Malevolent Mark of the Midnight Mummy

In the shadow-laden corners of London's British Museum, nestled amid ancient Egyptian artifacts, lay a horrendous secret, 'The Malevolent Mark of the Midnight Mummy'.

It all started when the museum acquired a magnificent sarcophagus housing the mummy of a nefarious Pharaoh, Amunet-Heru. Harold, a senior curator at the museum, was highly intrigued and excited at this prospect of hosting the relic of such an infamous stature.

Little did he know, that the mummy harbored a horrifying disease-ridden entity within. One night, as darkness was wrapping itself around the city, Harold found himself lingering in the museum, studying the new acquisition. The air turned cold and eerie whispers filled the room as an uncanny mark appeared on Harold's hand.

The next morning, Harold woke up with a blood-curdling scream. He was visited by a nightmare of himself being cradled by gnarled, mummified hands. The mark on his hand turned into a gruesome scar, pulsating with dark energy. The following days led to numerous such inexplicable events, each more horrifying than the last.

Harold started to grow weak, the mark seemingly draining his vitality. His charm was replaced by a deathly pallor, and his eyes echoed tales of horror. Disturbingly, it appeared as if Harold was ageing at an accelerated speed. Museum staff whispered of an 'ancient curse', their eyes filled with fear and perplexity. Meanwhile, an alarming increase in Museum-goers reported experiencing strange phenomena, even acquiring similar marks.

A renowned Egyptologist was summoned, who after an arduous deciphering of hieroglyphics discovered a terrifying prophecy. The mummy of Amunet-Heru was said to possess an ancient curse, promising death by the 'Malevolent Mark' to those who dared to disturb his eternal slumber.

Desperate to save Harold's life and break the gruesome curse, the team decided to send the mummy back. The return of the mummy brought a wave of chilling events; dark hallucinations, invisible forces tossing them like toys, and everyone developing similar marks. The air was thick with despair and fear, as each person seemed to be on the brink of impending mortality.

Finally, after a herculean struggle, they managed to return the mummy, and as the sarcophagus was sealed back, the marks started to fade away. The relief was palpable, but the horrors they endured were forever etched in their minds.

Despite surviving this terrifying ordeal, 'The Malevolent Mark of the Midnight Mummy' marked a grisly chapter in the annals of the British Museum, solemnly reminding everyone that some secrets should remain buried, especially when they bear an ancient curse.

Weeks later, Harold, although significantly aged, was still alive. The mark had disappeared, but the scars it left behind were far from physical. He bore the heavy toll of the chilling fact that he had been, up close and personal, with death.

The museum had changed for Harold, it was no longer a place of history and curiosity. It was a haunting ground, a reminder of the times when he had come face to face with real terror. The screams that once echoed within the museum walls would now echo forever in his mind.