Chapter 13 – The Mother’s Betrayal

With her hands shaking and her mind racing with memories that weren't hers, Eva sat on the side of the bed.

She was more than just a mother of four named Eva Collins. She was the boy's mother, Margaret Harland. As though her consciousness had been sucked into another world and dragged through time, she felt it in her bones.

She heard the boy's father's sour remarks as he banged the door after him and saw him go in flashes. Then there were the evenings when cruel, cold men would drink and yell in her house, their rage leaking onto the kid who crouched in the corner, scared and mute.

Eva was aware of the bitterness, the anger, and the deep remorse for ever having the son. She recalled cursing under her breath as she dragged him to the basement and chained his tiny wrists to the wall. She felt as if she had experienced every lash, slap, and insult firsthand.

In the boy's voice, she heard herself murmur, "William, it's your fault." "You made everything worse. It was wrong for you to be born.

Eva's breath came in rough gasps as she held her head, tears running down her cheeks. She was aware that she was not the boy's mother. But she started to question herself since the recollections were so strong and overwhelming. Was she this mean? Was everything wrecked by her?

The voice then appeared, gentle and recognizable, like silk encircling her mind.

"You know how to do it correctly, don't you?" The ghost murmured, entering her mind through a broken window like a chilly wind.

Eva's heart pounded. "No..." she muttered, swaying from side to side. "It wasn't me... Those were not things I did.

However, the ghost merely chuckled. "You were an unsuccessful mother. The same as she did. You must make amends for your actions.

The boy's tiny hands yearning for unfulfilled kindness as he died in the cellar was one of the pictures that came back. The rattling of chains in the darkness. His final breath was laced with hatred and a vow of retaliation. Eva cried as the memories tore at her, making her want to the brink of madness.

The ghost's murmurs intensified, permeating every nook and cranny of her mind and distorting her ideas. The weight of the guilt on her chest was like an anchor drawing her further into the boy's past and engulfing her in his suffering.

The ghost growled, "Eva, you are her." "You're Margaret."

Eva gripped her temples as though she could rip the thoughts from her skull and shook her head forcefully. "No! I'm not her! I'm not!

However, the spirit persisted. "You failed them. As if she had disappointed him. You have to repair it now.

Eva felt her heart thumping in her chest. Like a poison seeping into her veins, the weight of the boy's agony was intolerable. The curse would never be lifted if she failed to make it right.

"You are aware of your obligations." Cold and certain, the spirit's voice slithered into her head. "You have to make amends. Freeing him is the only way to lift the curse.

Eva gasped for air. "How?"

In a low, poisonous murmur, the spirit replied, "Sacrifice them. Your kids. They hold the secret. If you give them to him, the curse will end.

The words were so heavy that Eva's mind broke. Between madness and love, her heart broke. However, the lies of the spirit grew in her doubtful soil and twisted her thoughts until they made perfect, awful sense.

"I must do this," she muttered to herself as tears fell.

Eva walked like a sleepwalker that night, taking slow, methodical steps as though she were reading from a screenplay that only she could hear. The ghost whispered instructions in her ear and directed her hands.

Lily was holding her doll closely, Simon was sleeping against Ethan's shoulder, and David was sitting apart in the living room, peering into the dark corner as though he was waiting for someone.

Like the lullabies she used to sing when they were little, Eva's voice was sweet and enticing as she whispered, "Come with me." It's alright. Mommy needs your assistance.

Ethan rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stirred. Sensing something was wrong, he inquired cautiously, "Mom?"

With a calming tone, Eva whispered, "Just a little game, sweetheart." "Come with me below. It will happen quickly.

Whimpering, Simon held on to Ethan. "I'd rather not go."

Eva's smile flickered, barely noticeable. "You don't believe me?"

Ethan gave her a wary glance. "Mom, what are you doing?" A chilly feeling of fear crept into his chest as his heart raced. There was a problem.

However, Lily slipped off the couch, naive and trusting. "Mommy, I'll come."

As Eva held Lily's little fingers in her own, her hand shook. Although she detested what she was going to do, the spirit had a firm hold on her thoughts. There was no turning back.

"Come, everybody," she muttered. "It will all get better soon."

The kids trailed behind her as she entered the chilly basement through the squeaky, small stairs. Ethan felt his heart racing in his chest. They shouldn't be here, he knew. He was aware that something was seriously off.

Eva guided them into the middle of the room with steady, icy hands. The boy's old chains were still on the ground, rusty and discolored, just waiting to be put to further use.

"What are you doing, Mom?" Ethan's voice was shaking as he whispered.

Eva remarked, "It'll be alright, Ethan," in a tone that seemed to be coming from a great distance. "There is no other way to put it right."

She grabbed the shackles. Beside her, Lily stood silently and fearlessly.

"No!" With a cry, Ethan grabbed Simon and dragged him away. "This is not what we're doing! This is not what you're doing!

However, the spirit's power had warped Eva's face, and her eyes were filled with something dark and empty. "I must. Do you not see? There is no other option.

She took the chains in her hands and walked over to Lily.

The door suddenly flung open, and a thunderous bang reverberated throughout the basement. With his heart thumping in his chest, Thomas rushed into the room. Knowing something wasn't right, he followed them, hoping he wouldn't arrive too late.

"Stop, Eva!" He hurried over to her and yelled.

The shackles slipped out of Eva's hands as she froze. She faltered for a second, the true Eva emerging briefly, her face contorted in bewilderment and sorrow. "I don't know what I'm doing, Tom."

With a broken voice, Thomas begged, "Come back to me, Eva." "Please. You are not required to do this.

Then, however, the spirit rushed forward.

Before Thomas could get to Eva, the shadow inside of her took hold and dragged her back into the shadows as her face contorted with anger.

With a malevolent grin growing across her face, the spirit snarled through her lips, "She's mine now." "It's too late."

Eva fell to the ground, convulsing violently, but Thomas caught Lily and Simon and pulled them to safety.

The true Eva was no longer there. She was consumed by the spirit.

"No!" As Eva lay motionless with her eyes wide but not moving, Thomas sobbed and dropped to his knees. The curse was full and his wife was gone.