It all began with a letter. Marissa, a young journalist known for her investigative prowess, received an ornate envelope in the mail one dreary autumn morning The handwriting was elegant, almost archaic. Inside was a single sheet of parchment bearing an invitation to an exclusive event at the enigmatic Blackwood Manor, a mansion steeped in rumors and mystery.
The letter read, "Dear Ms. Clarke, You are cordially
invited to the unveiling of a hidden secret at Blackwood Manor. Your presence
is requested on the night of the full moon. Enclosed is a key to the manor.
Sincerely, A. Blackwood." A small, intricately designed key fell from the envelope,
its cold metal sending a shiver down Marissa's spine.
Intrigued and unable to resist the lure of a potential
story, Marissa decided to attend. She spent the next few days researching the
manor, uncovering a history rife with tragedy and bizarre occurrences.
Blackwood Manor had been abandoned for decades, ever since the last of the
Blackwood family, Agnes Blackwood, vanished without a trace. Local legends
spoke of hauntings, unexplained noises, and eerie lights flickering in the
manor's windows.
On the night of the full moon, Marissa drove through the
winding, fog-laden roads leading to Blackwood Manor. The air grew colder as she
approached, and an uneasy feeling settled in her chest. The manor loomed ahead,
its gothic architecture silhouetted against the moonlit sky. The once-grand
structure now appeared dilapidated, its windows like dark, empty eyes watching
her approach.
She parked her car and walked towards the massive, weathered
front door. The key fit perfectly, and with a creak, the door swung open,
revealing a grand, yet decaying, foyer. Dust covered every surface, and cobwebs
hung like ghostly drapes. Marissa's footsteps echoed as she ventured deeper
into the manor, her flashlight casting long, sinister shadows.
In the center of the foyer stood a large, covered object.
Curiosity piqued, Marissa approached and pulled away the dusty sheet, revealing
an ornate mirror. The mirror's frame was adorned with intricate carvings of
twisted faces and gnarled branches. As she stared into the glass, an icy chill
enveloped her. The reflection seemed off, the room behind her warping and
twisting in the mirror's surface.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the reflection. It was a
woman, her eyes hollow and her face twisted in a grimace of terror. Marissa
spun around, but the room was empty. Heart pounding, she turned back to the
mirror, only to find her own reflection once again. She took a step back,
unnerved, when the door behind her slammed shut with a deafening bang.
Marissa was trapped, and the whispers began.