Elm Brook Manor

The Arrival

Coby carefully lifted the frameless, all-glass tailgate of his Volvo P1800 ES, marvelling at its sleek design. He tossed his few belongings into the spacious hold, the metallic clinks echoing in the quiet garage. The car’s robust build, clear in its sturdy body, gave him a sense of security as he prepared for the journey ahead.

As he placed his laptop on the passenger seat, he couldn’t help but notice the cool touch of the leather against his fingertips. He carefully tucked it under a soft towel, ensuring its safety during the trip.

Negotiating with two enthusiastic boys, their voices filled with excitement, Coby secured his prized desk onto the roof rack of the car’s extended roofline. The weighty thuds of the desk hitting the metal rack served as a reminder of the task at hand. In the end, their eager help came at the cost of all his loose change, the jingling coins slipping through his fingers.

Examining the desk, he couldn’t help but notice how its legs were rigid, pointing skywards like a lifeless creature. The sight sent a shiver down his spine, a strange mixture of fascination and unease.

Before departing, Coby placed a heartfelt letter on the console table, its surface smooth beneath his touch. It was a message to his wife, a loving greeting mixed with an explanation of his whereabouts. He knew she would disapprove, her previous warnings about the risks involved with the manor still fresh in his mind. But he couldn’t ignore the pull he felt towards the mysterious estate.

His mind wandered to the looming manor, its ancient stones exuding an aura of mystery and foreboding. It was a place that seemed to hold secrets, its dimly lit corridors inviting him to explore their depths. Lost in thought, he conjured up the subtle aroma of mustiness, a fragrance that whispered tales of the past.

Coby was determined to uncover the hidden stories within those walls, his fingertips tingling with anticipation. The manor’s haunted embrace beckoned him forward, a chilling sensation that thrilled and chilled him in equal measure.

He embarked on the lengthy journey filled with bubbling anticipation, his lips vibrating with a cheerful melody. A heavy, sombre grey curtain veiled the heavens, ready to unleash its wrath upon the world. Before long, it released torrents of rain, cascading down in relentless sheets. Coby swiftly silenced the radio, his grip on the steering wheel tightening, causing his knuckles to pale under the pressure. Each fat raindrop violently hammered against the windshield, while his desk securely clung to the roof. The monotonous swishing of the windshield wipers added to his growing frustration. He cast a scowl towards the gloomy skies, muttering curses under his breath.

Many long and solitary hours passed by agonisingly slow, like a snail inching along. The relentless rain intensified the feeling of loneliness inside the car as it drowned out the rhythmic chug of the engine. While he patiently waited on the narrow road for a flock of sheep to leisurely pass, he meticulously examined his worn-out map. The scent of dampness filled the car, mingling with the scent of the old leather seats. He had never quite grasped the concept of modern navigation systems, even though his sleek smartphone supported it. Frustration tugged at him as he traced the twisting blue line that snaked its way across the map, leading from his former sanctuary to his eagerly awaiting abode. Judging by his estimation, he was only an hour’s drive away from his destination.

Coby carefully folded the worn map and tossed it into the cluttered glove box. The incessant baaing of the sheep gradually faded into the distance, replaced by the distant sound of the herder’s commanding whistle and the occasional bark of his two loyal border collies. With a quick wave at the herder, he eagerly lunged forward, the engine purring beneath him. It always irked him when people failed to wave back after he greeted them, a sense of disappointment settling in his chest.

He followed the winding road, the lush green scenery stretching out before him under the ethereal glow of the clear blue skies. As he approached a junction, a contented smile played on his lips, the corners of his mouth tingling with anticipation. And there it was, the weathered road sign proudly displaying the name ‘Serenity Falls,’ accompanied by an arrow pointing left. The soft click of the indicators filled the car, blending with the gentle hum of the engine. Without hesitation, he obediently followed the direction showed by the arrow, his hands gripping the steering wheel with a mix of excitement and relief.

Nestled deep within the Highlands, where the echoes of ancient tales mingle with the pulse of existence, resides a town veiled in a mysterious serenity. Serenity Falls, it’s called, a name that rolls off the tongue as soothing as the lilting melodies of a lullaby. Here, time seems to slow, as if the universe itself has paused to take a breath, its pulse echoing in the gentle babble of brooks and the soft sigh of the wind.

This is a place where shadows dance with the light, where the ordinary mingles with the extraordinary. Nestled amidst emerald hills and silver streams, Serenity Falls is cradled within the verdant arms of age-old woods. These woods, they stand sentinel, their gnarled branches reaching out like spectral fingers, their leaves whispering tales of yore in the hushed, sacred silence.

