Shadow Moon.

n their own, and disembodied voices whispering in the dead of night. At first, Lily thought it w

latest news. She was a journalist, always on the lookout for the

searching for a thread to tie it all together. And then, she found it

t's instinct on high alert. This was

nto the crisp evening air, determine

the distant hum of a car driving by. Lily walked quick

b of gossip and information. Inside, the air

odding at the waitress. "

named Sue, poured her a cup. "W

fee. "Just working on a story," she

uff? Yeah, I've heard it all. Doors slamming shut, lights flickering..

d racing with possibilities. "

"Yeah, I've seen them myself. Tall, i

rnalist's instinct on high alert. Th

ing with possibilities. She knew she had to get to

hadows deepening around her. Lily quickene

was being watched, that unblinking eye

lurking in the shadows. Lily's heart skipped a

did he want? Lily's determination harde

rt racing with anticipation. She took a ste

with an unnerving intensity. Lily felt a shive

she demanded,

tures becoming clearer in the dim light. L

hair that fell to his shoulders. His face was chi

her captive - eyes that seem

said, his voice low an

art still racing. "I'm Lily

aze piercing. "What brings

h to reveal. But something abo

"Reports of lights flickering, objects moving on th

t change, but Lily sens

I can tell you that Raven's Creek has a ric

nct kicked in. "What kind

Let's just say that Raven's Creek has a lot of sec

th possibilities. She knew she had to get to th

," she said,

inting with amusement. "Oh, I think

peared into the night, leaving Lil

o uncover the secrets that Mark had hinted at. She spent the rest of the nig

ces, dating back to the 19th century. There were stories of ghostly appa

he story. She decided to pay a visit to the local historical s

building on the outskirts of town. She was greeted by an elderly woman named

Mrs. Jenkins asked, lo

knew anything about the supernatural occurrences in Rav

trange happenings. But I think you

for information about an ancient ritual, one tha

"I think I know what you might be talking about. But I have

kicked in. "I understand. P

ed. "Very well. But you have to p

Jenkins began to tell her story, a story that would chan

arted over a century ago," she said. "A group of settlers came to Raven's Creek, se

capturing every word. "What was it?" she

hey brought an ancient ritual," she said finally. "A ritual

mind piecing together the clues.

ired a sacrifice, a human life given to the darkness. And

that's terrible," she said. "Why w

re many reasons why people might turn to darkness. And onc

inking in. "And what about the strange occurrences?" she asked. "The l

something, a dark presence that has haunted Raven's

d a beat. "What do

the presence is growing more powerful, more restle

ory, to expose the truth before it was too late. She thanked Mrs. Jenki

tion. She knew she had to dig deeper, to uncover the secrets of t

y mention of the ritual or the presence. And then, just as she was about to give up, she fou

excitement. She grabbed her bag and headed out the d

he outskirts of town, surrounded by trees and a high fence.

thin man with glasses and a kind

s eyes lit up with interest. "I've studied the

d in. "What do you know?" she aske

hat the ritual was performed by a group of settlers," he said. "They

nto his. "What did t

r. "They got a curse," he said. "A curse

ped a beat. "A cu

e that brings darkness and fear. A

She knew she had to learn more about th

stronger'?" she asked, her pen

n that the curse is becoming more powerful, more destr

er chest. She knew she had to

o stop it?" she ask

not sure," he said. "But I think it has something to do with the

knew she had to find a way to reverse the cu

r voice firm. "I'll find a

f hope in their depths. "Be careful," he said. "Th

g in her chest. She knew she w

th possibilities. She knew she had to start by rese

the ritual or its effects. And then, just as she was about to give up, she found it - a me

itement. She knew she had to learn more about the legen

for any mention of the legend. And then, just as she was about to give up, she found i