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Mysteries Stuck In Time

Grizz_Writer
7
chs / week
The average realized release rate over the past 30 days is 7 chs / week.
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Synopsis
Noctis accepts a simple job as a gardener at the isolated Vexwood Manor, expecting routine work and quiet days. Instead, he finds himself trapped in a place governed by unspoken rules and unsettling silences. The servants are polite yet distant, the corridors unnaturally empty, and certain areas of the mansion are strictly off-limits—most notably, the third floor. While exploring the manor, Noctis discovers a diary belonging to the previous gardener. Its fragmented entries describe repeated explorations, strange warnings, and specific locations within the mansion that seem tied to hidden truths. What initially appears to be guidance slowly reveals itself as something more troubling—clues that suggest the manor is not merely a residence, but a trial. As Noctis investigates the corridors and studies the mansion’s paintings, he begins to notice recurring names tied to the Vexwood family, yet finds no information about them beyond the manor’s walls. His attempts to understand the place only deepen his isolation, as contact with the outside world proves impossible. His curiosity nearly costs him dearly when he attempts to climb to the forbidden third floor. Stopped abruptly by the head maid, whose sudden appearance and inhuman composure leave him shaken, Noctis realizes the rules are enforced not by words—but by fear. When she vanishes without a trace, the warning becomes clear: the mansion is watching. Left with unanswered questions and limited choices, Noctis decides to turn his attention to the one place left unexplored—the basement. Not because he wants to, but because the manor has quietly guided him there. And for the first time, he understands that every step he takes is part of something far greater than he imagined.
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Chapter 1 - Chapter 1- The Diary

June 4th, 2024

Time: 9:32 AM

 I've been stuck in this mansion for about a year, but the same day keeps repeating again and again. I don't know what to do or how to get out of here. The gates of the mansion never open, and the guard doesn't allow me to go out. If I try to force myself out, I freeze as if some unseen hands are holding me down, grabbing my entire body, and I get pushed back to the ground. While the same day keeps repeating, all the events that take place here change according to my choices. At first, I freaked out and tried to tell everyone that the time is reversing, but all I got in return was an inhuman glare, as if telling me that I wasn't supposed to know that. I tried to find other ways out of the mansion—jumping over the wall, getting out through the back door, and even shouting for help from behind the gates—but I either got pulled back or completely ignored by the people, as if my voice doesn't reach them at all.

 

June 4th, 2024

Time: 10:40 PM

This is my second day of writing a diary. The date may not change, but the amount of time I've spent in this mansion is increasing. I originally started working here as a gardener about a year ago (June 4th, 2024). I don't really understand the reason behind the time reversing or me going back 24 hours in time, but one thing is clear: something doesn't want me to leave. I don't know what it wants from me, but I need to leave before I lose my mind.

The people here look normal—too normal—but they are definitely not human. I can hold casual conversations with them, ask them how their day went, and assist them with their work; however, whenever I ask about the Master of this mansion, they stop talking and don't speak a word until I change the topic. The Master of this mansion never leaves his office, even at night when everyone goes to sleep. No one is able to enter his office either, as the butler is always guarding the door, even throughout the entire night. He doesn't speak, nor does he hold any conversations with any passing servants. He stands there like a statue, but whenever I try to go past him, he blocks my path faster than I can react. This is taking me nowhere.

 

 

 

June 4th, 2024

Time: 8:38 AM

For the past year, I tried multiple things and experimented with how far the time can reverse. I tried staying up until the time reverses, but whenever the clock hits 5:30 AM, my vision blurs, I get dizzy, and whenever I wake up, it's always 6:00 AM. It doesn't matter where I was before the clock hit 5:30 AM; I always wake up in my bed at 6:00.

The most mysterious figure in this mansion is the Master of this estate, who never leaves his office nor meets the people inside the manor. I am never able to enter his office or see him because of that superhuman butler. Whenever I try to call my relatives or anyone at all, the call time never goes past 00:00, as if telling me that this whole place is isolated in time. I've tried killing people too, out of madness, but I am always stopped by those unseen hands. I really don't know what I can do next.

 

June 4th, 2024

Time: 5:32 PM

I am writing this diary entry after slacking off from my gardener's work; not like it's going to matter tomorrow. Tomorrow, yesterday, the day after—everything is the same for me. Nothing changes except for me slowly losing hope. The strangest thing in this manor is that everything gets reset to how it was if I make any changes—like writing on the walls, breaking a vase, or burning the garden—except for my room and this diary. I don't know what to make of it.

This mansion has several places that are still mysterious to me, like the corridors of the second floor, the unlit basement, the empty terrace, the garden without grass, and the leftmost room on the third floor, which is always locked.

 

June 4th, 2024

Time: 4:00 AM

I don't know. I just can't sleep today.

 

 

 

June 4th, 2024

Time: 6:39 PM

Nothing special. Still stuck on the same day. I heard some weird sounds in the corridor; I still don't know what to make of it. I just want to go home.

 

June 4th, 2024

Time: 8:00 PM

I met a girl today I had never seen before. Something is strange. That is not supposed to happen. I know everyone's routine in this mansion, but I've never seen her before. When I tried to approach her, she only seemed further away and then disappeared into the garden without grass. I think she can help me get out.

 

June 4th, 2024

Time: 4:48 PM

I tried to find the girl today, but she was nowhere to be seen. Was I hallucinating, or was she actually real?

 

June 4th, 2024

Time: 3:28 PM

My memories are getting blurry. I am starting to forget who I was before I came to this manor. This is all so weird. Why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve such a fate?

 

 

 

 

 

June 4th, 2024

Time: 7:58 PM

TO HELL WITH EVERYTHING! Tomorrow, I am going to take the gas cylinder from the kitchen and blow it up in front of the office door. No butler is stopping that.

 

June 5th, 2024

Time: 5:61 AM

It was a bad idea. I shouldn't have done that. Never look into the eyes of the Lord of the house. They are coming for me; I can't run anywhere. May the Lord have mercy.

If you are in the same situation as me, remember: basement-light, garden-shears, terrace-flower pot, corridor-paintings, and girl-third floor. Please, you have to make it out of here. If you see me at this manor, that's not me. No one is an ally. You're alone. Take ca...