Twilight

4 - Lashanie Goes Missing

Days turned into weeks, and the memory of the Cobb Estate continued to simmer in Lashanie's mind. The initial fear had morphed into a strange fascination, a persistent itch that wouldn't be scratched. Maya's warnings about missing people echoed in her head, a cautionary tale that only fueled her curiosity.

During lunch breaks, Lashanie found herself scouring the internet for any mention of the Cobb Estate beyond the local legend. Grainy photographs from the early 20th century depicted a sprawling mansion nestled amongst the trees, a stark contrast to the overgrown ruins spoken of in whispers. Historical accounts mentioned a wealthy industrialist family who mysteriously vanished in the early 1900s, leaving their estate to be swallowed by the encroaching city.

The more Lashanie researched, the more the forest felt like a puzzle box, beckoning her to unlock its secrets. The unsettling encounter with the jocks, their veiled warnings and grudging respect, only added to the mystery. Were they genuinely protecting the forest, or was there something else at play?

One afternoon, after a particularly frustrating math test, Lashanie found herself wandering aimlessly near the school library. A sudden urge, as irresistible as a riptide, pulled her towards the dusty history section. There, buried amongst leather-bound tomes, she unearthed an old, yellowed newspaper clipping.

The headline screamed: "COBB FAMILY VANISHED! POLICE BAFFLED." The faded article detailed the disappearance of the Cobb family, their opulent mansion abandoned overnight. The chilling account spoke of strange lights seen flickering in the woods, and unearthly howls echoing through the night.

Lashanie's pulse quickened. Could these be the origins of the local legend? A thrill shot through her, both terrifying and exhilarating. Was there any truth to the whispers, or was it all an elaborate ghost story?

As she closed the brittle newspaper, a new thought struck her. Maybe Maya would be interested in seeing this. Maybe, just maybe, they could embark on a second, more prepared, exploration of the Cobb Estate. But this time, armed with research and a healthy dose of caution, they wouldn't just be venturing into the unknown, they would be actively seeking answers.

The familiar scent of freshly baked cookies greeted Lashanie as she pushed open the front door, the aroma instantly transporting her back to Tennessee and her mom's bustling kitchen. Her backpack felt heavy on her shoulders, not just from textbooks but from the weight of the day's discoveries.

"Hey, honey! How was school?" Her mom, Anne, emerged from the kitchen, a flour-dusted apron tied around her floral dress. Her smile, as warm and welcoming as the oven's heat, instantly chased away the lingering shadows of the library's dusty archives.

Lashanie offered a tired smile. "It was okay. Math test was a killer, but Mr. Ramirez made Shakespeare actually interesting, which is a feat in itself."

Her dad, Robert, joined them from the living room, a worn copy of National Geographic clutched in his hand. "Sounds like a typical high school day. Got any homework you need help with?"

Lashanie shook her head. "Actually, I was thinking of maybe getting some fresh air this afternoon. Maybe head to the park for a bit."

"Sounds good, sweetie," Anne said, handing her a plate piled high with warm, gooey cookies. "Just be back before it gets dark, alright?"

Lashanie took a grateful bite, the sweet chocolate melting on her tongue. "Sure, Mom. No worries."

As she retreated to her room, the weight of the newspaper clipping in her pocket pressed against her leg. The image of the abandoned Cobb mansion and the chilling stories of disappearances danced in her mind. She yearned to share her discovery with Maya, to see if it sparked the same curiosity within her friend.