THE MOONLIT FURY.
AKPORIEN KEHINDE@akporienkehinde866986
1 month ago
Episode 3: THE HAUNTING.
The next morning, Lucas awoke to a knock on his door. Groggy and disoriented, he stumbled to answer it. The innkeeper stood in the hallway, a concerned look on her face.
"Mr. Thorn, there's someone here to see you," she said, her voice tinged with worry.
Lucas nodded and quickly dressed, his mind still reeling from the previous night's encounter. He descended the stairs to the inn's common room, where a young woman awaited him. She had long, dark hair and striking green eyes that seemed to bore into his soul.
"Mr. Thorn, my name is Emily Carter," she said, extending a hand. "I heard you were asking questions about the town's history. I think I might be able to help."
Lucas shook her hand, curiosity piqued. "Please, sit down. I'd like to hear what you have to say."
They sat at a small table by the window, the dim light casting long shadows on their faces. Emily leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper.
"My family has lived in Moonlit Ridge for generations," she began. "We've always known about the curse, but most people prefer to ignore it. They think that if they don't talk about it, it won't affect them. But I've seen things—heard things—that I can't explain. I believe the curse is real, and I want to help you uncover the truth."
Lucas felt a shiver run down his spine. "What have you seen?"
Emily's eyes darkened. "Ghosts. Apparitions. Shadows that move on their own. My grandmother used to tell me stories about the old days, about how the town was cursed by a vengeful spirit. She said that the spirit was a woman who had been wronged, and that her rage was so great it tainted the land itself."
Lucas recalled the woman he had seen in the clearing, her face contorted with sorrow and rage. "I think I saw her last night," he said quietly. "She spoke to me, warned me about the truth."
Emily's eyes widened. "Then it's true. The spirit is still here, still haunting this place."
They spent the rest of the morning discussing the town's history and the possible origins of the curse. Emily shared stories she had heard from her grandmother, tales of strange occurrences and tragic events that seemed to be connected to the spirit's wrath. Lucas took notes, trying to piece together the fragmented information into a coherent narrative.
As the day wore on, they decided to visit some of the older residents of Moonlit Ridge, hoping to find more clues. Their first stop was the home of Mrs. Halloway, an elderly woman who had lived in the town her entire life. She welcomed them in, her frail hands trembling as she poured them tea.
"You're digging into dangerous ground, young man," she said, her voice a raspy whisper. "The past is full of pain and sorrow. Some things are best left forgotten."
"We need to know the truth," Lucas insisted. "Please, tell us what you remember."
Mrs. Halloway sighed, her eyes glazing over with memories. "It was long ago, before my time. But my mother told me stories about a woman named Eliza. She was beautiful and kind, but she was betrayed by the man she loved. He promised to marry her, but he broke his vow and left her for another. Eliza was heartbroken, and in her despair, she took her own life."
The old woman's voice trembled as she continued. "They say her spirit couldn't rest, that her pain and anger cursed the town. Strange things began to happen—disappearances, deaths. People believed it was Eliza's vengeance, and they tried to appease her spirit with rituals and sacrifices. But nothing worked. The curse remained."
Lucas felt a chill run down his spine. "Do you know where Eliza was buried?"
Mrs. Halloway nodded slowly. "There's an old cemetery in the woods, not far from the stone circle. Her grave is there, marked by a simple headstone."
Lucas and Emily thanked Mrs. Halloway and made their way to the cemetery. The woods were eerily silent as they walked, the only sound the crunch of leaves beneath their feet. They found the cemetery hidden among the trees, the headstones worn and covered in moss.
To be continued.........
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