Download Chereads APP
Chereads App StoreGoogle Play
Chereads

Night Whisperer

salima_kamaludeen
21
chs / week
The average realized release rate over the past 30 days is 21 chs / week.
--
NOT RATINGS
1.9k
Views
VIEW MORE

Chapter 1 - The Big Move

Sophie Bae's  lifestyle reflects the dynamic and multifaceted nature of living in Seattle. She balances  work, leisure, and community involvement. Sophie lived all her life in this vibrant City in, Washington. A busy seaport  environment filled with excitement.  She is a young professional, juggling a fulfilling career and an active social life amidst the hustle and bustle of urban living.

Sophie starts her day early, enjoying a cup of locally roasted coffee from her favorite café in Pike Place Market. After coffee she takes a short walk along the waterfront, enjoying the views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.

Sophie works as a marketing manager for a tech startup in South Lake Union. Her job involves creative thinking and collaboration with a diverse team. She enjoys the fast-paced environment and the challenge of staying ahead in the competitive tech scene.

Often after a long day at work, Sophie  attends networking events or  workshops to meet other professionals. She also enjoys outdoor activities, often heading to nearby parks like Discovery Park or Gas Works Park for a jog or a picnic with friends.

Sometimes, on weekends, she loves exploring Seattle's nightlife, visiting local breweries, and attending live music shows at venues like The Crocodile or Neumos with her fiancé Michael or best friend Amaya. She also enjoys cultural experiences, such as visiting museums or attending theater performances.

Sophie is an avid hiker and takes advantage of Seattle's proximity to stunning outdoor destinations like Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains.

 She has a passion for photography and often captures the beautiful scenery and vibrant street life of Seattle, sharing her work on social media where is an avid blogger. 

Michael promised to meet her for drink after work on her birthday, but he called five minutes earlier to let her know an emergency but she ended up going to a secluded restaurant in a casino and saw Michael with Mica his secretary having dinner. The compromising way they were sitting heads close together indicated that they were too close for comfort

That night when he came home, the female perfume reeking from him told the whole story. Although they were room mates, Sophie waited for marriage before going all the way. 

Michael was very intoxicated when he reached home and Sophie knew that she could not ask him what was his relationship with Mica, The next day, she decided to confront him. He lied to her that he was with his guy friend. Sophie didn't argue she decided it was too huge a red flag to ignore. 

A month later her friend Alaine told her about the opportunity in an established company. She applied. And did an interview via video conferencing and got the position. She decided to move closer to the head office which was in the suburbs. 

Alaine helped her to find a place to stay. His in-laws  had a cottage which he was sure would fit Sophie well. She asked him to get the keys when she reached the town she would set up her account to pay the bill on line. Alaine made all arrangements and his wife Sheila decorated the house for Sophie. After various phone calls with everyone, she packed her bags and met with her cousin Serena and they had a great time bar hopping. That night she crashed at Serena's house. 

The next morning, she grabbed her bags and walked to car. She drove off with no regrets. After two hours of driving she parked the car in front of her new home, a quaint old Victorian that seemed to breathe stories of the past.

She stepped out, inhaling the crisp autumn air mixed with a hint of something floral. As she surveyed her surroundings, the chill crept down her spine—not just from the cool breeze but from the feeling that the house wasn't as empty as it appeared.

The realtor had mentioned the town's rich history, but she brushed off the tales of hauntings and strange occurrences. After losing her break up with Michael, she was ready to escape the city's noise and start anew. Yet, the town felt heavy, as if shadows lingered just beyond her sight.

"Welcome to Hollow Creek," she muttered, half-heartedly trying to cheer herself up. With a sigh, she grabbed a box and headed inside.

That evening, Sophie unpacked her belongings, but the eerie silence of the house wrapped around her like a blanket. Suddenly, a soft whisper floated through the air, "Help me..." It sent chills racing down her spine, and she dropped the box, her heart thudding loudly in her chest.

"Just my imagination," she reassured herself, though doubt gnawed at her thoughts.

