Veils Of Secrets

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k of the elaborate grandfather clock in the hallway outside. Even as the empty corridor made fun o

s into some sort of order. The shrill voice and the icy words from t

w something. About

s corners appeared to move. I grabbed my notebook, scribbling

As I gazed at the words, my palm shook and the ink smeared be

is threa

the following morning. As if the walls themselves demanded their obedien

ont of me. Derick was absorbed in his iPad as he sat opposite me.He hadn'

gned, I need

gaze snapped u

I was unable to completely explain it without giv

trange call

ftened despite a little crease

e read my words. His jaw tightened, and for a momen

ing specific?" he a

ng to the next p

secrets. And b

ng into a narrow line. "It's probably a prank," he said dismi

, but I refused to let it show. Ins

leaving no room for argument. "I'll hav

ords was clear. The c

the day went on. With each step I took, the maze

aid in particular appeared quite apprehensive; she was young and had large, anxiou

signed, "Ar

ing hands. She said, "Yes, ma'am," as her eyes darte

ar, which just made

use. The brilliant colors and warm, earthy scents wer

ldn't escape the fee

g at the little rustle of leaves. Nothing. Just the p

e it, but someth

s a little envelope. I lifted it up, the paper cold

y and a note scrawled

e, not even

red at the key, its cool metal pushi

pen? And who

d in my fist, the mansion's shadows appeared darker. My

something caught my eye-a painting part

e antique painting's colors had faded over time. It showed

ath. It was the same boy from the

ers across the canvas, but I froze

naudible sound, a

there was nob

each step as I rushed back to my ro

my palm after locking the door. I could still hear t

e, not even

hort, blinding bolts of lightning. The shadows seemed to dance and

h had a straightforward design that

why did they want m

than the one before it as the weigh

nsion itself was alive, its secrets encircli

e unsolved mysteries, and the mountin

ven m