Sin to the Darkness

By S. London

"Sin to the Darkness" is book one of the Abyssinia Estate series.

The Abyssinia Estate Series is a paranormal mystery that is designed to weasel its way into its reader’s mind and become a part of them. It is a novel whose intention is to get its audience’s minds active; to present the audience with characters to whom they can relate, or recognize connections.

This is NOT your classic "who-dunnit."

The story itself is based around secrets and spirits that adorn the history and makeup of a 200 year old house set in Abyssinia Beach. The house, rightfully named Abyssinia Estate because of its size and its dominance over the beach, is one that has witnessed many years worth of sins, sufferings, and sacrifices. Needless to say, the horror Abyssinia Estate has witnessed has never been, and will never be, forgotten. You could say the walls of Abyssinia Estate are stained with the memory of such happenings; perhaps even cursed by its memories.

What mysteries does Abyssinia Estate possess? Is it a home possessed by spirits of the past – spirits who intentionally wreak havoc on the home’s new tenants? Is it a home haunted by memories of the past – reliving the tales of those who suffered, those whose souls wander lost? Is Abyssinia cursed from the inside out? Or is the inside cursed by factors brought in from the outside? Will you be the one to uncover the mysteries of Abyssinia Estate?

In your exploration of Abyssinia Estate, you will meet several characters who currently, or have recently, been a part of Abyssinia Estate’s history.

I’ll take a moment to introduce you to a few of them:

First, you will meet Thaddeus - a man who releases his wife, Athena, from her suffering by following a sacrificial spell he learned from a book. You will later meet Thaddeus’ brother, who helps Thaddeus discard of his wife’s body – but where?

Next, you will meet Christina “Christi” Stephens - a young woman trying to find her place in the world while trying to separate real life from paranormal life. Christi has witnessed several tragedies in her life but hopes to escape into silence and solitude when taking over guardianship of Abyssinia Estate. However, Christi finds this difficult because she possesses a talent, a gift – one some might call a curse - that is known only by her dead brother, Adam. Adam is trapped between his previous life and his next life; his memory haunts Christi, but his lingering presence keeps her sane.

You will meet Beth and Benjamin Branham - a middle-aged married couple whose relationship is on the rocks. Attempts are made to save the marriage – most significantly, their purchase of Abyssinia Estate and the renting out of Abyssinia Estate – but in the end will love overpower lust? You will meet Patrick, an undercover investigator hired by Beth to spy on her husband and her husband’s mistress. Beth, upon learning of her husband’s infidelity, conjures up a scheme of the ultimate revenge: she places an ad, with the intention that the mistress will move into Beth’s house (while she is in Europe with Ben) and become attacked by the demons which is believed to possess it.

Meanwhile, you will meet Abby and her mother – you will witness a chilling encounter of a ghost woman pressured by darker forces to harm Abby. What does the ghost woman want with Abby? What will happen when the woman refuses to abide by the pressure of the force?

Finally, you will meet Roxanna and Rachel, young twin girls who somehow come across a book that might provide additional insight into the mystery of Abyssinia Estate.

An idea of what to expect: chills, confusion, cliffhangers, unexpected comedic spins.

An idea of what not to expect: to resolve all the mysteries in one sitting.

Memo from the Author: The mystery continues to unfold in Book Two: Letter Tell My Story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. London
• Release date: Nov 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301154739

S. London

Hello, friends! You may call me Sari, or S. I'm 27, married, and I am a SAHM of a toddler and my second child is due in March. I have a degree in Psychology, and am soon going to be pursuing another degree in Human Services, majoring in family and children services. I aspire to be the glue that can keep families together - and teach them how to maintain a strong, healthy, and successful relationship. My biggest passion "hobby-wise" is writing. I have loved it as long as I can remember. I write novels, short stories, songs and poems. I also love to blog and write debate articles. For me, writing is an escape when I need a break from reality. As is reading. Thus is why I commit myself to what the readers will want. What's that saying - if you can't find the book you want to read, write it? That's my writer's motto.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

Before the story can officially begin, let me just say…

You never really know what you are going to find when you move into a new town, let alone what you will find when you move into a new house – especially when that new house has existed for two centuries. Sometimes people leave things behind, sometimes they forget things. Sometimes people leave so quickly they do not have time or space to take all of their belongings. Sometimes people simply die and no one knows what to do with their stuff.

