The new maid heard weeping beneath the mansion. Opening the heavy basement door, she found the missing wife, starved and chained. As gasps filled the dark room, the wife grabbed her hand, whispering, “Run before he hears you, or he’ll make you my replacement.” Suddenly, footsteps echoed on the stairs…

the head gardener. His face was weathered like old leather, his eyes wide with a frantic, desperate warning. He quickly put a finger to his lips, shushing me.

“You shouldn’t be down here, child,” he whispered, his voice like grinding stones. He looked at the note clutched in my hand, then at the heavy door. “You’re playing a dangerous game. The last continue reading …