THE FALL OF THE ANCIENTS

ouded in mystery, has long been the subject of rumors and whispers. Some say it's haunted by the spirits of those who died within it

For years, he'd been fascinated by the stories that swirled around the old place, and he'd often found

ansion. Armed with only a flashlight and his trusty camera, he cautiously made h

er the mansion's interior. The stale, musty air smelled of decay, and the flickering light from his flashlight

imagined, and he felt a sudden sense of un

trange, distorted shadows on the walls. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being

's beam up to the second floor. The banister was cracked and splin

reeps," David muttered to

curious, too determined to discover the mansion's secrets. With a resigned sigh,

long, dimly lit hallway. There were several doors on either side, all

e nearest door a

lashlight around, illuminating a four-poster bed, a dresser, and a large armoire.

ore sinister, more frightening than an old, abandoned bedroom. But there was someth

aint scratching sound coming from inside the arm

out, his voice shak

avid took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. He knew he should

armoire, his flashlight

ore insistent. He hesitated for a moment, his hand ho

lothes, moth-eaten and faded with age. But in

horror as a pair of beady red

u?" he whispered, h

oire. It was small and furry, with sharp claws and a long, pointed sn

claws clicking against the hardwood floor. He stumbled bac

, his voice shaky

nued to advance, its r

ybrid creature, part rat and part something else entirely. Its fur was matted an

m me?" David pleaded,

ke a predator stalking its prey. David backed away, his

e was no

iss, the creature lunged a

nd off the creature's attack. He felt its sharp teeth sinking into his

ed, staggering ba

as no one t

r at his flesh, I'mripping an

**

of hikers passing through the woods near the mansion. They immedi

the mansion for clues as to what might have happened. But as they searched, they could

covered a series of hidden rooms and passageways, e

mbols and sigils that seemed to be written in blood. And beneath the altar, they found

ace?" one of the investigator

w," his part