The Curator

The cabin in the woods had been abandoned for years, but one night, a candle burned in the window.

Within its confines stood thirteen hooded figures surrounded by a sigil of smoke and ash. The leader wore a Porcelain mask and spoke in a language not heard of since the time of the ancients.

This cabin was old and ancient but unique, for it held a secret within its creaky and ominous exterior. A secret far too old for any to remember but one that should have been buried ages ago.

The robed figures began chanting and speaking in an unusual way as a small clothed figure in white was handed to the masked person. It squirmed as if alive, but what was it?

Oddly the video didn't show but what it did reveal was reason enough for this video to be banned across numerous websites.

As the Masked figure placed this small clothed figure on an altar of what appeared to be composed of ivory and bone, he removed one of his gloves. His hand didn't look human. It seemed to have an extra sixth finger and nails resembling an eagle's talons.

A horrible scream was heard as the nails tore into the clothed figurine. What appeared like blood poured out as the chanting began to intensify. Suddenly the chanting stopped, and all that remained in the hand of the masked figure was a beating heart.

As the three young adults viewed this video online, a young, brash male spoke.

"So that's it?"

Dominic looked unimpressed.

"Please tell me we didn't come to this cabin in the woods because of that make-shift half-baked Tubee video? It's B Rated at best.

"And you, Kimmie... You're lucky Sarah loves you soo much. I blame Your intrigue with this crap that gets her going. Before she started dating you, our streams were simple. Now, we are basically visiting outhouses."

Kimmie laughed.

"It's a cabin, not an outhouse."

"Well, you could have fooled me because I smell sh..."

Before Dominic could finish, Sarah grabbed him by the arm.

"Don't be jealous, Dom; I know you love tagging with us."

Dom smiled; he was a well-built young man in his early twenties. Confident, strong, and a pure ladies' man. He loved the attention his two friends got for him from their live streams.

Sarah was young and full of vim and vigor. Where the others were more grounded, she was clearly the fire. She stood roughly 5'7", with short red hair and piercing blue eyes. She was the life of the party type. The influencer everyone wanted to either be friends with or know. She knew how to sell herself and her content. For her, the only thing other than Kim and Dom that mattered were her fans.

Kimberly was the polar opposite of Sarah. Where Sarah loved the fame and recent success of her Tubee Channel, Kim kept her in check and grounded. Kim was more into nature and the occult, which led them to this ominous cabin in the woods.

As Sarah surveyed the area, Dom continued.

"Hey, with all the love and mumbo jumbo you both spread online, someone needs to supply a bit of testosterone. I Call it balance..."

Sarah laughed. "Oh, you wish Dom. See, this is why I can't date men.."

Kimmie laughed, as did Dom...

"Oh, you love me. You just haven't realized it yet."

As the three viewed the Tubee Video, Sarah's stream began to go viral. Thousands were pouring in to watch the live documentary of The Curators Cabin.

Sarah began to inform her viewers of where they were.

"It had been a legend since World War 2 that an evil man existed. The Curator, they called him. He was seeking something lost to him. Something that was taken from him at the end of the War. While many speculated on what it was, the web was full of intrigue and conspiracy theories of what the Curator was truly looking for."

Sarah Paused for a second building anticipation for her fans. She knew how to sell a story.

"To make things even worse, a Tubee Video appeared online showing a group that went missing filming it. While no one knows what happened to that group, we are here with you. Live to investigate."

The three walked around the perimeter of the cabin. They were filming and taking pictures. As thousands filtered in to view her Tubee page, Sarah kept her stream going.

As they crept into the cabin something felt off. There was evil in the air and the cabin had an unnatural aura surrounding it. As if something terrible had once happened here. The walls were covered with strange symbols with what appeared to be an altar of some sort visible in the back room.

As the three worked their way to the make shift altar Dom stopped for a minute. The group stopped with him

"Whats wrong Dom?" Kimmie asked.

Just then Dominic blurted out a fake scream. Sarah Jumped and Kimmie giggled.

"Damn you, Dominic, we can't take you anywhere, can we?"

Dominic laughed.

"You know, Sarah, there is more to life than streaming. Besides, your fans love me."

He snatched the phone from Sarah and said

"Don't you all love me?"

Just then, thousands of hearts began to appear on the streaming app with comments galore "Dom, we love you," "Dom, you're the best," and "In Dom, we Trust."

"See, they love me."

Sarah looked upset. She smirked and then smiled as she snapped the phone back.

