The wind howled through the trees, dragging dry leaves and whispers that blended into an ominous song. It was the night when it was said that the spirits of those who had died unjustly roamed the world, seeking revenge and redemption. Marta, a young skeptic, decided it was the perfect time to see if there was any truth to those legends.
She had grown up in a small town where stories about the night of the spirits were part of the local folklore. However, her rationality had always outweighed her curiosity about the supernatural. That night, she gathered with her friends: Javier, a lover of conspiracy theories, and Ana, a sensitive who claimed to feel the presence of the paranormal. Marta found it ridiculous, but the idea of experiencing something inexplicable intrigued her.
The group ventured into the forest, a place feared by the locals. As they went deeper, the atmosphere grew denser. The crunching of branches under their feet seemed to resonate in the silence of the night. The moon, hidden behind thick clouds, barely illuminated the path, and a feeling of oppression began to take hold of Marta.
Are you sure you want to do this? Javier asked, nervous laughter trembling in his voice. Marta shrugged, trying to mask her growing discomfort. However, Ana, with her intense gaze, urged her to continue. Tonight is special. The spirits are closer to us, she said, as the trees seemed to lean toward them, as if wanting to listen.
Upon reaching a clearing, they found an old stone altar covered in moss and vines. Ana began to murmur words in a language Marta did not understand, and soon the atmosphere changed. The air turned cold, and a terrifying silence enveloped the place. However, what sent a chill down Marta’s spine was the feeling of being watched. She looked around, but there were only dancing shadows.
Suddenly, a chilling whisper cut through the air. Return it resonated, and they all froze. Ana, her eyes wide open, screamed: I feel their presence! Javier, visibly scared, suggested they leave, but Marta, driven by an inexplicable curiosity, insisted on staying.
Hours passed in a whirlwind of nervous laughter and uneasy glances. However, when Ana suggested invoking the spirits, a heavy air descended upon them. Marta felt the ground tremble slightly beneath her feet, and a deep, guttural voice resonated in her mind: They are not ready.
The voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. In an instant, Ana fell to the ground, trembling. Marta, terrified, approached her, but Javier, pale and wide-eyed, shouted for them to leave. They are trapping us! he exclaimed. However, something in Ana’s gaze stopped her. The girl seemed to be in a trance, smiling in a way that did not seem natural.
They have chosen me, Ana said in a voice that was not her own. Marta felt fear take over her body, and a muffled scream echoed in her mind. Javier, with a pale face, began to back away. I dont want to stay here!
Marta, caught between her friends’ struggle and her fascination with the unknown, kept staring at Ana, who seemed to float in the air, surrounded by shadows whispering words that no one could understand. The shadows approached Marta, filling her with indescribable terror. She couldnt move, as if something invisible held her in place.
Suddenly, a bright light emerged in the center of the clearing, and her friend’s screams echoed in her ears. When the light dissipated, Ana was standing, but her expression was different. There was a mix of terror and joy on her face. They have given me a purpose, she said, and her eyes shone with a strange glimmer.
Marta and Javier looked at each other, unsure of what to do. With a movement, Ana extended her hand, inviting them to come closer. Dont be afraid, she said, but the tone in her voice was unsettling, as if something else had taken over her. The night grew even darker, and the wind howled louder.
Without warning, Marta felt a strong tug in her chest, as if an invisible force were trying to tear her apart. Help! she screamed, clinging to Javier, but he had already stepped back, horrified by what they were witnessing. I cant stay here.
With her heart pounding, Marta turned to Ana. Youre not yourself! she shouted, and at that moment, Ana’s face distorted. The shadows surrounding her turned into a dark mass that seemed to want to devour her.
With one last effort, Marta turned and ran, guided by instinct. The laughter and whispers of the spirits followed her, echoing in her mind. She didnt know where she was going, but the only certainty she had was that she had to escape. In the darkness, the forest seemed to close in around her, but the echo of her footsteps resonated like a warning.
When she finally emerged from the forest, the moon illuminated her path, and a terrifying silence enveloped her. She looked back, but Ana and Javier had disappeared, consumed by the night of the spirits. A feeling of emptiness washed over her, and as the wind continued to whisper, Marta realized that not all secrets should be unearthed. The night had marked her, and although she had escaped physically, a part of her would remain trapped among shadows, waiting for a new encounter.