Castlem: Chapter 3

Chapter 3:

Charlotte walked up the ancient, creaky stairs, following Mr. Fergison. The room that he led her into was old, dusty, and dimly lit. She thanked Mr. Fergison, and he left.

“What a dusty place this is!” Charlotte exclaimed to herself. “It looks as though it hasn’t been used for years!” She walked around, inspecting everything from the strange stone fireplace to the tiny bed that creaked when she sat on it.

Finally, Charlotte walked over to the filthy window and looked out. She could see that the Fergison’s farm was completely surrounded by forest. Because the night was beginning to come, the forest looked dark and a little frightening.

A sharp knock at the door startled Charlotte, and she whirled around quickly. However, it was only Mrs. Fergison that walked in.

“I’m sorry if I scared you, dear, but supper will be ready in a few minutes. If you will follow me, I will show you to the bathroom where you may wash up,” she offered.

“Thank you very much,” Charlotte replied. “It’s so wonderful of you to take me in without any sort of notice.”

“It’s no problem. Victoria is a dear friend of ours, and any friend of Victoria’s is our friend too.” Mrs. Fergison led Charlotte into the bathroom saying, “Here you are. Come down to the kitchen when you're finished. I’m sorry, but I must leave. Excuse me.”

After Mrs. Fergison left, Charlotte thought to herself, “It’s a nice place, the people are hospitable, and yet something does not feel right. It all feels too nice, but maybe I’m just imagining things. Yet still, there is something in the air that feels dangerous.”