Story arc #9 A Haunted House Party
You Take A Look Around The Grounds
But will you find anything?
This is a Choose Your Own Adventure story. Start at the beginning here. Or go back to the previous chapter. Find out how to contribute to the ongoing story here!
With no time to waste, you begin a small search of the manor grounds, starting with the water fountain.
Just as you noticed before, there’s quite a bit of trash in the bottom reservoir. However, past the surface muck lies a glint of interest.
You stick your hand in the murky water and pull the object out, only to find a dagger dripping with black liquid.
Compared to the surrounding trash, the dagger sticks out as both uniquely dangerous and purposefully hidden.
On the pommel of the dagger is a familiar symbol, with eyes overlooking a dark shape.
You stare back at Gloomhall estate, and notice its resemblance to the shape in the symbol, sparking a flash of curiosity.
“Why am I seeing this everywhere? I feel like I can’t seem to escape this image.”
Such a thought lingers within your mind, conveying a bold observation.
Where any sign of intelligent life exists, so too does this mysterious symbol, and yet there’s nothing indicating its exact meaning.
As you ponder this thought, you notice the front door beginning to open, prompting you to discard the knife back into the fountain in haste.
A scaly figure lurks around the door, and stares at you intently before asking a question.
“Is that you who was knocking?”
You stumble over to the door before giving your answer.
You say, “Yes it was. I really need to get inside. Every second I get reminded how dangerous it is out here, especially with the cold.”
He eyes you up and down, expressing shock in the most professional manner.
He says, “Did you crawl out of The Black Wood? You smell an awful lot like it.”
“Yeah, the forest? I was just out from there a while ago but…can I please come inside? I can barely tolerate this cold any longer.”
He stares you down, unsure of what to do, as if trying to follow procedure.
He says, “Well, since you’re naked, you’re obviously not hiding any weapons on you, so a body check wouldn’t be necessary…”
The door begins to creak open further, until more of the man is revealed.
He’s wearing a poofy black dress, decorated with pins covered in various symbols, and his reptilian tail slides out a little.
He says, “I shall permit you entry to Gloomhall Estate. However, I would advise that you be given a bath and be put to bed for the time being.”
With a scaly hand, he motions you to come in, and so you do.
From a nearby rack, he grabs a long cloth and wraps your body in it, so you’re not walking around naked.
Your eyes are bathed in the most decadent architecture imaginable.
The room consists of a large lobby with a black and white checkered floor, with the mansion’s crest situated in the center as a circle.
The walls are made of a fine dark red oak, ornated with spectacular paintings.
Near the ceiling are unique golden molds that accentuate the center, where a hand-carved chandelier sits, with its brilliant light illuminating the room.
You walk with the lizard up a set of stairs at the back of the lobby, which leads to a set of hallways.
— Continue here
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Novus Grey is a Dark Fantastical Fiction Writer, Musician, and overall creator. If you wish to follow my progress and platforms you can go to novusgrey.com for all of my relevant links and my blog! Thank you for reading!
