The siblings arrive at their hometown late at night, they are greeted with an eerie silence. The streets are empty, the houses boarded up, and the air is still. Only the faint sound of crickets can be heard, a stark contrast to the usual commotion that fills this lively town.
However, the town was never this eerie, at least never in the day. During the day the houses appeared warm, bright, and welcoming. The townspeople seemed so welcoming, but once night hit... The day turned to night, the houses became eerie, people would board their windows, and the people would go inside for the night like some unspoken rule - "No one out once the sun is down." The two of them had left home at 18, headed off to college, and lived a "normal" life, but being from Ravenwood, you could never be normal.
The siblings begin investigating, following the only lead they had found to an abandoned house. As they explore, they begin to hear strange noises coming from the basement. As they approach, the noises become more vivid, and they can make out faint words whispering from deep within the basement.
As the two siblings approach the basement door, their hearts pound hard in their chests. With a last look to one another, they grab the handle and push open the door, the creaking of the hinges echoing throughout the house.24Please respect copyright.PENANAHJAHEMv5jH
Once the door is fully open, the siblings walk in with bated breath. The air is heavier, and they have a feeling of impending doom. The whispers are louder, and they can hear footsteps, as though someone else is here.24Please respect copyright.PENANAorjTUbcPnJ
Suddenly, the siblings are plunged into darkness, the door slamming behind them. Alarmed but brushing it off, it was Ravenwood after all.
The siblings slowly make their way towards the source of the sound, their hearts hammering in their chests. They turn a corner, and suddenly the dim light from the entrance is cut off.24Please respect copyright.PENANAdYhdS9jPl5
As they reach the end of the hall, they see a faint light radiating from underneath a doorway. As they approach it, the footsteps come to a stop. Suddenly, the silence is broken by the sound of footsteps running towards them.24Please respect copyright.PENANAho1txUdhKg
The siblings quickly duck behind the nearest corner and brace for what's about to come.
The footsteps run past them, and the siblings remain frozen in fear, holding in their breath. However, the footsteps quickly stop, soon replaced by the sound of breathing, faint at first, but quickly becoming more obvious as the source approaches. The breathing is heavy, and the siblings can hear footsteps and scratches on the walls.24Please respect copyright.PENANAMG4FAVf8d0
Suddenly, the scratching stops, replaced by the sound of a heartbeat. As though someone is standing right in front of them, watching, waiting, as if they were prey, awaiting certain death.
The siblings clutch each other, bracing for whatever may happen next. Suddenly, the breathing stops, and they feel a hand touch their back, sending chills down their spine and a shiver of fear through their bodies. Suddenly, a voice appears from behind them.24Please respect copyright.PENANAlXN7xT3CMO
"Hello, children." A semi-familiar voice would boom filling the otherwise quiet basement.24Please respect copyright.PENANARsoMNYthWR
The siblings whirl around, only to see the shadow of a tall figure standing before them. The figure is shrouded in darkness, its face hidden by the shadows.
The siblings quickly register that the shadowy figure is none other than Sheriff Griz, they can't help but wonder how long he has truly been sheriff of Ravenwood.24Please respect copyright.PENANA9liqW5qZmk
"What are you doing down here, children? It's far too dangerous for you here!"24Please respect copyright.PENANAYjxIInZrHL
The siblings quickly explain to Sheriff Griz why they are in the basement, to investigate their father's murder. As the three discuss the case, the siblings notice something strange.24Please respect copyright.PENANAuhnhcLtfax
Sheriff Griz shows very little emotion or interest in the case, which is odd given the severity of the situation. What does Sheriff Griz know?
The siblings continue to press Sheriff Griz about what he knows, but the old sheriff deflects their questions with a smile and empty responses. As the three leave the basement, the siblings begin to notice strange things about Ravenwood. All the houses are boarded up. No one is out on the streets. The place is completely empty, as though everyone has left for some reason or another.24Please respect copyright.PENANARWRLtGAOro
"This is strange," thought Ellie, "why is no one here? Where have they all gone?"
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The pair hurry to Aunt Mae's house, desperate to get some answers. The journey takes most of the night, as they have to travel through the woods to get there.24Please respect copyright.PENANARAQYJPi3aE
Eventually, they arrive at the house in the woods, and they knock on the door. There is no answer. They call out to Aunt Mae, but still, there is no response. The air is still, and the house is eerily quiet.24Please respect copyright.PENANAbC5Xix8tKB
The two remember what Aunt Mae had taught them, never trust anyone even if they sound like family. The memories of their childhood rushed through their minds before finally remembering the secret knock they had made. One knock, three knocks, five knocks, two knocks. They waited for Aunt Mae to open the door hearing her footsteps just on the other side.24Please respect copyright.PENANAMSmsMe2eGJ
After a brief moment of waiting, the door opens ever so slightly. From the other side, the siblings can see the faint outline of Aunt Mae, a smile on her face.24Please respect copyright.PENANAJHk0dCcD0w
"I knew you'd remember the secret knock, kids," she says with a smirk, "come on in, you look half dead."24Please respect copyright.PENANAOdVu3vRHRR
Vince and Ellie smile and hug Aunt Mae fondly, feeling relieved to finally be around a familiar face in this strange town.24Please respect copyright.PENANARPH3MIFhmv
"What are you doing out here so late, kids?" she asks. The siblings sigh, a touch of sadness looms over their faces, and quickly explain to her why they are here.
"Our father has been murdered, Aunt Mae," says Vince, the younger of the two "and we came here to talk to you. Do you know what's happening in Ravenwood? I remember the unspoken rule of board the windows and in once the sun is down but this... This is different, no one is around."
Aunt Mae nods solemnly, but there is a spark of recognition in her eyes when the younger sibling, Vince, mentions the "unspoken rule".
"Vince, we need to talk. There's something I haven't told you about the town. Come inside, and I'll explain everything."
With that, Aunt Mae beckons the siblings inside. Once inside, they close the door behind them, locking each lock one by one, double-checking all 17 and the atmosphere becomes tense.24Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2bFfv3LvY
Ellie and Vince shared a look, I guess now is the time for the truth. They left home at 18, Ellie being the older one she was just shy of being 19 when they left. Now here they are again, 24 and 25, back in the town that haunted their childhood with even more secrets to uncover. Would this lead to finding their mother's killer too?