The morning light streaming through the castle’s narrow windows feels far too cheery for my current mood. After last night’s cleansing ritual with Mrs. Humphrey, I should feel lighter, calmer, maybe even… safe. The ritual was intense, involving candles, herbs, and chants I couldn’t begin to repeat if my life depended on it. Mrs. Humphrey assured me that it should disrupt any lingering spiritual energies around me, at least temporarily. She even sent me back to my room with a grounding crystal and a pat on the shoulder.
“Get some rest,” she’d said. “We’ll figure out what’s really going on soon enough.”
I clung to her words but it was a meager attempt—because honestly, anyone would feel demotivated with such lackluster reassurance and the knowledge that ghosts are out for your blood.
But
