After Haroku spoke about that old case… something inside me shifted.
Not suddenly.
Not clearly.
But enough to disturb the stillness of my mind.
Fragments began to surface—br.oken, incomplete… like memories buried too deep to fully return. Faces without identity. Places without meaning.
And among all of it—
One name.
Jason.
---
Next Day — 6 PM
We reached the school just as evening began to fall.
The sky was dim, painted in fading orange and creeping grey. The building stood in front of us like always… but now, I couldn't shake the feeling that it was watching us.
Waiting.
---
"Haroku…" I said quietly, my eyes fixed on the structure. "This case is getting more dangerous."
He glanced at me. "Yeah, I was thinking the same. We've handled a lot before… but this one—"
"—is different," I finished.
He nodded.
"What's the plan?"
I took a slow breath.
"Today… we don't run."
He raised an eyebrow.
"We stay," I continued. "I borrowed some old papers. Not as strong as mine… but they might help us understand what's happening here."
Haroku gave a short nod. "Alright."
---
We met the principal near the entrance.
He looked just as uneasy as before.
"Sir," I began, "the rituals happening here… they're real."
His face tightened. "Rituals?"
"Yes. And whatever is behind them… it's not ordinary."
I paused, choosing my words carefully.
"Those shadows… they're intelligent. Every time we try to approach, they detect us."
The principal swallowed nervously. "Then… do you have a plan?"
"We're working on it," I replied calmly. "And I'm sure… one day, we'll catch them."
Even as I said it—
Something inside me felt uncertain.
---
Old School Building — 7 PM
Darkness spread slowly through the corridors.
It didn't rush.
It crept.
Like something settling into its rightful place.
The silence here wasn't empty.
It was heavy.
Oppressive.
As if even the air had stopped moving.
---
"Bro…" Haroku's voice broke through. "You're too quiet."
I didn't respond immediately.
"You look serious," he continued. "What's going on?"
"I'm observing," I said softly.
He frowned. "Observing what?"
"This case…" I murmured, my gaze drifting across the dark hallway. "It's not new."
He turned fully toward me. "What do you mean?"
I hesitated.
"The name… Jason."
Even saying it felt strange.
"Feels familiar. Like I've heard it before… a long time ago."
I clenched my fist slightly.
"But I can't remember clearly."
A pause.
Then I shook my head.
"Forget it. We focus."
---
12:00 AM — Midnight
The world outside had gone silent.
Inside—
We prepared.
Cameras were set again.
Wires connected.
Monitors flickering faintly in the dark.
We watched.
Every movement.
Every shadow.
Every second.
---
Then—
Something shifted.
I felt it before I saw it.
A disturbance.
Subtle… but undeniable.
"Haroku…" I said slowly. "Something's off."
He turned instantly. "What is it?"
I didn't answer right away.
Instead, I stood up.
"Let's go to the ritual spot," I said. "We'll hide there. Watch closely this time."
He didn't question it.
"Okay… let's move."
---
We moved through the corridors carefully.
Quiet.
Controlled.
Every step measured.
We were close now.
Very close.
---
Then—
It happened.
---
A voice.
No—
Many voices.
Echoing together.
Loud.
Violent.
"JASON… JASON… JASON… SIR—"
The sound exploded through the building.
The walls trembled.
The air itself seemed to vibrate.
---
I didn't hesitate.
I ran.
Straight toward the source.
My hand moved instinctively, pulling out the papers.
Old.
Fragile.
But still powerful.
---
I began chanting.
The words came naturally—faster than thought, sharper than fear.
The symbols on the paper flickered faintly.
The air twisted.
---
"BRO—LOOK!!!" Haroku's voice broke through.
---
I lifted my eyes.
And saw it.
---
In the darkness—
Something moved.
Not like before.
Not like shadows.
---
This was different.
---
This…
was alive.