The Cursed Counter: Whispers from Beyond

In the heart of the bustling Rouge department store, where the mirrors shone bright and the makeup counters beckoned with their sparkling displays, there was a particular counter that stood apart. It was known simply as "The Cursed Counter," a title whispered among the staff rather than spoken aloud. The counter was where the most expensive and exclusive makeup lines were showcased, but it had a reputation that was as mysterious as it was terrifying.

Elaine had been working at Rouge for years, her expertise with makeup and her infectious personality making her a favorite among customers. She was assigned to The Cursed Counter, and at first, she felt a thrill of excitement. It was a prestigious posting, after all, a chance to handle the latest and greatest beauty products. But as the days turned into weeks, a strange sense of dread began to settle over her.

The customers who visited the counter seemed to be more interested in the stories attached to it than in the makeup itself. They spoke of cold drafts, ghostly whispers, and a feeling of being watched. Elaine dismissed the stories as mere superstition, until one evening, as she was cleaning the counter, she heard a faint voice calling her name.

"Elaine..."

Startled, she spun around, but there was no one there. She laughed it off, attributing it to the stress of her job. Yet, the voice returned, more insistent, more haunting. "Elaine, you must find the way to break this curse."

Confused and frightened, Elaine sought out her supervisor, who assured her that it was all in her mind. But the voices grew louder, more desperate, until they became a constant presence, echoing through the counter like a siren's call.

One night, as she was alone in the store, Elaine felt a chill unlike any she had ever experienced. The lights flickered, and she heard the counter itself creak and groan as if it were alive. She approached the counter, her hand trembling as she ran it over the surface, searching for something, anything, that might explain the curse.

Suddenly, the counter's surface began to glow faintly, revealing a hidden compartment. Inside was a small, ornate box, its surface etched with strange symbols and symbols. Elaine's heart raced as she opened the box and found a piece of paper with an old, faded note inside.

The note read: "The curse is not upon this counter, but upon the woman who serves it. She must find the true heart of Rouge to break the curse and end the hauntings."

Elaine realized that the curse was personal, directed at her. She was determined to find the "true heart of Rouge," whatever that might be. Her search led her through the labyrinthine aisles of the store, to the dusty backrooms, and even to the old Rouge factory, which had long since closed.

In the factory, she discovered a forgotten museum, its exhibits filled with relics of Rouge's history. Among them was a portrait of the store's founder, a woman named Isabella Rouge. Elaine noticed that Isabella's eyes seemed to follow her, and a chill ran down her spine.

As she examined the portrait, she noticed a hidden compartment behind it. Inside was another note, this one addressed to Isabella's descendants. It spoke of a promise made by Isabella to protect Rouge from those who would seek to harm it. The note also mentioned a secret room within the factory, where the true heart of Rouge lay hidden.

Elaine's heart pounded as she followed the clues, her mind racing with the possibility that she was the chosen one to break the curse. She found the secret room, its walls lined with old, leather-bound books and artifacts. In the center of the room stood a pedestal, upon which rested a small, ornate box.

As Elaine reached out to touch the box, the walls of the room seemed to glow with an otherworldly light. The voices from the counter grew louder, more desperate, as if they were trying to warn her. But she pressed on, her fingers brushing against the cool surface of the box.

The box opened, revealing a single, perfect rose. As Elaine took the rose in her hand, the room's light dimmed, and the voices fell silent. She felt a surge of energy, as if the curse had been lifted from her and from Rouge.

She returned to the counter, the rose in her hand, and felt a strange sense of peace. The customers who had come to seek out the cursed counter no longer felt the haunting presence, and Elaine was able to return to her work without the fear that had gripped her for so long.

The Cursed Counter remained a place of intrigue and mystery, but it was no longer haunted. Elaine had found the true heart of Rouge, and with it, she had broken the curse that had bound it. The voices had stopped, the cold drafts had vanished, and the whispers from beyond had finally been silenced.

But as she stood before the counter, she couldn't help but wonder what other secrets lay hidden within the walls of Rouge, and if she would ever have to face the supernatural again.