A new chapter begin: The unfinished warning

Years had passed since the Adrianno siblings confronted the darkness that once haunted their family. Sarah, now in her early twenties, had grown into a striking young woman. Her long brown-blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders like silk, and her hazel eyes gleamed with a mix of wisdom and playful curiosity. She was the spitting image of their late mother, something that often made Sylvester and Leo pause in bittersweet reflection.

The family garden had always been a place of peace, a refuge from the turmoil of their past. That evening, it was bathed in the soft glow of twilight. The faint scent of jasmine hung in the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of damp soil. The leaves rustled gently in the cool breeze, whispering secrets only the wind could understand.

Sylvester stood near the old oak tree, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. He glanced nervously at Anna, who was seated on the grass, her floral dress blending harmoniously with the garden’s vibrant hues.

"Anna," he began, his voice trembling slightly, "you know we've known each other for five years now. Ever since we graduated..."

Anna looked up at him, her brows knitting together in concern. "Sylvester, is everything alright? You seem... off."

Sylvester let out a nervous chuckle, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, yeah. It’s just—well, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you. Or, uh, ask you."

Anna tilted her head, her expression softening. "You’re scaring me a little. What is it?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat. Finally, he blurted out, "Can we talk about this later?"

Anna raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Sure. Let’s just enjoy the evening for now."

They sat in silence for a while, the tension between them palpable. The setting sun painted the garden in hues of gold and crimson, and the chirping of crickets filled the air.

After a few moments, Anna turned to him, her voice gentle. "Sylvester, you’re not usually this nervous. What’s on your mind?"

Sylvester took a deep breath, his hands trembling. "Okay. I’ll just say it." He shifted to face her directly, his eyes locking onto hers. "Anna... I wanted to ask... would you marry me?"

Anna’s hazel eyes widened in shock. She stared at him, her mouth slightly open. "Sylvester..."

He panicked. "I mean, if you don’t want to, that’s okay! I just thought—well, we’ve been through so much together, and I can’t imagine my life without you, and—"

Anna interrupted him with a laugh, tears streaming down her face. "Stop rambling, you fool. Of course, I’ll marry you!"

Relief washed over Sylvester as they embraced, but as they pulled apart, he noticed something in her expression—a shadow of unease.

"Anna?" he asked softly. "What’s wrong?"

She hesitated, her fingers toying with the hem of her dress. "I’ve been having these dreams, Sylvester. About your mother."

His heart skipped a beat. "Dreams? What kind of dreams?"

Anna’s voice dropped to a whisper. "She’s trying to tell me something. She seems... worried. Like there’s something we missed. Something dangerous."

Sylvester felt a chill run down his spine. The garden, once a haven, suddenly felt oppressive.

"What does she say?" he pressed.

Anna shook her head. "I can’t make out her words. It’s like she’s just out of reach, but I can feel her urgency. It’s... unsettling."

A gust of wind swept through the garden, rustling the leaves with an almost menacing intensity. The shadows lengthened, and the golden glow of the evening dimmed.

"Don't think about it, after all, it just a dreams" Sylvester said firmly trying to calm Anna down

Anna nodded, her grip tightening on his hand. "I’m scared, Sylvester. What if this isn’t over? What if—"

A voice interrupted them from the house. "Hey, lovebirds! Dinner’s ready!"

It was Leo, his cheerful tone a stark contrast to the tension in the garden.

"Coming!" Sylvester called back. He turned to Anna, his gaze steady. "We’ll figure this out. Together."

Inside, the warmth of the fireplace offered a stark contrast to the chilling conversation. Sarah greeted them with a bright smile.

"You two look like you’ve seen a ghost," she teased, her hazel eyes twinkling.

Anna managed a smile. "Just a heavy conversation, that’s all."

Sarah’s gaze lingered on Anna for a moment, her smile faltering. "Well, whatever it is, I’m sure we can handle it. We always do, right?"

As the evening wore on, the laughter and warmth of family provided some comfort. But Sylvester couldn’t shake the feeling that something was watching them, lurking just beyond the light of the fire.

To Be Continued..

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