WHEN LIGHT BECOMES A CURSE

When light becomes a curse > *"You used to laugh so much... too much. You filled the world with noise... but me... in my silence, I heard your screams."* No one knows when darkness was born. No one knows its true name. They say it’s a man, but he was never human... He was a ghost that slithered in every night, hunting those radiant souls—not to extinguish them, but to turn them into living hell. This isn’t a love story... nor is it about a kind girl who changes his heart. This is a story of transformation... from a girl who loved life, to a creature who devours it. I am Alexandra... but they call me "Alex." I hated school, skipped classes, mocked the rules. I thought I was free... until I met *him*. Now... I don’t laugh anymore. He taught me how hell laughs. --- ### **Chapter One: "Laughter That Doesn’t Sound Like Crying"** > *7:00 AM.* The sun crept timidly between the clouds. The street was nearly empty except for the echo of Alex’s footsteps. Her backpack hung off one shoulder, her headphones blaring a chaotic song... one only she could hear, one only she understood. She entered school late, as usual, with a smile dripping with fake confidence—like the star of a play that couldn’t go on without her. She sat at the back near the window, her escape route from reality always within reach. *"Alexandra! Late again!"* the teacher snapped. *"No, you all started too early!"* Alex fired back with rehearsed innocence, sparking laughter from the class. Despite her academic laziness, Alex had a razor-sharp wit and a presence that demanded attention. The girls watched her with envy, especially the *"Bully Trio"*—Nadia, Sara, and Wafaa. At recess, Alex stood with her friends, laughing endlessly as if life were a game with no consequences. But beneath it all, a voice whispered: *"This laughter will cost you."* Then it happened. Nadia "accidentally" bumped into her, spilling juice on Alex’s white sneakers. *"Oops... didn’t see you,"* she said, her tone laced with challenge. Alex slowly wiped her shoe, then smiled: *"Funny... I didn’t see you either—when you hit the ground two seconds later."* Before Nadia could react, Alex hooked a foot around her ankle, sent her crashing down, then leaned in: *"Pick on someone your size... and don’t *ever* touch me again."* The class erupted as Alex walked away—back straight, heart unshaken. But what she didn’t know? Strength can’t protect you from shadows... That night... at **2:13 AM**... Alex slept deeply... while the shadow stood by her window, still as death. Not breathing... just... smiling. --- ### **🕯️ Chapter Two: "Something’s Watching Me..."** > *Three days later...* Everything seemed normal: the laughter, the rebellion... but something *felt* wrong. **First Night:** She dreamed of her room—except the corner wasn’t empty. The shadow stood there, unnaturally tall, faceless. She couldn’t move, couldn’t scream... just heard its whisper: *"You laugh too much..."* She woke drenched in sweat. **Second Night:** The nightmare worsened. She was in the school bathroom, mirrors fogged. Her reflection smiled back—but it wasn’t *her*. Teeth like knives, a hand lunged from the glass, choking her: *"You laugh too much..."* By morning, her friend Hala noticed her pallor: *"Alex, you look like you’ve seen a ghost!"* *"Just nightmares,"* Alex lied. But soon, the nightmares bled into reality. She heard muffled laughter in empty halls. Saw shadows darting just beyond sight. Then, one morning, she found a note in her diary—in handwriting that wasn’t hers: > *"I’ll turn your laughter into hunger. Light is a curse... and I’ll extinguish you."* Her hands shook. Then, a voice hissed behind her: *"I love the taste of happy souls..."* She whirled around. No one. Just the window... wide open. --- > **⚠️ If you dare continue... turn the page. > If you’re weak of heart... turn off the light. > Before it turns *you* off.** ---