Prologue
The House stood proudly on the hill, an eternal symbol of the Cracker family’s past glory. It loomed over the small town of Black River like a queen on her pedestal. As if to defy the ravages of time, it stood, intact, for all to see. Adorned in its finest attire, it retained the grace of a young girl, indifferent to the suitors who flocked to its doors, hoping to unravel its secrets.
Men, women, and children came and went over the years, each hoping to win the favor of the Lady, a relic of a bygone era. Despite countless attempts to breach its defenses, the Belle remained untouched. Its finely wrought iron fence kept at bay the few daring souls who still sought to seduce it. Stricken by a sudden unease, these would-be conquerors, despite their fierce determination, found themselves with only one desire upon setting foot in the vast garden: to flee this place as quickly as possible, though they could hardly explain why.
Whether driven by curiosity or a foolish wager, their escapades always ended the same way: they would bolt without a backward glance, never to return. Even Mother Nature had tried to court it, draping the estate in greenery to soften its edges. All in vain; the abundant vegetation, brimming with thorns and weeds, halted abruptly at the gates of the domain.
Once through the creaking, rusted grand gate, a barren, sterile expanse devoid of life greeted the eye. It was a place of death and stagnation, where time seemed frozen. While the town transformed with the seasons—cold, heat, or storms—the House remained ever the same. Many had attempted to unravel the mysteries of Cracker Hall over the last eighty years, but none had succeeded.
However, things may be on the verge of change. For you see, you do not decide to visit Cracker Hall. It is she who sets the appointment.
