THE DARKNESS WITHIN
(Haunted 💀)
EPISODE 1
The Smith family has always been proud of their grand mansion, passed down from generations. It stood out and never seemed to look old, anyone that sees it might think it’s a new mansion. John Smith, his wife Peace Smith, and their four children, Sandy 20, Jimmy 18, Emily 16 and Timmy 12, lived in a seemingly perfect life in the mansion but ……
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Emily descended the stairs, her feet lightly touching each step. The soft creaking of the wooden staircase echoed through the hallway. She was lost in thought, her mind already focused on the day ahead.
As she reached the landing, she spotted her elder sister, Sandy, standing by the door, scrolling through her phone. Emily’s face lit up with a warm smile.
“Good morning, Sandy!” Emily chimed, expecting a friendly response.
But Sandy’s expression remained cold, her eyes fixed on the screen. Without looking up, she pushed Emily aside, her hand roughly shoving Emily’s shoulder.
Emily stumbled, her feet struggling to maintain balance. She grasped the banister, narrowly avoiding a fall.
“Sandy, what’s wrong?” Emily asked, confusion etched on her face.
Sandy didn’t respond. She simply walked away, disappearing into the living room.
Emily shook her head, wondering why Sandy hated her so much. They were siblings, after all. Shared blood, Why the animosity?
Emily shrugged, chalking it up to Sandy’s moody nature. She continued downstairs, seeking comfort in the warm atmosphere of the kitchen.
As she entered, she was greeted by the sweet aroma of freshly cut fruits. Her mother, Mrs. Smith, stood by the counter, expertly slicing a juicy pineapple.
“Good morning, sweetie!” Mrs. Smith said, looking up with a warm smile.
“Morning, Mom,” Emily replied, walking over to kiss her mother’s cheek.
Mrs. Smith’s eyes sparkled with love. “How’s your day looking?”
“It’s okay, I guess,” Emily said, grabbing an apple from the fruit bowl.
Mrs. Smith nodded. “Well, I’m making breakfast. Scrambled eggs and toast. Your favorite.”
Emily smiled. “Thanks, Mom. I’ll grab some later.”
With that, Emily turned and left the kitchen, climbing back up the stairs to her room. The encounter with Sandy still lingered in her mind, but her mother’s warmth had temporarily soothed the sting.
As she reached her room, Emily closed the door behind her, she laid on the bed and focused on her novel.
An hour had passed since Emily’s brief visit to the kitchen. The aroma of scrambled eggs, toast, and freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, signaling breakfast was ready.
Mrs. Smith, assisted by their efficient maids, Grace and Sophia, expertly set the dining table. Fine china, sparkling glasses, and crisp linens adorned the table, reflecting the family’s refined taste.
“Breakfast is served!” Mrs. Smith called out, her voice carrying throughout the mansion.
Mr. Smith, tall and dignified, descended the stairs first. He smiled warmly at his wife, pecking her cheek before taking his seat at the head of the table.
“Good morning, dear,” he said, unfolding his napkin.
Mrs. Smith sat beside him, her eyes shining with warmth. “Good morning, sweetheart.”
Sandy sauntered in, her eyes still glued to her phone. She slid into her seat, murmuring a half-hearted greeting.
Jimmy, and Timmy, burst into the dining room, their energetic chatter filling the air.
“Where’s Emily?” Jimmy asked, scanning the table.
Sandy hissed, not looking up from her screen.
Mrs. Smith’s brow furrowed. “That’s a good question. Emily went to her room after our conversation in the kitchen. She should be here.”
“Grace, dear, could you please call Emily from her room?” Mrs. Smith requested.
Grace hurried upstairs, her shoes clicking on the marble floor. A few minutes passed before she returned, looking concerned.
“Madam, Emily isn’t in her room,” Grace announced.
The room fell silent.
“What do you mean she’s not in her room?” Mrs. Smith asked, confusion etched on her face. “She just went there.”
Mr. Smith set his cup down. “That’s strange. Did anyone see her leave?”
Sandy shrugged, still engrossed in her phone.
Jimmy and Timmy exchanged worried glances.
“I thought she was just going to her room,” Mrs. Smith said, her voice tinged with concern. “Where could she have gone?”
The family’s perplexity hung in the air, like an unspoken question.
Jimmy pushed his chair back, his face set with determination. “I’ll go check her room again,” he said, already heading for the stairs.
“Be quick, Jimmy,” Mrs. Smith called after him, her voice laced with concern.
Jimmy took the stairs two at a time, his footsteps echoing through the hallway. He burst into Emily’s room, calling out her name.
“Emily! Emily, are you here?”
Only silence greeted him.
He scanned the room, his eyes scouring every corner. Her phone lay on the bed, next to the book she’d been reading. It was as if she’d simply vanished.
Jimmy’s worry deepened. He checked the bathroom, throwing open the door. Empty.
He searched every nook, every cranny. Under the bed, in the closet, behind the curtains. Emily was nowhere to be found.
Downstairs, Mrs. Smith’s anxiety grew. She dialed Emily’s phone number, but it rang futilely in her room.
Jimmy returned, his face etched with concern. “Mom, I checked everywhere. She’s not there.”
Mrs. Smith’s hands trembled as she set her phone down. “This isn’t like Emily. She hardly ever leaves her room.”
Sandy finally looked up from her phone, a flicker of interest in her eyes.
“I’ve called the security guard,” Mr. Smith said, his voice firm. “He’s checking the perimeter.”
The security guard, Mr. Jenkins, arrived shortly, his rugged face serious.
“Ma’am, I’ve been watching the cameras. Emily hasn’t left the mansion since this morning,” he reported.
The room fell silent, the weight of Emily’s disappearance settling heavily upon them.
“Where could she be?” Mrs. Smith whispered, her eyes brimming with tears.
Jimmy’s face twisted in worry. “We need to find her.”
Timmy, determined to help, volunteered to search the entire house. “I’ll find her!” he exclaimed, his small face set with resolve.
With the maids, Grace and Sophia, in tow, Timmy embarked on a thorough search. They scoured every room, every closet, and every hidden nook. They checked under beds, behind curtains, and even inside wardrobes.
As they searched, the tension in the sitting room grew. Mrs. Smith paced, her eyes red-rimmed from unshed tears. Sandy sat stiffly, her expression perplexed.
Finally, Timmy and the maids returned, looking exhausted. “We can’t find her,” Timmy reported, his voice trembling.
Mrs. Smith’s composure crumbled. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.
Sandy’s gaze remained fixed on some invisible point, her expression unreadable.
Just as the despair seemed palpable, footsteps echoed down the stairs. The room fell silent.
Every head turned toward the staircase.
Emily descended, her face serene, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“Mom, why are you crying?” Emily asked, concern etched on her face.
Mrs. Smith rushed to Emily, embracing her tightly. “Where have you been? We’ve been searching everywhere for you!”
Emily’s expression transformed to surprise. “What do you mean? I’ve been in my room, reading my book on my bed.”
The room froze.
Every pair of eyes locked onto Emily, then darted to each other, filled with confusion and incredulity.
Jimmy’s brow furrowed. “But…we searched your room. You weren’t there.”
Sandy’s gaze narrowed.
Timmy’s eyes widened.
Mrs. Smith’s tears halted, replaced by bewilderment.
“Emily, we called your phone. It was ringing in your room and you weren’t there ” Mrs. Smith said, her voice laced with confusion.
Emily’s face remained puzzled. “I don’t understand. I’ve been reading all morning.”
The air thickened with unspoken questions.
What was happening?
Where had Emily really been?
And why did it seem like she’d vanished into thin air?
To be continued……
Story by Vivi
