Our House That Bleeds (eBook)
248 Seiten
Bookbaby (Verlag)
979-8-3178-1053-5 (ISBN)
Robert Sticek developed a passion for writing at an early age, captivated by the ghost stories and horror novels he read as a kid. After having one of his short stories included in a poetry anthology in 1996, Robert continued honing his craft through various online author platforms. He has recently published his first novel, 'Our House That Bleeds.' Robert currently resides in Buffalo, NY. You can find him on all major social media platforms.
Following the death of their parents, Mason McDonnelson and his brothers have been reunited after two years. Their inheritance involves a generous sum of money along with a newly built estate just outside Philadelphia, where the family grew up. Questioning the stipulations in the inheritance, Mason discovers a set of blueprints that have been locked in his father's desk, along with a letter addressed to all three brothers. The blueprints detail secret compartments in the new house containing a trio of peculiar medallions. When the house begins exhibiting signs of paranormal activity after a seance gone wrong, Mason feels things start slipping out of control. His brothers start acting out of character, becoming violent, and dark truths about the family are being uncovered. As the danger grows, Mason is left with a decision that could save his brothers at the cost of his own mortal life. Maybe some family secrets are best left buried.
Chapter ONE:
PIANO LESSONS/HOMECOMING
Mason McDonnelson stepped out of his morning shower and thought he heard the piano playing downstairs. Cracking the door open, he saw he was correct. He smiled.
Carson was home.
Drying himself off then wrapping the towel around his waist, Mason exited the bathroom and reached the banister overlooking the spacious living chamber to observe his beloved brother tickling the ivories of the grand piano centered in the room.
“Carson!” Mason beamed from ear to ear. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
The younger sibling lifted his head to gaze up at him, never missing a key as he continued playing. He chuckled. “All right. Take your time.”
Mason stepped into his bedroom and changed into a T-shirt and sweatpants then rushed down the stairs. He straddled the bench beside Carson and gave him a peck on the cheek.
Carson smiled.
“I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow night,” Mason replied, noticing Carson’s bags with two of his keyboards propped against the nearby sofa.
“I was able to catch an earlier bus,” Carson said.
“I’m just glad you’re here, baby bro,” Mason said, giving Carson a light pat on the back. “Feels good to have some company after being here by myself for a friggin’ month.”
“You gotta give me a grand tour.”
Mason nodded in agreement and watched as Carson closed his eyes, reaching a crescendo in the composition he was playing. He hit a sour note.
Carson placed his hands in his lap and turned to gaze at his older brother. “I knew there was something you weren’t telling me.”
Mason frowned. “What?”
“You brought a priest here to bless the house, didn’t you? Why didn’t you just do it yourself?”
“Mom used a priest to bless the old house,” Mason answered in his defense.
“But that’s not how you roll.”
Mason shrugged. Little brother was right.
Carson glared at him and shook his head, punching him on the arm before resuming playing. “He who dabbles in the occult but seeks the assistance of a priest.”
Mason laughed, rubbing the spot where Carson nailed him. “Dude.”
“I’m disappointed in you, big bro,” Carson chastised but with a grin.
“Yeah, you’re breaking my heart,” Mason replied with a bite of sarcasm. “Spirituality is nothing more than an energy that surrounds everything. In essence.”
Carson chuckled. “In essence?”
“Yes. It’s a vibration in all things.”
“Were you satisfied with his performance?”
Mason nodded. “The ritual was short but to the point. It served its purpose.”
“Hmph. So you say.”
Mason placed an arm on the shelf above the keyboard, watching Carson’s fingers as they passed over the keys. “I remember the one other time you hit a bad note was when Mom and Dad died.”
“Yes. I remember.” Carson started playing another tune.
“That song,” Mason recognized.
Carson watched him as he continued playing.
“Two years ago, already,” Mason reminisced. “It was Christmas. Mom and Dad were on their way home. It was snowing badly at the time. You had just composed this very same symphony, and you were so excited you could hardly wait to play it for us. You sat at this very piano and bolted out your masterpiece, planning to play it for Mom and Dad when they got home.” He closed his eyes and waited.
Carson hit another bad note but on purpose.
Mason opened his eyes, a tear sliding down his cheek. “That very same one.”
Carson stopped and wiped the tear away. “Don’t cry, big bro. There’s no more suffering for them.”
Mason blinked his eyes, more tears cascading down his face. He wiped at them. “You hit the same bad note at the exact time of their accident.”
“And no one believed me at that moment,” Carson recalled. “I cried out, ‘They died! Mom and Dad died!’ Everyone who was visiting us for the holidays that year looked at me strangely. Everyone except you and Camden.”
“The three of us knew we had a gift.”
“And we felt like we couldn’t tell anyone. Most of the family weren’t really that religious but there was still no way they’d understand.”
Mason chuckled. “I think the main reason why we were so close was because we felt like outsiders.”
“I know, right? The family just passed it off as a mere coincidence.”
“We knew better, baby bro. And speaking of your twin, is he still…?”