"Sure they do. That's because you're my BFF. They love me more."

"Are you two going to bicker over who has more fans, or are we going to keep looking around? Look, I found some stuff.

Kim ushered Sarah and Dom to come to her location.

As the two inched closer, Kim turned, holding what appeared to be an ancient tome. A book written in an unknown language with many symbols.

She showed the book to Dom and Sarah.

"What do you think this is?"

Dom smiled.. hmm looks like a book."

Sarah and Kimmie both rolled their eyes.

"Okay fine.. maybe its... an Old Book."

"Don't be such an ass, Dom. Grow up."

The three laughed as Sarah caught something in the corner of her eye.

"Guys, look!"

Sarah pointed to the ground. There appeared to be markings that fit the sigil seen in the lost footage tape they just saw.

"Are those what I think they are?"

Sarah seemed anxious, and her fans loved every minute of the stream. She stared into the phone and asked if she should continue. As she did, thousands of thumbs up covered the screen of her phone.

"Guys, check out what this page says."

Dom holding the book, began to read the only English legible. It appeared to be written in reddish ink.

"And in its ashes, we awoke it; from those ashes, we layed it back to sleep. We have severed its bond to our realm. Each piece captured in an item. We vow in blood that these items will be scattered and hidden from all humankind, for the heavens will bleed should they ever be found and be brought back together again."

"Just what the hell does that mean?"

"I don't know, but the fans are loving this."

Dom was trying to rationalize without showing that he was starting t get spooked.

"Okay, so someone makes a fake movie and places this book out here so idiots like us can find it... check!"

"What makes you think it's fake? Come check this out. Sarah and Dom walked into the back room.

Dom pondered for a minute.

"You know they make scary movies about this type of stuff all the damn time. and hello im black so guess whos probably going to die first? Yea this guy!"

As they continued walking Kim stopped.

"Hey guys, I'm feeling a little nauseous. I'm going to get some fresh air."

The two waved her off as they continued to walk down the cabin hallway.

Kim was normally the one to push forward but for some strange reason she began to feel sick. She walked to the front door thinking that a bit of fresh air was all that she needed. As she turned the nob, a tall, sinister figure presented itself and stood in her way. She let out a single scream, and in an instant, her head was severed cleanly from her neck.

As it plopped on the floor, Dom and Sarah turned around. They saw their friend's lifeless body drop and a hooded figure walk into the cabin.

Not wanting to make a noise, the two quietly hurried into the adjacent room in full panic. Trying to hide, they heard footsteps. There was more than just one person.

There was a window in the room they were in, but to open it would make noise. They needed something to buy them some time.

Sarah trying to hold her voice with a face full of tears was terrified. Her entire body shook as Dom tried to calm her down.

Dom looked Sarah straight in the face.

"Sarah, We can't let Kimmie's death be in vain. One of us needs to make it out of here and inform the police. This is really happening and needs to be shut down."

"I agree, Dom, but..."

"Shhh."

Dominic placed his finger on Sarah's lips and told her softly.

"Look, I'm going to spoof them out. Take the footage we shot, and you run. Don't turn back no matter what you hear. You have to make it."

She knew she would never see Dom again. She had lost the love of her life and was now about to lose the only other person that truly meant anything to her. But deep down, she knew she was the only one who could do this.

She looked at her phone, still streaming as thousands more viewed online. Those viewers had no idea that these events were happening for real. To them, this was nothing but an elaborate show. But for Sarah, this was her lasting legacy, her show, and she had to deliver.

As Sarah mustered up the strength, she hugged Dom one last time.

"I love you, Dom."

Dom smiled back, "I know. Besides if this is a scary story Im not going out without a fight. Make it for us!"

And with that last sentence, he rushed out to confront the cult.

Sarah managed to pry the window open while not making a distracting noise. It appeared that Dom's scuffle with the assailants had worked. He had managed to buy her enough time for her to escape. It was up to Sarah now.

As she snuck around the back, she could hear Dom screaming as he attempted to fight the many cult members surrounding him. He knew his act was a pure sacrifice, but he did it for the love of his friend. One of them had to survive, and the authorities had to be made aware of what was happening in this cabin.

This was Sarah's only chance. Just a few hundred yards away was her car. She had to make it. She knew the timing was everything. And with Dom's final scream, she ran.

She tore through the brush like a frightened deer stalked by a predator. She was running as fast as she could. Not once looking back to see if anyone had seen her or even followed her.

