Race for life: trapped in terror

It all began with a man named Victor Hale, a desperate treasure hunter. On a stormy evening, he found himself standing before the looming silhouette of Blackthorn Castle, an abandoned fortress perched atop a cliff in upstate New York. Its crumbling stone walls seemed to whisper secrets of centuries past. Address: 421 Hollow Creek Road, Ravensridge, NY, 12423 Victor’s eyes gleamed at the tales he had heard: a hidden vault of gold, untouched for generations. With a lantern in one hand and a crowbar in the other, he slipped through the rotting gates and into the castle. Shadows danced along the walls as he crept deeper, the air thick with the scent of decay. But he was not alone. The spirit of Lord Malrick, a cruel noble who had died centuries ago protecting his treasure, watched from the darkness. As Victor pried open the ancient chest, a cold wind swept through the room, extinguishing his lantern. A voice, low and otherworldly, hissed his name. Before he could react, icy fingers gripped his chest, and his life was snuffed out like a candle. The gold remained untouched, cursed, and guarded by the restless spirit. Two days later, back in bustling New York City, ten friends gathered at Riverside High School, a typical Friday afternoon filled with laughter and chatter. They huddled around a round table in the cafeteria, sharing snacks and jokes. The friends were: Lila – wild, adventurous, and the ringleader of the group Milo – quiet but sharp, always coming up with odd ideas, sometimes cold as ice Sophie – sweet, curious, and slightly scared of everything Eli – the class clown, always making people laugh Aria – calm and thoughtful, a voice of reason Kai – brave but sometimes reckless Nova – artistic, dramatic, and imaginative Finn – tech-savvy and always questioning things Ken – sarcastic but loyal Leo – protective, older-feeling, and practical Lila was scrolling through her phone when she gasped. “Guys… look at this,” she said, showing them a grainy online article. “Blackthorn Castle. Abandoned. Cursed. And apparently, a man died trying to steal the gold there.” Milo grinned mischievously, “What if… we spent the night there? Halloween’s just two days away, and we’d make history as the first people to survive a night in that place.” The table erupted in a mix of laughter, disbelief, and excitement. Sophie shivered but smiled nervously. “You’re insane!” she said. Aria raised an eyebrow. “But… it could be… fun?” By the end of lunch, the decision was unanimous. Ten friends, a cursed castle, and one fateful Halloween night. Little did they know, the spirit of Lord Malrick had been waiting…