The gate of Raven Hill opened with a loud creak, as if it were protesting after years of silence. The mansion smelled of dust and damp wood. His flashlight flickered as he stepped inside.
The front door slammed shut behind him.
Aarav spun around. The door wouldn't budge.
Then he heard footsteps.
Slow. Careful. Coming from upstairs.
"Hello?" he called.
No answer.
Instead, a soft voice echoed through the hall.
"You cameFrom the shadows emerged a woman dressed entirely in black. Her face was pale, her eyes sharp.
"My name is Elena Cross," she said. "Your father worked with me."
Aarav's throat went dry. "Where is he?"
Elena didn't answer immediately. She pointed toward the staircase.
"Follow me. But remember—some truths are more dangerous than lies."."Suddenly, the lights went out.
Footsteps echoed from below—many of them.
Elena grabbed Aarav's arm. "They know you're here. We need to move."
They rushed down a narrow corridor hidden behind a bookshelf. Behind them, voices shouted.
"Don't let them escape!"
The passage led to a small room at the back of the mansion—the only room untouched by dust.
A single chair sat in the center.
"This is the last room," Elena said. "Your father was here."
Aarav noticed something carved into the wall:
"Trust no one."