The curse of the broken mirror

In a small town, where starry nights were often disturbed by the murmur of the wind in the trees, a group of friends met regularly for spiritualist sessions. They had discovered this hobby somewhat by chance, intrigued by ghost stories and the mysteries of the afterlife. Among them, there was Clara, a young woman with a curious look, Antoine, a convinced skeptic, and Léa, always looking for a good thrill.

One night, while a storm was brewing on the horizon, the group decided to meet at Clara's house. Lightning streaked the dark sky, and the atmosphere was charged with electricity. They sat around a small table, lit candles creating a subdued atmosphere. An impatient Clara had prepared a special session, hoping to connect with the spirit of a famous local writer, whose stories of life and death fascinated the town.

“I read that, for contact to be successful, you must be in a state of receptivity. We all need to focus,” Clara explained, her enthusiasm palpable. Antoine, with his arms crossed, couldn't help but retort: ​​“You know it's just a question of suggestion, right? »

“Maybe,” Clara replied with a smile. “But it doesn’t hurt to try. »

The friends took each other's hands, forming a circle. Clara closed her eyes and invited the spirits to manifest. The room filled with whispers, indistinct murmurs that only thunder seemed to pick up. Léa, eyes wide, shivered with excitement. Antoine, for his part, remained skeptical but curious.

Suddenly a chill ran through the air, and the flame of the candles flickered. Clara, concentration pushed to its peak, whispered: “Spirit, if you are there, give us a sign. » At that moment, a dull noise echoed in the room, like a piece of furniture moving. Léa let out a muffled cry, while Antoine, although uncomfortable, did not fail to observe the reactions around the table.

“It was just the wind. Probably a poorly closed window,” he tried to rationalize, but his face betrayed a hint of worry.

Clara insisted on continuing. The minutes passed, and a palpable tension set in. A crackling sound was heard, and the hand of a clock on the wall began to swing. “Look! » Clara exclaimed, her voice full of hope.

The atmosphere becomes heavier. A cold wind seemed to pass through the room, and a faint voice spoke up, almost a whisper. “Who… who is there?” » said a wavering voice. The friends exchanged incredulous looks. Antoine, despite his skepticism, could not deny the strangeness of the situation.

“It’s… it’s him!” » cried Lea. “The writer!” »

“What are your intentions? » Clara asked, her voice trembling but full of courage. The voice continues, speaking evasive words, bits of forgotten history, regrets and memories.

Friends hung on his lips, captivated by what seemed to be the soul of a tormented man. The voice spoke of his unfinished works, his struggles with mortality, and a well-kept secret. The writer evoked a story that could have changed the course of his life, a work that he never had time to complete.

At this moment, Antoine, usually the most skeptical, spoke up in turn: “What is this secret? What did you mean? » The room suddenly became silent, as if the whole world was holding its breath. The voice hesitated, then whispered barely audible words. “The last chapter… it is hidden… in the pages… of the old grimoire…”

Clara, despite the fear that crept into her, understood that the group had to act. They served the path, seeking the ultimate revelation of this writer in search of peace. “Where is this grimoire?” » Clara asked in a firm voice.

“The library…deep…shadows…” the spirit replied, before the wind suddenly picked up, blowing out the candles and plunging the room into darkness.

A heavy silence settled. The group, although shaken, knew they had to find this grimoire. They stood up, determined to unravel this mystery. In the dark, they made their way to the town library, a place often avoided because of the legends surrounding its dusty shelves.

As they arrived, the library door creaked, and the smell of old books reached them, mixed with a note of mystery. Lighting their way with Lea's torch, they advanced among the shelves, searching for the grimoire of which the writer had spoken.

“It must be here somewhere,” Clara murmured, scanning the titles of the books. Antoine, although a resident, began to rummage through the shelves, while Léa remained on her guard, listening to the noises around them.

Suddenly, a book fell from a shelf, opening to a yellowed page. Clara grabs it, her eyes light up. It was an old journal, filled with handwritten notes, sketches and unfinished stories. “Look at that!” » she exclaimed, holding the book high.

Hearts beating, they sat around a reading table, flipping through the pages. The writer’s words came to life, and as they read, the true story revealed itself. It was a work that spoke of love, loss and travel through time, a story that spoke to their souls.

“It’s incredible,” Lea whispered. “It’s been there all this time. »

Antoine, touched, realized that what they had experienced was not simply a prank. “Maybe it all made sense,” he said softly, his voice betraying new understanding. “Perhaps this spirit wanted us to discover its story. »

Clara, moved, proposed: “We must publish it. To offer the world this last chapter, to give a voice to this writer. He deserves to have his story told. »

Together, they began work on the publication, seeking to preserve the writer's legacy. The weeks passed, punctuated by rituals of thanks to spiritualism, celebrating the connection they had established.

