Page 10 of The Curse of Redwood

“What do you think it means?” Theo asked, flitting over from the kitchen window. In an instant, he was sitting in the chair beside Ben.

My gut churned with fear, but my determination edged it out. Enough was enough.

“I think it means I should go to Redwood.”

“Are you insane?” Ben asked, sitting taller in his chair. “You can’t go there.”

“I have to. It’s the only way I’ll get answers.” My hands shook so bad I had to place my cup on the table to keep from spilling it. “Something wants me there. It’s calling out to me. And my will to fight it has finally reached a breaking point.”

Ben stood from the table and went over to the back door. He was quiet for several moments as he looked outside. “Then I’m going with you.”

Theo’s form flickered, a sign he was losing control of his temper. He had made Ben swear he’d never go back to the mansion. That’s where Ben had first seen Lady Death. What if she set her eyes on him again?

Before Theo could voice his protest, I said, “No, you’re not going.”

“Why?” Ben furrowed his brow.

“Because this is my mess, Ben. I’m not dragging you into it again. Look what happened last time.” I exhaled and looked at my still trembling hands. “I don’t know why this fucking house won’t leave me alone, but the voice was right. I can’t run forever.”

Whatever happened after tonight, I just hoped I’d get some goddamn peace.

***

As much as I’d wanted to go to Redwood Manor in daylight—because I was a chicken—I decided to wait until night. The home had been on the market for years, but I didn’t want to be caught trespassing on private property.

I parked to the side of the mansion near tall shrubs to help conceal my car. My body felt heavy as I stepped onto the gravel road and walked toward the front entrance. The chill in the air I’d welcomed earlier that day now added to my unease. A wrought-iron gate surrounded the estate, and once I reached it, I looked at the mansion on the other side.

Flashes from my nightmares poked my brain—the daunting way the house stood, the uncomfortable feeling of seeing the multitude of windows and wondering if something was staring back at me from the darkness. The only thing missing was the ghosts.

I prepared to climb up and over, but just as I gripped the bars, there was a loud creak and the gate opened.

An invitation.

Any doubts about me being paranoid vanished. It wasn’t just in my head. Something definitely wanted me there.

“Hopefully not to kill me,” I whispered, walking forward.

The place really was beautiful, despite the ominous feeling that hovered over me. Someone had kept up with the yard work, mowing the grass and trimming the hedges. The mansion wasn’t any ordinary house. Tourists traveled from all over to visit Ivy Grove and take the infamous ghost tour that not only included other allegedly places, such as the abandoned Lockton asylum on the outskirts of town, but Redwood as well.

A part of me wished I would’ve let Ben come with me that night. I was so scared I could barely lift my feet to take another step. But I had to. The closer I got to the front door, the more my skin tingled. Blood rushed through my veins quicker, sounding in my ears, and the top of my scalp prickled. The hairs on my nape stood on end. I felt like I was being watched.

And then I reached the front door.

After trying the handle and finding it locked, I jiggled it again. “You can open the gate but not the door?” Being a sarcastic asshole helped battle the nerves coiling in my gut.

That’s when I saw something from the corner of my eye.

A small boy stood near the edge of the mansion. Just staring at me. The dark made it hard to make out his details, but it looked like he was wearing black pants, a long-sleeved shirt with a large white collar, and a small rounded hat.

“Uh.” I paused to clear my throat. “Hi.”

The boy giggled and dashed to the side, running around the corner.

“Hey! Wait!”

My stupid ass followed him. I ran past the hedges and reached the side of the house before continuing toward the backyard. He waited at the other end. Once I spotted him, he giggled again and ran around another corner.

The little shit was playing games with me.