Part one

Once Evil

Far in the shadowy heart of Transylvania, there lay a secluded village, shrouded in whispers of ancient curses. For centuries, tales of blood-sucking monsters plagued the locals. People vanished without a trace, and the carcasses of livestock were discovered, drained and lifeless. Yet, despite the rumors, the truth behind the horrors remained elusive.

That was until ten decades ago.

One fateful night, a wildfire consumed the royal family’s castle perched atop the hill. The villagers watched in terror as flames devoured the grand estate. The night grew unnaturally dark—so black it swallowed the stars—and the river below turned crimson, thick like blood. The animals wailed, their cries echoing through the trembling village. By morning, the castle was nothing but ash, and the royal family was gone. From that day forward, the disappearances ceased.

The village returned to an uneasy silence.

But peace was fleeting.

It began subtly—a flicker of movement, shadows darting across the ruins of the castle. Guards stationed at what was now a museum reported strange happenings. Figures were seen wandering the burned halls late at night, lingering near scorched paintings. But every time they approached, the shadows would vanish into thin air.

One night, however, a guard encountered something—or someone—he could not explain.

“Excuse me, sir… you’re not supposed to be here,” the guard called out, his voice breaking the suffocating silence of the long hall. He had spotted a lone figure staring at the far wall, motionless and unsettling.

The man did not respond.

Summoning his courage, the guard stepped closer. “The museum doesn’t open until 10 AM,” he repeated.

Finally, the figure turned.

The pale man’s eyes glowed an unholy red. His skin was deathly white, his black hair framing a face that wore a crooked, devious smile. He exuded an aura so menacing it made the guard’s stomach churn.

“You look nervous,” the man said, his voice smooth but icy. “Walk with me.”

Against every instinct screaming at him to run, the guard found his legs moving involuntarily, following the man down the dim corridor.

“This place hasn’t changed much,” the stranger mused, his tone almost nostalgic. “Once, it was a courtroom. My family lived here… We laughed, feasted, and, of course, held executions. You’re standing right where the condemned used to bleed.”

The guard, trembling, dared to glance down.

“Everything ends,” the man whispered suddenly, his breath cold against the guard’s ear. “Your world is ending. We fell, but we shall rise again. The end is nigh.”

The guard froze. His body refused to obey him, paralyzed by an invisible force. The man’s voice, low and venomous, pierced the stillness. “Don’t make a mess,” he said with a smirk before vanishing into the shadows.

As the guard struggled to regain control of his body, growls echoed from the darkness. His scream pierced the night, shaking the very walls of the castle.

A Peaceful Facade

Vatican City, Europe

Far removed from the shadowed forests of Transylvania, the Sanders family lived a tranquil life—or so it seemed. In a cozy villa nestled on the outskirts of the holy city, Clara Sanders was busy preparing for the village festival, a day meant for joy and celebration. Yet something heavy lingered in the air, an unease she couldn’t shake.

The doorbell rang.

“Coming!” shouted Riley, Clara’s precocious daughter, who darted to the door with the enthusiasm only a child could muster. Riley opened it to find a tall, elegant woman standing there, dressed in stylish black shades and casual clothes.

“Aunt Kelly!” Riley squealed, leaping into her arms.

“How’s my little sweetheart?” Kelly asked, lifting Riley effortlessly before stepping into the house.

“Mom! Kelly’s here!” Riley called as she ran off to fetch her mother.

Clara descended the stairs with a baby cradled in her arms. Her smile widened at the sight of her best friend. “Kelly! I’m so glad you could make it.”

Kelly placed Riley down and hugged Evelyn. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world! Are you ready for the big festival?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Clara replied, though her smile faltered for a brief moment.

“Perfect! Let’s get going!” Kelly said cheerfully.

Evelyn hesitated, glancing at her baby boy, Sam, then at her husband, Oliver, who was still asleep upstairs. “You go on ahead with the kids. I’ll catch up in a bit.”

Kelly raised an eyebrow but nodded. “Alright, but don’t take too long! Let’s go, Riley! And you too, little Sammy!” Kelly left with the kids, leaving Clara to face the simmering frustration she’d been hiding all morning.

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The Secret Surprise

Evelyn returned to her room and shook Oliver gently. “Wake up, Oliver. The festival’s about to start.”

He groaned and rolled over, pulling the blanket tighter. “You go ahead. I’m not feeling up to it.”

Fury bubbled under Evelyn ’s composed exterior. “Fine,” she snapped, storming out of the room.

As soon as he heard the front door close and the car pull away, Oliver smirked. His plan was working perfectly. He jumped out of bed, grabbed his phone, and texted Kelly:

“Thank you for helping me.”

A response came quickly: “I wish I had a husband like you, Oliver.”

Today was their wedding anniversary, and Oliver had planned a surprise dinner for Evelyn. The festival was just a decoy to keep her and the kids out of the house.

For the rest of the day, Oliver cleaned, decorated, and cooked. By evening, the table was set with candles and a lavish spread, ready to melt Evelyn 's frustrations into joy.

The clock struck 8 PM. The doorbell rang.

Oliver adjusted his tie, a proud grin on his face. He opened the door, ready to welcome Evelyn with open arms.

But no one was there.

Frowning, he stepped outside and looked around. “Evelyn? Riley?”

The street was empty, bathed in the golden glow of the streetlights. Puzzled, Oliver stepped back inside and shut the door.

Bang.

ThE sound came from upstairs.

Oliver froze, his heart racing. He grabbed a nearby lamp for protection and crept up the stairs. The house was silent, save for the faint creak of floorboards.

As he reached the landing, a shadow flickered across the hallway.

“Who’s there?” he called out, his voice trembling.

Before he could react, three men emerged from the darkness, their faces obscured by ski masks. In unison, they moved toward him, silent as specters.

Oliver’s breath caught in his throat. He swung the lamp, but one of the intruders caught it mid-air and yanked it from his grip. Another man struck him across the temple with a baseball bat.

Oliver crumpled to the floor, blood pooling beneath him as he fought to stay conscious. He tried to crawl, but a heavy boot pinned him down. The world blurred as darkness consumed him.

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