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For hundreds of years, the enormous doors had remained closed. Spiders had spun their webs across the entrance, the fine strands shimmering silver in the moonlight. Dust covered each of the forty-nine steps that led up the hill, pooling thickly in the corners of the massive porch. But now, footprints scuffed the dirty stone, and many of the cobwebs hung limply from their tethers. The house, the peace, had been disturbed here. So had the spirits that dwelled within the walls.

For the second time in less than a week, the enormous doors swung open. A small woman peered inside, her emerald eyes squinting against the glaring light of the foyer. Lit by one hundred flickering candles, the bright room stood in sharp contrast to the inky darkness of the forest. Had she not expected the candles to be lit, or the house to be ready to receive her? How else would she be able to appreciate the stunning beauty of the entrance hall? Her footfalls echoed in the massive chamber, boots thudding smartly against the glossy tile. Despite the dust, as fine as a light brushing of snow, the floor seemed to shimmer with the reflection of the candles' gleam. The ceiling seemed to come together miles overhead, consuming two entire floors of space. Twin staircases arched upward on either side of the room, connecting the main level to the upper rooms. Thick fabric of deep, royal blue was draped along the walls, hiding various doorways on the second floor from view. Ornate candelabras reached inward from the walls on all sides, twisting silver that perfectly matched the chandelier. It was that chandelier that stole the show, dangling high above even the tallest visitor. The piece was massive, held by a chain as thick as a man's arm, and easily eight feet in diameter. It was the shimmering centerpiece that drove away the ghosts that lurked in the shadows. Or, most of them, anyway.

For the second time in less than a week, the enormous doors slammed shut. The sound boomed through the seemingly abandoned house, rivaled only by the subsequent crack of thunder. Now the soundtrack for the rest of the evening, the steady rumble of heavy rain on the roof settled in to fill the silence. She had beaten the storm, but was it only sanctuary that she sought? Was it only the weather she hoped to escape from, and was it safety that she would find as she ventured deeper into the house?