Chapter 1
Josh had always dreamed of owning a big house in the countryside. He was tired of living in a cramped apartment in the city, with noisy neighbors and polluted air. He wanted a fresh start, a place where he could relax and enjoy nature. That's why he was overjoyed when he found a great deal on a spacious mansion in a remote village. The price was surprisingly low, and the seller seemed eager to get rid of it. Josh didn't ask too many questions, he just signed the papers and moved in as soon as possible. He regretted his decision on the first night. As soon as he turned off the lights and went to bed, he heard strange noises coming from the basement. He heard footsteps, thumps, moans, and whispers. He felt a cold breeze in his room, even though the windows were closed. He sensed a presence in the dark, watching him with malicious intent. He was terrified, but he tried to convince himself that it was just his imagination. He told himself that the house was old and creaky, and that he was not used to the rural sounds. He told himself that he was just nervous and stressed, and that he needed some time to adjust. He was wrong. The next day, he decided to explore the house and see if he could find the source of the noises. He went to the basement, where he found a locked door. He searched for the key, but he couldn't find it anywhere. He wondered what was behind the door, and why it was locked. He decided to leave it alone, and continued his tour. He went to the attic, where he found a dusty trunk. He opened it, and saw a pile of old newspapers. He picked one up, and read the headline: "LOCAL MAN FOUND DEAD IN HIS HOME, SUSPECTED MURDER" He looked at the date, and realized that it was from two years ago. He looked at the picture, and recognized the face of the seller. He looked at the name, and felt a chill down his spine: "JAMES WILSON, 45, WAS FOUND DEAD IN HIS BASEMENT, WITH MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS AND SIGNS OF STRUGGLE. THE POLICE HAVE NO LEADS OR MOTIVES, AND THE CASE REMAINS UNSOLVED." He dropped the newspaper, and felt a sudden pain in his chest. He looked down, and saw a bloody knife sticking out of his heart. He fell to the floor, and saw a ghostly figure standing over him. It was the seller, or rather, his spirit. He had a twisted smile on his face, and a cold voice in his ear: "Welcome to your new home, Josh. I hope you like it here. You'll never leave." He laughed, and faded away. Josh died, and became the next victim of the haunted house.
