The Stray Souls ["The Diary Keeper" Sequel; "The Dark Legacies" Series]

Chapter 7: The vanishing melody

In Ravenwood, people are dying. Shadows emerge out of nowhere and vanish into thin air. The afterlife is spiraling out of control. Questions outweigh answers. How did I miss the moment when my carefree life began to resemble a horror movie?

Yet in a horror movie, you understand that it's all make-believe, just another creation of screenwriters. You can exit the cinema at any moment if you can't handle it anymore. After all, in that case, you consciously seek fear, adrenaline, the unknown.

But when such things happen in the dullness of everyday life, you realize that mundane reality isn't all that bad. You begin to cherish it only when you find yourself in real trouble.

I have to find witnesses, question relatives of the victims, and conduct my own investigation. I have more information than the police for sure. Police academies don't teach you how to deal with the supernatural.

***
Di Flores Manor was vacant once again, so now I had every right to return to its familiar walls whenever I pleased. It was strange how places like this became inseparable from your being. I had never lived here, and this mansion had never truly been mine. I hadn't even inherited it, as the will had turned out to be a forgery. Yet, for some reason, I was drawn here time and time again.

Perhaps it's because here you can hide from the outside world and immerse yourself in your thoughts. It's a place to hear your true self, free from the influence of anything external. Or maybe this house is a concealed trap, and traps are always incredibly alluring.

I am sitting in Mia Lancaster's room, picturing how she once sat here, making entries in her diary. The diary listened to her, even when the entire world turned a deaf ear. And recently, I've been contemplating whether it's worth starting to keep my own entries. As far as I understand, no one can read my entries except the next diary keeper. Everyone else will see only indecipherable letters or blank pages.

But my thoughts were interrupted by an unexpected sound. The enchanting notes of a piano drifted through the mansion. The melody was hauntingly beautiful, pulling at the strings of memory and emotion. I couldn't help but recognize it – it was "Mia's melody".

But I'm alone here... It's just impossible! I won't be surprised if this is just my hallucination. My mind is playing tricks on me, deceiving me.

The music filled the space, wrapping around me like a gentle embrace. It was as if Mia's presence had returned, her spirit conjured by the very notes she had once brought to life. And it was beautiful, incredibly beautiful.

I quickly descended the stairs and made my way straight to the underground room where the piano was housed. The sound was obviously emanating from there. Oh God, why am I doing this?

Mom, if the police still don't find me, please tell Caroline to look after Stormy. Yes, Mom, I have a cat in my room in the dorm, and that's not even my biggest prank.