Dust particles float in the air without making a sound. Weightless and free, seen only in the dim light. Dust is the only resident in the old manor perched on top of the lonely hill outside of town... Or so it would seem to one's eye.
The manor withstood the test of time, fighting against age and natural forces. It remained tall and strong in its victory, but not less imposing.

No one knew who lived there or who built it so far from town, which was enough material for various stories coming to life.
Some said that it was built by a royal family exiled from their country, so in order to not be disturbed they built their home on the hill.
Others claimed it used to be an orphanage, before fire took the lives of children and caretakers, their bodies never to be found. There were no traces of fire on the outside, though. What is also shocking is that, when the police came to investigate the cause of fire a few days later, there was no damage inside either.
Then there were those who simply labelled the manor "haunted", offering no other explanation than it giving off an ominous vibe.

And an ominous vibe it gave, those more adventurous ones said, since they tried discovering the secrets the manor kept. They swore they barely made it alive, some strange "presence" stalked them while they explored inside. Petrified, they fled, never looking back.

What was that strange presence that made them so scared? What would it have done if they stayed a moment longer?

Hmm...


©Emee



#Halloween #shortstory #halloweenstory