LOVER OF THE DEAD

Prologue

Prologue: The Thrill of Shadows

Avriel Abbott was no stranger to secrets, nor to the dark, forgotten places where they hid. In her twenty-four years, she had built a life around uncovering them, weaving herself into the spaces most people avoided-abandoned buildings, ghostly legends, the dark corners of forgotten history. Her job as an investigative writer had become more than just work; it was an obsession.

Avriel scrolled through pages of local folklore on her laptop, her eyes dancing with excitement as she leaned in, captivated. She had spent the last few weeks researching a series of mysterious disappearances linked to a small coastal town, all of which seemed to lead back to one place: an isolated, crumbling house perched on the cliffs. The stories about the house were the kind that lingered in whispers-about a vengeful spirit that cursed anyone who dared to step inside, about echoes of laughter that filled empty rooms, about messages scrawled on dusty windows.

A knock on her apartment door startled her from her thoughts. Her best friend, Mara, stepped in, tossing her a bemused smile as she took in the chaotic pile of books and papers scattered across the room.

"You know, Avriel, most people don't stay up half the night reading about haunted houses." Mara raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. "Are you sure you want to go through with this? That house isn't exactly the safest destination."

Avriel gave her friend a reassuring grin. "Since when has safety ever stopped me?" She shut her laptop and leaned back, a spark of determination flickering in her gaze. "There's something about this place, Mara. I can't explain it, but I feel like I'm meant to go there."

Mara's expression softened. "It's because you can't resist a mystery, can you?"

Avriel shrugged, glancing around at her cluttered workspace. "I know it sounds crazy, but this is different. This house has a history that doesn't add up. People disappeared, rumors spread, but no one really knows why. And maybe... maybe there's a part of me that wants to see if all those legends are true."

Mara sighed, sitting down beside her. "Well, at least promise me you'll be careful. And call me if you see anything... supernatural."

"I'll try," Avriel replied, her voice tinged with excitement. "But you know me. I have to get to the truth, even if it means facing whatever's waiting for me in that house."

The truth was, Avriel's fascination with the unknown had only grown over the years, fueled by a relentless curiosity and the thrill of discovering secrets hidden from the world. It was more than just a job to her-it was a calling. And this house on the cliffs, with all its dark stories and chilling mysteries, felt like her ultimate test.

As the evening wore on, she packed her essentials into a worn leather bag: her journal, her camera, and a small flashlight. Mara watched in silence, her expression a mixture of worry and resignation. Finally, she hugged Avriel, her grip tight, as though she could somehow keep her friend from venturing too far into the unknown.

"Promise me you'll come back in one piece," Mara whispered.

Avriel smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "I always do."

But as she left her apartment that night, a thrill of both fear and excitement coursed through her. The house was waiting, its shadows calling to her, promising answers she couldn't resist.

And somewhere, deep down, she knew that crossing its threshold would change everything.