Original Designs

The faded ink at the corner of the parchment read “1887,” a date that sent a ripple of disbelief through James as he held the fragile document in his hands. He couldn’t fully process what they had just uncovered. The parchment had been carefully rolled and tucked away, hidden for what seemed like over a century. As he slowly unrolled it, the brittle material crackled softly, revealing intricate lines and annotations. It took him a moment to realize what he was looking at—these were the original designs of the house. Every detail was meticulously drawn, from the foundation to the tiniest architectural flourishes.

Mandy leaned over his shoulder, her breath catching as she took in the unfamiliar layout. “This isn’t the house as we know it,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The designs depicted rooms and passageways that didn’t exist—or at least, didn’t seem to. Hidden staircases, concealed doors, and strange symbols marked areas they’d never seen before. James felt a chill run down his spine. Whoever had built the house had done so with secrets in mind, and the fact that these plans had been hidden for so long only deepened the mystery. It was no longer just a house; it was a puzzle waiting to be solved.