The maid began to close the notebook, her face pale, her breath ragged.
Maid (trembling):
This is not my concern… No, no, I must leave…
She clutched the notebook, only for it to leap from her hands with unseen force and land open on the floor. Suddenly, the pages flipped on their own—rapidly, unnaturally—then stopped.
A strange glow emanated from the notebook. A pale white light morphed into a three-dimensional image before her eyes, hovering in the air like a film without a screen.
Scene Unfolding in the Air—Jack's Memories
Jack, younger, runs through a garden carrying his daughter on his back, laughing. His wife calls out gently:
Wife:
Jack, slow down! You'll drop her!
Daughter (laughing):
Daddyyyy… faster! I'm a knight!
The maid stared, disbelieving, stepping back—and colliding with the desk.
Maid (in shock):
My God… is this… a dream? Or magic?!
The scene shifted abruptly. The laughter died. The image shook, colors faded, then darkened. The pages turned again—violently—slapping the air like someone furious. A low growl issued from the notebook. And then... darkness.
New page—Jack's Death
Jack hangs from the ceiling, rope wound tight around his neck. His face is blue; his eyes are wide open. The maid screams.
Maid:
Noooooooo!!
The scene dissolves. A new page flips.
Jack in the bathroom, a gun pressed to his mouth… then a shot. Blood splatters the wall.
Another page.
Jack in the kitchen, repeatedly stabbed by a dark entity with a face that mirrors his own!
Maid (crying and shouting):
Stop!! Enough!!! I can't watch this anymore!
She tries to close the notebook with her foot—it won't budge. Her hands shake as she fumbles to shut it, but the notebook burns with pale blue flames, singeing her fingertips without harming them.
Maid (in anguish):
My Lord, what madness is this? Poor Jack… how many times have you died, man?!
A soft, deep voice emanates—not Jack's, but thousands of voices in one:
Voice (from the notebook):
That wasn't death… it was repeated torment… until he remembers who he is.
The maid collapses to her knees, looking around. The scene falls silent as though nothing happened. The notebook closes itself.
Silence.
Maid (breathing heavily):
My God… this is not just a notebook—it's a grave. A grave of words, blood, and memories.
She rises slowly, brushing away tears, then heads toward the door. Before exiting, she whispers to herself:
Maid:
Jack came back from death… so the curse hasn't ended yet.
She closes the door behind her slowly. The notebook lies alone on the floor… and opens again by itself.
The atmosphere is dark. The flickering wall lamps threaten to go out. A long hallway is carpeted in faded red, its floorboards creak with each step. On either side, heavy wooden doors bearing faint carved symbols line the corridor. At each end, a monumental marble statue stands—one of an armored knight, the other of a priest with closed eyes and a disturbing smile.
The maid walks fearfully, taking in every detail. She turns to flee—but stops, frozen.
Sound:Heavy breaths… damp footsteps approaching from behind.
She slowly turns…
From Jack's room emerges a featureless black entity. Its form fluid like smoke, gliding silently as if it floats. It emits bone-chilling creaks and pulses.
Maid (whispering, terrified):
Oh my God… what is that thing?!
She tries to run—but the corridor twists. Walls erupt, black arms burst forth, doors vanish, statues come alive. Their eyes glow with bloody light as they converge on her, halberds raised.
She screams and darts aside to avoid a statue's grasp, trips, and falls. When she lifts her head, she crashes into a body.
She looks up and sees… Jack—standing there calmly, more handsome than descriptions could allow, his face illuminated, hair falling over his brow. He wears a sleek black jacket shimmering under dim light. His emerald-green eyes glow steadily.
Maid (breathless, astonished):
Jack…? Impossible… You're… you're different.
Jack (smiling softly, cunningly):
Don't you like my new look? I knew I'd see you again… but not with that shake in your eyes.
Maid (gasping):
I… I was terrified… but now… I don't know what's wrong with me…
Jack (gently taking her hand):
Everything you feel… is real.
Every heartbeat of yours… I've waited for it for so long.
He lifts her hand and places it on his chest. The pulse beneath is warm… alive… belonging to something otherworldly.
Maid (mesmerized, melting under his gaze):
Why… why does my heart hurt when I look at you?
Jack (in a silky voice):
Because you were part of my heart… even before you knew me.
Now that I've returned… I want nothing but you.
She whispers, lips trembling:
Maid:
I… I can't resist anymore…
They move closer. Fear melts away. Everything around them dissolves, until—he kisses her, deeply, passionately, with a longing she never knew she possessed—while the black entity silently observes from afar.
The romantic moment shatters when a mocking, sinister laugh pierces the stillness—an echo behind her ears. Startled, she opens her eyes to the terrifying truth.
The figure before her… is not Jack.
But that strange, spider-like creature—human features absent, eyes abyssal darkness. It grins mockingly and says:
Creature (in hollow voice):
I knew you loved me… but not enough to throw yourself at me and kiss me with such passion!
The maid gasps in horror. Her body freezes—then she lunges, kicking him hard in the chest. She strikes him fiercely with her heel, screaming:
Maid (in fiery rage):
How dare you… filthy wretch?! Kiss me?! Who gave you that right?
The creature raises shadowy, membrane-like arms to shield its face.
Creature (hoarse):
I didn't! I swear… I wasn't flirting! I was only looking for Jack… because Serena… needs him!
His protest only fueled her fury. She pounded at him mercilessly:
Maid:
This is how you repay me?! I… your sister! Your best friend! You'd rather take him for that whore who breathes lust more than air?! I'll kill you… you worthless crawler!
In pain, the creature screeches and darts toward the wall—then ascends the ceiling in a blur, as though the walls can't hold him. The maid's eyes blaze—
Maid:
Come down here! I won't harm you… just come closer!
Creature (above, sneering):
No! I know you… you're violent!
Suddenly, the room pulses with a strange dim light, and a transparent gateway opens mid-room—as though time itself has split.
Through the temporal portal stands Jack—his face pale, streaked with blood and dust. He looks at them from beyond, trapped in another dimension. His voice trembles:
Jack (hopeless whisper):
Save me… I'm in Salamán's vault… hurry… before…!
Then the light fades. Jack disappears as if swallowed by the portal.
Silence falls.
The maid stands panting, hands shaking with a mix of madness, confusion, and pain. She meets the creature's gaze—it still clings to the ceiling. In their eyes—betrayal, regret, and something undefinable.