Later that night, as she lay in bed, she heard again—a faint sound, almost melodic, swirling through the quiet darkness. Unable to resist, she followed the sound through the dimly lit hallways, each step echoing in the stillness. The voice led her to an old mirror in the hallway, its surface cloudy and cracked.

"Who's there?" she whispered, staring into the glass as if expecting someone to reply. Instead, her reflection shimmered, warping momentarily before settling back to normal. Sophie blinked, unsure if she was dreaming.

She took a hesitant step closer, the echo of her heartbeat resonating in her ears. The mirror enveloped her in a cold light, contrasting sharply with the warm glow of the rest of the house. The sound intensified, a haunting melody that tugged at her heartstrings, drawing her nearer. She reached out a trembling hand, fingers brushing against the glass. It was cool to the touch, sending an unexpected shiver down her spine. 

Suddenly, the air around her thickened, and the melody morphed into a familiar tune—one she remembered from her childhood, sung softly by her grandmother. The nostalgia washed over her, a bittersweet wave that both comforted and unsettled her. "Grandma?" she murmured, half-hoping, half-dreading for a response.

As if in answer, ripples cascaded across the mirror's surface, distorting her reflection further. But within the ripples, Sophie could make out a figure—a woman with soft features and kind eyes, framed by wisps of silver hair. Although the image was faint, she felt an undeniable connection to the figure. "Sophie…" the woman's lips moved silently, but the warmth of her voice filled Sophie's mind like a gentle whisper.

"Is it really you?" Sophie gasped, stepping back in disbelief. The glimmer in her grandmother's eyes sparked memories of that summer spent in her grandmother's garden, learning how to tend to the flowers, listening to stories of old while the sun warmed their backs. But this was different; her grandmother had passed years ago.

"Sophie," the woman coaxed, her voice a mere echo that wrapped around Sophie like a familiar embrace. "You've been feeling lost, haven't you?" 

Sophie could only nod, her voice caught in her throat. It was true; since moving from Seattle, she had battled feelings of isolation, a sense of yearning for connection—both to others and to her own self. The whirlwind of city life felt overwhelming, and even surrounded by friends, there were moments when loneliness seeped in like a chilling fog.

"I can help you," the woman continued, her image flickering but still holding Sophie's gaze with an intensity that made her heart race. "You must confront what lies within you. There are shadows you need to face." 

"What do you mean?" Sophie asked, tears brimming in her eyes. "How can I face them? I don't even know where to start." 

The mirror pulsed gently as the melody shifted, transforming into a soothing lullaby that made the edges of Sophie's worries blur. "Close your eyes," her grandmother urged softly. "Trust in the journey. Find the strength you carry inside."

With an odd mix of fear and courage, Sophie obeyed. She squeezed her eyes shut, focusing on the sound around her. The gentle melody enveloped her like a protective cocoon, allowing her to let go of the tension that tied her stomach in knots. In her mind's eye, she envisioned herself standing in that garden again, each bloom representing a piece of herself that she had neglected or hidden away.

Memories spilled forth, memories of laughter, love, and even heartache. Alongside joy, there were fears—fear of failure, rejection, and not being enough. A heavy weight lifted as she embraced her vulnerability. She felt her grandmother's presence like a guiding light, urging her to accept all facets of herself.

As she opened her eyes, the mirror shifted once more, catching the light in a way that revealed the true beauty of her reflection. The uncertainty that had clouded her heart began to dissipate, replaced by a newfound clarity. She realized she held the power to shape her path, to weave together the strands of her experiences into something uniquely hers.

"Thank you," Sophie whispered, tears now flowing freely, a cathartic release. The grandmother's image smiled gently before fading, leaving behind a sense of warmth and reassurance. 

Sophie stepped back from the mirror, her heart lighter than it had been in months. The night was still, and the echo of the soothing melody lingered in the air. With renewed determination, she turned away from the mirror, ready to embrace everything life had to offer.

She could not forget the voice that asked for help. That voice did not belong to her Gram so was it really.