Whispers from the Abandoned Estate

The rain was relentless as it pelted the old, decrepit estate. The couple, Liu Wei and Mei Ling, had driven hours from the city, their excitement tinged with a nervous anticipation. They had heard whispers about the estate, how it had been abandoned years ago, shrouded in mystery and tales of hauntings. But it was the promise of a new chapter in their lives that had brought them here.

The door creaked open, a sound that seemed to echo through the empty halls. Liu Wei pushed the door wide, revealing a staircase that spiraled up into the darkness. "Let's get our things settled," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mei Ling nodded, her eyes wide with the same mix of fear and excitement. She had read the old estate's history; the last residents had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. But she had seen the photos, the grandeur of a bygone era. It was like a siren's call, drawing them closer.

They began unpacking, their movements methodical. Liu Wei placed a framed photo of his parents on the mantelpiece, while Mei Ling arranged a few potted plants to brighten the space. As they settled in, the rain continued to pound the roof, creating a constant drumming sound.

The next morning, as they stepped outside to fetch groceries, a chilling wind swept through the yard, leaving them shivering. "Do you feel that?" Mei Ling asked, her voice trembling.

Liu Wei nodded, his eyes darting around the property. "I've never felt anything like it. It's like the estate is trying to tell us something."

That night, as they lay in bed, the silence was deafening. Mei Ling had dozed off when she heard a faint whisper. "Who's there?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

There was no reply, but the whisper seemed to grow louder, clearer. "Mei Ling..."

Her heart raced as she sat up, her eyes darting around the room. "Mei Ling, you need to leave. Now."

Confused and terrified, she looked to Liu Wei, who was just as startled. "Who was that?" he whispered back.

They spent the night tossing and turning, haunted by the whisper. The next day, they decided to explore the estate, hoping to uncover the source of the whisper. They found an old, dusty library, the shelves filled with forgotten books. Liu Wei pulled a large tome from the shelf, its pages yellowed with age.

As he flipped through the pages, Mei Ling noticed a drawing of a woman, her eyes filled with sorrow. "This woman," Mei Ling said, "she looks just like me."

Liu Wei handed her the book, and she read aloud from the pages. The story was about a woman who had been betrayed by her husband and left to die in the abandoned estate. As Mei Ling continued, she realized the woman was her ancestor, and the whisper was her plea for help.

The couple knew they had to find a way to save Mei Ling's ancestor. They began searching the estate, following the clues left behind. They found an old, hidden door behind the library, leading to a dimly lit room. Inside, they discovered a small, ornate box.

Liu Wei opened the box to find a locket with a photo of the same woman. As he held it, a voice echoed in his mind. "Thank you."

Mei Ling's ancestor had been freed, her spirit finally at peace. The whisper had been a sign, a message from beyond the grave. But as they left the estate, the whispers grew louder, more desperate.

Liu Wei turned to Mei Ling, his eyes filled with fear. "What if we can't save everyone?"

Mei Ling took his hand, her grip firm. "We have to try. For them, and for us."

As they stood at the edge of the property, the whispers faded into the distance. They knew the estate had claimed its own, but they also knew that their journey had only just begun.