The Cursed Tourist
Some souvenirs don’t bring memories — they bring the past with them
The Trip That Changed Everything
Lena Morris, a 24-year-old travel vlogger, was known for exploring places people feared to visit.
From haunted castles in Romania to abandoned villages in Greece — her audience loved her courage.
When she announced her next trip — a forgotten island off the coast of Croatia, her subscribers flooded the comments with excitement.
But one message stood out:
“Don’t go there, Lena. The island takes something from everyone who visits.”
She laughed it off, replying, “Don’t worry, I’ll bring it back safely.”
2. The Island
The boat dropped her off near dusk.
The island was eerily quiet — no birds, no sound of waves. Just wind brushing through dry trees.
The locals had called it Velora Isle, once home to a small fishing community that vanished 50 years ago.
She started recording.
“Hey everyone! It’s Lena — welcome to Velora Isle, where the ghosts of the sea supposedly whisper your name at night.”
But her smile faded when her camera glitched for a moment — and in the reflection of her screen, she saw a shadow behind her.
When she turned around — nothing.
3. The Mask
While exploring an abandoned hut, Lena found something strange — a wooden mask, carved with symbols she didn’t recognize.
It had hollow eyes and sharp teeth.
On a faded note beside it were words in Croatian:
“To see what you shouldn’t, wear this once. To escape what follows, never wear it again.”
Lena chuckled nervously. “Creepy old legends,” she said, placing it in her bag.
4. The First Night
That night, she set up her tent near the beach.
The wind howled like voices whispering her name — “Le…na…”
She laughed into the camera, pretending not to be scared, but her hands shook.
When she checked her footage later, something made her freeze —
In the background of her video, a figure wearing the same wooden mask was standing among the trees.
She paused the video, zoomed in — the mask was identical to the one in her bag.
But the bag was right beside her — and it was zipped shut.
5. The Return
Panicked, Lena packed up and left the island the next morning.
When she reached the mainland, her boatman refused payment.
He looked pale and muttered,
“You shouldn’t have taken anything from there. The island doesn’t forgive.”
She ignored him and took a train to her hotel in Zagreb.
But that night, she heard scratching sounds on her window.
When she looked — a reflection of the mask stared back at her, though the glass showed no one outside.
6. The Footage
Back home in London, Lena uploaded her clips.
The first few minutes looked fine — until the comments started coming in:
“Who’s the man standing behind you?”
“At 3:12 — the mask moved.”
“Why do you keep whispering something in another language?”
She rewatched it — and realized she was whispering something, softly, without remembering.
The same words from the note:
“To see what you shouldn’t, wear this once…”
Her camera battery drained instantly, and a faint sound came from her closet —
the wooden mask had fallen from the shelf.
7. The Research
Lena contacted a folklore professor, Dr. Ivana Petrović, who had studied Velora Isle.
When Lena showed her the mask, the woman gasped.
“That’s a Velorian curse mask. It belonged to the guardians — people who protected the souls of the dead. Anyone who wears it binds themselves to those souls.”
Lena whispered, “But I didn’t wear it…”
Dr. Ivana looked at her sharply.
“Then someone did — through you.”
Before Lena could reply, the lights flickered, and the professor’s video call disconnected.
When the screen came back, the professor’s face was frozen — but behind her, the mask appeared again, slowly turning toward the camera.
8. The Final Trip
Lena decided to return to Velora Isle to end it herself.
She took the same boat, the same route.
The sky turned gray as she reached the island.
Carrying the mask, she walked toward the old hut where she had found it.
Inside, a mirror she hadn’t seen before was hanging crooked on the wall.
She saw her reflection — and for a moment, it smiled while she didn’t.
The mask in her hands felt warm — pulsing, almost alive.
A whisper echoed around her:
“Wear it… once more…”
She tried to throw it away, but her hand froze mid-air.
Her own reflection reached out — and placed the mask on her face.
Everything went black.
9. The Ending
Two months later, another travel vlogger named Jake Hall posted a new video titled:
“Exploring Velora Isle — Found a Tent and a Camera!”
The footage showed the same beach, same trees… and a wooden mask lying near the tent.
When Jake picked it up, the screen flickered — and for a split second, a reflection of Lena, smiling faintly, appeared behind him.
The video cut off abruptly.
💀 Ending Line:
Some stories end when you leave the island —
but the island never leaves you.
About the Creator
Ghanni malik
I’m a storyteller who loves exploring the mysteries of human emotions — from kindness and courage to fear and the unknown. Through my words, I aim to touch hearts, spark thoughts, and leave readers with a feeling they can’t easily forget.
