The Grimoire of Elizabeth

In the small town of Elderwood, Massachusetts, stood an old Victorian mansion built in 1875. The Harper family—Michael, Sarah, and their children, seventeen-year-old Olivia and twelve-year-old Elijah—purchased it at an unexpectedly low price.

The realtor, Margaret Ellis, smiled as she handed over the keys.

“A beautiful home,” she said. “Only one oddity: the first owner, Elizabeth Graves, vanished without a trace in 1892. Her husband and daughters had traveled to visit relatives in another state, and when they returned, she was gone. The case was never solved.”

Michael shrugged.

“Old houses come with old stories.”

Elijah, a quiet and thoughtful boy, immediately sensed something unusual about the house. A chill in the basement, whispers at night, shadows in the corners. At school, things were even worse: classmates Tyler and Brad constantly bullied him, the gym teacher Coach Reynolds egged them on, and the other teachers turned a blind eye.

One evening, while retrieving an old bicycle from the basement, Elijah heard a clear female voice.

“You are pure of heart, boy. I have been waiting for someone like you.”

Before him materialized a translucent woman in her middle years, dressed in Victorian attire.

“My name is Elizabeth Graves. I was the first mistress of this house. I was walled up alive here in the basement because they feared my... gifts. I used them only to protect my family—my husband, my daughters. But people are cruel.”

She recounted how the townspeople, accusing her of witchcraft, broke in one night and entombed her in the wall.

“My loved ones returned and could not find me. Their grief was boundless.”

Elizabeth pointed to a hidden compartment in the floor.

“There lies my grimoire. A book of knowledge. Take it—it will shield you from the world’s injustice. But remember: if you wield its power for vengeance or to eliminate others, the price will be terrible. It will break you.”

Elijah nodded, trembling.

“And you... will you find peace?”

“Only if you tear down the wall and bury my remains properly.”

The next day, Elijah told his parents about the ghost.

“Mom, Dad, there’s a woman in the basement... she speaks to me.”

Sarah smiled gently.

“Sweetheart, you have such a vivid imagination. Ghosts don’t exist. The soul is either in heaven or hell—that’s what the Bible teaches.”

Michael added:

“The Lord endured suffering and commanded us to do the same. If they bully you at school, pray and turn the other cheek.”

Elijah clenched his fists but said nothing.

He took the grimoire—an ancient leather-bound tome—and began to read. The first spells were simple. Tyler, the main bully, tripped on the stairs and broke his leg. Brad “accidentally” fell from the swings. Coach Reynolds died in a car crash.

School grew quiet. No one bothered Elijah anymore.

Olivia continued to mock him at home.

“Hey, little bro, hiding in your books again? Real guys don’t read—they act.”

One of her boyfriends laughed and added:

“Yeah, he’s basically a girl.”

The next day, that boyfriend slipped on the stairs in the Harper home and broke his neck.

Olivia screamed in horror.

Elijah smiled coldly.

“You know, sister, this is the pinnacle of justice. Karma, as they say. Or more precisely, the law of moral equilibrium in a cruel world.”

Olivia paled and never mocked him again.

Elijah decided to fulfill his promise. He began dismantling the basement wall. His parents found him amid the bricks and bones.

“It’s her... Elizabeth,” he whispered.

Sarah and Michael were stunned.

“Forgive us, son,” Sarah said through tears. “We didn’t believe you.”

They called Sheriff Daniel Whitaker, who was also the town’s amateur historian.

“According to the archives,” the sheriff said, “Elizabeth Graves did indeed disappear in 1892. The case remains open. There were rumors of witchcraft, but... society back then was harsh. Those she supposedly ‘cursed’ were known scoundrels—drunkards, abusers. Perhaps she was simply defending herself.”

Elizabeth’s remains were buried properly in the local cemetery. Her descendants, located through records, were informed and expressed gratitude.

That night, Elizabeth appeared to Elijah in a dream.

“Thank you, boy. You have given me peace. But remember two rules: do not speak of the grimoire to your parents—they would burn it in religious fervor. And do not use its power for amusement or personal gain. Only for true justice.”

Elijah had considered telling them about the book, but Elizabeth stopped him:

“No. They would not understand. It is your protection against the world.”

Years passed. Elijah turned eighteen. He met Emily Carter—his first love. But she betrayed him with Jake Morrison.

Elijah’s heart shattered. He opened the grimoire to a page of powerful curses.

That night, Elizabeth came to him again in a dream.

“Do not do this, Elijah. She is not worthy of you. You will find the one with whom you will be truly happy. Even without the betrayal, you would not have lasted. Do not interfere. Forgive and let go.”

But the pain was too great. Elijah cast the spell—but at the last moment chose one that caused suffering rather than death.

The next day, Emily and Jake were in a severe car accident. They survived but ended up in intensive care, hooked to machines.

Then Elijah’s parents fell gravely ill—suddenly, with little hope.

Elijah understood the cost. The grimoire contained not only curses but healing spells as well. He used them—first on Emily and Jake, then on his parents. All began to recover.

Ten years later, Elijah met Rebecca—a woman who had endured bullying and betrayal in her own youth. They married and had two children.

One evening, he opened the grimoire to his eldest son.

“This is the legacy of Elizabeth Graves. It can protect you. But remember: true power lies in forgiveness and justice, not vengeance.”

For a moment, a gentle chill filled the room—and Elijah smiled. Elizabeth had finally found complete peace.

Edited and translated with the assistance of AI Grok. Illustrations generated by Grok.