a house lit up at night with steps leading up to the front door

The Whispering in the AtticEmma loved her new house. Nestled at the edge of a small, sleepy town, it had the kind of old-world charm she always dreamed about--a wraparound porch, creaky wooden floors, and an attic that seemed like it had its own personality. She planned to use the attic as her art studio.On her first night, she noticed the sounds. A soft, rhythmic creaking came from above as though someone were pacing the attic. At first, she dismissed it as the house settling, but the noise persisted, growing louder in the dead of night.By the third evening, curiosity got the better of her. Flashlight in hand, Emma climbed the narrow stairs to the attic. The wooden boards groaned beneath her weight, and her pulse quickened with every step. As she reached the attic door, it seemed to hum, faint vibrations traveling through her fingertips when she touched it.She pushed it open and was met with an icy chill. The air was thick, heavy, and filled with the faint scent of lavender and decay. Dust motes floated in t