Chapter 1: The Silent Arrival
The house stood at the end of Willow Lane, where the road forgot how to continue.
It was old—older than memory—and its windows stared like tired eyes that had seen too much.
Evelyn arrived just before dusk.
She hadn't planned to stay long. The letter had been brief: The house is yours now. No signature. No explanation. She stepped inside only to look, to confirm, to leave.
But the door closed behind her with a soft, final sigh.
The air inside felt… warm. Not comforting—alive. The walls seemed to inhale and exhale slowly, as if the house itself was breathing. Dust floated in the fading light like suspended thoughts.
Somewhere above her, a floorboard creaked.
Evelyn told herself it was the house settling.
The house did not answer.