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CHAPTER TWO
Emma Sullivan's hands trembled as she held the mysterious letter in her grasp. The words on the aged paper seemed to dance before her eyes, weaving a tale of an unexpected inheritance and a house nestled in the enigmatic Florida Keys. The letter had sent her world into a whirlwind of curiosity and uncertainty, but little did she know that the journey ahead would unravel not only the secrets of her newfound aunt but also the chilling mysteries that lay within the house itself.
She kept thinking of the whisper next to her ear as she went to sleep.
It was probably just in my head.
Not wanting to believe anything that wasn’t real could be a possibility, Emma decided to visit every room in the house, including finding the door mentioned in the letter from her aunt. The thought of uncovering her family's hidden past had always been a distant dream, but now it stood before her like an open door, beckoning her to step through. But what would be found on the other side now caused her to feel unsettled.
As she explored the rooms, the floors groaned under her feet as she walked. Shadows danced along the walls, and a cool breeze rustled through the curtains, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. Emma's pulse quickened as she sensed a presence, a feeling that she was not alone. She dismissed it as her imagination running wild, but the chills that ran down her spine told her otherwise.
It’s not real. I’m here alone in an old home. The floors creek. It’s nothing more than that.
That same evening, as the moon hung high in the sky, she heard a faint melody drifting through the house. It was a haunting tune that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere all at once. Guided by the ethereal music, she followed its enchanting trail, her heart pounding in her chest.
The melody led her to a hidden attic. She stared at it for half a beat. “This was not on the house plans,” she whispered to herself. “Why would an attic not be included?”
Grasping the handle, she twisted it and pushed it open. Unsure of what she’d find on the other side, she held her breath. The moment she crossed the threshold, she found herself in a forgotten space filled with dusty trunks and worn-out furniture.
She followed the sound of the music and approached an old wooden chest. The melody continued with whispers that seemed to echo in her ears. With trembling hands, she opened the trunk and the music ceased, revealing a treasure trove of mementos and keepsakes.
Among them, Emma discovered a faded photograph of a woman who bore a striking resemblance to herself. She gasped, realizing that this woman was her late aunt, the one who had bequeathed her the house. Emma's mind raced, trying to make sense of what has just happened. The music being played from nowhere led her to the attic she didn’t realize was part of the home to connections of family members that seemed to transcend time.
She wasn’t sure how much more of this she could take. As strong of a person she claimed to be, this was wearing on her soul. Emma made her way downstairs and stopped by a door with an innate pattern of symbols around the outer edge of the frame.
The motif was something she had not noticed before when passing this door. Why now?
In the lock of the door rested a key that had a string tied to it, and a note attached at the end.
It’s as if someone or something is trying to tell me I’m going insane. Or make me go insane. Or both!
She picked up the note and opened it.
"Dear Emma,
Within these walls lies a doorway to realms unknown. This key holds the power to unlock the secrets of your inheritance. Open your mind, embrace the extraordinary, and trust in the journey that awaits you. The choice is yours to step into the unknown or to remain confined by the familiar. Remember, the key not only opens doors but also unlocks the hidden potential within yourself.
With curiosity as your guide,
A Friend"
Emma dropped the letter and took a step back. “Right. Turn the key, walk inside, and find what? A closet? A dead body? Well, a dead body would smell so that’s out, thank God.”
Curiosity winning over, she sighed and decided to turn the key. The metallic click resonated in the quiet hall. She was still unsure who “A Friend” was and prayed this wasn’t a setup for disaster.
The door swung open with a creak to reveal a dusty closet. The slight fear she felt quickly waned. It was empty. Nevertheless, she stepped into the confined space, her eyes adjusting to the darkness.
The air was heavy with the scent of age and disuse. She cautiously reached out to touch a nearby shelf, her fingers trailing through the layers of dust. The closet appeared to be empty, save for a few forgotten and tattered garments that hung limply on rusty hooks. Disappointment settled upon her, momentarily dampening her spirits.
Deciding to leave the closet behind, Emma pushed the door shut. But as she did, a flicker of light caught her attention. Curiosity sparked within her once more. She hesitated, then pulled the door open again, only to find the closet shrouded in darkness as before. Confusion furrowed her brow as she tried to make sense of what had just transpired.
She closed the door and reopened it several times, each time experiencing the same result—a dark and dusty closet. She couldn't fathom why the light had appeared and vanished so quickly. Determined to uncover the truth, Emma examined the key in her hand. It was an intricate design, the metal cool against her skin. She wondered if there was more to it than met the eye.
With a newfound resolve, Emma inserted the key into the lock once more, but this time, she turned it in the opposite direction. A soft click rippled through the room like a touch against still water, and as she pulled open the door, a blinding light flooded her vision. Emma shielded her eyes and stumbled backward, her heart pounding in her chest.
As the light subsided, Emma gradually lowered her hands, her eyes wide in astonishment. Before her stood not the dark closet she had grown accustomed to, but a effervescent and otherworldly landscape. The wardrobe appeared to be more of a frame now to the lush, alien vegetation that stretched out as far as the eye could see. The grounds were covered with vibrant flowers and strange, exotic creatures.
Emma's breath caught in her throat as she the truth hit her in the face—the unlocked door had become a gateway to another universe. Her aunt wasn’t lying! This was not make-believe!
