When we uncovered a hidden room in our newly purchased dream home, we had no idea it would turn our lives upside down. What we found inside forced us to move out, but little did we know that this nightmare would lead to an unexpected twist of fate.
I never thought I’d find myself living in a horror movie, but here we are. Jack and I had been saving for years to buy our first home. When we finally got the keys, I was over the moon. We started renovations right away, with me taking charge while Jack focused on his work.
A couple and their dog renovating a room | Source: Pexels
“Liv, you sure you’re okay managing all this?” Jack asked the night before renovations began. We were sprawled on our borrowed air mattress, surrounded by boxes.
I rolled my eyes. “I’ve got this. You focus on work, Mr. Big Shot.”
Jack chuckled, pulling me close. “Alright, alright. Just don’t have too much fun without me.”
It was a regular Tuesday morning when everything changed. I was sipping my coffee, scrolling through my phone, when Carlos, our renovation crew leader, called me over.
A woman in a kitchen looking at her phone, with a cup of coffee in hand | Source: Midjourney
“Olivia, you gotta see this,” he said excitedly.
I walked over, curious about what they’d found. Carlos pointed to a section of the wall they’d just torn down. There, hidden behind decades of drywall and paint, was a door.
“What do you think it is?” I asked.
Carlos shrugged. “No idea. Wanna open it?”
I nodded, reaching for the handle. The door creaked open, and I peered inside. My excitement quickly turned to horror. I slammed the door shut, my hands shaking.
“What’s wrong?” Carlos asked, concern etched on his face.
A construction worker in a home under renovation, looking worried | Source: Midjourney
I couldn’t speak. I fumbled for my phone and dialed Jack’s number. He picked up on the third ring.
“Hey, Liv. What’s up?”
“Jack, you need to come home. Now.”
“What? Why? Is everything okay?”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “We found something in the house. You need to see it.”
Jack must have heard the panic in my voice because he didn’t argue. “I’m on my way.”
A man in a smart suit, talking on a mobile phone, looking worried | Source: Midjourney
While I waited for Jack, I paced back and forth in front of the hidden door. Carlos and his crew kept working, but I could feel their curious glances.
“You okay, Olivia?” Carlos asked, pausing his work.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. My mind was racing with possibilities. What if the house was haunted? What if we’d stumbled onto some dark secret?
When Jack finally arrived, he was out of breath. “Olivia, what’s going on?”
I grabbed his hand and led him to the door. “Look,” I said, opening it slowly.
A man and woman making their way along an empty hallway | Source: Midjourney
Jack’s eyes widened as he took in the sight. The hidden room, once a closet, was filled with old clothes. But that wasn’t the worst part. The clothes were covered in mold, and insects crawled everywhere. Spiders had made their homes in the corners, and the stench was overwhelming.
“Holy —,” Jack muttered, slamming the door shut. “How long has that been there?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know. The realtor never mentioned it.”
We stood there in silence for a moment, processing what we’d just seen. Finally, Jack spoke up.
A man speaking anxiously | Source: Midjourney
“We can’t stay here. Not with… that.”
I nodded, fighting back tears. Our dream home had just turned into a nightmare.
We spent the next few hours packing essentials and making calls. Pest control couldn’t come until the next day, so we decided to stay with friends.
As we were leaving, I turned to Jack. “What if we can’t fix this? What if we have to sell the house?”
Jack pulled me into a hug. “We’ll figure it out, Liv. I promise.”
A couple embrace in front of a home under renovation | Source: Midjourney
Our friends, Mike and Sarah, were more than happy to let us crash at their place. As we settled into their guest room that night, the reality of our situation hit me.
“I feel like we’re back to square one,” I said, my voice muffled by the pillow.
Jack rubbed my back soothingly. “It’s just a setback. We’ll get through this.”
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