The Diary Keeper ["The Dark Legacies" Series]

Chapter 2: Behind its walls

The following few days were quite chaotic. I spent most of the time communicating with lawyers and numerous relatives. The bright side is I didn't have to attend school this week - there were some more significant issues. It turns out I inherited the whole house for no reason from my distant relative who was just one of my great-grandfather's six brothers. Yes, old Amos Di Flores didn't have any children but there are many other offsprings in our family except me. So, why me? Did he go insane in his last days?

Needless to say, some of my relatives were extremely jealous so they filed a lawsuit. All this stuff happened too quickly. The investigation is still going on and there will be a court hearing after police finishes with all the evidences. And there would be even more adventures... We just have to wait.

The story with Mabel was immediately forgotten by all Ravenwood - the news with the inheritance was much more interesting to discuss. And yes, I wasn't even punished by my parents for my last prank - although they guessed it was my idea, they forgot about it instantly.

The official name of the mansion was quite simple - Di Flores Manor. But the thing is Amos didn't reside here, he lived in another home instead. He was really wealthy man who owned six houses, a cafe in Ravenwood (there is only one place for eating out here), large plantation areas and a chain of tool stores. And guess what? Amos hasn't mentioned anything about the other property in his testament. As a result, there is no heir for all the houses and businesses except Di Flores Manor. 

This case seems to be a tricky one. I have been thinking about this for the last few days and still don't understand it absolutely. Why hadn't he lived there? It was not only the biggest manor in our town, but also the most beautiful and the most exquisite one. He didn't even rent the property out. Was Di Flores afraid of something or someone? But Amos did not seem to be a superstitious person, so the probability of some ghosts or spirits wouldn't frighten him.

"Liandra," my mother suddenly came into my room, "Listen, it's very serious."

"It's always serious, don't you think?"

"This time it's truly serious." She seemed strict. "The police forbid anyone to visit Di Flores Manor until the investigation is finished."

It sounded like a challenge.

***

The clock shows 2 a. m. All the town is sleeping - everybody except me.

Yes, I didn't have the key to the door. However, I can get through the window on the ground floor and nobody would stop me from doing it. So, I took my bag and carefully left my home. It was dark on the streets but I wasn't afraid. Furthermore, my flashlight helped a lot.

As I step into the Di Flores manor, a musty smell hits my nose, and I can see dust particles swirling in the air. The interior of the house is dimly lit, and I can barely make out the details of the room. The walls are cracked, and the peeling wallpaper is stained with damp patches.

The floorboards creak under my feet, and I can feel the soft give of the rotten wood. The furniture in the room is old and worn, covered in cobwebs and dust. An old couch with tattered cushions sits against the wall, and a wooden rocking chair rests in the corner.

As I move further into the room, I can see that there is a fireplace in the center. The bricks are blackened with soot, and the metal grate is rusted shut. A few pieces of charred wood lie on the grate, a reminder of a fire that once roared in the hearth.

The windows are boarded up, and the curtains are tattered and torn. A few beams of light seep through the gaps, illuminating the particles of dust in the air. The room feels like it's frozen in time, a forgotten relic from another era.

The stairs leading up to the second floor are rickety and unstable. The banister is missing in places, and I can feel the splinters of the rough wood under my fingers. As I reach the top of the stairs, I can see that the hallway is lined with old doors, all of them shut tight.

The air is thick with the smell of decay and dampness, and I can hear the sound of rats scurrying in the walls. Despite the eerie atmosphere, there's something alluring about the abandoned house, something that draws me further in, deeper into the darkness.

As I stepped into one of the rooms, I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me. It was as if I had been transported back in time. The walls were painted a soft shade of pink, and the furniture was ornate and feminine.

There was a four-poster bed in the corner of the room, with a canopy of white lace draped over it. The bedding was a delicate floral pattern, and there were a few stuffed animals piled on top of the pillows. A vanity table sat opposite the bed, with a large mirror and an array of makeup and perfume bottles.

On the walls, there were several framed photos of a young girl, presumably the owner of the room. She had long, dark hair and a smile that lit up her face. I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to her. Who was she? One of the Mr. di Flores' distant relatives? I haven't seen her on any family photoes.

As I looked around the room, my eyes fell on an old wooden chest at the foot of the bed. It was covered in dust and cobwebs, and I couldn't resist the urge to open it. Inside, I found an old book, its pages yellowed with age. The title says "Diary". Diary... Whose diary? Amos wrote some notes in the past?

I know it's very bad to do this - to read someone's secret entries but I couldn't resist. What if some important story is exactly in my hands?

I opened and looked at the first page - there was the same photo as on the wall. I knew that I had uncovered something special. Something that would stay with me forever, and that would help me to understand the girl who had once lived in this room. "Mia Lancaster" was written below the photo. Hmm... I don't remember any Lancasters in my family tree.

I flipped through pages swiftly. The pages were filled with beautiful, flowing handwriting and were adorned with intricate illustrations and photographs. Each page was a work of art, and I felt as if I had stumbled upon something truly special. I'll keep it for myself and won't show the police - it's something that should remain a secret.

Despite my overwhelming curiosity to start reading, I knew that I needed to be patient. The diary was clearly very old, and I didn't want to damage it in any way. I decided to take it with me, to keep it safe until I had the time to sit down and properly delve into its contents. 

Well, it's time to return home.

***

I had slept only a few hours before I was woken up. As I opened my eyes, I saw nor only my mum in the room, but also dad and grandparents.

"Liandra, we've decided something." My mum's voice was serious. "We have to pay attention to your raising more strictly. You're going to boarding school in Hazelford."