The Weekend That Went Wrong

Chapter 01

Chanelle's POV

The van rumbled along the winding road, the anticipation in the air almost palpable. I observed the scenery with keen interest, noting the dense forest giving way to an open clearing where Blackwood Manor stood in all its grandeur. Despite my excitement, a sense of caution nagged at the back of my mind.

"Look at the size of that place," remarked Lisa, her voice filled with awe.

"It's like something out of a movie," I replied, nodding in agreement.

As we approached, the caretaker emerged from the shadows, his weathered face etched with lines of experience. His warning about the house's secrets only fueled my curiosity further.

"Thank you," I said politely as he handed us the keys, my mind already racing with possibilities.

Entering the mansion, I couldn't help but marvel at its architecture and history. Dusty portraits lined the walls, and the air seemed to crackle with energy, as if the very walls held untold stories.

"Let's split up and explore," suggested Michael, eager to uncover the mysteries of the mansion.

"Good idea," I agreed, already mentally mapping out the layout of the house.

As the group dispersed, I found myself drawn to the library, my fingers trailing over the spines of ancient books. Lost in thought, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, as if the very walls held secrets waiting to be uncovered.

In the dim light of the library, I delved into the history of Blackwood Manor, uncovering tales of tragedy and loss. It seemed the house had a dark past, with rumors of disappearances and unexplained phenomena.

Lost in my thoughts, I wandered through the mansion, the weight of its history pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. What secrets lay hidden within its walls, and what had happened here all those years ago?

I was suddenly jolted back to reality by the booming voice of Harvin, my rival and constant source of irritation.

"Chanelle, what are you doing skulking around here like a ghost?" he exclaimed, his voice echoing off the walls.

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, instead plastering on a polite smile. "Just exploring. What about you?"

Harvin smirked, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Oh, you know me, always on the hunt for adventure. Did you know that this manor has a dark and mysterious past?"

I fought the urge to groan as Harvin launched into one of his infamous monologues. He had a penchant for theatrics and loved to hear the sound of his own voice.

"Legend has it that the original owner of this mansion was a recluse who dabbled in the dark arts," he continued, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. "They say he made a deal with the devil himself, trading his soul for immortality."

I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his theatrics. "Sounds like a load of nonsense to me."

He waved off my skepticism with a dismissive gesture. "Believe what you will, Elle, but mark my words-there's more to this mansion than meets the eye."

I bit back a retort, not wanting to engage in his games any longer. Instead, I excused myself and made my way to the study, eager to escape his relentless chatter.