Chapter 6: Gloomy house

When the stranger forcefully pressed Caitlin against the fitting room wall, his eyes burned with both rage and fear. It seemed like he was gathering all his anger to squeeze out some words.

“It was foolish, too foolish,” he hissed, his voice breaking as if choked by fury and despair. Sparks of hatred and anxiety flickered in his eyes. “He’ll find me… and you too. He already suspects… and if he finds out that I showed weakness, he’ll do what he promised.” The tension in his voice was palpable, as if each word caused him physical pain. He took a deep breath, trying to gather his scattered thoughts. “You have no idea how dangerous this is… Be careful, Caitlin… He’s not who he seems. He…” – but the words froze on his lips, sounding like unspoken horror that he couldn’t or wouldn’t express.

“Who – who is he?” Caitlin whispered, hoping to understand the situation even slightly.

The man abruptly stopped, as if emphasizing the importance of his next words. Then, grabbing Caitlin’s hand, he swiftly turned and dragged her along, as if experiencing strong internal tension.

“Where are we going?” the girl asked, trying to keep up with him while simultaneously attempting to break free from his grip.

“To your car. I have to show you something,” he replied, his voice tense and disbelieving.

Arriving at the car, Caitlin took the wheel, and he took a seat next to her. A tense silence hung between them, as if each of them was gathering their thoughts, preparing for the inevitable. They set off on the road in silence. The man directed her, as if reading Caitlin’s mind and leading her somewhere off the beaten path.

Soon, an old mansion loomed before them, engulfed in shadow and oblivion. Caitlin had long dreamed of visiting it, as photos from such places exuded a charm of mystery and intrigue, but now something else worried her. Due to the incessant rain, the mansion seemed even more menacing, as if each of its stone walls breathed stories of fear and secrets. Heavy clouds hung over it like ominous guardians, ready to unleash their fury on anyone who dared to approach. Its stone walls seemed like witnesses to countless tragic events, hidden in the dark corners of its endless corridors. Every window opening of the mansion seemed like an anxious eye, peering intently at everything that happened around it. The darkness enveloping it seemed endless and impenetrable, as if harboring secrets beyond human sight. Local residents told numerous unpleasant rumors about the old mansion. There were stories of ghosts of the deceased inhabiting its walls, of mysterious figures appearing at night, and of an unbearable moan emanating from its dark halls. All this gave the mansion an even more sinister look and filled the air around it with gloomy forebodings.

Stopping in front of the mansion’s entrance, the man turned to Caitlin with a questioning look. The tension in the air was almost tangible, as if every moment could be the last. “Do you remember anything?” His words were quiet, but the tension in his voice was unmistakable.