“Nope. Tonight. Change of plan.” Carson tapped his left temple.
“He told you. Got it.” Mason got off the bench and headed toward the kitchen.
Carson closed the lid over the keys, then followed him. “Did you wonder why the lawyer waited two full years to give us the details to this house?”
“Yes, I did, and I asked her when she handed me the papers.”
“And what did she say?”
“She told me that she had her instructions. That was it.”
Carson started preparing breakfast, removing the cheese and egg whites from the refrigerator. “And the house is completely ours?”
“Yep.” Mason started brewing coffee. “I’m still thinking we should…”
“…investigate,” Carson finished with him.
Their eyes met.
Carson nodded. “I feel it, too.”
~
Later that afternoon, Camden bounded through the front door with vengeance. “Yo! I’m here!” He plopped his bags on the floor and held his arms out wide open.
Carson and Mason greeted him in the hallway, the three of them embracing in a group hug.
“You told me you were coming tonight,” Carson said as he picked up one of the bags.
“Well, surprise!” Camden laughed. “Besides, you should know me by now, ya think?”
“Silly us,” Mason replied with a sarcastic tone as he grabbed more of Camden’s belongings.
Camden gave Mason a playful smack across the back of the head.
To look at the twins abreast of each other was more than just looking at a spitting image; the handsomeness passed on from their father’s genes was exemplary, complementing both young men quite well. And as one began to know them better, their spirits were also analogous. Their skin color, body structure, facial features, and height fabricated them into one person altogether. With certain twins, one might be able to tell them apart; with Carson and Camden, it was difficult. Dress them alike and only Mason, not even their parents, was able to separate the two.
“So, why the change of plan, baby brother?” Mason asked Camden.
“There was a break in studio work,” Camden replied. “I got restless and didn’t want to stay in L.A. for too long, so I decided to come home. Why? You’re not happy to see me?”
“Don’t be silly,” Carson said as he rolled his eyes.
Camden popped him with a good-natured slap upside the head. “Bro.”
Mason laughed. “Play nice, you two.”
“I know you’re gonna throw us a party tonight, right, big bro?” Camden wrapped an arm around his twin’s shoulders and the two of them regarded their older brother with smug smiles on their faces.
Mason shook his head with a chuckle. “No.”
~
Although plans were the last minute for the night’s festivities, many of the brothers’ friends and acquaintances attended the party which Mason organized in honor of his siblings. Music played from a state-of-the-art stereo where a smorgasbord of food and drink was set up. The French patio doors were open, allowing full access to the underground swimming pool complete with a jacuzzi. White oak fencing enclosed the patio area from the surrounding wooded landscape with five lit tiki torches stationed alongside it.
Mason’s good friend Reagan took the glass of champagne that he offered her, raising it in a toast.
“To family,” she said.
“To family,” he agreed.
They clinked glasses and each took a sip.
“Mm. Strawberry,” Reagan cooed.
“My favorite.”
“So where are the twins?” Reagan asked as she searched the premises.
“They’ll show,” Mason informed her, grinning at her anticipation. “They enjoy grand and unexpected entrances. The party only started an hour ago. Give them time.”
As if on cue, Carson and Camden descended the stairs dressed in matching attire: black and white shirts, black jeans, and white sneakers with a silver cross hanging around the neck. The gathering greeted them with shouts of...
| Erscheint lt. Verlag | 29.10.2025 |
|---|---|
| Sprache | englisch |
| Themenwelt | Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen |
| ISBN-13 | 979-8-3178-1053-5 / 9798317810535 |
| Informationen gemäß Produktsicherheitsverordnung (GPSR) | |
| Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? |
EPUB (Ohne DRM)Größe: 927 KB
Digital Rights Management: ohne DRM
Dieses eBook enthält kein DRM oder Kopierschutz. Eine Weitergabe an Dritte ist jedoch rechtlich nicht zulässig, weil Sie beim Kauf nur die Rechte an der persönlichen Nutzung erwerben.
Dateiformat: EPUB (Electronic Publication)
EPUB ist ein offener Standard für eBooks und eignet sich besonders zur Darstellung von Belletristik und Sachbüchern. Der Fließtext wird dynamisch an die Display- und Schriftgröße angepasst. Auch für mobile Lesegeräte ist EPUB daher gut geeignet.
Systemvoraussetzungen:
PC/Mac: Mit einem PC oder Mac können Sie dieses eBook lesen. Sie benötigen dafür die kostenlose Software Adobe Digital Editions.
eReader: Dieses eBook kann mit (fast) allen eBook-Readern gelesen werden. Mit dem amazon-Kindle ist es aber nicht kompatibel.
Smartphone/Tablet: Egal ob Apple oder Android, dieses eBook können Sie lesen. Sie benötigen dafür eine kostenlose App.
Geräteliste und zusätzliche Hinweise
Buying eBooks from abroad
For tax law reasons we can sell eBooks just within Germany and Switzerland. Regrettably we cannot fulfill eBook-orders from other countries.
aus dem Bereich
