The cry of the night

Inside, the mansion was a maze of shadows and dust. The walls were lined with colorful portraits, their eyes seeming to follow her as she walked through the rooms. Mary knew there was something powerful about this place, something that drew her in despite her fear. Every noise, every creak of the old wood under her feet, kept her in suspense.

Suddenly, she heard another scream, closer this time, followed by a dull noise. Her instinct is to explore the direction it came from. She climbed a spiral staircase that led to the upper floor, her senses alert. Upstairs, a half-open door let in a flash of flickering light. She approached slowly, her heart racing.

As she entered the room, she discovered an indescribable scene. In the center, a young woman was prostrate, hands over her ears, her disheveled hair hiding her face. Beside her, an old book lay open, its yellowed pages filled with strange symbols.

"What's going on?" » asked Marie in a trembling voice.

The young woman slowly raised her head, and Marie's eyes widened as she recognized the expression of despair on her face. “They can’t let me go. They want me to stay here forever. »

Marie approached, her journalistic instincts taking over. " Who ? Who is keeping you here? »

“Lost souls,” the young woman whispered, her voice almost inaudible. “They feed on fear. Every cry you hear is a cry for help, but also a way to attract them. »

Marie felt a chill go down her spine. “How do you know?” »

“I've been here for weeks,” the young woman replied, desperately. “I was attracted to this place, like you. And now I'm trapped. »

A noise behind her startled her. Marie turned to see a dark figure silhouetted in the entryway, a presence that seemed to move with evil grace. “You should never have come here,” she whispered in a deep voice.

Without thinking, Marie grabbed the book from the floor. Perhaps these pages contained the key to freeing the young woman and escaping this nightmarish night. She flipped through the pages, her eyes scanning the ancient symbols and words. A spell was mentioned, a ritual to ward off spirits and break their hold.

“Listen to me,” she said to the young woman. “I think we can beat them back. But you have to help me. Recite these words with me. »

The young woman nodded, gathering what little courage she had left. Together, they began to speak the incantations, their voices mingling in a powerful crescendo. The shadows in the room began to vibrate, as if alive, seeking to swallow them up.

The dark figure approached, more and more menacing, uttering a cry that echoed in the room. "You can't chase me away!" I've been here for centuries! »

But Marie and the young woman did not give in. They continued to sing, their voices raising a melody of hope and resistance. Suddenly, a dazzling light burst from the book, enveloping the room in a protective aura. The shadows retreated, and the dark figure screamed in rage.

Finally, with a final incantation, a breath of cool air swept through the room, and the figure dissipated, disappearing with a distant cry. The young woman fell to her knees, exhausted but free.

“You did it!” » she exclaimed, with tears in her eyes. " THANKS ! I can finally leave. »

Marie, relieved, helps him to get up. “You are free now. But what are you going to do? »

"I'm going to go home," she replied with a sincere smile. “I will never let fear rule me again. »

As she disappeared into the shadows, Marie felt filled with new meaning. She had faced her fears and discovered the strength hidden within her. Leaving the mansion, the cry of the night would no longer be a cry of despair, but a call for freedom and resilience.

The night was still young, but for Marie, every sound, every breath of wind had become a melody of promises and new beginnings. She now knew that fear could be overcome, and that even in the darkness, the light of hope could still shine.

Marie left the mansion, her heart still beating from recent events. The coolness of the night enveloped her like a soothing blanket, but she knew her mind would never truly be at peace after encountering the darkness that had lurked in this place. She headed toward the lit streets of Montclair, but the memory of the dark figure and the piercing scream still haunted her thoughts.

The days that followed were marked by a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Marie returned to her work as a journalist and wrote an article about her experience, but she was aware that there were still mysteries to explore in the mansion. Despite his fear, a tenacious curiosity invited him to return.

One afternoon, armed with her notebook and camera, she decided to return to the mansion, determined to capture the essence of this place. The sun was high in the sky, and the light illuminated the old building in an almost magical way. She pushed open the creaking door, ready to face the memories and secrets that resided there.

Inside, the silence was almost palpable, but this time she felt more confident. She began exploring the different rooms, taking notes and photos. On his way to the dusty library, a book caught his eye. It was a diary, worn by time, which seemed to be that of the former owner of the manor.

Flipping through the pages, Marie discovered tales of a bygone era, stories of lost families and tragedies that had befallen Montclair. But amid these stories, she found something more disturbing: references to occult rituals, mentions of sacrifices to appease angry spirits.

As she continued reading, a shadow passed behind her. A shiver ran down his spine. Maybe the mansion's previous occupants weren't as distant as she thought.

