The Cursed Reservoir

The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the once-peaceful reservoir. It was a place of beauty, a serene lake nestled in the heart of the dense forest. But tonight, it was a place of dread, its waters whispering tales of the past.

The group of friends had gathered here for a weekend of adventure and relaxation. They were Alex, a thrill-seeker with a penchant for the supernatural; Sarah, a cautious but curious photographer; and Tom, a history buff with a penchant for exploring the unknown. They had all heard rumors about the reservoir, but it was Alex who had been most intrigued.

"Come on, let's check it out," Alex had said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "It's supposed to be haunted."

Sarah had rolled her eyes, but Tom had been all too eager to join the adventure. The three of them had driven through the forest, the path winding through the darkness until they reached the reservoir's edge.

As they stepped out of the car, the cool night air wrapped around them. The water was still, reflecting the stars above. It was then that Sarah noticed the strange symbols etched into the rocks along the shore. "These look ancient," she whispered.

Tom nodded. "I've read about these. They're part of an old ritual. This place has a history."

Alex's eyes widened. "We're in for a treat, then."

They began to explore the area, their flashlights cutting through the darkness. The symbols led them deeper into the forest, until they stumbled upon an old, abandoned cabin. It was decrepit, its windows shattered, and its door hanging off its hinges.

"Let's go inside," Tom said, pushing the door open. The air inside was musty, filled with the scent of decay. They moved cautiously, their flashlights revealing the remnants of a once-living space. Dust-covered furniture, broken dishes, and old photographs lined the walls.

Sarah's camera clicked as she took a photo of the room. "This place is eerie," she said, her voice tinged with fear.

Alex chuckled. "Eerie is good. Remember, we're here for the supernatural."

As they continued to explore, they discovered a hidden room behind a wall of old books. The door was slightly ajar, and as they pushed it open, they were greeted by a chilling silence. The room was dark, save for the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the window.

"Who's there?" Alex called out, his voice echoing through the room.

The only response was the sound of their own hearts pounding in their chests.

Sarah's flashlight beam danced across the walls, revealing strange, ghostly apparitions. "Look," she gasped, pointing to the shadows.

Tom's eyes widened. "That's... that's not possible."

The apparitions seemed to move, as if drawn to them. They watched in horror as the figures grew closer, their faces twisted in rage and sorrow.

"Run!" Alex shouted, grabbing Sarah's arm and pulling her toward the door.

They burst out of the cabin, their hearts pounding in their chests. The forest seemed to close in around them, the trees whispering secrets as they ran. They didn't stop until they reached the edge of the reservoir, the water lapping at their feet.

"We have to get out of here," Alex said, his voice trembling.

Sarah nodded, her eyes wide with fear. "Yes, we have to."

But as they turned to leave, they were greeted by a chilling sight. The old cabin was on fire, its flames licking at the darkness. The apparitions were gone, but the fear they had left behind was tangible.

"We have to go back," Tom said, his voice barely above a whisper.

The three of them turned back, their hearts pounding as they approached the burning cabin. The fire was fierce, but they could see the figures once more, now trapped within the flames.

"Please, help us," one of the figures whispered, their voice filled with desperation.

Sarah's camera clicked again, capturing the ghostly apparitions as they reached out, their hands brushing against the flames.

"Stop!" Alex shouted, pulling Sarah back. "We can't save them."

But it was too late. The figures were consumed by the flames, their cries of despair echoing through the night. The fire spread quickly, engulfing the cabin entirely.

The three friends stood in silence, watching the flames consume the remnants of the past. The fear they had felt earlier was nothing compared to the horror they now experienced. They had released the spirits of the reservoir, and they were trapped, forever bound to the place where they had released them.

As they turned to leave, they were greeted by a chilling wind. The fire had died down, leaving behind a smoldering ruin. The reservoir was still, the water reflecting the stars above.

But the spirits were gone, and so were the friends. They had been consumed by their own fear, their own curiosity leading them to their doom.

And so, the reservoir remained cursed, its waters whispering tales of the past, of those who dared to uncover its secrets.