THE HOUSE OF ENDINGS

THE WITNESSES 11

The doors of the cursed house groaned as they swung open, spilling Daniel and Claire into the twilight. Their faces were pale, their clothes torn, but their eyes carried the fire of survival. Behind them, the house stood silent, its walls cracked and lifeless, no longer breathing with shadows. A collective gasp rose from the crowd. Every student and teacher from the school had gathered outside, their eyes wide with fear and awe. For years, the house had been a legend whispered in classrooms, a warning passed down through generations. Now, two students had walked into its jaws and returned alive.The principal stepped forward, his voice trembling. “Children… what happened in there?”

Daniel’s throat was dry, but he forced the words out. “The house fed on stories. It trapped souls, wrote their lives into its cursed library. But we found a book a mystery book that held riddles to break it. And together… we ended it.”The crowd fell silent. Teachers exchanged uneasy glances, students clutched each other’s arms. Some looked relieved, others terrified. Claire raised her chin, her voice steady. “The house is gone. But let this be a lesson. Curiosity without caution can destroy you. Loyalty can save you. And love love is stronger than any curse.”Her words carried across the crowd, sinking into every heart.

The silence stretched until a single clap broke it. Then another. Soon, the entire crowd erupted into applause, some crying, others cheering. Relief washed over the gathering like a tide. For the first time in years, the shadow of the house no longer loomed over their town.A teacher stepped forward, tears in her eyes. “We lost so many to that place. My brother… my cousin… they never came back. But you did. You broke it.”Daniel lowered his gaze, guilt flickering in his eyes. “I was reckless. I ignored the warnings. I thought the house was just a story. But stories are powerful. They can trap us, or they can free us. I nearly became another chapter in its curse.”Claire placed a hand on his shoulder. “But you didn’t. Because we faced it together. That’s what matters.”

The principal nodded gravely. “You’ve done more than survive. You’ve taught us all something. This house was a curse on our town, but you’ve shown that even the darkest stories can have endings filled with light.”