*Chapter 3: The Warning*
Emily's heart skipped a beat as she heard Matt's warning. She had always trusted Matt's instincts, and his hesitation made her feel uneasy.
"What do you mean?" Emily asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "What's wrong with the Blackwood family?"
Matt hesitated, and Emily could almost hear him thinking about whether he should share more. "It's just...there are rumors, okay? Dark rumors. People say that Malcolm Blackwood's family has a history of...unnatural practices. Séances, rituals, that kind of thing."
Emily's skin crawled as she listened. She had always been fascinated by the supernatural, but this seemed different. This seemed...real.
"Why do you think I'm getting an invitation to his party?" Emily asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't know," Matt said, "but I wouldn't go if I were you. Something about this doesn't feel right. You don't know what you're getting yourself into."
Emily thought about Matt's warning, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that this was an opportunity she couldn't miss. She decided to reassure Matt that she would be fine.
"Don't worry, Matt," Emily said, trying to sound confident. "I'll be careful. I'll just go to the party, see what's going on, and leave if things get weird."
Matt sighed on the other end of the line. "Just be careful, okay? If you don't text me within 24 hours of the party, I'll send a search party."
Emily laughed, trying to reassure him. "I'll be fine, Matt. I promise."
As she hung up the phone, Emily couldn't shake off the feeling that she was stepping into something sinister. She looked at the invitation on her desk, the words "The shadows await" staring back at her.
To Be Continued...