The lights are off, but somebody's home

“I guess we should, there is light coming through some of those windows. Someone will hear and open it from the inside.”

Roger turns to the door without handle, makes a fist and starts hitting the door.

Knock – Knock – Knock

And as his hand leaves the door after his third knock a sudden sound can be heard, not unlike shattering glass, followed by absolute silence. The double doors open into the mysterious mansion and only reveal darkness. Although Becky and Roger would have sworn the house had at least some illuminated rooms, now, taking a step back, they see the mansion forms one ominous and spotless silhouette.

“Could there be any more red flags? I can barely see my own hands Roger. And if the sky gets even cloudier and we can’t see the moon anymore… Arrg … one second … here it is!”

Becky pulls out her phone and turns on its flashlight. Roger follows suit and they turn back to the mansions entrance.

“We just have to find the switch, it’s got to be here somewhere”, Becky exclaims and takes the lead inside.

Instead of crossing the hall they just stepped into, the couple turns left and walks along the outer wall. They just don’t find a switch, but the open door to the next room. Inside a lonely candle weakly flickers and draws Beckys attention. The candle, not even strong enough to send its light beyond the door frame and into the main hall, sits upon a round table in the rooms center. Intrigued by it Becky enters the room.

“Where are you going babe? We should first turn the lights back on, before we wander around”, Roger whispers in Beckys direction, but she doesn’t even acknowledge it. There’s just something about the candle that draws her in.

As soon as Becky reaches her hand out to the candle, the rooms door falls shut. The squeaking sound awakens Becky. She immediately turns back, grabs the doors handle and tries to turn it. Without success.

“Roger? Roger?!”, she almost shrieks as she rattles the door.

Before Roger can answer her, the room she is now locked in seems to vibrate around her. A strange feeling takes a hold of her and two more candles spring to live. These two in sockets on the opposite walls to her left and right. Both resonate the same intoxicating fascination of the first flame. Becky takes her hands from the handle and grips her head, it hurts and she wants to close her eyes. But she can’t.

While his wife falls silent Roger grows more and more worried. He tries to throw his weight against the door, but to no avail. Maybe he’ll find something in the house to open the door with? He turns around and ponders what he could use as a lever or how to break the door if need be. But all consideration is cut short as he hears and soon after sees someone approaching.