Suddenly she heard a faint but distinct whisper coming from upstairs. Marie hesitates, but a force draws her towards the stairs. She climbed carefully, each step echoing like an echo from the past. Upstairs, she headed towards the room where she had found the young woman.

The room still held the intensity of their previous encounter. As she entered, she noticed that the book was still there, open to the same passage she had seen before. But something had changed. The candles, although unlit, were arranged in a specific pattern, as if someone had attempted to perform a ritual.

Marie felt a knot in her stomach. She approached the book and read aloud a sentence that seemed to call to her. At that moment, the walls vibrated, and a strange light emanated from the pages of the book. The candles lit themselves, casting dancing shadows on the walls.

An icy wind blew through the room, and Marie realized she was not alone. An ethereal figure emerged from the shadows, seemingly taking shape. It was the young woman she had freed, but this time her face was distorted with pain and anger.

“Why did you come back? she asked, her voice sounding like a distant echo.

“I wanted to understand,” replied Marie, trembling but determined. “I thought you were free. Why are you here? What is happening? »

The young woman's spirit approached, her gaze piercing. “I am trapped between two worlds. I thought the ritual broke the spirits' hold, but it only calmed their anger temporarily. They are still looking for souls to free them. »

Marie then understood the seriousness of the situation. “But how can I help you? What should I do? »

“You must find the heart of evil, the place where spirits gather. Therein lies the key to freeing them for good,” the spirit explained, its voice fading with the shadows surrounding it. “But be careful. They won't let you go easily. »

Marie felt overcome by a new determination. She couldn't let these wandering souls continue to torment the mansion and the town. She had to act quickly.

“Where is this place?” » she asked fervently.

“In the catacombs beneath the mansion,” the spirit whispered, before disappearing in a breath of wind. “Find the symbol of the moon, and follow it. But remember, the night is their ally. »

Marie set off, the beating of her heart resonating with the promise of a new confrontation. She went down the stairs and looked for the entrance to the catacombs. She knew she had to prepare for what awaited her in the darkness.

With a flashlight in hand and the newspaper under her arm, she pushed aside a trap door hidden behind a shelf in the library. A wooden ladder, worn but sturdy, led into the darkness. Marie took a deep breath and began to descend, the light from her lamp casting eerie shadows on the walls.

The catacombs were a maze, but she followed her instincts and the journal's directions. The walls were decorated with ancient symbols, and each step echoed in the oppressive silence. Finally, she arrived in a large room, the vaulted ceiling lost in the darkness.

In the center, she saw a large moon-shaped stone, surrounded by black candles. Indistinct whispers rose up, and she understood that the spirits were there, trying to manipulate her. She concentrated, determined not to give in to fear.

Mary remembered the words of the spirit. She had to summon light to chase away darkness. She used the book to recite an incantation she had read, her voice echoing loudly in the room.

The candles lit themselves, casting a bright light that illuminated the room. The whispers turned into angry shouts, but she continued, her determination growing. Shadows gather around her, but the light pushes back their hold.

As she reached the climax of the incantation, a swirl of energy enveloped the room. The disembodied spirits began to dance around her, their cries mingling with an ancient song, a melody between life and death.

Finally, with a final sentence, a burst of light burst forth, and the moonstone glowed brightly, projecting a wave of energy throughout the catacombs. The shadows dissipated, and a calming silence replaced the tumult.

Marie, panting, realized that the souls were freed. She had managed to break the cycle of fear. As she rose to the surface, she felt herself carried away by a wave of light, a warmth that reassured her soul.

Back in the mansion, Marie stood in front of the entrance hall mirror, her reflection illuminated by the daylight streaming through the windows. She had faced her greatest fears and discovered an inner strength she didn't know she had.

She left the mansion, her heart at peace, knowing that the cry of the night had been replaced by a song of freedom and hope. She was going to tell this story, not as a tale of terror, but as a testimony of courage and redemption.

The days following the release of the remaining souls from Montclair Manor were marked by an unusual calm. Marie, despite having overcome such a terrifying and incredible experience, could not help but feel empty. She had discovered a strength within herself, but the memory of the screams that had haunted her nights, as well as the echo of the spirits, remained etched in her mind.

She decided to devote her time to writing a book about her experience, one that would not only chronicle the events but also serve as a warning to others. With every word she wrote, she felt cathartic, like she was purging her own fears and doubts.

But as she immersed herself in writing, a series of strange events began to occur. Footsteps sometimes echo in his apartment, shadows pass furtively at the edges of his vision. At first she attributed this to her mind still being tormented by her recent experiences, but soon she realized something else was going on.

