Kissed by a shadow

Chapter Two (Whisper in the dark)

I sprang into bed, my heart pounding. In the dark chamber, my laboured breathing was the only sound. Was it a dream? Or had my name actually been whispered?

"Lema..."

It was the whisper once more, gentle and almost beautiful, like the lament of a lover. I paid close attention, but the home remained eerily quiet.

My fingers were shaking as I fumbled for the bedroom lamp. Unsettling shadows danced across the walls as the light burst into life. The Nothing seemed out of place, but the air looked thrilling and energetic.

Feeling the cool hardwood floor underfoot, I slowly rolled my legs over the side of the bed and stood up. As though it might protect me from the invisible presence, I pulled my robe more around myself.

"Lema..."

The murmur, now more intense, drifted through the air and drew me to the corridor. Despite all the sensible advice to remain where I was, close the door, and wait for daybreak, I hesitated. But what drove me forward was curiosity, or maybe something more profound.

The old floors of the corridor creaked under my weight as I entered. The blackness ahead appeared indestructible as the walls started to close in. I reached out and touched the cold plaster with my fingertips, then walked over to the whisper.

The more I go closer to the doorstep, the more goosebumps appeared on my skin. The temperature had dropped considerably, and I could now hear my breath in the dark light. I looked down the stairs and saw that the doorway below was dark.

"Lema..."

The voice from the parlour was now more distinct. I carefully went down the steps, adding to the silence with every c***k. Reaching the bottom, I took a deep breath to gather my strength before pushing the parlour door open.

The room was filled with an intangible radiance as the moon shone through the gigantic windows. I disturbed the dust particles, which floated pointlessly in the air. The grand piano in the corner stood quiet, its keys hidden behind a yellowed cover.

I scan through the room, my heart pounding. "Who's there?" I yelled, hardly raising my voice above a whisper.

No response. Just the oppressive quiet that pressed in from all sides.

I walked forward hesitantly, gazing about at every dark crevice. The hairs stood on end on the back of my neck from the intense feeling that I was being watched.

Suddenly there was a discordant, soft sound coming from the piano, as if someone had touched one key. Standing silently in the corner, it was hidden by a yellowed cover.

With my heart racing, I scanned the room. "Who's there?" I yelled barely loud enough to be heard over a whisper.

Not responding. The hush that crushed in from all sides was the only sound.

I hesitated and stepped forward, looking around at every dark nook. My sense of being watched was so strong that it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

The wooden piano made a slow discordant sound as if someone had touched a key. I came to a halt and gazed at the device. Short gasps of air came as the temperature dropped more.

"Lema..."

Now the voice was right next to me, softly blowing warm breath into my ear. There was nobody there when I turned around. I stumbled over the edge of the mat and retreated as panic took hold of me.

I snapped out of it and looked at the mirror in the fireplace. My reflection looked back at me with wide, scared eyes. Then, slowly, I snapped out of it and looked at the fireplace mirror.

My reflection looked back at me with wide, scared eyes. Then, slowly, deliberately, it smiled, a cold, knowing smile that escaped my lips.

It smiled sardonically, a cold, knowing smile that nearly reached my lips.

I gasped and stumbled back. It seemed as though the walls were closing in on the room. I left because I had to leave this weird situation.

The mumbling followed, reverberating down the corridors as I pivoted and ran out of the parlour.

"Lema... you can't run from me..."

I dared not look around, so I hurried up the steps as fast as i could. I fall to my bedroom, leaned against the door to catch my breath, and shut it. When the whispers stopped, there was a terrifying silence.

I glanced around the room and noticed the wardrobe in the corner. The blackness spilt out like ink from the open door. Before going to bed, had I not closed it?

I pushed off the door and walked carefully to the wardrobe. Every step was like wading through molasses due to the dense and heavy air. I reached out and grasped the edge of the door with unsteady fingertips.

I inhaled deeply, then opened it.

empty. Nothing moved except my clothing, which were hanging limply.

I laughed and shook my head in relief. My mind was being allowed to run wild here.

I went back into the room and close the wardrobe door tightly. The lamp on the bedside table tremble, and the shadows appeared to crawl and twist.

I returned to my bed after drawing the blankets up to my chin. The muttering had stopped, but I was still overwhelmed by the fear.

