Laughter echoed in the darkness.
Not loud.
Not sudden.
It was slow—dragging itself across Devendra's mind like a blade across glass.
"Heh… heh…"
The girl stood a few steps away, her shadow stretching unnaturally long across the ground. Her head tilted slightly, as if she was studying him, enjoying the way his body refused to move.
"You really thought you won?" she said, smiling.
Her voice was soft—but the words were not.
Devendra swallowed. His throat felt dry, tight, as if even breathing was something he had to ask permission for.
"Why…?" he whispered.
"Why are you doing this to me?"
The laughter stopped.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Then she stepped closer.
"I won't let you go," she said calmly. "Not until you're finished."
Her eyes didn't blink.
"Not until there's nothing left of you inside."
Devendra shook his head. His legs felt weak, but his voice still came out, broken.
"I never did anything to you," he said. "I don't even know you."
She leaned down until her face was close to his ear.
"That's the part you don't understand," she whispered.
"You don't need to know."
He felt it then—that familiar pressure.
Not pain.
Not touch.
Just the memory of pain, pressing against his ribs, crawling under his skin like something that didn't belong there.
"You'll cry," she continued, her voice almost gentle now.
"You'll cry for me."
Her smile widened.
"I want you to cry for me."
Devendra squeezed his eyes shut.
And the darkness swallowed him again.