Whispers of the Victorian House

Chapter 21- The Forbidden Basement

Caleb felt a sense of hesitation chewing at him as he contemplated revealing his dream to Diya. In it, he and Tabitha had burned the Book of Shadows in the eerie Mr. Manor's mansion. He was reluctant to share this with her, mainly because he didn't want to further upset her. He had already seen how alarmed and worried she was after he had discovered the mysterious black bride. As she removed her hand from his chest, he acted on an impulse and grabbed her wrist, pulling her towards him so that she was standing directly in front of him.

"Promise me, Diya, that no matter what happens next, you won't give up," Caleb looked her in the eyes and spoke.

"My mother taught me that giving up is a sign of defeat, so you don't have to worry about me giving up, Caleb," Diya assured him.

He stood up from the chair and continued, "We have to destroy the book, Diya before it's too late."

As Caleb spoke, Diya felt a rush of emotions wash over her. She took a deep breath to calm herself and nodded in agreement with his words. The cursed book had brought misery to her family, and destroying it was the only way to keep everyone safe. But the thought of Brianne stuck in an endless coma weighed heavily on her heart.

She didn't know how to bring her back, but she was certain that everything would run smoothly once the curse upon her family and the mansion was lifted. The old mansion had always held secrets and darkness, but Diya hoped that with the book gone, they could finally bring light and happiness back to the place they called home.

"Hey Diya, why do you want to return to the basement?" Caleb asked, his curiosity piqued. 

"I want to check if there are any altars in the basement since we found the shroud needles and hair," replied Diya with a sigh.

Caleb took a moment to think and then said, "I think there might be an altar down there. I remember my mother talking about how creepy it looked after every Blood Moon day."

"Wait, after the Blood Moon day?" Diya repeated, clearly taken aback.

Sensing that Diya was anxious, Caleb suggested, "If you're still interested, we could go back down and check it out tomorrow."

"You're still scared, aren't you?" Diya teased.

Diya stood there, rooted to the spot, as Caleb turned around and walked away without saying a word. His lips curled into a smug grin, and Diya felt a sense of embarrassment wash over her. The feeling of humiliation stuck with her like a heavyweight in her stomach, refusing to dissipate no matter how hard she tried to shake it off.

As soon as Caleb mentioned the altar, a wave of anxiety hit her like a ton of bricks. Her stomach churned and twisted with unease, and her mind raced with thoughts of the recent unsettling events that had left her feeling raw and vulnerable. The darkness that lurked within her own mind and soul seemed to loom larger than ever before, and she wondered if she would ever be ready to confront it head-on.

Tabitha and Brian were engrossed in a deep slumber on the plush couch in Diya's lavish mansion. The dimly lit room was filled with the soft crackling of the fireplace, creating a cosy atmosphere. Outside, a heavy downpour pounded against the windows, while thunder roared in the distance.

Unknown to the soundly sleeping couple, Diya had been intrigued by a chilling rumour circulating among the manor's staff. Caleb, the elderly groundskeeper, had whispered about a mysterious altar hidden in the mansion's basement. Supposedly, it had once been used for dark arts and black magic. The story had piqued Diya's curiosity, and she couldn't resist the urge to uncover the truth.

As the clock struck midnight, Diya silently crept down the grand spiral staircase, clutching a flickering candle for guidance. Each step seemed to echo through the vast hallway as if the house itself was whispering caution. The hushed whispers of secrets and forgotten tragedies danced through the air.

Reaching the basement, Diya's heart raced with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows on the stone walls, enhancing the mystique of the underground chamber. She followed Caleb's instructions, navigating through cobwebs and dusty relics, until she reached a hidden door at the far end.

Gingerly pushing open the door, Diya gasped as she laid eyes on the long-lost altar. It stood tall and imposing, adorned with intricate carvings and symbols. Its presence seemed to reverberate with an otherworldly energy that made Diya's skin tingle.

Caleb's warning echoed in her mind, cautioning her about the altar's malevolent history. As her eyes fell upon the faded remnants of summoning rituals and black magic spells, Diya couldn't help but wonder about the dark power contained within. The altar seemed to beckon to her, inviting her to delve further into its enigmatic secrets.

Drawn to the altar, Diya hesitated for a moment before placing her trembling hands on its cold surface. A surge of energy coursed through her veins, awakening dormant powers she never knew she possessed. The room seemed to crackle with anticipation as if it sensed her curiosity and desire to unravel the truth.

Suddenly, a whisper filled the air, swirling around Diya like a gentle breeze. It was the voice of an ancient spellcaster, trapped within the confines of the altar. The spellcaster revealed that the altar had once been used for dark rituals, sacrificing innocent lives to gain forbidden knowledge and power.

Caleb's heart was racing as he followed Diya into the dark, damp basement. The air was thick and musty, and he could hear the creaks and groans of the old house settling around him. Suddenly, Diya froze in fear as she gazed in terror at the altar where black magic was performed every Blood Moon. Caleb felt a cold shiver run down his spine, but he knew he had to be brave for both of them. 

He tapped her shoulder and whispered, "Let's go back upstairs." 

Diya was lost in her own thoughts when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder. Her heart leapt into her throat as she spun around to face the person behind her. It was Caleb, the one person she never expected to see here. She froze, unsure of what to say or do, her mind racing with a million thoughts at once. For a few moments, the only sound was the pounding of her own heart in her chest.

As they climbed the stairs, Caleb couldn't shake the feeling that something sinister was lurking in the shadows of the basement, waiting to pounce on them when they least expected it. He didn't want Diya to see anything scary on her own, but he couldn't shake the feeling that they weren't alone down there.

"I wish you had called me before going down there alone, Diya," Caleb said, his tone showing both concern and anger. "Don't do that again. It's not safe to go alone."

"Why did you bring me back up? I'm curious to know what's behind the woman's haunting presence in the mansion, especially with her always wearing that black veil. Perhaps there's some kind of connection between her and the history of this place, Caleb," Diya asked, her voice laced with frustration.

"I can assure you, Diya, there's nothing down there. That woman is only there to scare us," Caleb reassured her.

"I'm curious, do you have information that I don't? How can you be so sure that she isn't real?" asked Diya with a hint of intrigue.

"Whenever there are visitors in this mansion, this woman makes an appearance, Diya. But don't be afraid, she's not real," Caleb said in a calm tone to reassure her. 

Diya's body tensed up as she heard Caleb's words. She felt a mix of fear and confusion, not knowing if she could trust him. Caleb's stern expression made her uneasy, but she tried to remain calm as he made her promise not to venture into the dark basement alone again. As he led her away, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off about the whole situation.

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💕Do you think he was genuinely trying to help her, or was there something he was hiding?

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