Whispers of Echo Ridge

By Ariana M. Silverleaf

In "Whispers of Echo Ridge," a gripping tale of paranormal investigation and historical mystery unfolds within the walls of the notoriously haunted Echo Ridge Hotel. Led by Alex Mercer, a dedicated paranormal investigator, and his diverse team of experts, they embark on what becomes their most challenging and dangerous case yet. As they delve deeper into the hotel's sinister past, they uncover the tragic story of Isabella Malcom, a spirit bound by a dark ritual performed by her husband, Edward, in his quest for immortality. Battling unseen forces and confronting their own fears, the team must decipher ancient texts and conduct a counter-ritual to free the trapped spirits, including Isabella. But the hotel's malevolent entities are not easily vanquished, testing the team's resolve to its breaking point. With each eerie whisper and ghostly apparition, they're drawn into a web of supernatural intrigue and historical secrets, where the line between the living and the dead blurs. "Whispers of Echo Ridge" is a journey of courage, friendship, and redemption, as Alex and his team fight to reclaim the hotel from its dark past and bring peace to the souls ensnared within.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Crimson Quill Publishing
• Release date: Mar 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224287888

Book preview

Whispers of Echo Ridge

Beyond the Veil: A Journey of Courage and Discovery

Ariana M. Silverleaf

Copyright © 2024 by Ariana M. Silverleaf

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.

Contents

1.The Echo Ridge Enigma

2.Whispers in the Walls

3.Digging Through the Past

4.The Sealed Chamber

5.A Cry for Help

6.Unseen Forces

7.The Ritual Unveiled

8.Gathering the Pieces

9.The Final Night

10. Liberation

Chapter one

The Echo Ridge Enigma

Under a sky heavy with impending twilight, Alex Mercer's car rolled to a stop before the dilapidated grandeur of Echo Ridge Hotel. Its facade, clawed over by years of neglect, loomed as a silent guardian of history and horror alike. Alex, with a career chasing shadows, felt a chill not entirely due to the cold air.

He stepped out, his boots crunching on gravel, eyes scanning the structure that had fueled countless tales of hauntings and despair. Camera in hand, he approached, capturing the eerie beauty of decay. Each frame seemed to hold a whisper of the past, a story yearning for revelation.

A gust of wind sent a shiver down his spine as he made his way to the main entrance, its doors hanging askew, a silent invitation into darkness. Inside, the air held a chill of unspoken words and secrets, the lobby draped in a shroud of dust and silence.

Quite the welcoming committee, Alex muttered to himself, his voice a trespasser in the quietude.

Exploring further, he found the grand staircase, its once majestic appearance now marred by time. Each step creaked underfoot, a symphony of disrepair echoing through the halls.

It was then a voice broke the silence. You must be the ghost hunter.

Turning, Alex faced an elderly man, the lines on his face a testament to a life fully lived. His eyes, bright and curious, fixed on Alex.

I prefer 'paranormal investigator,' Alex corrected, offering a hand. Alex Mercer.

Harold, the man replied, shaking Alex's hand with a grip belying his age. I've seen many come and go, claiming they'd uncover the truth. What makes you different?

Alex smiled. Persistence. And I believe every place has a story that deserves to be told.

Harold chuckled, a sound as aged as the walls surrounding them. Well, if stories you seek, you've come to the right place. This hotel has more tales than rooms at this point.

They walked together, Harold leading Alex through the winding corridors, each turn revealing layers of history, rooms untouched by time, their contents preserved like museum exhibits to a bygone era.

Was it always this empty? Alex asked, his voice low, almost reverent.

Ah, there was a time this hotel buzzed with life. But tragedy struck, and it never recovered. The tale of Isabella Malcom, you know it?

Alex nodded. Wife of the founder, Edward Malcom. Died under mysterious circumstances. Her death marked the beginning of the hauntings, or so the stories say.

More than stories, Harold interjected, his gaze distant. Isabella's death cast a shadow over this place. Some say she still roams these halls, her soul restless, seeking justice or perhaps peace.

They arrived at a room, its door slightly ajar. Harold gestured for Alex to enter. Inside, the air felt colder, the atmosphere heavier. A portrait hung on the wall, a woman of striking beauty, her eyes seeming to follow their every move.

Isabella, Harold whispered, his voice carrying a weight of sadness.

Alex stepped closer, examining the portrait. Her story is why I'm here. To uncover the truth, give voice to the silenced.

Harold regarded Alex with a newfound respect. Many have tried, yet the mystery remains. Be careful, Mr. Mercer. This hotel harbors more than just spirits. It holds darkness in its heart.

Their conversation was interrupted by a sound, a floorboard groaning under unseen weight, a reminder of their unseen audience.

It's getting late, Harold noted, glancing through a window at the encroaching night. You should find lodging. Not here. The town has a small inn, more welcoming to the living.

Alex agreed, though reluctant to leave. I'll return tomorrow. There's much to do.

As they made their way back to the entrance, Alex felt the weight of the task ahead. The Echo Ridge Hotel was more than a building; it was a keeper of secrets, a puzzle demanding to be solved.

Outside, the sky had darkened, the hotel standing as a silhouette against the twilight.