"Who is there?" she whispered, her voice trembling as the torchlight flickered against the walls of the silent hall. The sound came again, but this time it was closer to her. Her face drained of colour when a shadow slipped past her. In panic, she threw the torch and made a run. Suddenly, the hall was filled with voices, echoing warnings: Run. Never return. As she made up her mind to run, an unseen force seized her, lifting her into the air, strangling her breadth. Darkness pressed in until the door burst open. Silence fell. The house stood as though nothing happened. The intruder was a familiar face. Recognizing him, she collapsed into his arms, sobbing, unable to form words.
"A.…lex, the….the…." she stammered through tears.
"You are fine" he murmured, patting her back.
"Let's get to the car, you are safe now." he guided her to the car.
In the car, he handed her a bottle of water. She gulped the content greedily, as though thirst itself had possessed her. Throughout the drive, she remained quiet. Her mind was full of unanswered questions. Her brain refused to believe what had happened to her minutes ago. The car stopped; she looked up and saw a familiar house. He held her hand firmly, pulling her inside. They both sat on the sofa, the firelight flickering across their faces. Wrapped in each other's arms, they stared into the emptiness between them until he finally spoke.
"What happened to you? Why do you seem so scared?" his voice was gentle, coaxing.
She sat up and was ready to explain the details. Her lips moved, her chest tightened with effort, but no sound emerged. Again, she tried, and again, nothing. He touched her shoulder, urging calm.
"Don't force it, you are still shaken." but she knew, she alone understood. The darkness had not only frightened her. It had stolen her voice.
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Chapter 1
Mira sat at her desk, the glow of her computer screen casting faint shadows across the room. Her glasses slid slightly down on her nose, and behind them her tired eyes scanned the screen. Her hair was packed roughly in a bun, strands escaping to frame her face, and her clothes hung loosely, faded from too many washes. The desk was scattered with used tissues, a fresh pack sitting close at hand, which she uses against the catarrh that plagued her.
She sniffled, reached for another tissue, and pressed it gently against her mouth before returning her gaze to the screen. The endless scrolling had dulled her spirit until she saw it. Her eyes instantly welled up as she read the details in the advert. It wasn't just the house that stirred her emotions but the timing. Her landlord had given her a notice as she could not afford the rent. The photo showed a beautiful and small modern house with a wide porch. It looked peaceful, almost too perfect. The price was far below what she had seen elsewhere. She looked up from the computer screen and scanned her surroundings. The room was a mess, clothes scattered across the floor and piled on the chair, far too many for the small space she occupied. It felt suffocating, as though the walls were closing on her. Her neighbor's constant interruptions during her nap time only added to the frustration.
Mira had always been someone who cherished her personal space. Writing was her escape, her way of breathing freely, but the noise and confinement of her current room made it nearly impossible. She couldn't let this perfect opportunity slip; she punched the contact found into her cellphone and dialed it.
"Hello, am I speaking with Mr Bryan?" she asks as soon as the call connected. She had braced herself for the endless ringing she had grown used to with other agents, but to her surprise, a voice answered almost immediately.
"Yes, who am I speaking with?" Bryan's tone was steady; his phone pressed to his ears.
"I am Mira, I got your contact from the house ad you put up. I am interested, when can we see the house?" she replied, her voice carrying a hidden joy she tried to mask. "That is great. What day will be perfect for you?" he said warmly.
Mira thought quickly. "What about tomorrow at 2pm?"
"That is good, you got yourself an appointment." he confirmed, and with that, the line went dead.
The next day, at the said time. The two met at the designated spot and proceeded together to the house. Nestled within the woods stood a beautiful house, its charm quietly commanding the space around it. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, sunlight spilling across its walls and giving them a gentle glow. Birds filled the air with their melodious voices, weaving a soundtrack of serenity that seemed to belong only to this place. The lawn stretched out in front, perfectly mown and cared for, as though someone had lovingly tended to it each morning. Every blade of grass stood in great harmony, a sign that the house had once been cherished, even if no figure appeared at the doorway. It was the kind of home that seemed alive, holding onto the memory of its owner through its well-kept grounds and welcoming aura. Yet, despite its beauty and the sense of belonging it carried, the house now waited for new footsteps, new laughter, and new stories to fill its room.
"The house is more beautiful than what the pictures portray" she remarked, her heart stirred by the charm of the decor.
They stepped inside, every piece of furniture was draped with white sheets
"You are in luck," he said evenly. "The owner agreed to settle for less, he needed the money."
Her heart leapt for joy as she discovers the house also came furnished at no extra cost, she could not wait to seal the deal.
The indoor was beautiful but dusty. She already imagined herself living in the house.
She faced him. "I am taking this house, how am I paying?"
"Very well then, you will follow me to my office for proper documentation."