LOCKED SHADOWS

CHAPTER 006

SETTLING IN

The morning light crept slowly into the lodge, seeping through tall curtains that hung heavy with dust. It revealed a grand hall that, even in daylight, carried an eerie stillness. The chandeliers above glittered faintly, though the crystals were dulled with age, and the marble floor reflected the pale glow of the sun. For Daisy, waking in such a place felt disorienting, like stepping into a world suspended between dream and reality.

She sat up in bed, her heart still beating from fragments of the nightmare that clung to her mind the faceless man, the dagger gleaming in the dark. Shivering, she pressed her hands to her face, whispering, It was just a dream. Yet part of her knew it was more than that.

Voices drifted through the hall as the rest of the group began to stir. By the time Daisy gathered her courage to leave her room, she found the others already downstairs. The lounge had transformed overnight into a makeshift gathering space: bags stacked against walls, food wrappers scattered on the table, and the smell of fried eggs and bread wafting from the kitchen.

Moses was at the center of it all, effortlessly commanding attention. Breakfast is served! he announced, setting a tray of steaming plates on the low table. His broad smile made him seem reliable, though Daisy couldn’t shake a subtle arrogance beneath his charm.

Rebecca followed behind him, carrying cups with careful precision. She set them down neatly, her calm energy balancing Moses’ exuberance. Eat before it gets cold, she said softly. Her eyes flicked toward Daisy, and she offered a reassuring smile that eased some of the tension twisting in Daisy’s chest.

Sugar lounged on the couch, scrolling through her phone with an amused smirk. Finally, she drawled. I thought I was going to starve to death in this horror movie mansion.

Derek sat cross-legged on the floor, shuffling a deck of cards even as the food arrived. His restless energy filled the room, and his eyes never stayed still for long. Eat, play, repeat, he muttered. “This weekend’s going to be fun.

Hannah was the quietest of them, perched at the corner of the couch, her plate untouched. She seemed lost in thought, her gaze roaming the room as though trying to memorize every detail. Daisy recognized that same quiet discomfort within herself and felt an unexpected kinship.

Lucia, always quick with words, broke the moment of silence as everyone dug in. “So this is the famous retreat Alex wouldn’t shut up about. I have to admit, it’s… bigger than I thought.

Dave, already halfway through his plate, grunted in agreement. As long as it has space for me to train, I’m good.

You and your training, Sugar teased, rolling her eyes. Don’t you ever relax?

Relaxation makes people soft, Dave shot back without missing a beat.

Maybe you should try being soft once in a while, Lucia retorted, smirking.

Moses chuckled, enjoying the banter. Don’t worry. The lodge has plenty for everyone space to run, a pool, even a games room. You’ll find what you need.

Rebecca’s voice cut in gently. But we should also remember we’re here together. It’s not just about what each of us wants. Let’s make this a weekend worth remembering.”

For a moment, the room grew quiet, Rebecca’s words grounding them. Daisy noticed how naturally she commanded respect, not by force but by presence.

After breakfast, they split into smaller groups to explore. Daisy walked with Lucia and Hannah, the three of them trailing behind as Moses led Alex and Dave to the pool. Sugar and Derek wandered toward the games room, laughter echoing faintly behind them.

The corridors felt endless. Portraits of stern faced strangers lined the walls, their painted eyes seeming to follow as Daisy passed. Hannah slowed at one, her hand hovering near the frame. “These look… old, she murmured. Too old for a vacation lodge.

Lucia leaned in with mock drama. Maybe they’re watching us. Maybe one of them comes alive at night.

Daisy shivered. The idea didn’t feel like a joke.

They found a small library tucked away at the end of a corridor. Dust coated the shelves, and the air smelled of paper gone stale. Hannah’s face lit up faintly at the sight of the books, and she stepped inside. At least they left something worth reading, she whispered.

Daisy lingered by the doorway. A draft slipped through, brushing her skin. She could’ve sworn she heard a faint whisper, like pages turning when no one touched them. She hugged herself, forcing a shaky laugh. This place really does feel like a horror movie.

Which makes it perfect, Lucia said with a grin. You’ll have plenty of material for your book.

Daisy’s stomach twisted. The reminder of her unfinished manuscript stung, and she quickly changed the subject. We should catch up with the others.

Back at the lounge, the group reconvened. Sugar and Derek were playing cards, their laughter filling the space. Alex and Dave returned dripping wet from the pool, arguing good-naturedly over who had won a race. Moses carried himself with easy confidence, clearly enjoying being the unofficial leader of the pack.

But Daisy couldn’t ignore the undercurrent. Rebecca’s calmness felt like it hid something deeper. Hannah’s silence seemed heavy, as though she knew more than she let on. Derek’s restless energy had an edge to it, unpredictable. And the lodge itself, its shadows, its creaks, its lingering chill felt alive in a way that set her nerves on edge.

When night came again, the group gathered for games in the lounge. Sugar dealt the cards, Derek cracked jokes, and Moses kept the energy high. Yet even amid the laughter, Daisy’s attention wandered to the darkened hallways. More than once, she thought she saw movement a shadow slipping past a doorway, a figure at the top of the stairs. Each time she blinked, it vanished.

Later, in her room, Daisy tried once more to write. The words still refused to come. Instead, her mind replayed the day: the strange portraits, the whispers in the library, the way the chandeliers swayed slightly though no breeze had passed.

When sleep claimed her, the dream returned. The faceless man was closer now, standing not at the foot of her bed but beside it, dagger poised. His silence was louder than any scream. Daisy woke with a cry, her chest tight, her sheets damp with sweat.

Somewhere in the hall, a door creaked. Slowly. Deliberately.

Daisy held her breath, listening.

And knew, beyond any doubt, that the lodge was not just theirs. Something else was here.