Chapter 1.2

October 21, Friday | Luxbourne City | Afternoon

I hail a passing taxi to take me to the property, as soon as I leave the school grounds.

The mansion is some ways out in the countryside, but I don't have trouble giving the driver directions.

Apparently, everyone in Luxbourne City knows of it, including every bit of rumor surrounding the place.

Just the mention of its name is enough for locals to give you cautious, sidelong glances.

I learned that the hard way the first time I commuted there, and it only boosted my belief that there's something more to the house.

Even the news of it being renovated and placed back up in the market has caused quite a stir.

Thankfully, it died down a few weeks later. The place would've become a lot harder to sell, otherwise!

I avert my eyes from the window as soon as the buildings shrink in the distance.

We get a glimpse of the countryside soon. Although a quick glance at my watch tells me we're still a few minutes away from our destination.

Might as well get some work done.

Rose did ask me to do some last-minute reviews of the mansion's documents yesterday.

I already looked them over last night but you never know when things may go wrong!

Life has ways of messing things up like that.

Halfway through reading the papers, my phone rings again.

I pick it up without looking, neatly tucking it between my ear and shoulder.

It's probably just Rose again, anyway.

()Isabella

Ash()

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Rose?

???Guess again.

That voice...

Ash.

Bingo.

Hey, what's up?

Just checking if you're still cool later this evening.

You mean that thing with Zach?

Yeah, you know the indie movie he's been working on for months?

The premiere's going on tonight at the film fest and he's really excited to watch it with us. He even called in the middle of the night just to remind me.

No, don't worry. I didn't forget. I'll be there.

Cool! I'll see you later. What time do you get off?

Around five…? Six PM? I don't know...

It's the first day of the Ermengarde Mansion's open house, and we're expecting quite a number of potential buyers. I'll be booked the whole afternoon.

Ermengarde Mansion?

You know, the big Jacobean mansion at Anslem village? I'm on my way there right now, actually.

On your own?

Yeah! Well, Rose is already there. But, yeah!

I see... Looks like the scaredy-cat finally toughened up.

Shut up!

Ash chuckles from the other end and I can't help but roll my eyes at him.

I'll see you later. Drop me a call when you're done. I'll see if I can pick you up.

Whatever! Bye!

Stupid Ash-hole! Always teasing me whenever he sees a chance!

I'll show him who's tough!

October 21, Friday | Ermengarde Mansion | Afternoon

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It takes a few more minutes until I finally reach the infamous mansion.

I have to admit: The entire property does look wonderful from the outside—

Beautifully-situated in the middle of a vast, open field, with several lush, green trees dotting the immediate vicinity, that converges in a small woodlands nearby.

Yet, despite all of this, it does nothing to hide that something is just… wrong.

The surrounding area is unusually silent, and only the rustling of the leaves can be heard as the occasional breeze passes.

While Anslem Village is just a few miles away, everybody keeps their distance on purpose.

Perhaps out of fear; horrified at the thought of falling under the mansion's curse.

Somehow, it makes me feel sad.

The lack of immediate human presence just makes this place all the more eerie than it has any right to be.

If it's uncanny in broad daylight, I can't imagine how this place is going to be at night.

Are you planning to go inside that place, missy?

The voice nearly makes me jump out of my skin.

Without completely taking my eyes away from the house, I give the driver a confused nod.

A beat passes while I wait for him to say more, but his only answer is a non-committal hum and a return of my nod.

Belatedly, it occurs to me that he must've been waiting for my payment. I mentally slap myself for spacing out and promptly hand him the fare with an apologetic look.

I expected him to leave as soon as I've paid, but there's a hesitant expression on his face, as if something hasn't been said yet.

Is there something wrong?

Look, missy. I'm sure you've heard what the people are telling everyone about that place.

Nobody likes to be disturbed when they're at peace. And I'm pretty sure whatever they say is in that house, doesn't want to either.

I admit they did a good job fixing it up. But there must've been a reason why even distant relatives of the family who used to own the house, never lived in there despite inheriting it.

No wonder they wanted to get rid of it.

Ma-Maybe they just didn't like it...?

You never know.

He drives off after, but what he said has left a foreboding feeling in my gut.

I breathe out a heavy sigh as I make my approach towards the house.

After hearing enough of the rumors, I should've expected the conversation to take that turn!

But I'm already here. Backing out is completely out of the question. [/i]

It isn't like I have any choice in the matter, anyway.

If I want to get that bonus and commission, one way or another, I've got to sell this property.

The door is ajar when I get to it, however, and my own copy of the keys dangle in my hand, now useless.

Rose must have left it open when she arrived.

That's... weird.

We may be the only people here this early but I've never known her as someone careless.