The Mark For Curse

Author’s POV

The air grew colder. Not the kind of cold that made you shiver—but the kind that crept up your spine, slow and quiet, like fingers brushing skin in the dark.

Downstairs, Freen and Nam were standing in front of the Armstrong family portraits, still discussing the story the old man told them. Unaware, of course, that they had a private audience just a few feet above them.

The air around them shimmered faintly, a result of Becky’s magic..

They were hidden from curious eyes.

IRIN – “Okay, so... creep them out a little? Or full-blown horror movie?”

BECKY – “Just enough to make them leave. No fireballs. No flying books. And definitely no knocking over chandeliers like last time.”

IRIN – “That was one time!”

BECKY – “One too many.”

Below them, Freen and Nam stepped cautiously into a wide hallway filled with paintings, dust, and secrets that whispered with every creak of the floorboards.

NAM – “This place gives me the creeps. Can we leave now?”

FREEN – “You say that every time we go anywhere haunted.”

NAM – “Because it’s always creepy!”

Freen walked further in, eyes catching a family portrait at the end of the hall—the same one she had been staring at before. Becky’s photo. Still framed. Still smiling.

Up above, Becky leaned slightly over the banister, eyes narrowing.

BECKY – “She’s staring at me again.”

IRIN – “Told you. She’s into you.”

BECKY – “Irin.”

IRIN – “Okay, okay. Focus. Time to do our thing.”

NAM – “Okay… so we’re probably dealing with a restless spirit. Maybe two.”

FREEN – “You think it’s haunted by ghosts?”

NAM – “Why else would there be a room full of old photos and mysterious marks? We’re literally living in a horror movie right now.”

Freen smirked, stepping closer to one of the paintings. Her sharp eyes scanned every detail, taking in the girl’s gentle smile.

FREEN – “If this is a horror movie, I better be the hot lead.”

NAM – “You wish you were the final girl. You’d be the first one to trip on your way out.”

FREEN – “Excuse me? I do yoga. I have balance.”

Upstairs, Becky rolled her eyes and whispered to Irin.

BECKY – “They don’t seem very scared yet.”

IRIN – “Give me five seconds.”

With a playful grin, Irin vanished in a puff of mist.

Downstairs, Nam suddenly froze.

NAM – “Freen.”

FREEN – “Yes, darling?”

NAM – “Did… did you hear that creak?”

FREEN – “It’s an old house. Everything creaks. Including your neck when you’re stressed.”

NAM – “I’m serious!”

The chandelier above them began to sway—slowly, then faster.

FREEN – “…Okay. That’s new.”