Here, the air is heavy with the scent of pine and wet earth, a heady perfume that weaves an intoxicating spell. The sky overhead, a canvas of ever-changing hues, reflects in the shimmering surfaces of the brooks, painting portraits of the heavens in the heart of the earth. Coby carefully navigated the twisted, serpentine path that wound its way through the eerie, foreboding shadows cast by the towering hemlock trees. His intense gaze fixated on each bend, desperately trying to commit the route to memory. Over a year had passed since he had fortuitously stumbled upon the captivating stronghold. Deep in contemplation, his forehead creased with furrowed concentration, while his eyes strained against the blinding rays of the descending sun.

And there was Elm Brook Manor. It rose, abruptly and imposingly, from the tranquil landscape like an ancient monolith. A monument to a bygone era, it loomed over Serenity Falls, casting long, creeping shadows that merged with the twilight. Its stone walls, weathered by time and tempered by history, stood resilient against the elements, every groove and c***k a silent testament to tales untold.

Finally, Coby turned into the rising driveway of his new sanctuary. The gravel crunched under the weight of his tires, sending a satisfying sound that echoed through the quiet air. A sense of pride washed over him like a crashing wave, filling the air with a subtle feeling of accomplishment. The sun bathed the scene in a warm glow, casting long shadows across the driveway.

His face beamed with pride, a wide smile spreading across his lips. The fresh scent of cut grass mingled with the earthy aroma of the nearby trees, creating a pleasant fragrance that filled his nostrils. His eyes gleamed with joy, reflecting the excitement and contentment he felt in his heart.

Under the strain of the rising incline, the engine chugged noisily, its rumbling sound blending with the symphony of nature that surrounded him. The chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves added a melodic backdrop to the scene, creating a serene ambiance. The aged, moss-covered stone walls of a quaint cottage emerged from the dense forest, wisps of smoke dancing from its chimney. Against the backdrop of beige stone, a woman’s silhouette stood, diligently hanging laundry on the line. As she glanced at the newcomer, the wind whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. Ignoring Coby’s friendly wave, she kept her attention fixed on her task.

The sight of the manor captivated Coby, his eyes inevitably focusing on the left wing wrapped in scaffolding. Construction work was obvious in the air, as tools clinked and hammers thudded intermittently. The scaffolding rose all the way to the mansard roof with its dormer windows, creating a striking visual against the blue sky.

In his mind, Coby imagined Rapunzel appearing at one of the dormer windows, her long, golden hair cascading down. However, his fantasy was shattered as he saw workers clambering down the scaffolding, resembling a busy army of ants. They wore worn-out overalls and dusty boots, their tired faces showing the signs of a hard day’s work. The sight brought a smile to Coby’s face, appreciating their dedication to completing the renovations.

Amidst the workers, a long ladder extended across the rooftop, leading a man who was busy fixing a dish to the roof. The clinking of metal against metal accompanied his every move as he meticulously adjusted the equipment. It was a reassuring sight for Coby, knowing that the new internet service provider was diligently installing their equipment.

In front of the entrance, a group of branded vans were parked, their engines occasionally humming and emitting a soft rumble. Each van bore the distinct insignia of the companies they represented, showcasing the diverse range of services involved in the renovation process. The air in the manor was a blend of fresh paint and the subtle aroma of gas, a testament to the various trades at work.

Just like the real estate agent promised, Coby made a mental note to write her a thank you note and reward her with a bunch of vibrant flowers. The anticipation of settling into his new sanctuary grew stronger as the sights, sounds, smells, and feelings of the scene enveloped him, making him feel even more grateful for this new chapter in his life. He didn’t mind the inconvenience of workers surrounding him, their loud voices echoing through the old house. The sound of hammers and saws filled the air, drowning out the silence he used to share with Elaine and the ever-arrogant Misty. And, Coby was certain, Elaine would also agree that the old house was better with him out of the picture. His mind drifted back to the previous evening, the memories now distant and hazy.

There was a persistent annoyance that plagued him throughout the entire journey. And now, finally, he knew what it was the distinctive scent of Elaine’s alluring perfume. A delicate floral fragrance that always lingered when she went out with her lover. She openly admitted to an affair, and Coby wondered which one of his friends it could be. For some reason, the name Niall Preston shot into his mind, and the premonition sent an icy shiver down his spine.

“You sneaky little bugger,” Coby whispered, his breath forming a cloud in the chilly air. His head shook involuntarily, as if trying to physically dislodge the mental image of Elaine and Niall entangled in a lover’s embrace. Slowly, the memory flooded back to him, enveloping him like a thick fog.

“Yes!” he exclaimed, his eyes widening as realisation struck him like a bolt of lightning. One late night, as he waited for Niall at the dimly lit bar, the scent of that same perfume wafted towards him, mixing with the faint aroma of alcohol and stale cigarette smoke.