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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Adults
- Theme: Horror
- Subject: Aging / Maturity
- Published: 12/30/2023
![Eternal Hourglass](/storage/story/C5FE1B86-49DF-2E4E-9E04-334411840817_1704003640-image(116x285-crop).jpeg)
Once upon a time in the small, forgotten town of Ravenshadow, there stood an ancient mansion on the outskirts. The mansion, known as Blackthorn Manor, was rumored to be cursed, its halls echoing with the whispers of the past. Few dared to approach it, and those who did were never the same again.
In the heart of Ravenshadow lived Margaret Harper, a woman in her early thirties, known for her radiant beauty and vivacious spirit. However, an inexplicable restlessness gnawed at her soul. One day, as if drawn by an invisible force, she found herself standing before the ominous gates of Blackthorn Manor.
Against the warnings of the locals, Margaret entered the mansion, its creaking doors closing ominously behind her. Inside, the air was thick with an otherworldly energy. As she explored the dimly lit rooms, Margaret stumbled upon a dusty mirror that seemed to beckon her closer.
In the reflection, Margaret saw herself, but not as she was. Her once-youthful face now bore the wrinkles of old age, and her once-lustrous hair had turned ashen gray. Shocked, she stumbled backward, but the mirror held her gaze. A haunting voice whispered through the corridors of the mansion, promising eternal beauty and vitality.
Compelled by an irresistible force, Margaret made a pact with the mysterious entity that resided within Blackthorn Manor. In exchange for eternal youth, she agreed to an obscure clause: the aging process of the entire town would accelerate while she remained untouched by time.
Days turned to nights, and Margaret reveled in her newfound youth, blissfully unaware of the horrors unfolding around her. The once-thriving town of Ravenshadow decayed at an alarming rate. Trees withered, buildings crumbled, and the townspeople aged rapidly, their once vibrant lives reduced to mere whispers in the wind.
Margaret's reflection in the mirror remained frozen in time, a stark contrast to the desolation she had unknowingly unleashed. As the town descended into chaos, the walls of Blackthorn Manor seemed to absorb the suffering and despair, growing stronger with each passing day.
Haunted by guilt and the ghostly echoes of Ravenshadow's demise, Margaret tried to escape the mansion, but the doors refused to yield. She wandered through the decaying corridors, witnessing the consequences of her choice. Shadows whispered accusations, and the air grew heavy with the weight of her sins.
In the end, Margaret became a prisoner of her own beauty, trapped in a timeless purgatory within the cursed Blackthorn Manor. The once-forgotten town of Ravenshadow faded into obscurity, a ghostly reminder of the horror unleashed by the pursuit of eternal youth.
And so, the mansion stood as a silent witness to the tragedy, its dark secrets buried within its decaying walls, waiting for the next unsuspecting soul to succumb to the allure of the eternal hourglass.
Eternal Hourglass(Malvin Tomfoolry)
Once upon a time in the small, forgotten town of Ravenshadow, there stood an ancient mansion on the outskirts. The mansion, known as Blackthorn Manor, was rumored to be cursed, its halls echoing with the whispers of the past. Few dared to approach it, and those who did were never the same again.
In the heart of Ravenshadow lived Margaret Harper, a woman in her early thirties, known for her radiant beauty and vivacious spirit. However, an inexplicable restlessness gnawed at her soul. One day, as if drawn by an invisible force, she found herself standing before the ominous gates of Blackthorn Manor.
Against the warnings of the locals, Margaret entered the mansion, its creaking doors closing ominously behind her. Inside, the air was thick with an otherworldly energy. As she explored the dimly lit rooms, Margaret stumbled upon a dusty mirror that seemed to beckon her closer.
In the reflection, Margaret saw herself, but not as she was. Her once-youthful face now bore the wrinkles of old age, and her once-lustrous hair had turned ashen gray. Shocked, she stumbled backward, but the mirror held her gaze. A haunting voice whispered through the corridors of the mansion, promising eternal beauty and vitality.
Compelled by an irresistible force, Margaret made a pact with the mysterious entity that resided within Blackthorn Manor. In exchange for eternal youth, she agreed to an obscure clause: the aging process of the entire town would accelerate while she remained untouched by time.
Days turned to nights, and Margaret reveled in her newfound youth, blissfully unaware of the horrors unfolding around her. The once-thriving town of Ravenshadow decayed at an alarming rate. Trees withered, buildings crumbled, and the townspeople aged rapidly, their once vibrant lives reduced to mere whispers in the wind.
Margaret's reflection in the mirror remained frozen in time, a stark contrast to the desolation she had unknowingly unleashed. As the town descended into chaos, the walls of Blackthorn Manor seemed to absorb the suffering and despair, growing stronger with each passing day.
Haunted by guilt and the ghostly echoes of Ravenshadow's demise, Margaret tried to escape the mansion, but the doors refused to yield. She wandered through the decaying corridors, witnessing the consequences of her choice. Shadows whispered accusations, and the air grew heavy with the weight of her sins.
In the end, Margaret became a prisoner of her own beauty, trapped in a timeless purgatory within the cursed Blackthorn Manor. The once-forgotten town of Ravenshadow faded into obscurity, a ghostly reminder of the horror unleashed by the pursuit of eternal youth.
And so, the mansion stood as a silent witness to the tragedy, its dark secrets buried within its decaying walls, waiting for the next unsuspecting soul to succumb to the allure of the eternal hourglass.
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Joel Kiula
01/07/2024A very dark side of human soul, choosing oneself for her own benefit and that lead to the destruction of the vibrant life of a city. We should always be careful with the choices we make for they have effects on others as well.
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Lillian Kazmierczak
01/07/2024A horrifying tale of self absorption. That she chose her beauty over the whole town...alas karma and Blackthorn Manor came for her! A nicely written horror story with a great mesage. A well deserved short story star of the day!
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Shirley Smothers
01/07/2024I found myself drawn into this story. Great story telling. Kept me on the edge of my seat. The desires that can doom Mankind. Congratulations on SHORT STORY STAR OF THE DAY.
ReplyHelp Us Understand What's Happening
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Donald Harry Roberts
01/07/2024A captivating story worthy of Story Star of the day raising classical tales to new heights. Great read M.T. and I like the Tomfoolry thing...lol
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Jane Lockyer Willis
01/07/2024I enjoyed reading your story. I used to read Grimms Fairy tales when I was young.
Once upon a time has that power of drawing the reader into the story very quickly.
It is then up to the writer to keep their interest, which you have done all the way
to the last word. Congratulations! Best wishes.
Help Us Understand What's Happening
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JD
01/06/2024It is indeed a horrifying thing when people choose their own desires over the wellbeing of everyone else, their own external 'beauty' over all else. The demise of the entire world is brought about by such choices. Thanks for sharing your story with us, Malvin. Happy short story star of the day.
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COMMENTS (6)