Maria had always been drawn to the eerie allure of Lovedale, an ancient, secluded village nestled amidst the Western Ghats. The village, with its crumbling temples, dense forests, and tales of forgotten gods, had always piqued her curiosity. She had visited Lovedale several times, exploring its winding streets and marveling at the intricate carvings on the temple walls.
On this particular visit, Maria felt a strange pull towards the abandoned mansion at the edge of the village. The mansion, once a grand residence, had been left unoccupied for decades, its windows boarded up and its gardens overgrown. Locals whispered tales of a family that had met a tragic end within its walls, their spirits said to haunt the mansion to this day.
Despite the warnings, Maria was determined to explore the mansion. She managed to find a way inside, slipping through a broken window. The interior was dark and dusty, the air thick with the scent of decay. Cobwebs hung from the ceiling, and the floorboards groaned beneath her feet.
As she wandered through the mansion, Maria felt a sense of unease growing within her. The silence was broken only by the occasional creak of floorboards or the distant hoot of an owl. She could almost feel the presence of something unseen, watching her from the shadows.
The mansion was a labyrinth of rooms, each one more decrepit than the last. She explored the grand hall, once a place of opulence and celebration, now filled with dust and cobwebs. She ventured into the library, where shelves of moldy books lined the walls. She even dared to explore the attic, a dark and dusty space filled with forgotten trunks and boxes.
As she wandered through the mansion, Maria felt a strange sense of familiarity. It was as if she had been there before, in a past life perhaps. The walls seemed to whisper secrets to her, and the shadows seemed to dance with a sinister purpose.
Maria's exploration led her to the basement, a dank and musty space that reeked of dampness. She descended a narrow, winding staircase, the air growing colder and heavier with each step. The basement was dimly lit by a single, flickering candle, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
As she wandered through the basement, Maria noticed a peculiar symbol carved into the stone floor. It was a strange, ancient symbol that she had never seen before. She knelt down to examine it more closely, her heart pounding in her chest.
Suddenly, she heard a faint sound coming from behind her. She turned around, her eyes wide with fear. There, standing in the shadows, was a figure cloaked in darkness. The figure was tall and slender, with a long, flowing cloak that seemed to blend into the shadows. Its face was obscured by a hood, but Maria could feel its intense gaze fixed upon her.
The figure remained silent, its presence filling the basement with an oppressive sense of dread. Maria backed away slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had to escape, but her legs felt like lead.
Just as she was about to turn and run, the figure spoke. Its voice was a deep, guttural rumble that echoed through the basement. "You have trespassed upon forbidden ground," the figure said. "Leave, or face the consequences."
Maria did not hesitate. She turned and ran, her footsteps echoing through the empty basement. She could hear the figure following her, its footsteps heavy and menacing. She raced up the stairs, her heart pounding in her chest.
Just as she reached the attic, she heard a loud crash behind her. The figure had thrown something at her, but she managed to dodge it. She burst through the attic window, tumbling onto the soft grass below.
As she lay there, gasping for breath, she looked back at the mansion. The figure stood at the window, its silhouette dark against the setting sun. It raised a hand and pointed at her, a silent threat.
YOU ARE READING
An anthology of dark and scary stories
Storie breviBe ready to be scared and weirded out
