Sierra’s POV
The workers took my bags up ahead of me, disappearing into the enormous, echoing hallways. I followed Mrs. Lawrence down a different hallway, feeling the weight of each step as if I were sinking deeper into the unknown. This place wasn’t just large; it was like a maze, and every corner seemed to whisper secrets I wasn’t meant to know.
“Once you’re settled in, dear, I’d love to show you around the house,” Mrs. Lawrence said gently as we rode a creaky, old-fashioned elevator. “But for now, just rest and make yourself comfortable.”
“Comfortable”—in this place? I doubted that was possible. Still, I nodded, trying to seem polite. We reached my room, a grand suite that looked more like a fancy hotel than any bedroom I’d ever known. The enormous window overlooked the grounds, stretching endlessly, like they wanted to remind me of just how far from home I really was.
After Mrs. Lawrence left, I took a moment to breathe. The whole thing still felt like a dream—or maybe a nightmare. I pulled out my phone and quickly called my friends, hoping their familiar faces would make me feel less out of place.
“Wow, that room looks insane!” one of them said, wide-eyed.
“It is,” I admitted, sighing. “But it’s weird. It feels more like… a castle, or maybe a museum. It’s beautiful, but so stiff, you know?”
I could see their sympathetic looks, and as we ended the call, I felt a pang of loneliness I hadn’t expected. This wasn’t just some vacation. This was my life now.
A few minutes later, Dad knocked and poked his head in with a soft smile. “How are you holding up, kiddo?”
I forced a smile, not wanting him to worry. “I’m okay. It’s… a lot to take in, but I’ll be fine.”
He looked relieved, and I could see the exhaustion in his face. “Good. Well, wash up and come down for lunch, all right?”
As he left, I changed into a simple dress, hoping to look somewhat presentable. Part of me wanted to wear something comfortable, like my sweatpants, but I knew Dad wanted me to make a good impression. I stepped into the hallway, determined to find my way to the dining room without asking for help. But after wandering aimlessly for several minutes, I had to admit I was lost.
I spotted a door slightly ajar, hoping it might lead to a staircase or somewhere that could point me in the right direction. I was just about to open it when a hand suddenly rested gently on mine, stopping me. Startled, I looked up to find Mrs. Lawrence, her expression unreadable but her smile warm.
“That room is forbidden, my dear,” she said in a soft, almost too-kind voice, as if she were telling me not to play in the street. “This is why I wanted to give you a tour—to help you get used to the layout. We wouldn’t want you getting lost.”
I nodded quickly, pulling my hand back, my cheeks flushing. But the word “forbidden” stayed with me, tugging at my curiosity. What could be so important that it needed to be hidden?
Mrs. Lawrence’s gentle grip guided me to the dining room, where everyone was already seated, as if waiting for us. Jayden looked up, that same smirk playing on his lips. “Got lost already, did you?”
Ignoring him, I slid into my seat and focused on the food, which was a strange mix of normal dishes—roasted vegetables, salads, grilled meat—and other foods that made me pause. One platter held raw meat, garnished with just a sprig of thyme. My stomach twisted a little, and I focused on the dishes I recognized, sticking to what felt safe.
I took a few bites, trying to relax, but my appetite wasn’t there. The tension around the table made everything feel… off. Even though everyone seemed friendly, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there were too many unspoken rules and secrets in this house.
After lunch, I went back to my room, hoping to rest and clear my mind, but that only made my curiosity grow. When Mrs. Lawrence came by later to offer a tour, I accepted, knowing I needed to understand this place if I was going to survive here.
As we moved through the halls, I started to notice the strangest things: paintings of wolves in mid-howl, moonlit landscapes, carvings of creatures that seemed more like beasts than animals. It was like a theme I couldn’t quite put my finger on—something wild and raw.
“These are beautiful,” I said cautiously, glancing at Mrs. Lawrence to see if she’d offer any explanation.
She gave me an approving smile. “They have a special meaning to us. Our family has always been… connected to nature.”
“Connected?” I repeated, my curiosity flaring. Her words were vague, and yet they only made me want to know more. Connected how? And why hide certain rooms?
As we walked, my mind spun with questions, each one leading to the next. The house felt like it was full of shadows, of secrets they didn’t want me to uncover. But one thing was clear: if I was going to live here, I would have to figure out what this family was hiding. And something told me that once I started, there would be no going back.
The tour wrapped up with Mrs. Lawrence showing me the last section of the main floor: an ornate library filled with towering bookshelves and antique furnishings. Despite its grandeur, it had a cozy warmth, with a fireplace crackling in the corner and soft, leather-bound chairs that looked as if they had stories of their own. I ran my fingers along the spines of the books, noting how many were about folklore, myths, and some titles I couldn’t quite read due to their faded lettering.
“This is one of my favorite places,” Mrs. Lawrence said, her voice low and almost reverent. “You’re welcome to explore it whenever you’d like.”
I nodded, murmuring a “thank you” as I pulled out a book titled *Legends of the Moon-Bound*. The cover was dark, with an intricate silver design that almost shimmered under the light. Before I could thumb through it, Mrs. Lawrence gently placed her hand on the cover, closing it.
“Maybe another time,” she said, her eyes catching mine with an unreadable expression. There was a heaviness in her gaze, as if she wanted to say more but couldn’t. “Let’s continue, shall we?”
We moved on, but the lingering touch on that book and the glint in her eye stayed with me. What did they mean by *moon-bound*? I glanced back as we walked out, noticing how the light from the fire seemed to dance across the cover like tiny stars.
The rest of the tour was just as odd. Hallways filled with antique relics—some that looked ceremonial, others that gave me chills just passing by them. I couldn’t help but feel that this house wasn’t just a home; it was a story, a layered tale filled with whispers from its very walls.
After the tour, I found myself alone in my room once more, the setting sun casting long shadows across the floor. I sat by the window, staring out at the gardens below. A sudden movement caught my eye—a figure darting between the trees, too fast for me to see clearly. I blinked and it was gone, as if the shadows had swallowed it up.
The door creaked open, startling me. Jayden leaned against the frame, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. “Settling in?” His tone was casual, but his eyes studied me with an intensity that made me uncomfortable.
“Trying to,” I said, matching his gaze. “This place is... interesting.”
A smirk tugged at his lips. “Interesting is one word for it.”
I waited, hoping he’d elaborate, but he simply watched me, a challenge in his expression as if waiting for me to ask the right question. But before I could say anything, he straightened, his face turning serious.
“Word of advice: if someone tells you a place is forbidden, listen to them. This house isn’t always as friendly as it looks.”
With that cryptic warning, he turned and left, his footsteps fading into the quiet of the hall. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, my mind spinning with even more questions. What did he mean by that? And why did it feel like everyone here was dancing around something they didn’t want me to see?
I glanced out the window one last time, half-expecting to see another shadow, another flicker of movement that would confirm my suspicions. But there was only the garden, stretching out under the darkening sky, and the uneasy silence that seemed to settle around me.
This place is full of secrets, I thought, shivering. And something told me that before long, I’d wish I never came looking for them.