Chapter 6

I have added some pictures of the characters so far up to Chapter 6. I will add more, as new characters are introduced. Thank you so much for taking time to read my passion. Love to you all!!! ❤️❤️❤️

1st photo : Hasting House Ghost

Emily Buchanan : The main character

Amori Black : Emily's friend from the past and realtor

Clarrisa Gordon : Emily is introduced to her at grocery store

Lainie Griffin: Bella's  Aunt

Bella Griffin: Lainie's niece

By

Brynn Morgan

Copyright © 2023 by – Brynn Morgan – All Rights Reserved.

It is not legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited.

The Haunting Of Hasting House

Chapter 6

Emily felt the rain pouring down on her head as she sprinted across the lawn and into the house. She twisted the lock on the door to shut out the outside, and pink lightning crackled through the sky.

Inside the house, Emily hurriedly grabbed a towel from the bathroom rack to dry off her arms and face, then opened the medicine cabinet to take her antidepressants. Her doctor had prescribed Trazodone and Paroxetine after the tragedy occurred, but she tried to avoid taking them whenever possible. Yet during stormy nights like this one, when memories of that night plagued her mind, it was hard for Emily to manage without them. She swallowed her pills with a few sips of water before crossing the kitchen to the front of the house. As usual, her gaze shifted towards the stairs before making sure the doors were locked up tight.

It was then that Emily thought she heard something coming from upstairs and felt a chill running through her body as if the temperature dropped in the room. She remembered what Lainie told her earlier - about how somebody had fallen down those steps.

As lightning flashed, Emily heard a creak and felt herself shiver. She heard movement , as if someone was coming down the curving staircase slowly toward her groaning. Emily couldn't move or make a noise. She was paralized, feeling like she was in a nightmare where she could not call out for help.

Then the groans grew louder until Emily finally shouted, "Tristan!"  to the top of her lungs.

Instantly, the noise stopped, and the stair's creaking faded away. With relief flooding her, Emily switched off the chandelier, leaving only a slight accent lamp on near the front door. She felt embarrassed for calling out Tristan's name since she was no longer living. There was no such thing as ghost. Emily would not even go there. It was just the wind wafting down the stairs. Yes, it was only the wind.

Suddenly, another ear-piercing scream echoed through the second-floor hallway and the chandelier above her lit up on its own. It swung back and forth, back and forth, erractically with the bulbs blinking . Fear instantly gripped Emily, and in a flurry of movement, she sprinted from the hallway into the kitchen before running in the bedroom and locking the door behind her tightly. She pushed herself against its sturdy frame for added security as a loud cry and thud reverberated against the door. Someone had just slammed into the steel barricade between Emily and danger. Every muscle in her body tensed up.

"Leave me alone!" Emily shouted out, fear seeping through every syllable. Her hands braced against the door to keep whoever was trying to break in at bay. Emily had no idea what was happening; it felt like something straight out of a nightmare, a horror movie.

The attacker made another attempt to force their way inside seconds later, causing Emily to scream once again.

"Tristan!" she called out desperately for the second time.

It stayed outside her door, and Emily knew it wouldn't leave her alone. Sweat raced down her face and back, and Emily shook uncontrollably.

"Tristan, I saw Bella today," she announced tremblingly. Her voice quivered as if to match her body.

She was almost praying that a human being would be on the other side of the door, as that would make sense. Yet all was still and quiet in the room. She found herself struggling to consider her options before cautiously speaking again. Emily remained silent, emotions building within her until she collapsed onto her bed and held tightly to her chest in fear. Suddenly, a cry of pure rage split through the air like lightning, shaking the ground beneath her. The noise of objects crashing and smashing echoed from the kitchen. What was going on? With unease filling the air around her, all the lights in the room flickered twice before plunging into thick darkness.

Emily sank to the linoleum floor with a trembling hand, not knowing what to do next. The side of her face was pressed to the floor and she stared at the door with wide frightened, fearing horribly whatever it was that had caused the destruction in the kitchen and was now lurking just outside the room she was in. Emily made herself as still as possible and lay there listening intently to every sound. The storm had moved off to the west, apart from some lingering flashes of lightning in the south. No more noises came from the kitchen, but she dared not open the door and see what was out there. Instead, she clambered onto her bed and pulled out her phone, discovering it was almost dead. Terrified and alone, she propped several pillows against the headboard and tried to stay awake all night, praying for help. As the medications took effect, it became challenging for her to keep her eyes open. You cannot sleep, Emily, she told herself. You cannot sleep.

*****

Outside Emily's bedroom, the darkness and shadows harbored something sinister. It was nothing that was human. The air was thick with rage and hatred that swirled around the kitchen ceiling before settling back to the floor outside her door. A chill crept through the frame, causing Emily to pull the covers tighter around her body as she trembled in fear. The storm had passed, but the rain intensified, and the wind howled mercilessly.

The creature had been waiting outside Emily's door for what felt like forever. It was patient and knew that eventually the girl would have to open the door. Its anticipation hung in the air inches above the floor, its presence made known by a tremble in Emily's bones. She laid there, barely breathing as Emily waited for footsteps or a voice--none came. Closing her eyes only brought images of the creature emerging from the shadows to attack her.

*****

The hours passed and the being outside Emily's room door stayed put, biding its time. As dawn darkened the windows of Emily's chamber, the entity felt a tug toward her, hating her with an intense passion and wanting nothing more than to watch her die. It paused there, filled with glee at its power over the intruder. It could have slipped through the wall and finished the job right then and there, but it wanted to make a game of it.

The shadowy figure pressed against the door with formidable strength once more, causing Emily's barricades to tremble. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she watched the entity turn the doorknob ever so slowly. Its ghastly hands reached out and touched it, a grisly smile smeared on its face as a deep moan reverberated throughout the house. Suddenly, the pressure lessened and Emily was able to take a few breaths - it was gone.

Emily knew it wouldn't stay gone forever, but for now, she had a little relief. Emily searched for her phone in hopes of finding help , but the battery was dead: she was stranded. How could Emily break free? She had to get out.

The sky gradually brightened, taking on hues of the faintest yellow and a sprinkle of periwinkle blue. As daylight spread, shadows began to vanish from the hallways and corners slowly, replaced by soft rosy light. The mysterious form slowly drifted through the hallway leading to the entrance before gliding up the stairs, grimacing as it went. It stopped at the top of the steps to take one last look down at the first floor before continuing into its dwelling. With every move, it grew fainter until eventually disappearing into the locked chamber at the end of the dark corridor.