The light flickered.
Unstable.
Weak.
But in this place—
Even the smallest light meant something.
Aarav moved toward it carefully.
Step by step.
Breathing slow.
Eyes sharp.
The darkness watched him.
He could feel it.
Like something crawling just beneath reality.
"…I'm not alone here."
The words felt heavier than they should.
The closer he got—
The more the world changed.
The broken hostel began to fade.
Replaced by something else.
A room.
Small.
Closed.
With walls covered in markings.
Hundreds of them.
Lines scratched into the surface.
Counting something.
Or someone.
Aarav stepped inside slowly.
"…Hello?"
Silence.
Then—
A voice.
"…You shouldn't be here."
Aarav turned instantly.
Someone was sitting in the corner.
A man.
Thin.
Pale.
Eyes sunken deep into his face.
But alive.
Actually alive.
Aarav's heart pounded.
"…You're human."
The man let out a dry laugh.
"Not for long."
Aarav stayed where he was.
Remembering the rule.
DO NOT TRUST ANYONE
"…Who are you?" Aarav asked.
The man didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He stared at Aarav's hand.
At the mark.
His expression changed.
"…So it chose you."
Aarav's body tensed.
"…What do you mean?"
The man slowly stood up.
Unsteady.
Like he hadn't used his legs in years.
"I've seen that mark before."
Aarav's breath slowed.
"…Where?"
The man's lips curled slightly.
"On the ones who don't come back."
Silence.
"…Great," Aarav muttered.
The man walked closer.
Careful.
Measured.
"…How long have you been here?" Aarav asked.
The man looked at the wall.
"…I stopped counting after a thousand."
Aarav frowned.
"…That's not possible."
The man pointed at the markings.
Each line.
Each scratch.
A day.
Aarav's chest tightened.
"…You've been here for years?"
The man smiled faintly.
"Time doesn't work the same here."
Aarav felt that.
Deep down.
"…Then how are you still alive?"
The man's eyes darkened.
"…I learned the rules."
Aarav's interest sharpened.
"…Then tell me."
Silence.
The man stepped closer.
"…Nothing here is what it seems."
Aarav didn't respond.
"Not the voices."
Step closer.
"Not the memories."
Closer.
"…Not even me."
Aarav's eyes narrowed.
"…What does that mean?"
The man stopped just a few feet away.
Then—
He smiled.
Too wide.
"…You tell me."
Something snapped in Aarav's mind.
RULE 3: IF YOU SEE YOURSELF — RUN
For a split second—
The man's face flickered.
And Aarav saw it.
Not a stranger.
His own face.
Staring back at him.
Aarav jumped back instantly.
"…You're not real."
The man's smile widened.
"Good."
His body began to twist.
Flesh shifting.
Bones cracking.
Until—
He stood there.
As Aarav.
Perfect.
Every detail.
Every expression.
"…Then you already understand the game."
Aarav clenched his fists.
"…You're trying to trick me."
The copy tilted its head.
"No."
It stepped closer.
"I'm trying to replace you."
The air dropped instantly.
Aarav's heart slammed.
"…What?"
The copy raised its hand.
Showing the same mark.
But darker.
Rotting.
"…One of us leaves."
Aarav's mind flashed back.
"One stays. One leaves."
"…No…"
The copy smiled.
"You've already made the choice."
Suddenly—
The walls began to melt.
The markings disappeared.
The room twisted.
Returning to the broken world.
But now—
There were two Aaravs.
And the darkness…
Couldn't tell the difference.
⚫
The copy moved fast.
Too fast.
It lunged.
Aarav barely dodged.
"…You don't belong here!"
The copy laughed.
"I belong more than you do."
It attacked again.
This time—
Grabbing Aarav's arm.
The mark burned violently.
Both of them screamed.
The darkness reacted.
Shifting.
Watching.
Confused.
"…You feel it too?" Aarav gasped.
The copy smiled through the pain.
"Yes."
"…We're the same."
Aarav's eyes hardened.
"…No."
He pulled his arm free.
"You're just a shadow."
The copy stopped.
Its expression changed.
Cold.
"…Then prove it."
Silence.
The darkness stilled.
Waiting.
Aarav clenched his fist.
"…Fine."
He stepped forward.
"If only one of us leaves…"
The mark glowed brighter.
"…Then I'll make sure it's me."
The copy smiled.
"…We'll see."
And the world collapsed again.
🌑
Far away—
In the real world—
Mira stood in front of the Seventh Door.
Her glowing mark pulsing.
"…Hold on, Aarav…"
Her eyes darkened.
"…Because I'm coming."
To Be Continued… 👻🔥