The Hollow Guest

the overgrown pathway, staring up

forgotten years, and the toweri

sly in the la

y for generations, though she h

ad lived here until her death si

itor of the house and everythin

ut standing here now,

nd stepped inside, dust stirred

and the walls-lined with antiqu

hollo

foyer, exhaling slowly. It was

ybe. But still

she th

he old armchair by the fireplace,

ough the tree

kn

the fro

om any

m **inside*

t, delibe

. tap.

She turned her head toward the

airs was lined with doors. Three

her grandmother's. Olivia had f

used

ck came

. tap.

d the door. The knob felt cold un

the lock an

r creak

beyond wa

. No sign that anyone

*was** here. Sh

whisp

breathless, **ri

let m

coiled in Oli

pun a

door sla