WHISPERS THROUGH TIME

CHAPTER 1

"Old walls whisper secrets, but only to those who listen."

"Thank you, Mr. Bryan for arranging a spacious and cheap apartment for us in such short period of time."

"No problem Ms. Blake. Pleasure is all mine. With help of few people, I've arranged all the furniture inside too. My work is done here." The plump property dealer, Mr. Carter a middle-aged man with a fat grin, and a clipboard, his leather shoes clicking softly against the pavement, replied handing her the keys of the apartment.

He nodded and walked back to his car, leaving Amber and her parents standing outside the apartment building. Amber Blake adjusted the strap of her handbag over her shoulder, the summer sun beating down on the quiet street. She stood in front of a charming, albeit slightly worn, brownstone building that exuded an old-world charm

"Alright, everyone ready?" Mr. Richard, Amber's father asked, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

"More than ready," Amber replied with a smile, glancing at her mother who nodded in agreement

"How much it costed again?" Richard asked her.

"Dad! You don't have to worry about that." Amber laughed and nudged her parents inside the building.

Few minutes later they were standing outside their apartment named 5B, on second floor, she has specifically requested to that property dealer for, so that her parents don't have to go through so many stairs down. Elevators were also present in the building but after an incident of getting stuck in an elevator for three hours, her parents have avoided elevators all the time, phobic of them.

"Come on. Open it with your hands." Amber gave keys to her parents, who opened the door happily, their hearts filled with excitement and nervousness.

Amber have got a new job in Birmingham with a hefty pay than she had in Glasgow so she had to leave her city and move in here with her parents. This was her new beginning, her chance to start fresh in a new city with a new job.

As three of them entered the apartment, a chilling sensation crowded them. All of them shared uneasy glances but Amber shook her head.

"Let me open the windows. It looks like it has deficiency of vitamin D." she joked trying to ease her parents who looked around the apartment with suspicious eyes.

"Come on. Let's look into the house."

"Lead the way, darling" Richard said, gesturing towards the apartment.

The apartment was beautiful, with large windows that bathed the room in sunlight. The hardwood floors gleamed, and the high ceilings made the space feel airy and open.

"This is amazing," Caroline, her mother, said, her voice filled with wonder. "I can't believe this is our new home."

"Me neither," Amber agreed, walking further into the apartment. The living room was spacious, with a fireplace and built-in bookshelves. The kitchen was modern, with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. There were two bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, and a small study that Amber immediately envisioned as her new workspace.

Richard began to unload boxes, setting them down in the living room. "Let's get started on unpacking. The sooner we get everything set up, the sooner we can relax."

They spent the next few hours unpacking, each of them taking a different room. Amber started with her bedroom, hanging up clothes and arranging her books on the shelves. She found herself lost in the task, enjoying the process of making the space her own.

"Amber, can you come help with the kitchen?" Caroline called from the other room.

"Coming, Mom!" Amber replied, setting down the last of her books and heading to the kitchen. She and her mother worked together to unpack dishes and utensils, placing them in the cabinets and drawers. The work was steady and comforting, a way to ease into their new surroundings.