Episode 5

Chapter 9: Echoes of the Past

Alexander retreated into a shell of silence. The revelation of his mother's murder had shattered his fragile sense of reality.

He spent days locked in his room, the memories, fragmented and terrifying, surfacing in waves.

The comforting illusion of a peaceful childhood had been shattered, replaced by a chilling reality.

Mr. Thorne, deeply concerned, tried to reach out to his grandson, but Alexander rebuffed all his attempts.

He refused to eat, to speak, to even acknowledge his grandfather's presence. The weight of the past, long buried, was crushing him.

One night, while sleep offered a temporary escape, Alexander had a dream.

He saw her – a woman with kind eyes and a gentle smile. She called out to him, her voice soft and sweet, "Son."

He found himself as a young child, toddling towards her, his tiny hands outstretched. "Momma," he cried, the word escaping his lips before he could stop it. Tears welled up in his eyes.

The woman opened her arms, and he ran into her embrace. He felt her warmth, her love, a love that had been waiting for him for so long.

"I love you, my son," she whispered, her voice filled with a profound sadness. "Your father loved you very much."

She then spoke of the tragic events of that fateful day, of the men who had come to harm them, of her desperate attempt to protect him. She told him of her enduring love, a love that transcended death.

When Alexander awoke, he was sobbing uncontrollably. The dream, though fragmented and surreal, had stirred something deep within him, a flicker of recognition, a yearning for the love he had lost.

He remembered the mysterious woman, Anya, and the advice she had given him – to trust his instincts, to embrace the truth. He reached for the phone and dialed his grandfather's number.

"Grandfather," he said, his voice hoarse, "I… I need to talk to Anya. Please, bring her to me."

Mr. Thorne, overjoyed by his grandson's response, immediately contacted Anya.

Anya was in the backyard, exploring the grounds of the mansion.

She was drawn to the old storeroom, a forgotten corner of the property, hidden behind a thick veil of overgrown ivy.

As she approached, she noticed something unusual. The soil around the storeroom was barren, devoid of any life.

It felt… dead.

Anya sensed a malevolent presence emitting from the storeroom, a dark energy that clung to the very ground.

It was clear that something sinister had occurred in that place, something that had left an indelible mark on the very essence of the land.

Chapter 10: A Nest of Evil

Anya's phone rang, startling her from her contemplation of the eerie storeroom. It was Mr. Thorne.

"Miss Frost," he exclaimed, his voice filled with relief, "Alexander… he's agreed to see you. He says… he says he's ready to face the truth."

Anya felt a surge of hope. This was a breakthrough. "I'm on my way," she said, her voice filled with excitement

.

She hung up the phone, a smile gracing her lips. This was a significant step forward.

But her moment of triumph was short-lived. As she turned to leave the storeroom, a wave of icy dread washed over her. The surrounding air seemed to thicken, the malevolent energy that had clung to the ground intensifying.

The unseen forces, sensing her presence, unleashed a barrage of attacks. Invisible tendrils lashed out, attempting to ensnare her, while chilling whispers filled the air, attempting to sow fear and doubt.

Anya, however, was prepared. She countered with a surge of her own power, a protective shield of light surrounding her. The unseen forces recoiled, but they did not retreat. They were numerous, a legion of malevolent spirits, trapped and tormented.

Anya realized with a chilling certainty that this was no ordinary haunting. This was a nest of evil, a breeding ground for malevolent entities. Countless souls, trapped and tormented, were trapped within the confines of this forsaken place.

This was not a simple case of a single, vengeful spirit. This was a deep-rooted evil, a malevolent force that had been festering for years.

Anya knew she had to proceed with caution. This was just the beginning, and the true extent of the danger was yet to be revealed.

She decided to wait until she returned to the house to discuss her findings with Mr. Thorne and Alexander.

The truth, she realized, was far more complex and dangerous than any of them could have imagined.

Episode end

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***