Chapter 1 The Arrival

# Chapter 1: The Arrival The manor loomed ahead through the fog like a skeletal finger pointing at the sky. Thomas parked his car at the end of the overgrown driveway and stared at the crumbling facade. His job description had been simple: maintain the gardens, keep the grounds presentable, report any structural issues. No mention of ghosts or curses. Just plants and soil. He stepped out of the car and breathed in the damp air. It smelled of decay — rotting leaves, wet earth, and something else he couldn't identify. The front door opened before he knocked. An elderly woman stood in the threshold, her face pale and lined, her eyes dark and unreadable. "You must be Thomas," she said. Her voice was soft but carried an edge of authority. "I'm Mrs. Halloway, the estate manager. Welcome to Blackwood Manor." Thomas shook her hand. Her grip was surprisingly strong. "Thank you for the opportunity, Mrs. Halloway. I'm looking forward to working here." "The gardens are your priority," she said. "They've been neglected for some time. The previous caretaker... left abruptly." Thomas felt a chill that had nothing to do with the fog. "What happened to him?" Mrs. Halloway's expression didn't change. "He found the work too demanding. The garden has... particular needs."