Hey, spooky boos! For those who haven’t read the first two chapters, you might want to read them! Here’s the links 👇🏻
The library's air was suffocatingly thick with dust, each breath like inhaling the past. Shadows danced everywhere across the high, vaulted ceiling, the only light coming from a sputtering candelabrum that flickered like a dying star.
At the far end of the room, a fuzzy figure lurked in the gloom, its voice, a confusing mix of familiarity and mysteriousness.
"Who are you?" I called out, my voice echoing quietly through the vast, silent space. "And what is this place?"
'Estúpida! You say it's a library and ask them what this place is?' Pablo hissed. Shut up, Pablo! I know that!
The figure glided forward, revealing a tall woman with long, flowing hair and eyes that cut through the darkness like knives. She wore an old-fashioned gown.
"I am Seraphina," she said, her voice both soft and commanding. "I am the guardian of the Willowbrook secrets. You, Zephyra, have been chosen to uncover them."
"Chosen? By whom? To uncover what?" I asked, my hands trembling uncontrollably.
"By the estate itself," Seraphina replied. "Willowbrook is more than just a mansion. It is a living entity, a holder of memories and histories that demand to be told."
"Why me?" I demanded, fear and curiosity warring within me. "Why not someone else?"
Seraphina's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Because you are a seeker of truths, a wanderer drawn to the forgotten and the abandoned. Willowbrook sensed your spirit and called to you."
I took a shaky breath, trying to absorb her words. "What do I need to do? What happens now?"
"Your journey will take you through the dark history of Willowbrook," Seraphina explained. "You must uncover the stories buried for centuries, and in doing so, you will bring peace to the restless souls that haunt these halls."
She gestured to the books and artifacts that crammed the library. "Each item holds a piece of the puzzle. You must explore, decipher, and understand their significance."
I nodded, feeling a rush of excitement mixed with dread. "And what happens if I succeed?"
"Then you will have unlocked the true power of Willowbrook," Seraphina said, her eyes gleaming with an enigmatic light. "In doing so, you will free not only the spirits trapped here but also yourself from the chains of the past."
Chains of the past? I don’t think I have anything to do with this mansion.
'What if you are one of the dead owners! Woah, Zeph you could own this one day!' Pablo suddenly gasped. What the hell? Is this man mental or something? Owner? Own this?
'you know, what I meant is that one day yo..' Just shut up! Who's being stupid now?
Even though I had concerns about it, I didn't dare to ask Seraphina.
I looked in her direction again as she began to fade into the shadows. "Remember, Zephyra, every answer comes with a price. Be prepared to face the truths you uncover."
As she vanished, the room fell silent, save for the faint rustling of pages as if the books themselves were whispering secrets. I took a deep breath and approached the nearest shelf, my fingers tracing the spines of ancient tomes.
'Well, that was interesting,' Pablo mused. Interesting indeed.
I pulled out a book at random, its cover worn and faded. The title read: "Willowbrook Chronicles." Dramatic much?
As I opened it, a rush of cold air escaped, and the words on the pages seemed to shimmer and shift.
"Let's see what secrets you hold," I whispered to myself and began to read.
As I read on, each word seemed to take me deeper into Willowbrook Estate's riddles.
The tale spoke of a young couple, Marcus and Isadora, whose love was forbidden by the societal norms of their time. Marcus was the heir to Willowbrook, while Isadora was a humble servant girl. Their secret meetings in the mansion's hidden corners were whispered among the servants.
But fate, as it usually does, struck cruelly. Marcus was betrothed to another, a wealthy heiress whose family wanted to merge their fortunes with Willowbrook.
Marcus and Isadora vowed to run together at night to escape the cruel limits of their life. However, the plans were discovered and Marcus's fiancée, enraged and envious, released an uproar of accusations, resulting in Isadora's unjust imprisonment.
Marcus, torn between duty and love, stood helplessly as Isadora was taken away, her cries echoing through the hallways of Willowbrook. As the tragedy unfolded, the house took the sorrow and grief, becoming a mute witness to the injustices committed within its walls.
As I read on, the story took unexpected turns, exposing layers of dishonesty and manipulation that had long been hidden beneath the surface. Each revelation sent shivers down my spine, as if generations of secrets were crashing down on me like a heavy garment.
Despite the darkness, there remained hope. I hoped that by learning the truth, I could offer peace to the suffering souls locked within Willowbrook's embrace.
I just hope I could solve this…
So guys….
I hope you like it! This story will end with another two chapters! What are your thoughts on the story? Please do tell… And also, do you have requests for the Sunday newsletter? Any horror-related things that you guys want me to write about?
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Spookily yours,
Sorry if I’m late 😂. This week I don’t have time for do nothing!😅 you promised us a chapter 3 better than 2 and you kept your promises! Love it, maybe “the secret of willowbrook” could become a novel!! Keep writing pleaaase!!😘
Love the next installment! Fyi I believe you may have doubled your second to last sentence. :)