The Haunting of Lunar Castle

Chapter 1: The Castle

Chloe got back into the rental car after closing off the entrance gate that led down a long, less traveled road. Already the daylight was being washed out by the oncoming clouds rolling in from the mountainside. She climbed back into the car and returned to heading in the direction of her next job.

She had received an email a few days ago inquiring about her services. Normally she would turn down the offer but as soon as she had looked at the image of where she would be investigating. It had been decided. Her senses were on fire as her forest green eyes locked on to the picture of an ancient castle nestled within a mountainous sea of trees. She could almost hear the castle call out to her. A distant voice that reached out, inviting her in.
Chloe refocused herself and read the email over a few more times. The offer was to stay at the castle for a month for a closed off investigation. Tickets and accommodations were included besides payment for her services as a infamous psychic in the underground network of paranormal investigators. The ones that saw her abilities first hand understood why and helped give her a low profile on request. While most psychics would want the fame, she preferred to stay in solitude.

The email continued on in saying there would be a small group to also investigate alongside her but to keep their distance. If there was anything she needed, they would easily provide that for her. At the end it was only signed by 'Trusted Benefactor'. Normally those that would request her services would go to great lengths to show off who they were or who they knew. Yet, this particular client was reserved. Even with the eloquence with how it was written gave a vague notion of being well off and mysterious.
She replied back within the hour to the Trusted Benefactor and included a few more rules to how she will work in this investigation. Of course the response back confirmed the contract and she was off to Romania.

The rental car traveled down a well driven path through the dense Hoia forest. The headlights pushed back the oncoming clouded sunset over the mountainside. Everything was bathed in a warm red glow as she reached the front gates of the old castle. Slowing to a crawl, Chloe drove into the outer courtyard and parked close to the entrance.

Stepping out of the car, she stood with a hand placed on the top of the car door. The first thing she noticed as she gazed upwards at the castle walls was the dead silence from the forest. She could hear her breath as she began to look around at her surroundings. A tingling sensation traveled down her spine as she felt the hundreds of eyes watching her from a safe distance. Waiting. Yet too frightened to come closer.Looking upon the castle once more, she felt something different. That calling edging at the back of her mind.

No one else was there yet as she stood alone in the courtyard. Closing the car door, she began to make her way about the area to get a sense of the place before the others would arrive; a day later as per her request. She wanted to get a feel for what she was preparing herself for. To find out what or who was calling to her. Normally the clients would try to test her abilities. Checking to see if what she can do was real. Clients all too quickly realize her accuracy. One that gave her a reputation that allowed for her solitude when she worked.

As she made her way around the castle grounds, a low bearing cloud began to blanket the area in a thick fog. With the stillness of the forest creatures and the oncoming weather, the energy that the castle gave off was incredible. Something dark and hidden well deep within the castle walls.

Reaching the front courtyard once more, she heard the engine of a car driving down the road towards the castle. The haze of the headlights illuminating the path. Her brows furrowed as she walked up towards her car and waited to see who pulled up. Breaking through the fog was a small Black town car that parked close behind hers.
A chauffeur stepped out and quickly walked to the rear passenger door opening it. Chloe watched on as a tall figure stepped out of the car. He was in a well dressed suit that was well tailored to fit his possible athletic build underneath. His hair of a chestnut brown down to his shoulders in soft waves. The driver took to one side as the man began to walk towards her. He lifted his arm, placing a hand over his chest with a slight bow as he approached her. His appearance gave him the feeling of a Bruce Wayne or Danny Rand.