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Minneapolis ICE Shooting Updates
In recent weeks, Minneapolis has found itself at the center of a growing legal and political controversy following a shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. What initially appeared to be a straightforward federal use-of-force investigation has evolved into a broader dispute between state authorities and federal officials, raising serious questions about transparency, jurisdiction, and accountability. The most significant development so far is the state’s claim that it has been denied access to key evidence related to the incident. As public attention intensifies, the case is no longer just about what happened during the shooting. It is increasingly about who controls the facts, who gets to investigate them, and how justice is supposed to function when federal and state systems collide. What We Know About the Minneapolis ICE Shooting The shooting occurred during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. ICE agents were reportedly conducting official duties when gunfire erupted, resulting in injuries and immediate emergency response. Federal authorities confirmed the incident and stated that internal protocols were activated, including an automatic review by federal oversight bodies. From the beginning, details were limited. Officials cited the ongoing nature of the investigation and concerns about officer safety. This lack of information, while not unusual in federal cases, quickly became a point of friction for Minnesota state authorities, who argued that the public deserved clarity and that the state had a legal role to play in examining the incident. State Authorities Push for Transparency Minnesota state officials, including investigators and legal representatives, formally requested access to evidence connected to the shooting. This evidence reportedly includes body camera footage, surveillance recordings, forensic reports, and internal communication logs from the operation. According to state representatives, these requests were either delayed or denied outright. The state has since gone on record stating that it cannot independently assess the legality of the shooting without full access to the materials. This denial has fueled concerns that federal agencies are operating without sufficient external oversight, especially in incidents involving potential civilian harm. State leaders emphasized that their position is not adversarial by default. Rather, they argue that cooperation between federal and state agencies is essential to maintain public trust, particularly in communities already wary of immigration enforcement. Federal Response and Jurisdictional Limits Federal officials, for their part, maintain that the investigation falls squarely under federal jurisdiction. ICE operates as a federal agency, and shootings involving federal officers are typically reviewed internally and, when appropriate, by federal prosecutors or inspectors general. In statements released following the controversy, federal representatives cited legal restrictions that limit the sharing of evidence during an active investigation. They also stressed that premature disclosure could compromise witness testimony or investigative integrity. This explanation, while legally grounded, has done little to ease state frustrations. Critics argue that “ongoing investigation” has too often been used as a blanket justification for withholding information, even in cases where transparency could prevent misinformation and public unrest. Community Reaction and Public Trust The Minneapolis community has responded with a mix of concern, anger, and fatigue. For many residents, particularly in immigrant and marginalized communities, the shooting has reopened long-standing fears about aggressive enforcement tactics and lack of accountability. Community leaders and advocacy groups have called for the immediate release of non-sensitive evidence, arguing that transparency is a prerequisite for trust. Peaceful demonstrations and public forums have highlighted a broader demand: that no law enforcement agency, federal or otherwise, should be beyond scrutiny. Local officials echoed these concerns, noting that Minneapolis has spent years attempting to rebuild trust between residents and law enforcement. The perception that evidence is being withheld threatens to undermine that progress. Legal Implications of Denied Evidence From a legal standpoint, the state’s inability to access evidence raises complex questions. While federal agencies do have authority over their operations, states also have a responsibility to investigate deaths or injuries occurring within their borders. Legal experts suggest that this dispute could set a precedent. If states are routinely blocked from reviewing evidence in federal use-of-force cases, it may limit their ability to pursue independent inquiries or bring charges under state law when applicable. Some analysts believe the issue could ultimately be resolved in court, with judges determining whether the state has a legal right to access certain materials. Such a ruling could have national implications, influencing how future federal-state conflicts are handled. Political Dimensions of the Case The Minneapolis ICE shooting has also taken on a political dimension. Immigration enforcement remains a deeply divisive issue, and incidents like this tend to amplify existing ideological divides. State officials critical of federal immigration policies view the denial of evidence as symptomatic of a larger lack of accountability. Meanwhile, supporters of strict federal enforcement argue that state interference could hinder effective operations and put officers at risk. This political tension complicates the path forward. What might otherwise be a procedural disagreement risks becoming a symbolic battle over immigration, law enforcement authority, and states’ rights. What Happens Next? As of now, the investigation continues under federal oversight, while the state explores its legal options. Negotiations between state and federal officials have reportedly not been ruled out, suggesting that a compromise could still be reached. Potential next steps include limited evidence sharing under confidentiality agreements, congressional inquiries, or judicial review. Each option carries its own risks and consequences, both legally and politically. What remains clear is that public pressure is unlikely to fade. Minneapolis residents, like many Americans, are demanding clarity, fairness, and accountability in cases involving law enforcement use of force. A Broader Conversation About Accountability The Minneapolis ICE shooting is no longer just a single incident under investigation. It has become a lens through which broader issues are being examined: the balance of power between federal and state authorities, the limits of transparency, and the role of public oversight in a democratic society. Whether or not the state ultimately gains access to the evidence, the controversy has already sparked an important conversation. How that conversation translates into policy, practice, or reform remains to be seen, but its impact will likely extend far beyond Minneapolis. In the end, accountability is not only about assigning blame. It is about ensuring that systems function openly and fairly, especially when lives are affected. The outcome of this case may help determine how well those principles are upheld in the future.
By Saboor Brohi 5 days ago in Criminal
Federal Law Enforcement Shooting in Minneapolis Sparks National Debat
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Comments (1)
I love how you modernized the “cursed object” trope. By grounding it in online culture and influencer obsession, you’ve turned a classic horror theme into a cautionary tale about curiosity and exposure.