The Haunted House

Previously

…Liam yanked at the heavy oak door, his knuckles white, but it wouldn’t budge. It was as if the house had swallowed it whole. Behind him, Maya was a frantic whirlwind, rattling the brass handle, her breath coming in ragged gasps. Chloe stood frozen, her eyes wide and vacant, a silent scream trapped behind her lips. Noah, ever the pragmatist, was already at the tall, arched window, his hands pressed against the grimy glass. “No good,” he announced, his voice unnervingly calm. “Pane’s solid. Like reinforced steel. And the frame… it’s like it’s grown into the wall.” Liam spun around, his heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his ribs. “What the