Emily's eyes adjusted to the darkness, and she called out for Preston, her voice echoing through the empty room. There was no response, only the creaking of the old manor settling around her.
As she felt her way through the darkness, her fingers brushed against a piece of paper on the dusty floor. She picked it up, her eyes scanning the words scratched onto the page.
"Emily,
I'm so sorry I couldn't protect you. The Ravenwood Star is cursed. I've seen things, heard things. They're coming for me. Meet me at the old windmill on the outskirts of town.
- Dad"
Emily's heart skipped a beat as she realized the letter was from her father. She had never seen it before, and she wondered why Preston hadn't mentioned it.
Suddenly, a faint light flickered to life, and Emily saw Preston standing in the doorway, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and guilt.
"Emily, I-"
But before he could finish, Emily cut him off, her voice shaking with emotion. "You knew about this, didn't you? You knew about the letter."
Preston took a step forward, his hands held up in a placating gesture. "Emily, let me explain."
As Preston revealed the truth about her father's past and the secrets he had uncovered, Emily felt like she was unraveling, piece by piece. She stumbled backward, her eyes fixed on Preston, her heart torn apart by the revelations.
Preston took a step closer, his voice low and soothing. "Emily, please understand. I was trying to protect you."
But Emily was beyond reason. She turned and ran, the darkness swallowing her whole.