Ars lay in his bed, staring at the dark ceiling. The wind howled outside the window, bringing a cold scent that seeped into the room. There was no other sound, just a biting, oppressive silence, like something waiting to jump out of the shadows.
He pulled the covers closer, trying to close his eyes, but sleep did not come easily. Heavy thoughts filled his head, spinning aimlessly. There was something wrong in this place—something darker than he could comprehend.
His eyes slowly opened, and then, he heard the voice. Like a soft whisper, yet so close—too close.
"You... are not alone."
The voice did not come from outside, but from within the room itself. Ars straightened up, his heart pounding. He stared into the corner of the room, trying to see in the dark, but there was nothing to see except the dark shadows playing on the walls.
His rational mind rebelled. There was nothing here, could there? Nothing could have snuck in so silently. But even as he tried to remind himself, his body felt cold, and his heart sped up.
With a heavy heart, he closed his eyes, hoping to sleep and forget the feeling. But the whisper wouldn't go away.
"We're always here."
The voice was clearer this time, as if something or someone was standing right next to his bed. He opened his eyes quickly, but there was still nothing there.
But... something was moving in the shadows of the corner of the room. Something that shouldn't be there.
The voice sounded closer. Ars's legs felt frozen, unable to move even though his body wanted to jump out of bed and run. All the fear that had previously only existed in horror stories now felt real. Something—or someone—was lurking in the darkness.
Ars bit his lip, trying to calm himself down. Maybe it was just his imagination. But why was his body so stiff? Why was his heart pounding as if time had stopped?
And just as he was about to give in to his fear... another voice sounded, louder and clearer.
"You'll find out, Ars. You'll find out later."
At that moment, the room lights suddenly flickered and went out.
It was just darkness.
A darkness that felt deeper than before.
Ars held his breath, his eyes tightly shut. All he could hear was the sound of his own heartbeat, louder and faster.
Then, a light knock sounded on the door. With a sound that was barely audible.
However, he knew—that this time, the sound was not from outside. It came from within him. From something hidden in the darkness.
Ars did not move. There was nothing he could do but wait, wait for the night to pass.
But, in his heart, he knew: this was just the beginning