The Guardian of Silence

The story revolves around this old, eerie house on the hill, shrouded in all sorts of spooky tales and superstitions. While the children gossiped about strange lights and the adults thought the noises were just the crumbling building, the real action was happening in the basement, out of sight.

There, Elijah, the house's ultimate owner, a clockmaker who never died but was gradually transformed by a subterranean poison into a corrupt and patient being, trapped in a state of conscious decay.

Becoming the "Guardian of Silence," Elijah wasn't after blood or revenge; he simply wanted to maintain his peaceful, silent realm, his movements were as slow as ever, as he always timed everything meticulously, and he was utterly obsessed with keeping the house immaculateno mess allowed. His presence, like a shadow always lurking, remained in the shadows until the noise disturbed the peace.

When Lucas, Ana, and Miguel, all young, decide to challenge the house, the tension simply skyrockets, at first, they notice nothing strange, but then they begin to see some disturbing signs: an impeccably ticking clock amidst the chaos, doors closing on their own, and unbreakable windows. Elijah's footsteps are like a sure guide, leading them straight to the basement, his own little world down there.

There, the kids discover the true nature of their host. Elijah doesn't pursue them like a ravenous beast, but he "fixes" them, making them part of the house, and they simply remain silent forever.

One by one, the youngsters turn into statues, trapped in timeless silence, until only Ana has a clue about Elijah's true obsession: ridding the world of all the noise and chaos that disrupts his peaceful existence.

The story concludes with everything returning to normal. Elijah stops the clock, symbolizing time frozen in his realm, and the house is once again super quiet.

From the outside, the building still stands, and some people say they can see figures standing at the windows. They aren't ghosts, but they are part of the Guardian's enduring spirit, simply relaxing and waiting for the next people who dare to disturb the peace.