a woman looking at a painting of a woman crying

Part 2: The HauntingPanic surged through the group as they pounded on the door, but it wouldn’t budge. The whispers grew louder, echoing through the halls like a sinister chant. “Help me… help me…”Emma’s heart raced as she turned back to the portrait. The woman’s eyes glistened with tears now; it was as if she were pleading for release from her painted prison. “What if we can help her?” Emma suggested desperately.Jake shook his head. “This isn’t right! We need to find another way out!”Ignoring his warning, Emma reached out to touch the canvas. As her fingers brushed against it, a jolt of energy surged through her body. Suddenly, she was pulled into a vision--a glimpse into Victor Blackwood’s tormented mind.She saw him standing in front of his easel, frantically painting while shadows loomed behind him. Whispers filled his ears--promises of greatness if he would only surrender his soul to them. Emma gasped as she realized that Victor had become a vessel for dark forces that now sought new victims.“Emma!” Jake