Echoes of the Forgotten
Chapter 1
A grand ballroom illuminated by chandeliers, filled with masked guests dressed in opulent attire. Kian stands by a large window, gazing at the moonlit garden outside. His fiancée, Eveline, approaches him hesitantly, her expression tense.
Eveline (Past FL)(ML Fiancee)(Adira)
(softly) Kian, we need to talk.
Kian (ML)
(turning to face her) Eveline, now? In the middle of the masquerade? Can’t it wait.
Eveline (Past FL)(ML Fiancee)(Adira)
(avoiding his gaze) No… it can’t. There’s something you need to know.
Kian studies her face, his brows furrowing. The music and chatter of the ballroom fade into the background as the tension between them grows.
Kian (ML)
(lowering his voice) What’s wrong? You look... troubled. Did someone upset you?
Eveline (Past FL)(ML Fiancee)(Adira)
(nervously) It’s not that. It’s… about us.
Kian’s expression softens as he reaches for her hand, but Eveline pulls away. Her sudden movement sends a ripple of unease through him.
Kian (ML)
(concerned) Eveline, you’re scaring me. Whatever it is, just tell me.
Eveline (Past FL)(ML Fiancee)(Adira)
(in a trembling voice) I— I can’t do this anymore, Kian.
Kian steps back as if struck, his voice laced with disbelief.
Kian (ML)
Can’t do what? Be with me? What are you saying?
Eveline (Past FL)(ML Fiancee)(Adira)
(whispering) I’ve made a mistake. I thought I could go through with it, but—
Kian (ML)
(cutting her off) A mistake? Eveline, we’re supposed to get married in a month. What mistake are you talking about?
Eveline’s eyes well with tears as she finally meets his gaze.
Eveline (Past FL)(ML Fiancee)(Adira)
(pleading) I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I’ve… I’ve been working with someone else. Someone who wants you gone.
Kian’s face turns pale, his voice dropping to an icy calm.
Kian (ML)
What are you talking about? Working with someone? Against me?
Eveline (Past FL)(ML Fiancee)(Adira)
(desperate) Please understand, I didn’t have a choice! They threatened my family. If I didn’t do as they said, they would—
Kian (ML)
(interrupting) So you chose to betray me instead? You could have told me, Eveline! I would have protected you, your family, everyone!
Eveline (Past FL)(ML Fiancee)(Adira)
(shaking her head) It wasn’t that simple, Kian. They’re too powerful, too dangerous. You can’t win against them.
Kian steps closer, his voice sharp and filled with hurt.
Kian (ML)
Do you even hear yourself? You stood by my side, promised me loyalty, love, forever—and now you tell me it was all a lie?
Eveline takes another step back, her tears streaming freely now.
Eveline (Past FL)(ML Fiancee)(Adira)
It wasn’t a lie! I loved you, Kian, I swear. But this… this is bigger than us.
Kian (ML)
(bitterly) No, Eveline. This isn’t about love. It’s about trust, and you’ve destroyed it.
Before Eveline can respond, a loud crash echoes through the ballroom as armed men burst through the doors. The guests scream and scatter. Kian instinctively steps in front of Eveline, shielding her as chaos erupts.
Kian (ML)
(yelling) Get behind me!
One of the masked intruders steps forward, a cruel smile visible under his hood.
???
Intruder: (mocking) Ah, Lord Kian. Such a noble man, protecting a woman who sold you out.
Kian’s eyes flicker to Eveline, who looks away, guilt etched on her face. Realization dawns as betrayal cuts deeper than any blade could.
Kian (ML)
(quietly) It’s true then… you led them here.
Eveline (Past FL)(ML Fiancee)(Adira)
(sobbing) I’m sorry, Kian. I never wanted this!
The intruders close in, and Kian clenches his fists, his expression hardening. He glares at Eveline one last time, his voice cold and final.
Kian (ML)
Sorry won’t change anything, Eveline. You’ve made your choice. Now I’ll face mine.
As the intruders surround him, Kian fights back with unmatched fury, his love for Eveline replaced by raw determination. But the betrayal has already set events in motion that no amount of strength can stop.
Atlast Kian falls to his knees, the curse taking root amidst the wreckage of his trust and love.
Chapter 2
A quiet road leading to the outskirts of town, surrounded by mist-covered forests. Adira sits in her car, staring at the imposing Solace Estate in the distance. The mansion looms against the cloudy sky, its cracked windows and weathered walls exuding an eerie charm.
Adira (FL)
(to herself) What have I gotten myself into? Grandma, why would you leave this to me of all people?
Her phone buzzes on the passenger seat. It’s a call from her best friend, Maya.
Maya (FL friend )
(on the phone) Hey, are you there yet?
Adira (FL)
(sighs) Yeah, I just pulled up. It’s… massive. And creepy.
Maya (FL friend )
(laughing) Sounds like your kind of place. Isn’t this what you’ve been wanting? Some peace and quiet to work on your art?
Adira (FL)
Peace, sure. But this? It’s like walking into a horror movie. I half expect something to jump out at me.
Maya (FL friend )
(teasing) Maybe a handsome ghost? You could use some romantic excitement after that breakup.
Adira (FL)
(rolling her eyes) Not funny, Maya. Anyway, I’ll call you later once I settle in.
Maya (FL friend )
Alright, just… be careful, okay? And call me if anything weird happens.
Adira hangs up and steps out of the car. The air is damp, and the scent of moss and earth lingers. She grabs her bags and cautiously approaches the mansion.
