It was around ten in the morning when Areeba looked at the screen of her phone.
For the past few hours, she had been staring at the same address again and again.
The Old Mansion, near Noorabad.
She took a deep breath and turned off her phone.
“I’m really going…” An unsettling restlessness had settled deep inside her heart.
Two days earlier, after her grandmother’s death, the family had opened her will.
Areeba could hardly believe what she had heard.
Her grandmother had left her old mansion to Areeba.
Areeba only knew one thing about the mansion: her grandmother had once lived there.
But after Areeba’s childhood, her grandmother had never mentioned the mansion again.
No photographs.
No stories.
No memories.
It was as if that place had never been a part of her life.
Areeba started the car and drove out of the city.
Slowly, the road became more and more deserted.
The city buildings disappeared behind her.
Then, even the small villages began to fade away.
The only thing left now was a long, deserted road, with trees on both sides and a vast forest stretching far into the distance.
Areeba turned on the radio.
For a few seconds, soft music played.
Then, all of a sudden, the radio went silent.
Areeba pressed the button again.
Nothing happened.
“Great…” she muttered in frustration.
Just then, her phone rang.
Hamza’s name appeared on the screen.
Areeba answered the call.
“Hello?” “Did you find the location?” The sound of Hamza’s voice brought her a little comfort.
“Yes.
I’ll be there in about half an hour.” “Don’t go to the mansion alone.
I already told you that.” Areeba smiled faintly.
“Do you still think you need my permission before going into a haunted mansion?” “Yes.” “Why?” “Because I really don’t like that place.” Areeba was about to say something when there was a brief silence on the call.
Then Hamza spoke in a low voice.
“Areeba…
there’s something.” “What?” “Do you know why the mansion was left in your name in the will?” Areeba’s smile disappeared.
“No.” “I looked through your grandmother’s old papers.” “And?” Hamza remained silent for a few moments.
“There was a note about the mansion.” “What kind of note?” “It had only one sentence written on it.” Areeba’s heart suddenly began to race.
“What?” Hamza replied, “Don’t let Areeba go to the mansion alone.” Areeba’s hands tightened around the steering wheel.