CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN - Rebuilding What Was Lost

"What was that?" Ella whispered, her eyes wide. Lucas stood up slowly, his body tense. "I don't know. It came from upstairs, I think." They exchanged a look, silently debating what to do. Finally, Lucas took a deep breath. "We should check it out. It's probably just something that fell over, but..." Ella nodded, standing up as well. "Better to be sure." They made their way up the grand staircase, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence that had fallen over the house. As they reached the second floor, they paused, listening intently. A soft shuffling sound came from one of the bedrooms down the hall. Lucas motioned for Ella to stay behind him as they approached the partially open door. With a deep breath, Lucas pushed the door open wider, prepared for anything. What they saw made them both gasp in surprise. The room, which they hadn't explored thoroughly the day before, was in disarray. Books and papers were strewn across the floor, and an old desk had been overturned - th