Return to Ancestral home

When Emma finally reached the end of the long, winding driveway that led to her family's ancestral home, she did so with a heavy heart. Looking up at the dilapidated mansion that now stood before her, she couldn't help but feel apprehensive. It was the same house where she had spent her childhood, but now it seemed unfamiliar. Like she herself, it had become old and abandoned with the passage of time.

 

As she stepped out of the car, Emma's eyes roamed over the old mansion, taking in every detail. The roof was tattered, and the windows were boarded up. Ivy climbed up the walls, twisting and curling around the bricks as if trying to claim the building for itself. The front lawn was overgrown with weeds and wildflowers, and the trees that once stood tall and proud now drooped, as if defeated. She couldn’t believe it took the death of her parents for her to return here.

 

With a deep sigh, Emma walked up to the front door and pushed it open. The sound of the old hinges creaking echoed through the empty halls, as if the house were protesting against her return. As she stepped inside, the musty smell of the old house hit her, and she wrinkled her nose. It had been a while since anyone had lived here, and it showed.

 

Emma's eyes wandered around the old mansion, taking in the antique furniture that was once her parents' pride and joy. The once vibrant colors of the carpets and curtains had faded over time, and now they were covered in dust and cobwebs. A sad sight it was; there was a lot of work to be done.

 

She made her way through the deserted rooms, her footsteps echoing through the halls. As she moved from room to room, she couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness at the memories that this old house held. Memories of her childhood, of her parents, and of a life that was now long gone.

 

Emma walked into what used to be her parents' bedroom and stood there for a moment, gazing at the old photographs on the walls. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she thought about how much she missed them. She sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the weight of the emptiness that now surrounded her.

 

Looking down at her own outfit, Emma realized that she was wearing a simple white shirt and jeans, which was a contrast to the grandeur of the old house. It made her feel like an intruder, like she didn't belong there anymore. She wasn’t worried about getting stained, it wasn’t like she was expecting any guests. She had left all her friends behind in the city, she had left her entire life behind. Emma didn’t know if this was going to be a permanent change, but for now… it is what it is.

 

As she stood up and made her way to the window, Emma's thoughts turned to the future. She knew that she had to find a way to breathe life back into this old house and make it feel like home again. With a determined expression on her face, she whispered to herself, "I'll make you proud, Mom and Dad."

 

As Emma continued to explore the old mansion, she couldn't shake the feeling that something else had brought her home aside from the tragic deaths of her parents. She felt like there was a reason for her return, but she just couldn't put her finger on it. It was like a voice in her head, guiding her towards something unknown.

 

As she walked through the deserted halls, she couldn't help but feel like someone was watching her. It was as if the old house was alive and was following her every move. Goosebumps formed on her arms as she felt a chill run down her spine. She tried to shake off the feeling, but it persisted.

 

Emma made her way to the attic, a place that she and her parents never ventured to when they lived in the house. The staircase creaked beneath her feet as she climbed the steps, and she couldn't help but feel like the old mansion was trying to warn her about something. When she reached the top of the stairs, she pushed open the door and stepped into the dusty attic.

 

The room was filled with old trunks, boxes, and other forgotten relics from her family's past. She walked over to a trunk and lifted the lid. Inside, she found an old diary that belonged to her grandmother. Emma was about to open it in curiosity when a lizard ran over her legs.

 

"Argh!!" Her voice echoed as she screamed in panic and jumped up. She quickly turned around and ran off to the first floor in fright. Maybe she would just stay away from that part of the building.

 

She paused in front of an old painting that hung on the wall, her eyes tracing the intricate details of the artwork. It was a portrait of her great-grandmother, who had lived in the house long before her parents had. Emma had never met her great-grandmother, but she had heard stories about her from her mother.

 

As she stood there, staring at the painting, Emma felt a shiver run down her spine. It was as if the eyes in the painting were following her, watching her every move. She quickly shook the feeling off, chiding herself for being silly.

 

She walked into what used to be her father's study, taking in the old leather armchair that he used to sit in. As she ran her fingers over the desk, she felt a sudden chill in the air. It was almost as if her father's ghost was still present in the room.

 

Emma couldn't help but wonder if her parents knew something that she didn't. Perhaps they had left her a clue, something that would help her uncover the mystery that surrounded her family. Since her childhood, she knew there was something more to her family than the eyes meet; in fact, during her fifth birthday, something very strange happened that led to their exit from the town, and they never returned to it till her parent’s death. Now, it seemed like she was the last of her bloodline; the Argent bloodline!!

 

She made her way to the old library, her heart racing as she pushed open the door. The room was filled with dusty old books, and as Emma walked through the stacks, she felt a strange sense of familiarity.

 

** ** ** **

Emma spent the first few days in her ancestral home cleaning, organizing, and trying to restore the old mansion to its former glory. She had called the local carpenters and bricklayers to help her breathe life back into the building. The creaky floors, the old furniture, and the musty scent that hung in the air gave her a sense of nostalgia that she couldn't quite explain. It was scary having to stay alone at first, but in the next few days, she kind of got used to it.

 

As she scrubbed the walls and dusted the bookshelves, Emma wondered what her parents must have felt like when they abandoned the town two decades ago. She was just five years old then, and so she had few memories of that past. What could have driven them away from their family home, their roots, and the resting place of their ancestors?

 

As she pondered over these thoughts, Emma couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something more to her being back in town than just taking care of the mansion. She felt like there was a purpose, a calling, and a destiny that awaited her in this small, remote town. She was eager to find out what it was, a mystery that her family never revealed to her!!

To be continued!!