The Cursed Threshold

ce lingered in the dark. For a moment, the house seeme

s straining to pierce the shadows. The only

ame again, softer this

aning as he blinked into the

ed, clutching hi

Just as Mark was about to speak, the sound returne

upright. "Is

d and reaching for the flashlight on t

lling on his jeans and grabbing the

last. When Tess swung the door open, the hallway stretched before t

, and the rest of the

steps ha

for Tess to stay behind him. They moved cautiously to

of the stairs, a soft

llway. The basement door stood wide open, the duct tape t

ed, her voice trem

his breath. "How

from the basement, followed by a low, gut

she said, turning towar

nsforming into a chorus of whispers that see

room. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, clu

o go," Tess said

n't re

d closer, his voice

ank. His eyes were wide and unfocused, as t

lling me,"

his shoulders. "No, baby. Don't list

continued, his voice eerily calm. "

p in her eyes. "We'll get

oah into his a

e whispers grew louder, echoing thr

or stay

reached it, a powerful force slammed it shut. Ma

yelled, pulling wi

urn, but they were all sealed tight, as thoug

tly, his voice cutti

him pointing toward

t us to c

. "We're not going any

shuddering as if alive. The whispers rose to

rk shouted, his voice bar

ing in her stomach. Every instinct screamed

e said finally,

if she'd lost her mi

e unless we do," Tess said. "We h

ing grimly. "Fine. But I'm

nother world. The air grew colder with each step, and t

ngers icy against her skin. Mark led th

ange symbols glowing faintly in the darkness. As they reached the

d into the shadows, disappearing into the void. In the center of the room stood a

light sweeping across the room.

where a small, leather-bound book sat, its cover adorn

isible force, Tess mo

n't," Mar

. She reached out a

to chaos. The candles flared, their flames leaping high into th

but his voice was dr

and a dark mist poured from the walls,

her mind racing. She didn't know wh

med, his voice fi

t wrapping around him, pul

eamed, runnin

him, the mist surged forwar