She finally reached her car. She had made it. Losing her friends hurt, but she knew their lives wouldn't be lost in vain that she saw what she saw and had footage to back it up. She fumbled with the keys as she surveyed the area again. Nothing. All seemed calm. No one had followed her, it seemed.

She finally managed to open the door and jumped into the small car. She started the car, but before she could put it into reverse, a hand of talons grabbed her head.

"Where is my book?"

"I don't have..."

"I'm not going to ask you again. Where is my book."

She reached down and grabbed the book, and held it. The Talons let go and grabbed the book.

"You don't know what this truly is, do you?"

Sarah couldn't answer. Half of her was in total shock as she knew she was going to die. She just sat in the chair crying, knowing these were her final tears.

"I love to see you cry, Sarah. What? Surprised that I know your name?"

Sarah's crying briefly stopped.

The Masked figure grabbed her face and turned her around. She was now looking at the masked man directly. The Mask the figure wore was ornate, old, and ancient. It looked victorian, but there was something about this mask that seemed not of this world. It was as if the Mask could read her every emotion. Her every thought.

"You see, the problem with naive young adults nowadays is that you think everything around you is just a game. That the entire universe revolves around you. That everything is a show. Always trying to increase your influence, increase your likes."

The masked man laughed insidiously.

Well, if it's a show you seek, you shall have a show. Soon I will have all the items I desire, and then I will put on the greatest show this world has ever seen.

Before the masked figure could finish, Sarah thrust her seat back, allowing her enough time to open the door and jump out. But where would she go? The car was her only way out, and now as shy, lied on the ground covered in dirt, rust, and blood. All she could think about was the loss of the two people that meant everything to her.

Sarah reached into her pocket, grabbing the knife her partner Kimmie had given her on the first anniversary of their first date. Looking at the knifes engraving, it read. "I will always be with you as we carve our way to stardom" Love Kim. The knife was a symbol of their love and the plans they had to build a life together. One full of amazing streams and fun.

Tears overflowed her face as the realization that those dreams had all shattered began to soak in. As Sarah clinched the knife, she raised it to defend herself.

"And what are you going to do with that? Are you going to try to cut me? Do it, Sarah. Please do try."

The Masked man waved his hand, and Sarah slightly levitated off the ground.

"You truly have no idea what I am, do you?"

Sarah didn't care. She clinched the knife and raised it to her throat. Knowing that it was either this or being tortured.

"You are not taking me alive for your silly games.."

As she spoke those last words, she gently applied the blade to her neck. She surveyed the world one last time inhaling and smelling the trees and her surroundings. The fear had now gone and she simply knew that this was her only escape.

She gazed upon the masked figure and began to tear into her neck. Almost immediately the warm essence of her life began pouring out. She gradually slumped to the ground as the world around her began to fade. No this wasnt how her end was supposed to happened but she knew that this thing would have done much much worse.

As Sarh now lied on the ground the light in her eyes began to slowly flicker out. She knew this would be her final resting place. She gazed upon the masked man as he walked gingerly to her almost deceased body and before her final breath was exhausted the masked figure grabbed her face lifting her up off the ground.

"I didn't need you to die. I just needed you to fear.”

And with that final sentence he flung her body through a small brush nearby as he grabbed her cell phone, which was still recording.

Millions of her followers just viewed what had happened, not knowing if this was real or not. They sat in anticipation of what was going to happen next. Millions of Smiley faces and hearts, and likes filled the screen.

The masked man stared into the phone for a breif moment as thousands anticipated what was going to happen next.

And with a hideous voice the masked figure said staring into the phone.

"I will find my items and will see all of you soon enough."

And with those last words, the phone died, leaving millions of her followers wondering just what happened to Sarah Laughlin. As the days followed, local authorities put the town on notice. That Sarah, Kimmie, and Domanic were truly missing.

Sarah's Millions of viewers still speculate that she wanted out of the spotlight. That she simply wanted to settle in and live her life with Kim. That she had made enough money streaming to merely enjoy her earnings now.

This was something she had mentioned before on many of her live streams. Others believe this led her to fake her death to escape social media once and for all. But some still believe that the legend of the Curator is true and that the masked man is real. And what of those items he spoke of? What were they?

While no one knows what happened, the legend lives on. And somewhere a mysterious ad in the local newspaper of a few small towns began to surface. The ad read as follows. Wanted Driver to deliver rare artifacts to the Museum of Antiquities. Email for additional information. Great Pay.