysterious deaths, each more unsettling than the last.
There was Eliza, a young girl who had vanished without a trace, her disappearance still unsolved. Then there was Jonathan, the groundskeeper who had been found hanging from the rafters of the barn, his death ruled a suicide but hinted to be something far more sinister. And finally, there was Eleanor, a distant relative of the Willowbrook family, who had been locked away in the attic for reasons unknown, her presence reduced to a ghostly legend among the townsfolk.
As I went deeper, the stories grew darker and more twisted. I read of rituals performed in the dead of night, sacrifices made to appease vengeful spirits and secret passages hidden within the walls of the mansion.
Each revelation left me more unnerved, but also more determined to uncover the truth.
Finally, my eyes fell upon a dusty, leather-bound journal, its pages yellowed with age. The name on the cover sent a chill down my spine: "Isadora."
I opened it with trembling hands, the inked words seemingly written at a different time, yet speaking directly to me.
The journal detailed Isadora's life at Willowbrook, her forbidden love for Marcus, and the torment she endured after their plan was discovered. Her words were filled with pain and longing, but also a fierce determination to be heard, to be remembered.
"I write this not for myself, but for those who will come after me," Isadora's final entry read.
"The truth must be known, and the wrongs must be righted. Only then will the spirits of Willowbrook find peace."
'She’s kinda dramatic man..' Pablo whispered. Not the time but I had to agree with him. She’s a bit dramatic.
As I closed the journal, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I knew what I had to do.
I had to find the hidden passages mentioned in the stories, uncover the secrets they held, and bring them to light.
Only then could I hope to free the souls trapped within these walls.
I left the library, my flashlight cutting through the darkness as I navigated the corridors of the mansion. The air grew colder with each step, and the silence was broken only by the occasional creak of the floorboards beneath my feet.
The sense of being watched was stronger than ever, but I pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.
'I’m watching you,' For god’s sake Pablo! You can’t watch me! You are me!
'Says who? I’m Pablo. Not Zeph,' he humped as I sighed. There are times that I regret naming him.
As I approached the grand staircase, a sudden movement caught my eye. I turned to see a figure standing at the top of the stairs, shrouded in shadow. It was Adrian, the caretaker.
"Miss Everhart," he said, his voice echoing through the empty hall. "Have you found what you seek?"
"Not yet," I replied, my voice steady despite the fear gnawing at my insides. "But I'm getting closer."
Adrian nodded, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Be careful," he warned. "The house does not give up its secrets easily. And remember, every answer comes with a price."
With that, he turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving me alone once more. I took a deep breath and continued up the stairs, my mind racing with questions and possibilities.
At the top of the staircase, I found a small door, its wood weathered and cracked. It was barely noticeable, hidden in the shadows, but the markings around the frame matched those I had seen in the library. This had to be one of the hidden passages.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside, my flashlight revealing a narrow, winding staircase descending into the depths of the mansion. The air was damp and musty, and the walls were lined with cobwebs.
I descended cautiously, the sense of foreboding growing stronger with each step.
The staircase led to a small, underground chamber, its walls lined with shelves filled with dusty tomes and strange artifacts. In the center of the room stood an old, ornate chest, its surface covered in intricate carvings. I approached it slowly, my heart pounding in my chest.
As I reached for the chest, a sudden gust of wind blew through the chamber, extinguishing my flashlight. I was plunged into darkness, the only sound was the frantic beating of my own heart. I fumbled for my flashlight, desperate to bring some semblance of light back into the room.
When the beam flickered to life, I saw that the chest had opened on its own. Inside, I found a collection of letters and documents, their edges yellowed with age. I picked them up, my hands trembling as I began to read.
The letters detailed a conspiracy within the Willowbrook family, a plan to seize control of the estate by any means necessary. They spoke of betrayal, murder, and dark rituals performed to ensure their success. The final letter was written by Marcus himself, his words filled with regret and sorrow.
"I was a fool," he wrote. "Blinded by ambition, I allowed myself to be manipulated by those I trusted. And now, the price must be paid. Isadora, my love, I am so sorry."
As I read the final words, a sense of clarity washed over me. I understood now why the spirits of Willowbrook were restless, why the house itself seemed to cry out for justice.
The wrongs committed here had never been righted, and the souls of those who had suffered were trapped, unable to move on.
I knew what I had to do. I gathered the letters and documents, determined to bring them to light, to share the truth with the world. As I made my way back up the winding staircase, I felt a strange sense of peace, as if the very walls of the mansion were thanking me.
But I also knew that my journey was far from over. There were still secrets to uncover, still truths to be revealed. And I was ready to face them, no matter the cost.
So….
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Well then, see you Thursday!!
Stay safe and happy.
Spookily yours,
Finally I found time to read chapter 4!! Just in time for the fifth tomorrow!! I never stop to tell you how good you put your readers into the atmosphere of the story! 👏😘
Is there a chapter 5?!