Whispers in the Dollhouse: Part I

This is the first half of my prologue to a book I'm working on and decided to post it on Vocal to get some feedback. The link to Part II is here.

As Rebecca Scott arrived at the inner-city property, darkness clung to the surroundings, and the clock's hands edged towards 6:15 p.m. Eager yet apprehensive, Rebecca sipped from her trusty travel mug, a feeble attempt to find comfort in the familiar warmth. The sleek, modern villa loomed before her, a recent addition to the urban landscape. A reluctant participant in the eerie after-hours rendezvous, Rebecca found herself lured by the precarious dance of the property market's uncertainties.

Financially treading water, her meagre income barely kept her afloat, and the lines etched on her weary face spoke of nights plagued by anxiety. The weight of financial burdens clung to her shoulders like a heavy cloak, dragging her down into a pit of despair. With each passing month, the relentless struggle became more oppressive, leaving its mark on the shadows beneath her tired eyes and the subtle downturn of her once-optimistic lips. At 27, she felt like a weary soul well beyond her years.

This showing, however, promised a potential windfall that could stave off the financial abyss that threatened to engulf her. Rebecca, with her determined eyes betraying a glimmer of hope, saw this as more than just a routine transaction. It held the promise of a commission that might secure her survival for the next quarter. A lifeline in the tempest of financial instability that constantly battered her fragile stability. She looked at her reflection in the rear-view mirror. A façade of confidence over a blank canvas of uncertainty, driven by desperation. With her briefcase in hand, she approached the colossal wooden doors, a gateway to a world she yearned for but seemed perpetually out of reach. The property's allure had ensnared her when it first graced the real estate listings, but as a junior, ownership remained a distant dream.

Inside, Rebecca illuminated the sterile ambiance, casting shadows that seemed to writhe in anticipation. The white marble tiles whispered promises of opulence, leading into the alpine grey-ash timber domain. The property's splendour haunted each room, a staged theatre of luxury that only intensified Rebecca's yearning.

Rebecca walked into the kitchen and noticed the sleek, contemporary décor all around her. The black granite countertops gleamed under the artificial glow of overhead lights, and stainless steel appliances stood sentinel, reflecting the contemporary design of the space. As she placed her briefcase on the kitchen bench, Rebecca took a moment to soak up the atmosphere. The room seamlessly blended functionality with aesthetics, creating a kitchen that was as inviting as it was efficient. With one hand, Rebecca texted her boyfriend to inform him of her arrival at the property. The dim light of her phone screen cast a soft glow on her face as she shared the news, the digital message contrasting with the cool colour palette of the modern kitchen.

The distant hum of the city provided a macabre soundtrack as Rebecca moved from room to room, unaware of the malevolent eyes tracing her every step. The rhythmic pulse of the urban sprawl outside seemed to synchronize with the ominous undertones within the modern villa, a sinister symphony playing for an audience of shadows.

Rebecca's phantom observer had meticulously chosen this property as the stage for his sinister game. Hidden in the recesses of the darkened rooms, he remained a silent conductor, orchestrating the unfolding terror. His gaze, an unseen force, followed Rebecca's every movement, as if anticipating the crescendo of an impending nightmare.

The rooms, bathed in ambient lighting that cast long shadows, concealed the lurking malevolence that clung to the air. Rebecca, oblivious, moved deeper into the villa. She was to become the marionette in a twisted play. And the phantom in the shadows—her puppeteer preparing to pull the strings.

As she traversed the luxurious spaces, the atmosphere thickened with an unsettling tension. A shiver ran down her spine, icy fingers trailing across her skin.

Was it just the air conditioning, or something more sinister?

The masked figure, an architect of fear, revelled in the control he exerted from the shadows. His presence became palpable, as if the very walls held their breath, complicit in the unfolding drama.

Rebecca's footsteps echoed through the vacant halls, the sound ricocheting off the sleek surfaces and amplifying the disquiet that lingered in the air. The masked observer, veiled in darkness, watched with predatory patience. Savouring the impending sense of dread that hovered over the unsuspecting victim.

Each room became a stage, each step a note in the haunting melody that accompanied Rebecca's unwitting exploration. The villa, once a symbol of opulence, now masked a malevolent energy that permeated the air like a malevolent mist. The unseen observer delighted in the anticipation of revealing himself, the puppeteer orchestrating a dark ballet.

As Rebecca entered the bedroom with the panoramic city view, the masked figure's presence intensified. The large windows framed the city lights like a dark tapestry, and the observer's cold, calculating eyes seemed to mirror the distant glow. The night unfolded as a sinister performance, and the phantom observer relished the impending climax of his twisted game.

Thanks for reading.

The link for Part II is Whispers in the Dollhouse Part II