Chapter 6: Secrets in the Walls – Strange Noises in the Mansion Unsettle Evelyn

Have you ever been alone in a place that felt alive, as though the walls whispered secrets meant only for you? That's how Evelyn felt one evening at Blackthorn Manor.

 Alone in the Dark

It was late when Evelyn decided to stay behind after work. She wanted to organize her findings from the hidden compartment, hoping to make sense of the documents and photographs Liam had uncovered earlier. The mansion was quiet, save for the occasional creak of settling wood and the soft hum of her flashlight.

At first, she didn't notice anything unusual. But as the hours passed, a faint sound began to creep into her awareness—soft tapping, like fingers drumming against glass. It came from somewhere upstairs, echoing through the empty halls.

Evelyn froze, gripping her flashlight tightly. "Hello?" she called out, her voice trembling. No answer.

She told herself it was nothing—a loose window, maybe, or a branch scraping against the side of the house. Still, the noise persisted, growing louder and more insistent.

 Investigating the Sound

Summoning courage, Evelyn climbed the staircase, her footsteps heavy on the worn steps. The tapping grew clearer with each step, leading her to a closed door at the end of the hall. Taking a deep breath, she pushed it open.

Inside, the room was dimly lit by moonlight streaming through cracked windows. Furniture covered in dust sheets stood motionless, but the tapping continued—this time coming from the wall itself.

Her heart pounded as she approached, pressing her ear to the surface. The noise stopped abruptly, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. For a moment, she thought she imagined it all. Then, just as suddenly, the tapping resumed—only now, it seemed closer.

 A Hidden Passage

Panic rising, Evelyn scanned the room until her eyes landed on a section of wallpaper that looked slightly different from the rest. Running her hand over it, she discovered a seam where the paper peeled away easily. Beneath it lay a narrow opening, barely wide enough to fit a person.

Without thinking, she grabbed her flashlight and squeezed inside. The passage twisted and turned, forcing her to crawl on hands and knees. As she moved deeper, the air grew colder, carrying with it the faint scent of damp earth.

Finally, she emerged into a small chamber filled with shelves lined with books, journals, and artifacts. In the center of the room sat an old typewriter, its keys yellowed with age. On top of it rested a single sheet of paper, typed words staring back at her:

 If you've found this, it means they've come for me. Run. Don't look back.

Plot Twist: A Familiar Name

Evelyn's breath hitched as she read further. The message was signed by someone named Margaret Whitmore—the same woman who'd sold Blackthorn Manor to Liam. But what caught her attention most was a line near the bottom:

 They know about Evelyn Harper. Be careful.

How did Margaret know her real name? And why would anyone be looking for her?

Before she could process the implications, footsteps echoed outside the hidden room. Someone—or something—was coming.

Escaping the Chamber

Thinking quickly, Evelyn stuffed the paper into her pocket and scrambled back through the passage. By the time she reached the main hallway, her heart raced so fast she thought it might burst. Peering around the corner, she saw no one.

Still, the feeling of being watched lingered, making her skin prickle with unease.

Suspenseful Questions

Who is after Evelyn? Why does Margaret Whitmore seem to know so much about her past? And what other secrets does Blackthorn Manor hold within its walls?

You wouldn't ignore these questions, would you? Neither can Evelyn. As the mysteries surrounding the mansion deepen, she begins to realize that running from her past may not be enough—she'll have to face it head-on if she wants to survive.