Inside the Solace Estate, the air is cool and still. Dust motes dance in the faint light streaming through cracked windows. Adira stands in the grand foyer, taking in the peeling wallpaper, faded portraits, and creaky wooden floors.
Adira (FL)
(murmuring) Definitely not the cozy cottage I was hoping for.
She sets her bags down and walks toward the staircase. A portrait catches her eye—a stern-looking man in 19th-century attire.
Adira (FL)
(to herself) Guess you’re the original owner. Nice to meet you… whoever you are.
As she moves to explore further, a floorboard creaks loudly under her foot. She jumps, her heart racing.
Adira (FL)
(nervously laughing) Get a grip, Adira. It’s just an old house.
Later that evening, Adira unpacks her things in what appears to be the master bedroom. The room is surprisingly intact, with a large four-poster bed and an ornate mirror on the dresser. She sets up her easel near the window, gazing out at the forest beyond.
Adira (FL)
(to herself) Maybe this place isn’t so bad. A little eerie, but… it has character.
She begins sketching the view, her pencil gliding across the paper. Hours pass, and the house grows darker as the sun sets. A soft rustling sound comes from the hallway.
Adira (FL)
(pausing) Mice, probably. Or the wind.
The rustling grows louder, followed by faint whispers that seem to echo through the walls.
Adira freezes, her pencil slipping from her hand. She looks around, her breath quickening.
Adira (FL)
(whispering) Is someone there?
Silence. She stands and walks to the door, peeking into the dimly lit hallway. Nothing. The whispers stop, leaving only the sound of her own breathing.
Adira (FL)
(to herself) Okay, great. Now I’m officially spooked.
She shuts the door firmly and leans against it, trying to calm her nerves.
Adira returning to her easel. As she looks at her sketch, she notices something strange. The paper now shows not the forest, but the outline of a man standing in the shadows of the trees.
Adira (FL)
(whispering) I didn’t draw this...
As her confused expression as the faint sound of footsteps echoes from somewhere in the mansion.
Chapter 3
The following morning, sunlight streams weakly through the windows of the mansion, casting long shadows on the floor. Adira wakes up on the bed, her sketchpad lying open next to her. She stares at the mysterious figure in her drawing, her mind racing.
Adira (FL)
(to herself) I don’t remember drawing this. Maybe I was half-asleep... or just imagining things.
She flips the page to start fresh but can’t shake the feeling of being watched. She gets up and heads to the kitchen to make coffee. The mansion is eerily silent, except for the occasional creak of the floorboards.
In the kitchen, Adira opens a dusty cupboard and finds an old coffee pot. As she rinses it, her phone buzzes on the counter. It’s a video call from Maya.
Maya (FL friend )
(cheerfully) Good morning, spooky mansion dweller! How’s the first night?
Adira (FL)
(sarcastic) Oh, just peachy. The house whispered to me, and my sketchpad decided to draw on its own.
Maya (FL friend )
(laughing) Very funny. Seriously though, are you okay? You don’t look like you slept much.
Adira (FL)
(hesitant) I’m fine. It’s just… this place is weird. Like, I can’t explain it, but something feels off.
Maya (FL friend )
Adira, you’re probably just freaked out because it’s new and creepy. Give it a few days. And if it gets too much, you know I’ll come kidnap you.
Adira (FL)
(smiling) Thanks, Maya. I’ll keep that in mind.
After the call, Adira decides to explore the mansion more thoroughly. She roams the dusty halls, her footsteps echoing. She stops in front of a large painting in the main hall, depicting the mansion as it once was, surrounded by lush gardens and fountains.
Adira (FL)
(murmuring) Hard to believe it ever looked like this.
As she moves closer, her eyes catch something strange in the painting—a figure standing by the fountain, half-hidden in shadow. She squints, feeling a chill run down her spine.
Adira (FL)
(to herself) That wasn’t there before… was it?
Later, Adira climbs the creaking staircase to the attic. The air grows colder as she opens the door, revealing a cluttered space filled with old trunks, broken furniture, and cobweb-covered mirrors. She spots a brick wall with a portion that looks uneven.
Adira (FL)
(curious) What’s this?
She carefully removes the loose bricks, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside, she finds an old leather-bound journal. The cover is worn, and the name "Kian" is etched in faded gold letters.
Adira (FL)
(whispering) Kian… Who are you?
Adira sits cross-legged on the floor, opening the journal. The first few pages are filled with elegant handwriting. She begins to read aloud.
Adira (FL)
(reading) ‘April 14th, 1885. Today, I walked through the gardens with Eveline. She seemed distant, but I brushed it off as nothing. Little did I know, her heart was already drifting away…’
Adira pauses, the name "Eveline" sparking a strange sense of familiarity. She shakes her head and keeps reading.
Adira (FL)
(reading) ‘The mansion holds secrets I cannot explain. At night, I hear whispers calling my name, and the shadows grow darker with each passing hour.’
Adira’s hand trembles as she flips the page, but the rest is blank. Her breath catches as a faint whisper breaks the silence.
She freezes, her eyes darting around the attic.
Adira (FL)
(shouting) Who’s there?!
The room falls silent again. She clutches the journal tightly, her pulse racing. A cold breeze brushes against her neck, and she bolts out of the attic, slamming the door behind her.
Back in her room, Adira sits on the bed, staring at the journal. The name "Kian" seems to pulse in her mind, growing heavier with each passing moment.
Adira (FL)
(to herself) What have I gotten myself into?
As she places the journal on the nightstand, the camera pans to the mirror. For a brief moment, a shadowy figure stands behind her, its eyes glowing faintly, before disappearing as she turns around.
Adira (FL)
(whispering) I’m not alone here… am I?
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