The old house at the end of Maple Street was always shrouded in darkness, even on the brightest days. On a dare, Emily stepped inside, the wooden floorboards creaking ominously beneath her feet. As she moved deeper into the house, the temperature dropped, and a chilling whisper echoed through the empty halls. “Leave now, or suffer.” Her flashlight flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Suddenly, she felt an icy hand grip her shoulder. Spinning around, she found nothing but empty air. Panic set in, and she sprinted for the door, but it slammed shut, trapping her in the cold, dark embrace of the haunted house.