nell, in a rust-wormed old buick, glances from the road to computer-drawn directions to hill house. she hums a tune, soft, lonely, like a lullaby but eerie, off-key.
countryside speeds by. she passes an antique store in a barn. a handpainted sign warns melby's apple farm 100 yards. nell grabs for the window handle, letting in air.
nell looks out at the forest, feels a chill. the road is more like a tunnel through the forest than a road.
nell takes a final switchback, and something off to the right catches her eye, then is gone in the trees. she watches again for it. there. a glimpse of a gray stone property wall set back twenty yards from the road.
nell looks at the gate, some part of her aware it's a point of no- return. mr. dudley eases over to her window. mr. dudley gives her one last look and goes to the gate. he produces a keyring and undoes the padlock.
nell stops the car in front of the entrance, right inside the carport. in the silence all we can hear is her breathing.