A Match Made in Hell

Chapter 7 – Luna’s Warning

The sun had barely risen, but Selene was already awake, unable to shake the heaviness in her chest.

Since discovering the journal, the air in the house had changed — thick, tense, as if shadows themselves were pressing against the walls.

She tried to ignore it, focusing instead on cleaning and organizing her few belongings. But no matter what she did, she could feel it: Adrian’s presence lingering, faint but undeniable.

Luna arrived mid-morning, humming cheerfully as she carried a basket of bread and fruits.

“Good morning, sleepyhead! You look like you haven’t slept a wink.”

Selene forced a weak smile. “I barely did. Last night… things feel… heavier.”

Luna’s smile faltered as she noticed her friend’s pale face. “He’s here, isn’t he?” she asked softly.

Selene froze. “Who?”

“You know,” Luna said, stepping closer. “The man. The curse. Whatever this is. I can feel it too. There’s something wrong here. Something dangerous.”

Selene bit her lip. “I don’t know what to do. I want to trust him, but… the house, the journal, the dreams… it’s all so overwhelming.”

Luna’s eyes narrowed. “Selene, listen to me. I’ve been reading about the old stories in this town. That house on San Isidro Road… it doesn’t just hold memories. It holds… them. Shadows. Spirits. People who died angry, heartbroken, or cursed. And now… they’re awake.”

Selene shivered. “Awake?”

“Yes,” Luna said firmly. “The curse doesn’t just test your love. It protects itself. It wants to keep him and you apart. And if it feels threatened… it can hurt you. Both of you.”

Selene clutched the locket. “Then… I need to be careful.”

“You need more than careful,” Luna said, her voice trembling slightly. “You need to be smart. This isn’t just a love story. This is survival. You can’t let it control you. You have to control it.”

That night, Selene sat alone in the living room, candlelight flickering.

The locket lay open on the table.

She felt a cold wind sweep through the room, carrying a whisper that made her blood run cold:

“You cannot escape us. You cannot have him.”

Her heart raced.

Adrian appeared at the doorway again, his eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.

“You heard it,” he said softly, his hand reaching for hers. “The curse is aware. It’s trying to test us. But I won’t let it harm you.”

Selene shook her head, voice trembling. “I’m scared. What if… what if I can’t protect you?”

He stepped closer, brushing her hair from her face. “You already have. You found me again. You read the journal. You’ve faced the past. That is strength. The rest… we face together.”

Before she could respond, a loud crash echoed from the upstairs hallway.

Selene and Adrian froze.

Luna’s warning rang in Selene’s ears: “If it feels threatened… it can hurt you.”

Adrian’s expression hardened. “Stay behind me.”

The shadows along the walls seemed to twist and writhe. The air grew heavy, thick with the weight of something unseen.

Selene clutched the locket to her chest. Fear gripped her, but beneath it, a strange determination took root.

She realized then: love alone would not save them. Courage would.

And she was ready to fight for it.