Whispers in the Dark | Chapter 01

A Horror Web-Novel

CHAPTER 1: The House on BlackWood Lane

Ayan had always been skeptical about ghosts. He believed in logic, in science, in things that could be explained. But when he inherited his grandfather’s old mansion on Blackwood Lane, his beliefs were about to be tested.

The house stood alone at the edge of town, surrounded by a thick forest of gnarled, leafless trees. The road leading to it was cracked, overtaken by creeping vines, as if nature itself was trying to swallow the place whole. The iron gate at the entrance was rusted, its hinges screaming in protest as Ayan pushed it open.

A heavy fog blanketed the area, clinging to the ground like ghostly fingers. The air smelled of damp wood, mildew, and something metallic—perhaps rust or something far worse. The mansion itself loomed in the gloom, its windows like hollow eyes staring at him.

Inside, the air was thick with dust and the weight of forgotten memories. Cobwebs draped across the chandeliers, swaying ever so slightly despite the absence of a breeze. The wooden floor creaked under Ayan’s feet as he made his way through the grand foyer. An old grandfather clock stood against the wall, its hands frozen at 3:13 AM, an unsettling detail he chose to ignore.

The silence was unnerving. No hum of electricity, no distant sound of life. Just the quiet, and something else—something just beneath the surface.

That night, as Ayan lay in bed, the whispers came. At first, they were faint, like wind slipping through cracks in the walls. But as the minutes passed, they grew more distinct.

“Get out.”

Ayan’s eyes snapped open. He held his breath, listening. The room was dark except for the moonlight filtering through the tattered curtains.

Then, a creak.

He turned toward the door. It was slightly ajar, though he was sure he had shut it before going to bed. A chill ran down his spine as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. His feet met the cold wooden floor.

As he stepped forward, the floor groaned beneath him. He reached for the door handle.

And then—

SLAM!

The door shut on its own. Ayan stumbled back, his heartbeat hammering in his ears. The whispers returned, closer this time, like breath against his neck.

“You’re not alone.”

To Be Continued…..

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