When the book finally appeared, it was enthusiastically received in the city. Readers were captivated by the touching story and the depth of the writer. Clara, Antoine and Léa, all transformed by this experience, realized that their quest had transcended the simple fact of communicating with the spirits. They had learned to listen, to share and to understand.

In the months that followed, the success of the book allowed them to organize reading sessions and literary events, attracting many visitors eager to learn more about the writer and his story. The trio had found new meaning in their lives, immersing themselves in literature and sharing stories.

The starry nights, now peaceful, reminded them that the ghosts of the past could still light up the present. And every time they gathered around a table, with a candle lit in the center, they knew that stories had the power to transcend time and unite souls, whether living or dead.

Months passed and the book's notoriety continued to grow, attracting the attention of media, literary critics and story buffs. Clara, Antoine and Léa had transformed themselves into local figures, each in their own way, ambassadors of a message of resilience and connection through literature.

One day, while they were planning a special event to celebrate the success of the book, Clara received an unexpected call. She was a journalist from a major literary magazine, eager to interview the trio about their unique experience. Clara, delighted but nervous, accepted enthusiastically.

On the day of the interview, the atmosphere was electric. The three friends found themselves in the café where it all began, around their usual table, surrounded by books. The place was now their sanctuary, a space where they had shared so many ideas and dreams. The journalist arrived, her notebook in hand, ready to capture their story.

“Tell me about your experience with spiritualism,” she asked, her gaze piercing, intrigued by the mystery.

Antoine, who usually remained reserved, said: “At first, we were just curious. But it quickly evolved into something much deeper. We discovered hidden stories, emotions that transcend time. »

Clara added: “It allowed us to connect not only with the writer, but also with ourselves. It was a kind of inner journey. Each session was an exploration of our own humanity. »

Léa, enthusiastic, intervened: “And we discovered the power of stories. They can heal, unite and inspire. The book became a means of transmitting this message. »

The journalist, captivated, noted each word carefully. She asked them questions about reader reactions, events they had organized and their future plans. Throughout the interview, the enthusiasm of Clara, Antoine and Léa was palpable, each complementing the other, sharing anecdotes and reflections.

When the interview ended, the journalist thanked them and told them that she hoped their story would touch many people. Seeing her leave, a feeling of accomplishment invades the group. They had not only shared their experience, but they had also opened a door to other possibilities.

Shortly after the interview, a significant event occurred. One evening, when they met for another spiritualism session, Clara suggested trying something different. “What if we tried to contact the mind of another writer? Someone whose work has also left its mark on our culture? »

Antoine, although skeptical, was curious. “Who do you have in mind?” »

“Victor Hugo,” she replied with a smile. “He has so much to teach us about struggle, love and redemption. »

Léa nodded enthusiastically. “It could be amazing!” »

They prepared the session carefully, placed candles and Victor Hugo books around them, and focused on the intention of establishing a connection. Clara guided the session with renewed fervor, calling on the spirit of the writer. The candles flickered and the atmosphere took on a palpable energy.

Suddenly, a light breath passed through the room, and a deep voice echoed in the air. “Who calls me in this world where dreams collide with reality? »

The three friends exchanged surprised looks, excitement and fear mixed. Clara spoke: “We are admirers of your work, Victor Hugo. We seek to understand your struggles and your hopes. What do you want to share with us? »

The spirit spoke of his battles for justice, his visions for a better world, and the power of love in dark times. His words were full of passion, evoking images of his iconic characters, stories of defiance in the face of injustice, and the strength of the human heart in the face of adversity.

Antoine, moved, asked a question: “What would you say to those who, like us, seek to touch hearts through art? »

“Art is a cry of the soul,” replied the spirit. “It must be authentic, without fear or reservations. Write from the heart, and you will awaken souls. Always remember that every word can be a light in the darkness. »

The session continues, filled with revelations and lessons. The friends felt carried by a wave of inspiration and gratitude. They thanked the spirit for his presence and his words, moved by the wisdom transmitted.

At the end of this experience, Clara, Antoine and Léa realized that they had received another mission: to continue to share not only their stories, but also to encourage others to express themselves through art. They decided to organize an annual literary festival, celebrating the voice of every writer, living or deceased, and welcoming artists from all backgrounds.

The festival quickly became a landmark event in the city, attracting writers, poets, musicians and art lovers. People come together to celebrate creativity, share their stories and nurture hope through artistic expression. Clara, Antoine and Léa had created a space where everyone could feel seen and heard, contributing to a larger movement of healing and solidarity.

At each festival, they remember the words of Victor Hugo, carrying with them the promise that art could truly change the world. Their seances, born from innocent curiosity, had become a powerful way to connect the past to the present, to forge bonds between souls, and to remind everyone that stories, whether told by the living or spirits, had the power to unite, uplift and inspire.