crucifyheaven

Detective Ian Wren thought he had escaped the ghosts of his past, but the murder of Eleanor Montgomery pulls him into a web of deceit that threatens to unravel Hollow’s Edge. Eleanor was more than a philanthropist—she was the keystone of the town’s power dynamics. Her death exposes dark secrets tied to the elusive Crimson Hour Society, a shadowy group with ties to corruption and betrayal.

As Ian investigates, he uncovers layers of lies, each piece revealing deeper connections between Hollow’s Edge’s elite and Eleanor’s tragic demise. But the closer Ian gets to the truth, the more dangerous the game becomes. With each passing hour, Ian faces threats, red herrings, and the ghosts of his unsolved case—forcing him to confront his own failure and unravel the darkness hiding in plain sight.

In a town where trust is fleeting and redemption comes at a price, Ian must uncover the truth before the Crimson Hour strikes again.

The Crimson Hour

Chapter 19: The Hour's Wrath

The black box snapped open with a sound that echoed unnaturally through the basement. The air around Ian Wren seemed to shift, growing heavier and colder, as though the space itself had been drawn into the hour's grip. Sheriff Evelyn Cross and Clara Montgomery stood frozen, their eyes fixed on the box as its contents revealed themselves.

At first, Ian thought the box was empty, but then he saw it—a small, intricate sphere, carved with spirals that seemed to twist and move under their own power. It pulsed faintly, casting faint shadows that danced across the walls.

"What is that?" Evelyn whispered, her voice tight with unease.

Ian didn't answer immediately. His fingers brushed against the sphere, and an overwhelming surge of dread rippled through him. Images flashed in his mind—hooded figures chanting in the woods, Eleanor Montgomery's lifeless body sprawled on the crimson rug, the spiral symbols glowing ominously.

Clara stepped forward hesitantly, her voice trembling. "She said… she said the hour lives in there. It's what binds them. It's what they gave everything to."

Ian's pulse quickened as he stared at the sphere. It was the source of the pact, the heart of the Crimson Hour Society. He knew he had to act, but fear clawed at his chest, telling him that whatever lay within was far more dangerous than he had anticipated.

Before Ian could move, the spirals etched on the sphere glowed brighter, and the whispers returned—low, guttural, and filled with rage. The shadows in the room twisted violently, forming claw-like shapes that reached toward the three of them.

"Close it!" Evelyn shouted, raising her gun.

Ian shook his head, his voice steady despite the terror filling him. "If we close it, we give it back to them. We have to break it."

Clara's face paled. "But what happens if you break it?"

Ian didn't answer. He knew the consequences could be devastating, but he also knew they couldn't let the society continue their reign of fear and control. Taking a deep breath, he gripped the sphere tightly and pulled.

The basement erupted with light as the spirals shattered, releasing a wave of energy that surged outward. The walls shook, the shadows writhed, and the whispers turned into screams that seemed to come from every direction. Ian stumbled backward, shielding his face as the energy engulfed him.

When the light finally faded, the basement was silent. The sphere was gone, its spirals reduced to ash that scattered across the floor. The black box lay empty, its cold surface lifeless.

Ian looked around, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Evelyn lowered her gun, her wide eyes scanning the room. Clara collapsed to her knees, tears streaming down her face.

"It's over," Ian said finally, his voice hoarse.

But as he spoke, he realized the silence wasn't comforting. It was oppressive, heavy with the weight of something unknown. The pact was broken, but the hour wasn't finished with them.

The Hour’s Wrath