Chapter 1: A Knock in the Rain
The rain had been falling for hours—soft at first, then fierce like a memory refusing to be forgotten.
Ava stood in front of the tall iron gates of Elmswood Art & Healing Center, her suitcase soaked, her umbrella broken by the wind. Her fingers trembled, not from the cold, but from something deeper. Fear? Guilt? She couldn't tell the difference anymore.
She knocked once, then again.
A light flicked on above the porch. The door creaked open and a woman in a burgundy sweater peered out. "You must be Ava Monroe," she said with a warm, measured smile. "Come in before you drown."
Inside, the air smelled of lavender and old books. Wooden floors creaked beneath her boots as she stepped inside. Framed paintings lined the hallway—abstract swirls, empty eyes, faceless silhouettes.
They mirrored how she felt.
"You'll be staying in Room Nine," the woman said, leading her down a quiet corridor. "Breakfast is at seven. No phones, no social media, no distractions. This is a place for healing, not hiding."
Ava nodded.
Room Nine was small but peaceful. A single bed. A desk. A window with heavy curtains. She dropped her suitcase and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the piano across the hallway, its lid shut, keys untouched.
That night, as the rain slowed to a whisper, a melody rose from the walls. Slow. Haunting. Gentle.
A piano, played with soul and sorrow.
Ava sat up in bed, heart still.
Someone else was here.
Someone who knew how to turn pain into music.
And for the first time in a long time, Ava listened.
Yes, those suspenseful questions match your Chapter 1 perfectly—let me explain how:
In Chapter 1, Ava has just arrived at the healing center. She's emotionally distant, weighed down by her past. The center is quiet and mysterious. Then suddenly, she hears a haunting piano melody—yet she hasn't seen or met anyone else who could be playing.
So, the chapter sets up a mysterious presence (Eli) and an emotional connection through music. The questions at the end are meant to:
Tease the unknown identity of the pianist
Spark curiosity about the connection between Ava and the music
Hint at a deeper emotional or hidden past
"If she was alone in this hallway… then who was playing the piano?"
"Why did it sound like it was meant for her?"
Pls drop your thoughts in the comments!