Demure

  The old Victorian mansion on the edge of Blackwood Forest had stood abandoned for over a century. Its crumbling façade, overgrown ivy, and shattered windows gave it an air of malevolence that kept even the bravest souls at bay. But for Emma, a historian with a fascination for the macabre, it was the perfect subject for her next book. She had always been drawn to places with dark histories, and the Holloway House was no exception. The locals warned her not to go. They spoke in hushed tones about the disappearances, the strange lights, and the whispers that seemed to emanate from the walls. But Emma dismissed their superstitions. She was a rational woman, after all. Ghosts and curses were nothing more than stories meant to frighten children. On a cold October evening, Emma arrived at the mansion with her recording equipment, a flashlight, and a notebook. The air was thick with the scent of decay, and the wind howled through the trees like a mournful wail. As she stepped inside, the...