The grandfather clock in the foyer didn’t just tell time; it enforced it. At 10:00 PM sharp, its chime was a heavy, metallic warning that echoed through the hallways of the Sterling estate.
That night, Leo lay in bed, the silence of the woods pressing against his window. Then, he heard it. House Rules
Leo jumped. Mrs. Sterling stood behind him, her silver hair pulled back so tight it looked painful. She wasn't mean, exactly—just precise. The grandfather clock in the foyer didn’t just
If you hear your name from the garden after dark, do not answer. The third door on the left stays locked. Do not knock. Always leave a saucer of milk by the cellar door. "Stayed too long at the wall, didn't you?" a voice rasped. its chime was a heavy