Part 2: Shadows in the Dark

Millie’s new life as the Winchester housemaid seemed straightforward at first. Cleaning, cooking, and occasionally watching Cecelia—a quiet, unnervingly polite nine-year-old. Yet, something about the house felt suffocating, as if it were watching her every move.

Her attic room, small and isolated, quickly became a source of unease. At night, strange creaks echoed from the walls, and whispers seemed to drift down from above. The single window in her room, though barely big enough to see through, gave her the unsettling realization that no one would hear her scream from this far back in the house.

“You’ll get used to it,” Nina said when Millie mentioned the strange sounds. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Downstairs, Nina’s behavior grew increasingly erratic. One moment, she was warm and inviting, showing Millie how to organize the expensive china; the next, she would snap over an unwashed plate or a misplaced pillow.

“Millie,” Nina hissed one evening, her voice sharp as a knife. “I told you the flowers should be fresh every day. What is this?” She shoved a wilted bouquet into Millie’s hands.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Winchester,” Millie stammered. “I’ll fix it right away.”