Becoming the Cold Devil's Offering

Chapter 1: The Beverly Manor

Few Hours Ago…

Tracy’s POV

Amidst the spring night, sitting in the open garden of some residential block, my friends and I were talking and scrolling through our social media feed. Few cars could be heard from distant.

“Holy fudge, GUYS look at this.”

Kavya’s cry made me bit my lip.

I already had goosebumps on my skin. However, I leaned forward and just like the other three, bent over the screen of Kavya’s phone.

“Dayum! What the hell is that?” Kevin shouted and snatched my phone to sit back comfortably and glance through the news article.

Other protested but a glance from him and we all were silent.

Kevin is all jacked up, eighteen but with his tall height and muscular body, he appears to be mature than his real age.

Usually he is friendly but can be intimidating as well, especially with his Italian looks. Curly long-hair pulled back in a ponytail; tough looks with bronze skin.

“It’s the same news Gilbert told us today.” Kavya informed us while hugging my legs with my slender arms.

She is taller than any of us, bronze skin and eyes mud brown. She is popular among guys with her perfect curves.

“Could you tell already?” Ash, my best friend, sighed and went back to his place.

“I did tell you!” Gilbert, the journalist, of our group interjected.

“You mean that the 12 AM challenge is real?” Ash asked eyeing Gilbert with his big blue eyes.

His slim, long face with blonde short hair made him look angrier at the moment, hiding his wary expressions.

“That’s what is in this article. See…” Gilbert snatched the phone from Kevin’s hand and shoved it in Ash’s face.

I knew where the things were heading to; biting my lip nervously, I tried to slip away avoiding their gaze.

Unfortunately, Kevin gripped my wrist and pulled me down next to him. His hand sneaked around my bust, caging me so I wouldn’t leave.

“Ah! Let go of me…” I struggled and punched him but it was meaningless compared to his muscular body.

He smiled snarkly and pulled out my phone from my side jean pocket. My shriek of protest seemed loudest in the night sky.

“Shhh… stop being a cry baby.” Gilbert said annoyed while he ran a hand through his dusty blonde hair with irritation.

As always, I ignored his ass.

“Baker! Leave her alone.” Ash warned and Kevin’s smile dropped.

He instantly left me to place his head back on the tree trunk, he used earlier. Meanwhile, I glared at Kevin’s face while Ash Hill started narrating us the article.

“So, basically, anyone who goes to the Beverly Manor experiences some presence there. The two boys who went missing last night are reported to have followed the 12AM challenge before their disappearance.” Ash was cut off by Kavya.

“But how did the others know about it?” She asked, seemingly too much interested in the current topic.

My bullet shooting eyes turned to her this time; my entire wrath was directed in her direction now. I was practically inviting it.

“From their gram stories, duh! Look!” Gilbert rolled his ice-blue eyes as he flicked something on his screen.

Within seconds, he played a gram story and I was quick to close my ears to muffle down their voices. My heart beat was already racing not wanting to hear them perform the 12AM challenge.

Suddenly, I heard laughter and shrieked, god knows how loudly. I opened my eyes and uncovered my ears only to find them few feet away; enjoying my fear.

“Tracy!” Ash’s cold voice made me rush to him; holding his hand.

“We’re heading to the Manor, now.” He informs, squeezing my hand back while I stand gaping at them.

“Are you guys out of your mind?” I asked not believing them but they pssstted laughing at me.

“No. If this is a rumor we will put an end to it.” Gilbert, the journalist spoke; typing something on his phone.

“Let’s go.” They all started walking while Ash tagged me along.

Cold wave washed over me, I felt my face heat up as warm tears flooded my eyes.

“No… Please… Ash…” I say and he didn’t stop.

“Ash, let me go!” I pleaded, trying to drag him but who was I kidding.

He hissed and stops along with the others.

“What now?” Kevin asked, teasingly.

“Miss Coward is already crying? Wanna go home to momma?” He teased as the others restrained their laughter.

But I cared less. Tears were streaming down my face. It was true anyway. I was scared and don’t want to go there.

