The moment the door opened, the corridor changed shape.
Walls bent inward.
Lights popped one by one like dying fireflies.
Wind rushed through the hallway though no windows were open.
Riya grabbed Anaya's arm.
"It's starting again."
A deep vibration traveled through the floor.
Like a heartbeat.
Then the tiles under Riya's feet softened.
Hands rose.
Not bones.
Not skin.
Memory-hands.
Pale and unfinished.
They wrapped around her calves.
Riya screamed.
"Pull me!"
Anaya grabbed her wrists.
Sana joined.
They pulled together.
But the corridor pulled harder.
Riya's legs sank.
Her waist.
Her chest.
Her scream became wet and broken.
"Don't forget me!" Riya cried.
The floor closed over her mouth.
Silence swallowed her name.
Meera ran.
She didn't even scream.
The ceiling above her split like a zipper.
Darkness poured out.
And ate her whole.
Anaya stood alone in the breathing hallway.
The lights steadied.
The walls leaned closer.
The whisper softened, almost kind.
"You stayed."
Anaya trembled.
"You belong."