The iron gates of Blackwood Manor groaned open, revealing a sprawling gothic mansion shrouded in mist. Jessica Thorne shivered, not just from the damp chill, but from a sudden prickle of unease. The lawyer's words echoed in her ears: "Blackwood Manor and its contents are yours, Miss Thorne."
Blackwood Manor. The name itself conjured images of dusty portraits and cobwebbed secrets. Jessica, a city girl with a penchant for modern art, had never expected to inherit this decaying relic from her eccentric aunt, with whom she'd barely spoken.
The journey to Blackwood Manor had been long and labyrinthine. Her GPS had sputtered and died miles back, replaced by a tattered map inherited with the house. It led her down forgotten country roads, through dense, whispering forests, and finally up a treacherous mountain path.
Exhausted, Jessica finally reached the crest of the hill. Below, nestled in a valley cradled by mist, lay a small town. Its lights twinkled faintly, a beacon of civilization in the encroaching darkness. But above it all loomed Blackwood Manor, an imposing silhouette against the dying light.
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The weight of the keys felt heavy in her hand as Jessica approached the weathered oak door. With a deep breath, she pushed it open, the rusty hinges groaning in protest. A gust of wind howled through the cavernous hall, extinguishing the single flickering candle she'd managed to light. Plunged into darkness, Jessica stumbled forward, her hand brushing against a cold, damp wall.
The air hung heavy with the scent of mildew and decay. An unsettling silence pressed down on her, broken only by the rhythmic tick of a distant grandfather clock. Her heart pounded in her chest, a frantic counterpoint to the slow tick-tock.
With trembling fingers, Jessica fumbled for her phone, its weak flashlight beam cutting a thin path through the gloom. Cautiously, she ventured deeper into the mansion, each creaking floorboard echoing in the vast emptiness. The shadows seemed to writhe and dance at the edge of the light, playing tricks on her sleep-deprived mind.
Finally, she found a dusty staircase, its banister cold and slick under her touch. As she ascended, the oppressive silence gave way to a strange, faint hum that seemed to vibrate within the walls themselves. It sent a shiver down her spine, a prickling sensation of unease that wouldn't go away.
Exhaustion and the long journey finally overcame her. Reaching the top of the stairs, Jessica spotted a large, ornately carved doorway. Pushing it open, she stumbled into a spacious bedroom. Collapsing onto the dusty bed, she allowed her eyelids to flutter shut. The strange hum continued, lulling her into a restless sleep.