The door slammed shut.
The sound echoed through the empty building in Blackwood, sending a sharp chill down Elena's spine.
"Ryan…" she whispered.
But Ryan was already moving.
His eyes were fixed on the door, his expression cold and focused.
"Stay behind me," he said quietly.
The handle twisted slowly.
Once.
Twice.
Then it stopped.
Silence.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then suddenly—
A loud bang hit the door from the outside.
Elena flinched.
"Someone's there!"
Ryan stepped closer, his body tense.
Another bang.
Stronger this time.
The old wooden door shook under the force.
"They're not trying to open it…" Ryan muttered.
"They're trying to break it."
Elena's heartbeat quickened.
"Who are they?"
Ryan didn't answer.
Because deep down—
He already knew.
The banging stopped.
Complete silence filled the room again.
Too quiet.
Too sudden.
Ryan's eyes narrowed.
"That's not a good sign," he said.
Before Elena could respond—
The lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
Darkness.
The entire room went black.
Elena gasped softly.
"I can't see anything!"
"Don't move," Ryan said immediately.
His voice was calm… but lower now.
More serious.
In the darkness, every sound became louder.
Every breath.
Every movement.
Then—
A faint sound.
A step.
Not from the door.
From inside the room.
Elena froze.
"Ryan…" she whispered.
"I hear it," he replied.
Another step.
Closer.
Ryan's hand slowly reached into his pocket, gripping a small metal object.
His eyes adjusted slightly to the darkness.
A shadow moved near the corner of the room.
Not clear.
But there.
Watching.
Waiting.
Then suddenly—
A dim emergency light flickered on.
For a split second, the room lit up.
And Elena saw it.
A figure.
Standing right behind Ryan.
Her eyes widened.
"RYAN—!"
But before she could finish—
The lights went out again.
Darkness swallowed the room.
A sharp sound echoed.
Like something hitting the floor.
Then—
Silence.
Heavy.
Unnatural.
Elena's breathing became uneven.
"Ryan?" she whispered.
No answer.
Her heart pounded harder.
"Ryan… where are you?"
A second passed.
Then a voice came from the darkness.
Low.
Cold.
And not Ryan's.
"You shouldn't have come here."
Elena's body went still.
The trap had already been set.
And they had just walked right into it. 🌑📖