One evening, while working late, she felt a presence behind her. Turning around suddenly, she discovered a book placed on her table, open to a page marked by a silver glow. It was an ancient book she had borrowed from the Montclair library after discovering references to spirit-placating rituals. Strangely, the open page mentioned a “call” that could be heard on full moon nights to communicate with liberated souls.

Worry rose within her. Didn't the souls she had helped free themselves seek to contact her? Driven by an irresistible curiosity, Marie decided to conduct a seance during the next full moon, hoping that she might understand what was happening.

The night of the full moon arrived. Marie prepares herself carefully, creating a space conducive to meditation. She lit candles, placing crystals around her to attract positive energies. She took a deep breath, remembering the process she had gone through to free the souls. She had to concentrate and be open to the messages that might come.

As the moon rose in the sky, bathing the room in a silvery light, she began a guided meditation she had found in the book. Minutes passed, and the silence became almost palpable. The air vibrated with electrifying energy.

Suddenly, the calm was broken by a light breeze, like a whisper carried by the wind. Marie opened her eyes, but saw nothing. She felt, however, a presence, a warmth spreading throughout the room. Then the murmurs became more distinct again, voices mingling in a strange harmony.

« Marie… »

Marie's heart was beating wildly. “Who’s there?” » she asked, her voice trembling.

“We are here,” sounded the familiar voice of the young woman she had freed. “We wanted to thank you. »

Silhouettes began to take shape in the air, translucent but peaceful. As the moonlight flooded the room, the faces of the souls she had freed took shape. Marie felt a mixture of wonder and thrill.

“I thought you were all gone,” she whispered. “Why are you here?” »

"We are not trying to torment you," the young woman's spirit explained. “We need your help once again. A new spirit has been trapped in the catacombs, a spirit that breeds fear. He's disrupting our peace, and we need you to free him. »

Marie felt her stomach knot. She had already faced so much darkness. “But how can I now?” I'm afraid of what this might entail. »

“You are stronger than you think,” the spirit encouraged. “You have already proven his bravery by facing his fears. We will guide you. Together we can soothe this mind and allow it to finally find peace. »

Marie took a moment to think. She had witnessed horror, but also redemption. If she could help again, she knew it would help her overcome her own fears.

"Okay, I'll do whatever it takes," she replied determinedly. “Show me the way. »

The spirits surrounded Mary, a soft light emanating from them. They showed her the way to the catacombs, and in a flash of light, she found herself at the threshold of the entrance she had explored a few weeks before.

The descent into the catacombs was different this time. Mary felt accompanied, protected by the spirits of the souls she had freed. Light from the full moon filtered through the opening, illuminating the walls with symbols she had learned to recognize.

But as she approached the great hall, she felt an oppressive presence. The atmosphere was heavy, almost suffocating. In the center of the room, a dark figure stood there, a tormented shadow.

“Who dares to disturb my rest? » the spirit screamed, anger palpable in its voice.

“I am Marie,” she replied, her voice firm despite the fear that overwhelmed her. The spirit, once human, bore the marks of suffering and rage. “No one can help me,” he growled. “I am trapped here, condemned to wander in the darkness! »

Marie remembered the young woman's words. “You are not alone. We are here to help you find peace. Together we can break your chains. »

The spirits of the freed souls approached, forming a barrier of light around her. Mary began to recite the incantation she had learned, her words mingling with the whispers of the spirits. The light grew, enveloping the room in comforting warmth.

As the spirit's anger intensifies, Marie understood that her comfort would come not only from magic, but from empathy. She turned to the spirit. “I know you’re hurting. We all have pains that we must face. But anger will not set you free. You have to let go of your past. »

A silence fell, and the spirit seemed to hesitate. The whispers of souls transformed into a sweet melody, an invitation to let go.

With a final cry, the spirit began to writhe, but the light intensified, enveloping it. Marie felt the connection forming between them, and she left her own fears behind to focus on empathy.

“Let us help you,” she whispered, her voice soothing. “You can find peace. »

Finally, in an explosion of light, the spirit dissipated, its cries of pain transforming into a song of liberation. A breath of fresh air swept through the room, and the heaviness that weighed on the atmosphere evaporated.

Marie, panting, realized that the fight was over. The souls around her smiled, a soft light in their eyes.

“Thank you, Mary. Thanks to you, we found peace. »

She smiled, finally feeling at peace with herself. As the spirits faded into the light, Mary felt renewed. The night, once filled with screams, was now a melody of peace. She had faced her fears and discovered an unsuspected strength.

Back on the surface, under the starry sky, Marie felt ready to share her story. She headed toward the hills overlooking Montclair, the moon lighting her path. She knew that her voice would be the one that would raise awareness, the one that would remind everyone that even in the darkness, the light of hope and resilience still shined.