Story 956: The Forsaken Girl

The Graveborn knelt, their hollow eyes staring into nothingness. A chill crept over the courtyard as the Gatekeeper lowered its staff, its skeletal mask emotionless.

Mira clutched the Cursed Book, her pulse hammering. “Who is the Forsaken Girl?”

The Gatekeeper’s voice was a slow, grating whisper. “The one who waits. The one who weeps. The one who must never wake.”

Draven tightened his grip on his shotgun. “That doesn’t answer anything.”

Elias eyed the manor’s open doors, the candlelight inside flickering like dying souls. “I’m guessing we’re supposed to go inside.”

Zara muttered, “Of course we are.”

The Gatekeeper stepped aside, gesturing toward the entrance. “The House remembers. The House watches.”

A howl echoed in the distance. The fog at the gate shifted—something was coming.

Draven sighed. “Fine. We go.”

They stepped inside.

The air changed instantly.