Case 18: Entry 5

Well, the progress was great while it lasted. So far everything I've tried to learn more about whatever is in here with us has failed. I tried some basic rituals for calling up ghosts, and none of them have had any result. I tried some wards and rituals against djinns, and those actually did result in some odd noises and shaking objects but nothing I tried got a clearer reaction than that. There wasn't even the tiniest fire or shattered vase or anything. It was all very disappointing. I also went around taking pictures of the whole place, and I found some spots with unusual amounts of arcane energy that couldn't be explained by the house's defenses. However, when I took pictures of the same spots again there was nothing, so I can't count on the thing having a particular place it's tied to. Oh, and I'm pretty sure I've passed out at least three more times. As before, I didn't even notice until I realized there were blank spots in my memory. And I did it in front of Emily once. She says I fell over and started bleeding from my nose. Except that the blood was writhing around and it evaporated, which is all very unblood-like behavior. Oh, and she keeps hearing whispering noises and rustling sounds that get closer until they seem to hit the circle. So that's holding up okay for now.

I suppose all that's left now is to go back to research. And if that doesn't get me anywhere I'll have to call up Tina.

* * * * *

I am so, so dumb. There is no ghost, or demon, or monster of any kind stalking the Belmonte family. It's a curse, one cast upon Caleb Belmonte and all his descendants by the dying witch. That explains so much. Nothing I tried worked because everything I used was irrelevant. Mr. Belmonte didn't leave a warning note behind because the curse was bound to him just like the rest of his bloodline and he was afraid of doing anything that might set it free again, even something as small as acknowledging its existence (don't laugh, it's been known to happen). The misfortunes of the family follow a cycle because that's how curses work.

The bad news about all this is that my defenses are even less effective than I thought. The good news is that I think I finally know how to beat this.