Chapter 7- Scars of the past

🎬 Scene 1: Elina's House, Late Afternoon

The sun bathed the yard in golden light as Natalie, Elina's daughter, sat cross-legged on the grass.

A worn-out teddy bear rested on her lap—its one eye missing, the other stitched with red thread.

> Natalie (giggling softly):

"You're not a bear. You're a brave knight. Go protect the kingdom!"

The wind rustled the trees.

From beyond the gate, a shadow appeared—a woman dressed in a faded gray cloak, her smile calm yet unsettling.

> Woman (cheerful, smooth):

"Hello, dear. Where's your mommy?"

> Natalie (without fear, still clutching her bear):

"She's in the laundry room."

The woman crouched beside her. Her voice was syrup-sweet, her eyes twinkling like they held secrets.

> Woman:

"Ahh, I see. And how's that bear? Hmm… would you like a new one? Maybe... a teddy crow?"

(her smile widens unnaturally)

> Natalie (frowning):

"No. I hate crows. Mommy gets sad when she sees them... and Daddy always gets scared."

> Woman (chuckling softly):

"Of course, dear. Silly idea, wasn't it? Hah…"

A small envelope appeared in the woman's hand. She held it out like a secret gift.

> Woman (whispering):

"Well, since you don't like crows… how about a story instead?"

Natalie hesitated.

> Woman (softly):

"Don't worry. I won't read it now. Ask your mommy later."

(She places the envelope in Natalie's lap.)

"It's called The Gossipers' Karma... shhh, don't say that name out loud. It's better read at night."

Suddenly, the back door slammed open. Elina stormed out, eyes wide with alarm.

> Elina (firm, protective):

"What are you doing with my child? What the hell are you doing here?!"

The woman rose slowly, brushing dust from her sleeves. Her smile didn't waver.

> Woman (mocking, sweet):

"Relax, Elina. So tense, as always.

I was just making friends with your lovely daughter. She's delightful, really."

She leaned close to Natalie one last time.

> Woman:

"Bye, dear. Keep the letter safe."

(Then to Elina, voice like a blade)

"And you? You might want to read it first… before midnight."

She walked away, fading into the horizon like a dream you weren't sure you had.

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🎬 Scene 2: Thaloria — Curse Spreading

📽️ FLASHBACK: YEARS AGO — A QUIET VILLAGE

A blank book rested beneath a candle's flicker.

Its pages smelled of dust and old things better left forgotten.

Prichard, a humble storyteller, dipped his quill with a smile.

> Prichard (softly):

"Let's call this one... The Gossipers' Karma."

He never questioned why the ink moved like blood.

Only that the story flowed like it had always existed in his bones.

The tale spread—tavern to temple, whispers to festivals.

They laughed. They clapped. They praised him... until the laughter stopped.

---

📉 Then came the curse.

Whispers turned sour. Screams echoed through the streets.

Throats were torn open—by no blade, no hand.

Eyes went blank. Some whispered until their tongues bled.

And Prichard... began to unravel.

He tore the pages. He raved at shadows.

And when no one would listen, he vanished.

---

🕯️ Seraphina, his wife, witnessed it all.

She saw her husband decay from man to madman.

Then she saw her beloved—her protector—hanged from the rafters,

his mouth still whispering the cursed title.

She ran.

Far.

So far, she forgot her own children.

> "Forgive me… Leo… Elina…"

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🎥 PRESENT DAY — BERUS INN, EASTERN THALORIA

The inn was dim, lit only by the glow of dying candlelight.

An old woman sat in silence, tears slipping down her wrinkled cheeks.

> Seraphina (trembling):

"I left them. My own children...

because I was afraid of a book."

She held a torn ribbon in her hand—faded blue, once Leo's.

> "If only I'd known it would return...

If only I'd burned it."

Thunder rolled above Thaloria like a warning.

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🏛️ VALORIA — CENTRAL MUSEUM

A crowd gathered beneath flickering lights.

The air was heavy. Still. Listening.

> First Man (nervous excitement):

"They say the book still exists—the original copy.

No title. No author. No ink. Just... whispers."

> Second Man (laughing):

"Oh please. What is this, bedtime horror? HAHAHA!

Hey everyone! Who wants to hear a story—"

CRACK.

The mic snapped. Lights flickered. Darkness fell.

Silence.

---

🎧 Outside — Museum Street

Leo walked under the rain, his coat soaked, steps slow.

He paused.

From the museum...

he heard it.

Not the crowd.

Not wind.

Whispers. Familiar. Wrong.

> "Leo… come back…"

"You left the story unfinished…"

He turned—eyes wide.

And then... the whispers stopped.

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🩸 TO BE CONTINUED…