The mansion was silent, but the air felt heavier than ever. I wandered through the grand hallway, my curiosity pulling me toward the old library Ethan rarely let me enter.
A soft click echoed as I pushed the door open. Dusty shelves towered above me, and the smell of old paper filled the air. Then, something caught my eye — a small, ornate box tucked behind a row of books.
I knelt and carefully pulled it out. The box was locked, but a piece of paper was folded on top. Unfolding it, my eyes widened:
"Zyra… if you've found this, you're closer to the truth than you think. Trust is rare here."
My hands shook. A hidden message? Why would someone leave this for me?
Before I could ponder further, the box rattled. Ethan was behind me, his eyes scanning the room with a storm brewing inside.
"You found it," he said, voice tight. "I didn't want you to see this yet."
"Why?" I whispered. "What's inside?"
He hesitated, then gave a deep sigh. "Some truths are dangerous, Zyra. Some secrets… are meant to stay hidden."
I stared at him, my mind racing. Danger, secrets, a mansion full of shadows… and yet, I felt a strange pull toward uncovering everything.
As I carefully placed the paper back, I realized one thing clearly: nothing in this mansion was as it seemed, and I was about to discover the dark heart of it all.