Obligatory Disclaimer: I do not own The Haunting, or any of the characters.
Nell, Theo and Luke sat in rapt attention as Dr. Marrow began to tell the story of Hill House.
"Once upon a time there was a king who built a castle. His name was Hugh Crain. A hundred and thirty years ago, towns like Concord, Manchester were the center of American Industry. That's where Crain made a fortune – on the backs of workers in his textile mills. Now this man could have anything he wanted. But what he wanted more than anything was a house filled with the laughter of children."
"That's why there are all the carvings," murmured Nell.
Dr. Marrow went on. "He married the most beautiful woman in town, called Rene, and he built her this house. At least, some of it."
Theo smiled. "God, it sounds like a fairy tale, or something."
"But that's where the fairy tale ends. Hugh and Rene would have no children." He paused. "They all died at birth. Then a few years later, Rene, she passed away, and Crain became a total recluse. But he kept on building, adding room upon room, it's as if he was building a home for the family he would never have. No one had seen Crain for years. But the townspeople said that sometimes at night they could hear sounds coming from Hill House. Sounds of children."
"It's so sad," Nell whispered.
A log split loudly in the fireplace, making them all jump.
As their fear turned into laughter, Dr. Marrow's assistant Mary stood up.
"I think there's more to that story." She gazed nervously around the cavernous parlor. "I can feel it. It's all around us…"