“Kevin!” Ash warned him and Kevin returned an angry glare.

“Listen Tracy, if you don’t want to then it is fine.” Kavya added and I sighed in relief.

I thanked her and watched them head in the safari car. I felt for my phone only to get a mini heart attack.

“My phone? Where is it?” I felt around in my pockets and then at the ground.

Suddenly, a car honk jolted me in my place. I glanced to see my friends waving at me from a far.

“How would you go home without your phone?” He teased and my eyes went wide.

“YOU!!!” How dare he?

Kevin laughed before gesturing me to come in.

“There’s only one option left—to follow us. We’ll drop you back at home and you know that.” He smartly answered making me feel weak once again.

I hate him!

Ash got down the car and walked towards me.

“Don’t be scared. You have me right? So, let’s go. Show them you’re not weak.” Ash set my hair while sweet talking to me.

I felt awful but agreed anyway. It was a stupid idea to hang out with them.

In the end, we were headed to the Beverly Manor in the night time. There was no one at home or I would have called mom to pick me up. She is still working. We finally reached the eerie looking place.

They all stepped out, stretching their arms and I just stayed there terrified to get down.

“Wow, if you ignore the eerie silence, this Manor is beautiful!” Kavya mentioned while snapping pictures of it.

Gilbert was doing the same, finding information on it. Ash lazily trotted around while Kevin stayed closer to me.

“It’s still ten past eleven. Don’t you want to explore it?” Kevin offered but I ignored him.

This silence was creepy.

“Hey, don’t be like that. We all are here. Don’t worry we promise to keep you safe.” Kavya noticed and walked towards me with her sweet smile.

“No. I don’t want to.” I answered which was refuted by Gilbert.

“You wouldn’t have anything better to do here. So, better head inside.” He said and I just glared at him angrily which earned a laugh from him.

“She really looks like a scared kitten. Who was the one that pointed it out first?” Gilbert said laughing but taking a picture of mine.

“Hey!” I protested as Kavya mentioned Ash’s name.

“Guys, if you are done let’s head in. What if those guys were just pranking? Let’s check for ourselves.” Ash informed and was already walking towards the Manor.

My heart thudded in fear. He is my best of friends among these four idiots! I called out his name but he wasn’t listening.

The others followed him and I sat there, scared for my and their lives.

“The ghosts attack on lonely people first!” Kevin shouted and I screamed, running straight out of the car, after them.

“Shhhh…” Gilbert hissed while the others fall in a laughter fit.

This time Ash was also smiling, earning a tearful scowl from me.

As we walked closer, a shiver ran down my spine. I tried to watch the others but they were captivated by the Manor’s beauty.

“Guys, isn’t it too cold?” I asked them and none answered.

“Take this.” Ash handed me his jacket and resuming his work.

I stayed closer to him. They stopped at the door and tried opening it when I felt a stare on me. So, I shoved closer to the others. They cautiously opened the door and I waited for that creepy corroded-hinged noise to appear. To my surprise, it was smoothly working.

We shared a glance and I gulped hard when Gilbert stepped in followed by Kevin. Ash asked me to follow them and I reluctantly followed.

Woosh!

I shivered when a strong powerful wind hit my face.

“What?” Kavya inquired and I realized I might have squealed as they all gave me weird looks.

“S-sorry… Something… I felt a strong wind.” I said examining them and the surrounding.

To their dismay, it was nothing. Yet I couldn’t forget how strong it felt. And the feeling of being observed became stronger.

“We shouldn’t have brought this kid.” Kevin mumbled while I gave him a death glare.

“I am not the kid. It’s you!” I retorted to which he gritted his teeth.

Yes, I was the youngest of them but Kevin was just a few months older than me. We both were eighteen while Kavya and Gilbert were nineteen years old and Ash being the eldest; twenty years old.

“Hey, stop it. You guys are disturbing the ghosts.” Gilbert smirked and it rendered me speechless, scared at the mention of ghosts.

Kevin and him shared a high five as we walked even further, exploring the things. Kavya gasped finding the candles, matchbox, a white cloth and silverware neatly kept on one of the dressers.

