Abandoned single mother risks her last $1,000 on an old house in the middle of nowhere. What she finds inside changes her life forever

Maya froze. That was all she had. Every cent.

She raised her hand one final time. $900. The auctioneer frowned.

Ma’am, the current bid is already $900. I need $950 or higher. I only have $900, she said louder.

That’s all I can offer. The man shrugged. I’m out.

Too much work for that dump. And just like that, silence. Going once.

Going twice. Sold for $900 to the lady in blue. Maya sat still, stunned.

Had she just bought a house? For $900? She handed over her envelope, trembling. The clerk, an older woman with kind eyes, handed her a file and a single key. Wait, Maya said, glancing at the address.

Is this the Mercer place? The woman hesitated. Yes, been empty a long time. Folks around here say it has a history.

What kind of history? Maya asked, a chill creeping up her spine. Oh, just old stories. Local legend.

You’ll see. That evening, Maya picked Ethan up from school early. Are you okay? He asked.

We have a house, she said. Still unsure if it was a dream. A real one.

It’s ours. Ethan’s eyes widened. You bought a house? With all our money, she nodded.

Want to see it? As they drove through winding rural roads, Maya warned him gently. It’s old. It needs a lot of work.

But it’s on three acres. No landlord. No rent.

Can we get a dog? Ethan asked. Someday, Maya smiled. First, we fix the roof.

They turned down a nearly hidden driveway. As the trees cleared, the house came into view. And Ethan gasped.

It was worse than the picture. Sighting was rotting, windows shattered, porch caving in. The lawn was a jungle.

Mom, Ethan whispered. We’re gonna live here. We’re gonna make it home, she replied.

Though fear crept in with every step. The front door creaked like a warning. The inside was dark and musty.

Dust in the air. The smell of old rot and forgotten memories. Let’s check it out, Maya said, turning on her phone flashlight.

But as they stepped in, Ethan coughed. Then again. Then harder…