It had been several years since Kim vanished without a trace in the mysterious garden of Virginia. The locals avoided the house, and the garden continued to thrive with an eerie life of its own. Roses bloomed with unnatural abundance, and their scent carried something inexplicably sinister.
However, the legends surrounding the house caught the attention of a young journalist named Andrew, known for his investigations into paranormal phenomena. Hearing the story of the cursed garden, he decided this was his chance to uncover the mystery and make a name for himself.
The Investigation Begins
Andrew arrived at the house late in the evening when the streets were deserted, ensuring no one could stop him. Armed with a camera, a voice recorder, and a flashlight, he slipped through the gate, careful not to attract attention.
The garden greeted him with an uncanny silence. Even the nocturnal insects seemed to avoid the place. Approaching the first bush, Andrew noticed something strange—the rose petals appeared to glow faintly in the dark, emitting a soft crimson light. He turned on his camera and began recording.
“The garden of Virginia Hayden. A place even time fears,” he whispered into the lens, trying to suppress the tremor in his voice.
As Andrew ventured closer to the center of the garden, where rumors said Virginia’s ghost had been seen, the ground beneath his feet suddenly grew soft, as though something was moving beneath it.
A Voice from the Past
“Are you here to uncover the truth as well?” a whisper echoed, freezing Andrew in place. The voice seemed to come from everywhere at once, surrounding him.
“Who’s there?” he shouted, turning on his flashlight. The beam revealed the figure of a woman in white. Her face was pale, her eyes hollow, and she held a rose with crimson petals in her hands.
“You’ve come to the wrong place,” the woman said. “This garden has taken enough lives. Leave while you still can.”
“Are you Virginia?” Andrew asked, striving to remain calm.
The figure didn’t answer. She extended the rose toward him, and Andrew noticed that its stem was stained with what looked like blood.
“Find the key,” she finally said. “Or you’ll remain here forever.”
The Garden’s Hidden Secret
Andrew refused to back down. He noticed the figure vanish as suddenly as it had appeared, but a strange wind began to stir around the garden. The rose bushes trembled, even though the air remained still.
His attention was drawn to an old stone statue, half-hidden by foliage. Its base bore an inscription: “Those who seek answers will find pain.” Andrew decided this must be the clue he needed.
Clearing away the leaves, he uncovered a small hatch. Grasping the metal handle, he struggled to lift it. Inside, he found an old cassette tape and an antique key.
Virginia’s Revelation
Andrew hurried home to examine his discovery. Playing the cassette, he saw Virginia’s face appear on the screen. But now, she didn’t look menacing—she seemed… remorseful.
“You’ve found the key,” she said, staring directly into the camera. “This house isn’t just a place where I loved and lost. It’s a trap. The garden takes everyone who tries to uncover its secrets. If you truly want to end this, use the key to unlock the door in the basement. There, you’ll find the answer. But be careful—the garden won’t let you go without a fight.”
The Final Attempt
The next day, Andrew returned to the house. Armed with the key, he unlocked the old basement door and discovered another room that hadn’t been mentioned in any police reports. The walls were lined with photographs of everyone who had disappeared in the garden, including Kim. In the center of the room stood a glass cube containing a crimson rose.
“Is this the end?” Andrew murmured.
But as soon as he touched the glass, the house filled with whispers. Virginia’s figure reappeared, this time in a physical form.
“You can’t stop this,” she whispered.
At that moment, the rose inside the cube began to bloom even brighter, and the walls of the basement started to close in…
What did Andrew find in the basement? Did he manage to break the curse, or did he become part of it himself? Find out in the next chapter of the mysterious tale of Virginia Hayden’s garden.
