The beginning of lost memories

The sky hung heavy with gray clouds, mirroring the weight in Jacob’s heart. At just 14 years old, his world was a cold, desolate place. His parents were cruel or absent, shouting at each other or ignoring him entirely. At school, things weren’t better. The other kids saw him as an easy target—mocking his shabby clothes and the sadness etched in his face.

But there was a time when Jacob had known warmth. His grandmother, a kind, gentle woman, had been his refuge. She would sing softly to him, tell him stories of bravery and magic. But two years ago, she was gone—taken too soon. Now, Jacob had no one.

That night, as his parents’ voices rose in yet another argument, Jacob sat in his dimly lit room. His hands trembled as he picked up a small photograph of his grandmother, her smile frozen in time.

"I can’t stay here anymore," he muttered.

With quiet determination, he grabbed a small backpack—inside were a notebook, a flashlight, a few clothes, and the photo of her. Slipping out through his bedroom window, Jacob left behind the house that never felt like home. He didn’t look back.

---

The Mansion’s Discovery

Hours later, after wandering aimlessly under a moonless sky, Jacob found himself in an overgrown forest. The trees whispered in the wind, their branches clawing at the sky. His legs ached, but he pressed on until he saw it—a mansion.

It loomed in the distance like a forgotten relic of another world. The building was vast, its towering windows cracked and empty. Ivy crept over the stone walls, as though nature itself sought to claim it.

Jacob froze. His chest tightened, and an uneasy sensation crept over him. The air around the mansion felt heavy, like the atmosphere just before a storm. But there was something about the place that pulled him closer.

"Don’t," he whispered to himself. But his feet kept moving.

When he reached the massive front door, he pushed it open. The hinges groaned, and the sound echoed into the darkness inside.

The foyer was vast and eerie, with dust thick in the air. A grand staircase spiraled upwards, and strange portraits lined the walls—each one featuring people with hollow eyes and pale skin.

But at the center of the room stood a mirror, massive and ornate. Its golden frame was carved with strange symbols, twisting and curling like veins.

Jacob approached it cautiously. As he peered into the glass, his breath caught in his throat. The mirror wasn’t reflecting the room he stood in. Instead, it showed a place he knew all too well: his grandmother’s living room.

The rocking chair in the corner swayed, empty, creaking softly.

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An Unnerving Revelation

Jacob blinked, unsure if he was dreaming. “What…what is this?” he whispered. He stepped closer, reaching a trembling hand toward the glass.

“Jacob…”

The voice was soft, almost a sigh. His heart stopped.

He spun around, searching the dark foyer. “Who’s there?” His voice cracked, but there was no reply.

“Jacob…” This time, the voice came from the mirror.

His eyes darted back to the glass. The reflection of the rocking chair was no longer empty. A figure sat there now—a woman. Her face was shrouded in shadow, but Jacob knew that silhouette.

“Grandma?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

The figure leaned forward, and the shadows peeled back to reveal her face. It was her…except her eyes. Her once warm, loving eyes were now a deep crimson, glowing faintly in the dark. Her smile was sharp, predatory.

“Why did you leave me, Jacob?” she asked.

Jacob stumbled backward. “You…you’re not real. You’re not her!”

The mirror began to tremble, the glass rippling as if it were water. Her voice became louder, echoing around the room.

“You abandoned me, Jacob. You let me die… Now, I’m trapped here. And so are you.”

The portraits on the walls seemed to twist and move, their hollow eyes now watching him. Shadows danced in the corners of the room, growing larger, darker.

Jacob’s chest heaved as he scrambled toward the door. But before he could reach it, the air turned icy, and a figure emerged from the shadows.

It was her. Or at least, it looked like her. The same face, but her skin was pale as death, her crimson eyes gleaming. And when she smiled, she revealed teeth that were long, sharp…inhuman.

“Don’t you want to stay with me, Jacob?” she said, stepping closer. “I’ve missed you.”

Jacob’s heart pounded in his chest. He wanted to run, but his legs refused to move. Tears filled his eyes as the truth settled in his mind.

His grandmother—the only person who had ever loved him—was now something else. Something monstrous.

The shadows closed in around him, and her voice filled his ears. “You’ll never leave, Jacob. You belong here…with me.”

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To be continued...