Ashcombe: The Secret Past of the Red House by the Water

Near the water in a tranquil park, Ashcombe stands—a striking red house with a gable roof and a wrap-around porch. Its serene surroundings seem to mask a darker past, one woven with tales of betrayal and mystery. Once the pride of the affluent Colton family, Ashcombe has become a quiet monument to secrets that refuse to remain buried.

The Rise of the Colton Family

Ashcombe was built in 1897 by Elias Colton, a wealthy industrialist seeking a retreat from bustling city life. The house, surrounded by lush greenery and a cascading waterfall, became a symbol of his success. Elias lived there with his wife, Beatrice, and their daughter, Clara. Locals admired the Coltons for their charm, but whispers of their reclusive behavior hinted at something hidden behind their polished exterior.

The Tragedy of Clara Colton

In 1908, Clara vanished on a foggy autumn evening. She was last seen near the waterfall, sketching in her notebook. Despite exhaustive searches, no trace of her was ever found, and her disappearance fractured the family. Beatrice grew despondent, convinced that Clara’s spirit lingered in the house. Elias, once a man of science, began retreating to the attic, conducting experiments that neighbors described as “unnatural.”

What Lies Beneath

After Elias’s death in 1922, rumors of his experiments surfaced. Some claimed he attempted to build a machine to communicate with Clara, while others believed he was trying to manipulate time itself. The housekeeper, Margaret Doyle, recounted strange occurrences—voices echoing in empty rooms, doors slamming shut, and the faint scent of lavender that always preceded Clara’s favorite song playing faintly on the piano.