Zuzanna Szmyt-Nowakowska
After a long and exhausting journey, I have finally reached my destination; after all, I could not miss the chance of going to the last remaining item on the list of “Top 10 haunted places in the United States,” as published by Black Cat magazine. Nine out of ten done and not a single sign of paranormal events yet. No ghosts, no creepy sounds; basically, nothing. Just some decrepit buildings with peculiar stories. So why not finish the list and waste one more day in the search of? Well… adventure? Supernatural creatures and unexpected events? I don’t even know what I’m counting on anymore. Getting back to the point, here it is—an enormous three-story house right in front of my eyes. Well, perhaps mansion would be a better word. Covered with moss and overgrown with ivy-like plants, it looks as if it’s been transplanted from the Amazon jungle. The shape reminds me a bit of the Bates’ house in Psycho. It certainly stands out from among all the modest houses in this village.
As written in the magazine, it was built in the nineteenth century and, for many years, the mansion belonged to an extremely rich family called Craven. The source of their fortune is unknown. People from this area believe that one day old Craven decided to do in his wife and two girls of his with an ax. Having carried out the hideous act, he hanged himself in the master bedroom. His motivation remains a mystery to this day. Some say it was the house. Others believe that his mental state drove him to it. Perhaps, it was a mixture of both.
This is why many local folks say that the building is haunted; some even warn that once you enter its realm, you will never get out alive. “Scram if you value your life” is exactly what the lady sitting on the bench shaded by a weeping willow in the main square told me. Supposedly, only one step over the threshold is enough to feel the spine-chilling atmosphere of the place and start losing your mind. It is tempting, though, because of the reward. The reward is the treasure located inside the mansion. Some daredevils have attempted to locate the valuables but never returned from their personal quests. They simply disappeared without a trace, never to return to their families.
Of course, as a man with his feet on the ground, I didn’t believe the tale. It must be some sort of hoax; it all sounds a bit far-fetched, I told myself firmly. I will boycott Black Cat magazine, I added as, up to now, the list is a complete failure. Ok, now let me finally enter this “spooky” area. Want to be over with it already, to have seen it once and confirmed that there is no such thing as a haunted house.
The villagers are most likely having a good laugh at my expense. I know I am a newcomer in a rather isolated and tight-knit community, but why don’t they want me to go in there? What possesses these people? Why do they want to frighten me? I don’t get it. One thing is dead certain: if I stay here a minute longer listening to their absurd stories, I will go mad like Craven.
Officially, the building is uninhabited, but from the outside I can see a light flickering from time to time. Yes, that is weird, I admit. What is more, the mansion is seemingly well-maintained, suggesting that someone must surely be living there and taking care of this – at a guess – 4000 square foot residence.
Nevertheless, I begin to walk towards the main entrance. As I’m getting closer to the door, the wind begins to blow like crazy, as if it wanted to stop me. The sky becomes darker and, all of a sudden, it starts raining heavily. I eventually reach and grab the golden doorknob, open the door, and enter. I’m in, but can’t see anything. Hear a cackle from upstairs. Someone is locking the door.
Summer 2022