“Does this belong to the guys?” I asked and I could feel my heart being tugged painfully as fear washed over me.

“Let’s head out when we have time.” I urged but they ignored.

“Except the candles, the other things are new. I don’t think these are theirs. Remember they performed the twelve AM challenge.” Gilbert pointed out and they hummed in agreement.

“Could it be that this is kind of a sport now? The Manor’s owner wants to make it popular this way? Such kind of stuff you know?” Ash reasoned and the others stared at him with awe.

“Could be possible. However, it’s not convincing. How about we try it ourselves and see?” Kevin suggested with his smiling eyes on me.

I swear to god, I’ll kill him!

“Good idea! But who will volunteer?” They asked and I snuggled closer to Ash who wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“Who else? Our baby, Tracy, of course!” Gilbert spoke happily and my eyes popped out of my skull.

“NOOO!” I screamed and suddenly a loud thud above our heads scared the s**t out of me!

We all were crouched with our heads covered. My heart was ready to tear apart my chest and take off.

“Shhh… it’s still an old Manor. Your screams could break few things or scare an animal or bat. Who knows?” Kavya whispered and I was shaking already.

“Shouldn’t we check?” I ask and they stared each other before nodding.

Thankfully, they kept me in between as we went upstairs on the second floor to investigate that sound. I prayed it should be nothing. Or I would die with a heart attack. There was no way these guys would leave and I am too scared to leave without them.

Especially when I am feeling this constant stare…

Odd enough, a few lights worked just fine here. It gave me a little strength and we were now searching for any source that could have made that sound. After forever’s search we stopped in a waiting area. A painting had fallen with its frame broken.

“Haist! So, this was it.” Kavya smiled at me seeing a relief wash over my face.

We knew it was the only thing that fell as it was right above the room where we stood earlier. Also, in the boy’s gram, this place was perfectly organized. They all started to leave when I bent down quickly to pick that painting up.

As I set it on a nearest table my breath hitched—

A young man with dark brown hair and silver eyes stared right past at me. It seemed realistic!

So handsome!

I blushed from his intense gaze. The painting was 3D. So, unbelievable but something caught my eyes— blood on his hollow cheeks.

I frowned, reaching for his face when a voice scared the s**t out of me.

“What you’re doing there? Hurry up!” Ash called and I spared a glance at the painting before taking off.

Those guys were back in the previous room. They laid a white cloth, placing a candle and a silver glass of water beside it.

“Common, it’s about time. Take the lead.” Gilbert pushed me forward and I glanced away, flailed.

“Don’t worry, I am right here.” Ash encouraged and I knew he would be true to his words.

“Is it necessary?” I asked hoping them to change their minds.

“Of course unless you chicken out. Coward!” Kevin teased and Ash warned him.

I knew I had to… to shut up his mouth. Deep down I knew we’ll regret this.

“Now, start it already.” Kavya said and pulled out their phones before turning off their flashlights.

The room became colder and I tried to spot them. They have even turned off their video cameras’ flash to prevent any mistake as they waited for the 12AM challenge to start.

I took a deep breath knowing they were closer and kneeled in front of the candle.

“Louise Lester, Oh free Spirit” I dipped my finger in that cold water before sprinkling it around me.

“Show your presence with a sign… Spill this cup for me.” I shivered shaking at the intense heavy silence.

“Louise Lester…” I repeated it twice and waited…

Waited for the candle to blow out… Waited for the glass to flip with a troubled heart…

One…

Two…

Three…

Gasp!

***

Nothing… nothing happened? Ah!

I felt relieved and smiled standing upright! My friends groaned and I beamed turning around;

Clink!

Woosh~~

Cold water was thrown on my body as I heard the clattering of the metal. Slowly and terrified I turned around as my nightmare came alive in front of my eyes—

The glass was toppled; the water drenched the white cloth as the candle flickered off! The last thing I saw as I turned my head back was Ash’s frightened look—

Tracy!!!

And a strong wind engulfed me, a strong impact hitting my body...