The night was wrong.
Not silent — but watching.
Simran felt it the moment she stepped out of the cab. The streetlights flickered like they were struggling to stay alive, and the wind carried whispers that didn't belong to this world.
"Yeh jagah… itni khaali kyun hai?" she muttered under her breath.
Her phone had no signal.
Of course.
Perfect timing.
She pulled her jacket tighter and started walking toward the old mansion — the one she was never supposed to come to.
But curiosity had always been her biggest mistake.
And tonight… it might cost her everything.
The gate creaked open before she even touched it.
Her heartbeat stuttered.
"Okay… not creepy at all," she whispered, trying to sound brave.
Inside, the mansion stood tall — broken windows, cracked walls, and a darkness so deep it felt alive. Like it had been waiting… just for her.
She stepped in.
The door slammed shut behind her.
"Too late to run."
The voice.
Low. Dangerous. Right behind her.
Simran froze.
Slowly… she turned.
And there he was.
Tall. Shadowed. His face barely visible in the dim light — but his eyes…
Those eyes didn't look human.
They looked like secrets.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely steady.
He stepped closer.
Too close.
"Tumhe yahan nahi aana chahiye tha," he said softly.
(You shouldn't have come here.)
His voice wasn't loud… but it wrapped around her like a warning.
Or a promise.
"I don't take orders," she snapped, trying to hide the fear crawling up her spine.
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Achha?" he leaned in slightly.
"Phir consequences bhi handle kar paogi?"
(Can you handle the consequences too?)
Something about him was wrong.
Not just dangerous — pulling.
Like she should run…
But couldn't.
Before she could react, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the shadows.
Her back hit the wall.
Her breath stopped.
"Tum samajhti nahi ho," he whispered near her ear, his grip firm but not hurting.
"Yeh jagah… logon ko chhodti nahi."
(This place doesn't let people leave.)
"Then why are you here?" she challenged.
For a moment…
Silence.
Then he smiled.
Dark. Broken.
"Main yahan phansa hua hoon."
(I'm trapped here.)
A loud crash echoed through the mansion.
Footsteps.
Not theirs.
Coming closer.
Fast.
His expression changed instantly.
Serious. Alert.
"Hide," he ordered.
"Why should I—"
"Because if they find you…" he cut her off, his voice turning dangerously quiet,
"…you won't survive the night."
Before she could ask anything—
The lights went out.
Completely.
Darkness swallowed everything.
And in that darkness…
She felt something else.
Something not human
Breathing.
Right behind her.
"Don't move," he whispered.
But it was too late.
A cold hand brushed against her neck.
And then—
A voice.
Not his.
Not human.
Right next to her ear.