Every house in every town this side of the Abyssinia Beach has existed for several centuries. Every house has a load of history attached to it. Of course this brings in tourists of all types. Some tourists love the architecture of the old Victorians, the Gothic style cathedrals, the Romanesque inspired mansions adorned with sculptures from the Middle East. Some crave the history. And some – you would be surprised how many -- come for the legends told and passed on from older generations to newer generations. Anything told in this small town -- everyone knows about it within a week. I am sure you know what that is like. And if not, that is just good for you. Consider yourself one of the lucky few.

For one house – Abyssinia Estate – tourists and folk tales are just a minor asset. After reading this intriguing – and hopefully thought-provoking – tale, I guarantee you will think twice before moving to a new neighborhood without first doing a little research… unless, of course, you think you are brave enough to handle anything. By all means, include the grand luxurious Abyssinia Estate in your

upcoming vacation plans. Maybe the tales of evil are fictional; or maybe they were labeled fictional

because the creator wants to get her own revenge – maybe I, the author of this tale, am being possessed by the thought processes of the one and only Miss Beth… or maybe, just maybe, this is only a tale of reckless lifestyles and vindictive behaviors – all in the name of love. Ha, imagine that… a tale based on love where evil is only in your imagination – you decide.

AUGUST, 1986

And now, Thaddeus began, with the powers I’ve temporarily bestowed upon myself… He placed his right hand on his heart and spoke proudly, I now pronounce you… He paused and placed his left hand on the young girl’s face.

Her eyes glistened. Her mouth formed a slight smile that faded almost the same moment it appeared. He stroked her cheek with his thumb and concluded, Dead.

And with that, her body fell limp in his arms. Lifeless. Thaddeus studied her face for several moments, as if to make sure the spell had worked. It had. She no longer trembled beneath his grasp. Thaddeus frowned, wiped a tear from his cheek and took a deep breath, then another, and then let out a long sigh.

You’re free now, my angel. I love you.

Thaddeus spoke softly, close to her ear, and lightly kissed her cheek. He took a final look at his beloved, scooped her up and effortlessly carried her body to the circle drawn in chalk on the hardwood floor of the parlor. Kneeling outside the circle, Thaddeus carefully placed the young woman inside it, gently curling her into a fetal position. She laid, eyes closed, sleeping peacefully it seemed. He wished it were really her there, sleeping safe and sound, but he knew the body was just that: a body. A home where a soul had once lived but no longer resided.

And now, he whispered, his breath visible in the air. Now I will light the candles; the corners; the edges. He took a matchbook from his back pocket and began striking them against the floor. The first

wouldn’t catch so he tossed it aside and grabbed another. He grabbed a third, this one catching right away. Carefully, he lit each candle, reciting one word at a time as he moved from one candle to the next, the words from the spell he’d memorized from the Book of Eternal Life . He said the words once again, to himself this time. Let Your Soul Be Free. Free From Pain and Tragedy.

The ten candles, placed at specific spots around the outside of the chalk-drawn circle, were now all lit.

Suddenly the shades on the back wall began moving up and down as if someone were messing with the cords. But when Thaddeus turned to see who was back there he saw nothing. And when he called out who’s there? the shades became still. The candle flames stood rigid, frozen.

FEBRUARY, 2006

Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.

The noise came from outside.

Beth stirred beneath the bulk of blankets under which she attempted to rest. Outside spring had come early but inside winter still lingered. The warm breeze coming in from the open bedroom window was the only source of warmth in the entire room and the only thing stopping Beth from grabbing another blanket from the linen closet.

The realtor had warned, though he hadn't explained why, the house remained so cold all throughout the year. But it was something Beth could look past. The unbelievable price tag on the huge home on the beach made up for a chilly environment.

With the money we're saving we can hire someone to install a really good heating system. Ben had said to his new wife as they stood together ready to unlock the door of their first home, for the first

time.

Squeak. Squeak. Squeak.

Beth groaned and looked at the clock. It blinked 12:00. She groaned again and pulled the covers over her head and closed her eyes. Three months after first moving in Beth was still trying to get used to all the different noises a house could make and to all the sounds nature supplied when the rest of the world was asleep.

Beth stretched her legs, suddenly realizing she was alone in the bed.

Ben? Beth called in a whisper looking around, her eyes slowly adjusting to the darkness, enough to see her bedroom door was wide open.

Beth crawled out of bed, wrapped her arms around herself