I lay there looking up at the ceiling because I couldn't sleep. I became tight with every rustle and moan of the wind outside. I still felt like I was always being watched and that I wasn't alone.

For some hours, the first rays of sunlight began to sneak through the sheets. I was tired, yet I couldn't close my eye.

A little stirring occurred just before I fell asleep. With my heart jumping into my throat, I sat up.

Shadow was streaming out from inside the closet door, which was open once more.

A shiny red rose, its smooth, rich petals a dramatic distinction to the silent colours of my clothing, was snug away in my clothing.

My spine tingled with fear as I stared in shock.

How did it get there? Who kept it there?

I shouted as I felt a painful piercing on my finger as I stretched out to touch the fragile petals. My pale skin exploded in a scarlet droplet of blood.

Holding my hand, I pulled back, still gazing at the rose.

Then I caught a glimpse of the note, just below the stem. I pulled it out and opened the crisp paper with shaking fingers.

Two words written in exquisite, flowing calligraphy shocked and appalled me:

**"Welcome home."**

My pulse was beating in my chest when I dropped the note, as though some parts of it had been burned. It felt like the room was closing in on me, and I could hear obscure whispers coming from the end of the walls.

The note's author was who?

How could they have gotten into my room without my knowledge?

Why did this sensation feel so oddly familiar?

I looked again at the mirror over the dresser, half expecting to see that strange smile.

But that was just my wide-eyed, scared reflection.

I knew one thing for sure when the first rays of morning broke through the shadows:

There were dark, unsolvable mysteries in this house.

I was caught in its web, too.

I had to know the reality in order to comprehend the whispers, the message, and the rose.

However, there was a growing underlying worry.

It's best to keep some realities hidden.

It's also a good idea to ignore some rumours.

Last night's experience kept replaying in my mind.

I was still thinking about what had occurred the previous evening when I woke up the next Day to the gentle light sifting through the heavy curtains.

Resolute to find out where the murmurs were coming from, I decided to examine the surroundings more closely to be rest assured of what was happening .

The next day, when the soft light started to filter through the dim shades, I woke up.

I entered the library, which was crammed with old volumes and lost data. I came discovered a leather-bound journal with an antique cover while perusing the books. I reached for the leather, which felt good to the touch, and opened to the first page.

When I read the title out loud, "Property of Solanke Dorne," I shuddered. The entries, which were replete with love and suffering, described the life of a nobleman from centuries ago. One passage in particular caught my attention:

By tying my soul to this awful location, she deceived me. I'm stuck in the dark, yet I'm not dead.

I became icy as soon as I comprehended what that meant. Is the curse still holding Solanke's spirit here? His restless soul was evident in the icy touch and the whispers.

Hours passed, but I kept reading because I was driven to understand more. The last entry was incomplete and appeared to have been made hastily due to a smeared pen:

"Tonight, she comes for me. If I can't get out—"

The statement ended abruptly, leaving me with more questions than answers. Which woman was he talking about? What had she done to him, anyway?

A unexpected gust of wind blew through the room as I was thinking about these questions, putting out the candles and leaving me in the dark. I sensed someone behind me as the temperature decreased.

"This time the whisper was closer and more urgent:" Lema.

I slowly turned, my heart pounding in my chest. A figure emerged from the shadows, with a distinct, yet strikingly genuine, physique and keen silver eyes.

"Solanke?" Unbelievably, I gasped at what I was witnessing.

His eyes were full of focused attention as he nodded. "You can see me," he muttered, his voice tense and eager.

"Yes," I said as I stepped forward warily. "Why are you here?"

"I am bound to this place," he continued, his body bobbing like a lantern in the wind. "Betrayed by the one I loved, cursed to remain in the shadows."

"How can I help you?" I enquired, pitying this distressed person.

"Find the amulet," he replied quickly. "It holds the key to breaking the curse."

"Where is it?" I pushed, desperate to aid him.

"Hidden," he said, his outline growing increasingly vague. "In the place where our love began."

He disappeared before I could ask him any more questions, leaving me in the dark. What he said bothered me. It was my duty to get the amulet and free Solanke from his perpetual b*****e.

But where had their love affair begun? The woman who had lied to him was who?

My will to uncover the truth drove me to search the entire estate for clues. I was unaware of the mysteries that hid in the shadows, but they would permanently alter my life.