Devil's Gateway

Chapter One

"You're going to die, and before God lets you into heaven, he will send you right back here just so I can say I told you so," Allison said with a huff. Her ebony hair lay a disheveled mess as the night's sleep still lingered in her electric blue stare.

"I can't believe you buy into all this haunted garbage. Fifteen years of marriage and you still surprise me," I scoffed. My attention shifted to the mirror, dressing the bare skin with each button.

"There's a reason no one else at your company wants to sell the house. The rumors, along with the condition it's in, are enough to scare anyone away. Trevor, this will be a flop." A blur of movement caught my eye in the mirror. The blissful touch of delicate fingers smoothing out the creases in my shirt worked a grin onto my face.

"How do you even plan to sell the house? Everyone knows the place is haunted." Curiosity wedged its way into her voice.

"I'll fix it up and make the house look hauntingly beautiful. Then, surely a non-local will be interested."

"I feel like this is a bad idea. You know what happened to the last person who set foot in that house?" She stepped in front of my reflection with a serious look in her eyes.

"They were never seen again," I sighed. The story had been drilled into my head countless times by the citizens of Whispering Pines.

"They were never seen again," she echoed, taxing her point further. "In case you haven't noticed, Trevor, I would like to see you again." Her fingers brushed the side of my face, tickling the small hairs of my beard. They were soft, like the down on a goose, but heavy with the weight of her worry.

"Baby, you'll see me tonight. How about I bring home take-out and we binge The King of Hearts on Netflix?" I whispered.

Her pink lips pursed as she contemplated my offer. Breaking my grip on her fingers, she trailed her index finger to my worn lips. The warmth sent a tingle down my spine, forming goosebumps along the flesh of my arms.

"Or," she started, biting her lip, "you could just stay here all day with me and we could do other things." Her fingers found their way to my collar, unfastening the black buttons. Skin contacted skin and a shudder passed my lips.

"Allison," I said through gritted teeth, "I have to go. I'm meeting the inspector in thirty minutes."

"Damn." Defeat triumphed her voice. Her digits fixed what she had undone.

Lifting her chin, I closed the distance between us, enjoying the familiar pull in my stomach. Lips melting into mine, becoming one. Fifteen years later and she still had the same effect on me.

"I love you, babe." Humid breath passed my lips as I broke away from the kiss. The scent of her morning breath lingering on my lips.

Arms enveloped me, pulling me closer to her. "Be careful. First sign of anything weird and you leave that place. Promise me."

"I swear if I see Casper's sweet ass floating toward me, I'll come running home."

"Trevor!" she snapped, smacking my arm. "I wish you would take this seriously."

"I promise I will be careful, okay? I love you too much to leave you alone." My sympathetic eyes met her hardened ones. The electricity behind the blue fizzled out, turning soft.

"See you at six o' clock. Not a minute later, you hear me?"

"You got it boss."

.................

Gravel popped underneath the tires as I pulled the car into the drive. The happy tune coming through the stereo abruptly cut out. In its place, a crackling static spread through the speakers, getting louder and louder until I slammed the off button on the radio. Silence filled the car once more.

Damn trees messing with the signal.

I pushed my beating heart back into my chest and carried on, coming to a stop at the gate. Vines had grown over the rusted metal. A padlock and chain keeping the gate locked. Too many teenagers breaking and entering on dares. It wasn't until the seventeen-year-old went missing did the police intervene. Five years later, and the bank finally offered the house for sale, which my company eagerly wrapped its talons around.

"This promotion better be worth it," I grumbled, foraging around my briefcase for the key. With the heavy bronze key in hand, my feet hit solid ground. Goosebumps prickled my skin as the cool air enveloped me. Funny, it was supposed to be in the sixties today.

Rushing to the lock, I jammed the key in the rusted hole. A clink let me know that I had been successful.

I drove the rest of the way in silence. Shadows from barren trees overhead cast outstretched claws along the dashboard.

The shadows dissipated as I pulled into the clearing, coming upon the two-story house. Paint peeled from the grime covered panels. A few of the panels had fallen, hanging by a thread as they dangled back and forth in the breeze. The shutters were drawn, leaving it up to the imagination of what lay inside. Black shingles surrounded the house in the dead grass. On top of the house, a broken tree limb pierced a gaping hole in the roof.

Great, that will cost a fortune to repair.

Reaching into my briefcase again, I pulled out a pen and notebook, jotting down the repairs needed on the exterior portion of the house. I checked the time. Fifteen minutes until the inspector was due to show. Maybe I would look around. Note anything else that needed repairs.

Opening the car door, the chilly air washed over me again, settling deep within my bones. I shook it off, gathering my bearings. As I walked, the dead grass crunches underneath my feet. Patches of grass near the border of the property stand taller than myself.

Along the exterior of the house, I saw several more issues needing to be fixed. The foundation is cracking. The porch steps worn by termites. All in all, an expensive fix for my company.

How good of a deal did Victor get for this crummy house? It certainly didn't seem to be profitable.

A glimpse of the watch tells me I've got five minutes until the inspector is due.

Hopefully this key works. Would hate to make the guy drive all this way for nothing.

Cautiously, I made my way up the wooden steps. The rotted wood pleading underneath my shoes. The wood on the porch was similar in appearance. On the door, the paint had peeled away, revealing the splintered wood underneath. Taking the key out of my pocket, I gingerly placed the skeleton key in the lock. A click, followed by a squeaking sounded.

A musty smell filled the air, riling up a cough in my lungs. My hands fanned the air around me, trying to clear away the thick scent. Using the notebook as a shield over my nose, I advanced forward into the dark.

Allison would have a field day in here.

My hands skimmed the wall in search of a light switch, pulling away only to find a layer of dust upon my fingertips. The particles of dust irritated my nose, leading a sneeze to shake my body.

"Bless you," a feminine voice whispers behind me.

Oh good, the inspector is here early.

"Why thank y—"

There was no one there. Trepidation snaked its way over me. The daylight guiding my path waned, before the slamming of the door snuffed it out completely. I was trapped.