Dyvina Sollena - Black Blood

Nobody did express, they exchanged a glance and looked down resigned.

When I had something on my mind there was nothing that could have changed my decision. I had to discover the Winterbournes' secrets at any cost, my one-way ticket to London. I wouldn’t have lived in such a small town that I was feeling so narrow anymore. I was twenty-seven, I was still young but... I wouldn't have stayed young forever. I had to get involved immediately or Hazycreek would have suffocated me.

Sometimes I was told that I was taking my job too seriously, but that was what I liked to do and I couldn't find anything wrong in pursuing my dreams. Fame was my goal, I would have chased my ambitions until I climbed to the top, and if the Black Raven Hill could clear my way, I would have presented myself at its gate.

What would I have found behind?

Only time could have told, but surely, what I was about to discover would have changed my life completely, destroying all my certainties.

Chapter 2

Rebecca

It was late at night; I was driving with my heart madly beating in my chest. Sure, I was excited but, also unnerved by a sense of restlessness. I was following the old road that would have led me straight to the Black Raven Hill, that was the only possible passage and the asphalt, illuminated by my headlights seemed spotless, clearly almost none was passing there.

Apart from the Winterbournes.

«I still don't get how you have managed to drag me till there», Josh complained, all pale, while he couldn't stop biting his nails.

I took a glance at him, I felt a bit sorry, he was scared to death.

«I've just asked you to come along and you have accepted. You shouldn't have come», I replied clutching my lips.

His dark eyes posed on me, but he said nothing, he just kept looking at me with a sad expression, like a puppy in need of cuddles.

I was absolutely grateful for what he was doing, but maybe I shouldn't have involved him.

I pulled over on the left and I turned the car off.

«What are you doing?» he asked confused.

I unfastened my seatbelt and I was opening the door.

«We get out, we walk forward. I don’t want anyone to hear us coming.»

My best friend swallowed, but he did not oppose any resistance and he got out the car.

I looked at the sky, it was extremely dark and it was like the forest engulfed us completely. Not even street lamps were enlightening our way.

I found all this unreal.

Josh was gazing in every direction, paying attention to every single noise, he was breathing heavily and his hands were closed in fists.

I inhaled slowly and tried to look resolute to his eyes. I was, but that place was giving me goosebumps too. That gloomy atmosphere that was embracing everything was certainly to blame.

I took the smartphone from my jeans' pocket and turned on the torch mode. The camera flash appeared, I pointed it in front of me and I started walking the last meters that kept us from the mansion.

We walked silently and watchfully without saying any word, until the road made us turn to the left, where a dirt path was taking in front of the entrance gate.

It was huge, thick black metal bars soared upward culminating in pointed quills.

A sign on the right reported the surname “Winterbourne” written in gothic characters.

I illuminated it with my phone. Nothing else was written.

«What would you do now?» Josh whispered looking beyond the gate.

I did the same.

«Just watching.»

From the distance, the dark shape of the mansion was really intimidating.

There were some lights, breaking that darkness impetuously and making the sight even more spectral.

I had brought a pair of binoculars; it was an indispensable and very useful tool: being a journalist sometimes led you behaving like a stalker.

I lifted them looking through.

The complete absence of light around made difficult distinguishing the shapes. I could see three enlightened windows. Beyond the walls, the house was surrounded by a vast garden.

It was like being in another world.

That old manor was hidden and protected.

I lowered the binoculars and I tried moving the gate. Obviously, it was closed.

«What the hell are you doing?» broke down Josh grabbing my shoulders.

I turned to him biting my lip.

«I want to get in, I need to get closer.»

«But what's in your head, Reb? Let's get away immediately», he protested.

I looked at the walls that were mingling with the vegetation, they were not so tall, the gate was way taller. I could have climbed and then get down on the other side, helping myself with some branches.

«I can overtake the walls, I'll be careful», I said studying the environment that was around me.

I approached a tree with a thick and wrinkled trunk. If I managed to reach the first branch, then the game would have been easy. I tried to jump and grab it, but I failed.

My best friend reached me with a burst and he took me from an arm.

«Stop it Reb! This is not a good idea. Let's go», he went on worried.

«Help me reaching that point over there. I won't do anything reckless, I promise», I told him with candy eyes.

He pursed his lips hesitating for a long while, but finally agreed. He intertwined his fingers and crouched enough to lift me. I leaned on his shoulders and settled a foot on his hands. With strength he gave me a good swing by which I could reach the branch. I lifted myself up being careful with every movement. From there I continued on a higher level until I reached the walls. They were so massive that once I stood up, I was really not afraid of falling.

I swallowed while starring at the house.

What secrets are hidden in there?

My stomach tightened with a slight anguish. But I couldn’t walk away, I had no intention.

I got down on the other side, looking carefully where to put my feet, I had to jump a few meters before touching the ground. Getting back would have been more difficult, I should've found a different way.

«Are you ok?» Josh was in front of the gate, as worried as I had never seen him.

«Yes, everything is fine. It won't take me too long, I just look around », I reassured him smiling.

I saw him bringing his hands to his head, but I didn't pay this any more attention.

Slowly I headed towards the huge gothic building.

The dirt road was pursuing inside the garden, a big fountain was standing half way with a circular tub. In the middle a squared column was rising, it was all carved, culminating with four gargoyles on each side. It was all empty, as water hadn't been there for ages.

Some luxury cars were parked all around the sculpture. I could count three, looking all the same. I went on.

When I reached the mansion, I tried to stay away from the few enlightened windows. Once more I turned on the smartphone's torch, hoping to find some interesting details.

All was quiet, the wind whispered gently weaving the manicured grass that I was stepping on.

I put my hand on a wall. The contact with that cold stone made me shiver deep down my spine.

What if those stories were true?

I closed my eyes repressing that thought. I didn't believe those foolish things. I was just been influenced by the situation.

A rustle on my back made my hair stand on end. The breathing became more intense and my heart almost exploded in my chest.

«Brave of you... Rebecca.»

I whirled around, ending starring inside two big, strangely bright eyes. They were different one from the other, the first of a delicate light blue, the other violet.

I bit my lower lip while panic took away all my rational way of thinking.

Those eyes were familiar, I had always found them attractive, but creepy in a same way.

«We were together in high school, remember?»