Chapter 56
Lucky
The Venom Estate
“Brrrrr.” My body shivered as I stepped from the taxi and the cold night air danced along my body. “Of all the places to stay—” I clung to my luggage, pulling my periwinkle dyed faux fur jacket tight. “You just had to pick somewhere cold, didn’t you.”
My older brother, Finn, gently relieved me of the luggage and shook his head with a light smile.
“Always so dramatic aren’t you, Lucky.” My brother chuckled to himself.
A loud scoff breezed past my pink lips, followed by an eye roll I knew he witnessed.
“Come on. The estate is just up ahead. See?” He pointed towards the giant, gothic mansion as my eyes adjusted and noticed it.
I gazed ahead through the cold, wintery night, and observed the grand mansion.
Finn had shown me pictures of the Venom Estate prior to this little adventure of his, giddy and excited to stay in such an antique location.
The photos had portrayed the estate as nothing more than a unique, whimsical escape, perfect for anyone seeking an opulent, yet secluded break from reality.
It was tucked away in Northern Maine, surrounded by trees, resembling something out of a period piece.
The closest thing to this place was an infamous ghost town, one Finn had become obsessed with exploring in person.
“Isn’t it amazing?” he asked. “Just like the pictures!”
I scoffed. The only problem with said photos was that they captured this place during the day.
And right now, it was night. I was staring at the very same estate, seeing a completely different view of that same whimsical manor.
Only this one was a darker, more menacing version of the mansion. It’s shadow self.
So, this is the Venom Estate.
“What’s the story behind this place anyway?” I asked. “It seemed much less…spooky online.”
My brother stopped and turned to face me, his arms filled with luggage and equipment.
“The Venom Estate?” I nodded as soft flurries landed along my freckled nose.
Finn exhaled, his breath fogging in the winter cold.
“Well, not much really. Honestly, I didn’t do much research into the mansion itself.
I was more intrigued by the nearby ghost town.
” He smiled and noticed my hesitation. “The history behind the mansion isn’t really posted anywhere, and from what I could see, it only just recently opened as an Airbnb.
The owner, Rutherford Venom, should be inside.
I hope he’s still awake.” He adjusted his grip.
“If you have questions about this place, he’s the one to ask.
Or, you could ask the others,” he teased. I scoffed, and made a face.
The others…Finn’s friends. I didn’t care for them, or anyone else for that matter.
I was always an odd character, and over the years I learned that I prefer my own company over the company of others, aside from my brother.
The only real interactions with people I had were when I was with Finn on one of his little paranormal adventures, much like this one.
The reason we were even staying here was because of Finn.
I didn’t know what the deal with him and the others was, but I knew he had read about an abandoned asylum, located somewhere in the nearby ghost town.
He was convinced the place was haunted, showing me countless statements and videos, his excitement fully driving this need to travel to this isolated and frozen place, leaving me locked in with his friends.
An experience I didn’t care for. But if it made my brother happy, then so be it. I just wish it wasn’t so fucking cold.
“Come on, Lucky.” Finn ticked his head and we shuffled towards the manor. “Let’s get inside before we freeze to death.”
If freezing to death meant I’d never have to speak to your friends again, I’d happily lay down and let the cold consume me.
The odd feeling of being watched grew as we approached the estate.
The sensation only intensified as we neared the front door, stopping me in my tracks.
It morphed into something dark, clawing at my nerves, leaving me uneasy.
“Finn,” I whispered into the night. My brother halted, noticing my changed demeanor.
“Lucky?”
My eyes scanned up along the gothic mansion as that overwhelming feeling pierced my flesh and crawled into my veins.
A sudden cloud of darkness befell me, and I felt a piercing pain course through my body.
“Finn!” I nearly fell over and grabbed at my skull.
Loud, flickering flashes of unfamiliar memories rammed through my mind as my vision clouded.
The images played like an old film, increasing in speed until it began to burn as it played.
The memories were anything but pleasant, shadowed by loud screams and shouting voices; the negative emotions behind them swallowing me whole, flooding my brain.
