Under the Midnight Rain

Chapter 1: The house where it always rained

The rain fell with the same constancy with which the train advanced through the mountains. Valeria watched the landscape through the fogged window, wondering if she had made a mistake by accepting that job. Restoring the library of an old mansion lost among forests was not exactly the kind of opportunity she imagined after finishing her studies, but she needed a fresh start. The letter she had received was brief. “A restorer with experience in ancient documents is required. Accommodation included. Discretion is essential.” Nothing more.

When the car sent by the family arrived to pick her up, the driver barely said a few words during the trip. “The mansion is at the end of the road. It doesn’t usually receive visitors.” After almost an hour, the silhouette of the building appeared through the fog. It was an imposing structure of dark stone, with large windows and architecture that seemed to defy time. Vines covered part of the façade and the sound of the rain filled the silence. The huge main door opened before Valeria could knock. “We were expecting you.” The one who spoke was a woman with silver hair, impeccably dressed. “I am Elena, the housekeeper. Follow me.” The hallways were full of old portraits. Some seemed to watch every move of the visitors. “The library is the heart of this house,” Elena said as they walked. “There are books that haven’t been opened in decades.”

As she crossed the last door, Valeria stood still. Thousands of books rose up to a glass ceiling. Wooden ladders ran along endless shelves. The aroma of aged paper and ancient wood enveloped the environment. It was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. “I didn’t expect to find something like this...” “Few do.” A male voice interrupted the moment. Valeria turned. A few meters away was a man dressed entirely in black. His expression was serene, almost distant, but his eyes conveyed an intensity difficult to ignore. “Welcome to Blackwood Manor,” he said calmly. “I am Adrián.” She reached out her hand. It took him a second to shake it. “I hope I don’t cause any trouble.” A slight smile appeared on Adrián’s face. “That will depend on what you find here.”

Before Valeria could respond, a loud thunder made the windows vibrate. And, for an instant, she had the strange feeling that someone else was watching them from the top floor of the library. However, when she looked up, there was no one. Only the echo of the rain... and a secret that had been waiting too long to be discovered.

Chapter 2: The forbidden wing

The storm continued throughout the night. Valeria had barely managed to settle into the room Elena had assigned her. From the window, she could see the immense garden, where the trees swayed violently under the wind. Every so often, a lightning bolt illuminated the silhouette of the mansion and turned the hallways into a labyrinth of shadows. Sleeping was impossible. She took a flashlight and decided to walk through the main corridor. The silence was so deep that the creaking of the wood seemed to amplify with every step.

While she was observing the old portraits, she discovered something strange. One of them was slightly crooked. As she tried to adjust it, she felt a slight click. The wall vibrated. In front of her appeared a narrow opening that descended down a stone staircase. Valeria remained still for a few seconds. Curiosity was stronger than fear. She descended slowly.

The air was cold and smelled of dampness. The walls were covered by old empty shelves and boxes forgotten for decades. At the end, she found an iron door. It was closed with a lock so old that it seemed to be part of the stone itself. “You shouldn’t be here.” Adrián’s voice echoed behind her. Valeria jumped slightly and turned immediately. “I didn’t intend to...” “No one finds this place by accident.” His expression remained calm, but there was worry in his eyes. “What is behind that door?” Adrián remained silent. After a few moments, he replied: “The history of my family... and the reason why this house has never known a spring without rain.” Valeria felt a chill. “Are you serious?” “More than you imagine.”

Without saying another word, Adrián took an old key he wore around his neck. He inserted it into the lock. But, before turning it, a crash shook the basement. Someone had closed the entrance they had descended through. They were not alone. From the darkness came the sound of slow footsteps. And a barely audible voice whispered: “They have returned too soon...”

Chapter 3: The manuscript of shadows

The footsteps stopped being heard. Silence took over the passageway again, so thick that Valeria could hear the beating of her own heart. Adrián raised his flashlight and slowly swept the room with his gaze. “Come out from wherever you are.” No one answered. Only the sound of drops falling from the stone ceiling. Valeria looked at the iron door. “Are you going to open it?” Adrián remained motionless for a few seconds. “If they have already found this place, there is no point in keeping it hidden.” The old key turned slowly. The door gave a deep creak before opening.

On the other side appeared a circular room. The walls were covered by shelves full of scrolls, maps, and leather-bound diaries. In the center rested an oak table illuminated by a single oil lamp that, somehow, was still lit. “Who maintains this?” asked Valeria. “My grandfather did. After that... no one returned.”