Margot's Manor

What can you expect here?

It's essentially a “family” story, but in a gothic setting with a touch of mind control. I hope to weave in some humor as well, but that will definitely be the hardest part. All of these elements together probably fit best in the “fantasy” category, even if there are no elves or magic rings to be found in it.

The story concentrates on moods and feelings, the action will pick up rather slowly. Please don't expect lengthy sex scenes described in anatomical detail.

As always, I look forward to your feedback and comments!

The family car rumbled along the old uneven road, the headlights piercing through a dense canopy of ancient trees. James gripped the wheel, his knuckles white, as he squinted into the darkness ahead. “Almost there,” he muttered for the fifth time in the last twenty minutes, more to himself than to anyone else.

Helen sighed from the passenger seat, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she squinted on the frozen routing app on her smartphone.

“No signal. Since miles. I still can’t believe your aunt left us this place in the middle of nowhere,” she hissed, glancing at her husband.

“You and me both,” James replied, a mix of exhaustion and anger in his tone.

In the backseat, the twins — Liam and Lisa, both just turned eighteen — had been uncharacteristically quiet for most of the drive. Lisa, earbuds firmly in place, stared blankly out the window at the shadowy woods, while Liam scrolled through his phone, occasionally sighing dramatically at the lack of reception.

“Are we there yet?” Liam imitated a 5-year-old, breaking the silence.

Helen shot him a tired look. “I swear, if you ask that one more time…”

The car jolted suddenly as they turned onto a gravel path, and all four of them sat up straighter. Ahead, the trees began to thin, giving way to a vast, open park. The moonlight revealed sweeping lawns, dotted with clusters of overgrown rose bushes and statues weathered by time. The sheer scale of the property was breathtaking.

“Whoa,” Lisa whispered, pulling out one earbud. “This… is all ours?”

James let out a low whistle as the car crept forward. “I guess so.”

Helen leaned forward, her eyes scanning the sprawling grounds. “It’s beautiful,” she admitted, though her voice held a hint of apprehension.

As they drove deeper into the park, the house finally came into view, looming in the distance like a dark silhouette against the star-strewn sky.

“Holy crap,” Liam said, his voice a mix of awe and unease.

The estate was massive, its gothic architecture both stunning and foreboding. The grand old house loomed like a sentinel in the misty park, its tall, arched windows glinted faintly in the pale moonlight, and ivy crawled up the stone walls like nature’s attempt to claim it back. A grand staircase led up to the imposing double doors, flanked by gargoyle statues that seemed to watch their approach.

“It’s like something out of a horror movie,” Lisa said, her voice tinged rather with excitement than dread.

Helen frowned. “Or a nightmare.” She wasn't too sure if she really liked this heritage.

The car rolled to a stop, the gravel crunching beneath the tires. For a moment, no one moved. They sat in silence, staring at the house, each of them grappling with the strange mixture of wonder and unease it inspired.

“Well,” James said, breaking the tension, “welcome to our new home.”

As they stepped out of the car, the cool night air wrapped around them, carrying the faint scent of roses and something else—something faintly metallic, like rust. The house seemed to shift in the moonlight, its windows gleaming like eyes, watching, waiting.

“Creepy,” Liam muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Stop it,” Helen snapped, her nerves fraying. “It’s just a house.” Who was she trying to convince?

But as the family stood there, staring up at the grand facade, they couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t just a house.