I groaned and gasped, unable to do anything except endure.
So…many…memories…so much…pain!
My heart raced, pounding in my ears as I clawed at my face, gasping for air. My knees buckled, and I began to plummet.
“Lucky!” Finn dropped the luggage and equipment. He caught me as I fell to my knees. “What is it? What’s wrong?” His dark eyes met mine, understanding what was really happening. “What do you see?” he asked with caution.
“Finn—” The train of pain and suffering continued as I tried to shut my eyelids and ride the chaotic wave.
“Here.” He grabbed one of my hands and gripped it tight, squeezing my palm within his.
“Use my energy. Build your strength and block it out.” My head ached as I winced, feeling the warmth of his energy seep into mine.
“Block it out, Lucky. You can do it.” I took his strength and fought back, forcing the pain and suffering from my mind until all that remained was the sound of my heavy breathing.
“Lucky?” Finn continued to hold my hand, and I remained still.
Relief washed over me, settling my nerves as my mind began to slowly return to normal. “Finn,” I whispered. “I’m okay.” I exhaled, my grip on him loosening as I opened my eyes and looked at him. “Thank you.” My brother helped me to my feet.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Lucky?” Finn asked in a low, gentle voice.
“I—” I stopped as I noticed Finn’s face altering.
What the—
His skin became pale, and the sudden image of a woman’s face replaced his as his eyes melted into darkness, hidden behind black, straggly hair.
“Finn,” I uttered under my breath. The woman’s mouth dropped open, her jaw cracking and popping as it dislocated and stretched, way beyond humanly possible.
The world flickered and her head titled as a harrowing scream pierced my ears.
The sudden terror I felt made me cry out in horror as the demonic face spoke over my brother’s altered voice.
“Lucky! What’s wrong? What is it?” The disembodied thing then reached out and grabbed my arms, shaking me. “Lucky! Lucky! Lucky!”
My heart nearly ruptured from beating so fast.
“No!” I closed my eyes and ripped its fingers from my arms. “Leave me alone!” My body whipped around and I grabbed my ears. “You have no power over me. You have no power over me!” I repeated the phrase again and again, trying to recenter myself.
“Lucky.” My name was whispered from behind, but I only held my ears tighter, refusing to look. “Lucky!” My body flung back, and I opened my eyes to see Finn glaring at me in horror. Just Finn. No pale face, no flickering darkness, just my brother.
“Finn,” I breathed in relief. I frantically searched the outside, scanning every inch of the ghostly landscape for the pale, demonic face.
I saw nothing, but I felt everything. “Finn.” My voice trembled as I looked up at him.
“I–I saw something.” He watched me closely as I glanced up at the estate.
The negative energy I felt quickly dwindled, as if being carried onwith the night, but it left its mark.
And I knew it wouldn’t stay gone forever.
“This place…it’s…it’s—” A tear rolled down my cheek as I swallowed.
“I don’t think we should stay here, Finn. ”
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that same pale face. And it frightened me.
What is this?
I shook my head.
The Venom Estate…There’s something off about it.Something bad. Really fucking bad.
“Shhh.” My brother helped me to my feet and hugged me close.
“Hey, it’s okay. Everything’s okay. You’re okay.
I’m here. You just need some rest. We both know that when you get exhausted, your guard falls and anything can creep in and mess with you.
I’m sorry, Lucky. I should’ve found an easier way to get here.
I should’ve known better.” I wanted to push him away and argue, but his embrace was already calming my nerves.
“You know, when I was researching the area, I read about an old cemetery not far from here. You’re probably sensing a lost soul, wandering the woods or something. ”
I shook my head. “No. This pain…the agony I felt. It’s not emanating from a lost soul. There’s something else here. And it’s not alone.”
Finn pulled away from me while still holding me close. “Do you think, maybe, you’re sensing something from the asylum? I mean, it’s not far from here.”
Could it be something from the asylum? It’s possible. But if so, how can I feel it all the way out here? Is that even possible?
I shook my head again, my pastel curls bouncing around my cheeks. “I don’t know, Finn. But I have this feeling we need to leave.”