The horror

In the heart of a quiet village, an old clock tower stood untouched for decades. The clock, broken and silent, was the subject of whispered rumors. They said it chimed only once a year—at midnight on Halloween, marking the hour when the line between the living and the dead blurred.

One year, a skeptical journalist named Robert visited the village, determined to debunk the myth. As midnight approached, he positioned himself inside the tower, recorder in hand. Silence filled the air. Robert smirked, already drafting his piece on the myth.

Suddenly, a deep, ghostly chime echoed through the tower. The room grew cold. Shadows danced on the walls. Panicking, Robert tried to exit, but the door wouldn't budge.

From the darkness emerged the spectral figures of villagers long passed. They circled Robert, their voices murmuring in unison, "Once a year, the dead seek a soul to replace theirs."

The next morning, villagers found the tower door ajar. Inside, all was silent, except for the soft ticking of a clock that had been broken for decades. Robert was never seen again. But every Halloween at midnight, besides the chilling chime, a voice could be heard: Robert's voice, warning all to stay away.