They were part of it. The kidnappers were working with Kalina, who was the one pulling all the strings behind trying to bring the Nightmare King back to live.

You know what picture I have of my dad?

[The one on his wall, the one with Pok's arm stretched out like he's holding someone but there is no one there.]

She is in it. Or at least, it looks like she is in it when you've been infected with her curse. That's how I first got on her tail, cause I could see her in the picture but nobody else could. Or at least, none of my friends could.