Amara's breath hitched.
It wasn't the same as before.
Before, the presence had been distant—pressing, watching, waiting on the other side of something she didn't understand.
Now—
It was quiet.
Close.
Too close.
Do you feel that?" she whispered.
The young man stiffened immediately. Yeah."
The other man's gaze sharpened. "Don't move."
That only made it worse.
Because whatever it was—
It moved.
Inside her.
Amara gasped, clutching her chest as a strange sensation spread through her body. Not pain. Not exactly.
Something colder.
Something aware.
Her vision flickered for a split second—
And then—
She saw it.
Not clearly.
Not fully.
But enough.
A shape.
Tall.
Distorted.
Standing somewhere behind her own reflection.
She stumbled back. "There's something in me—"
"We know," the other man said, voice low.
"No, you don't understand!" she snapped, panic rising. "It's not just there—it's watching me!"
The young man stepped closer, ignoring the warning from the other. "Amara, listen to me—focus. Don't let it take control."
"I'm not trying to!" she cried.
The thing shifted again.
This time—
It responded.
Her voice echoed.
But not just hers.
You opened," something whispered.
Amara froze.
The words hadn't come from her mouth.
But they had come from her.
The corridor went still.
Even the air seemed to pull back.
What was that?" the young man asked sharply.
Amara shook her head, trembling. "I didn't"
You opened," the voice repeated.
Clearer.
Stronger.
Layered beneath her own.
The other man moved instantly, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back a step. "It's manifesting faster than expected."
Manifesting?!" the young man snapped. You said it wouldn't cross over fully!"
I said it shouldn't," he corrected.
That's not reassuring!"
Amara's breathing turned ragged.
The cold spread further.
Up her spine.
Across her shoulders.
Her fingers twitched.
Not entirely under her control.
Make it stop…" she whispered.
Then push it out," the young man said.
How?!"
Same way you closed the door—focus on yourself. Not it."
Easy to say.
Impossible to do.
Because it wasn't separate anymore.
It was inside her thoughts now.
Touching them.
Shifting them.
You called," the voice murmured again.
Amara's eyes widened. "I didn't call anything!"
You exist.
The words felt almost amused.
Almost curious.
Her knees weakened.
"I don't like this," she said, her voice shaking.
"You don't have to like it," the other man replied. "You just have to control it."
"It's not listening to me!"
"It is," he said. "Just not in the way you want."
The presence pulsed again.
And this time—
Amara's body moved.
Her head tilted slightly.
Not by choice.
Her gaze lifted—
But she wasn't looking at them.
She was looking through them.
The young man's expression hardened. "Amara."
No response.
Amara."
Her lips parted slowly.
This world is smaller than I expected."
Silence crashed down.
That's not her," the young man said immediately.
I know," the other man replied.
Amara blinked.
Once.
Twice.
And suddenly—
She was back.
She staggered forward, nearly collapsing before the young man caught her again. "What—what just happened?" she gasped.
You tell me," he said, his grip tight.
I didn't—" She shook her head violently. "I couldn't stop it!"
The other man exhaled slowly, his gaze dark.
It's anchored now."
Amara's stomach dropped.
Anchored?"
"It crossed the threshold when you lost control," he said. "Not fully—but enough to stay connected.
Her hands trembled.
"So it's just… in me now?"
"Yes."
The word was merciless.
A hollow silence followed.
The young man looked between them. Then we get it out."
You can't."
We don't have a choice."
You don't understand what you're suggesting."
Then explain it better!"
The other man's eyes flicked to Amara.
Then back.
"If we force it out," he said quietly, "we risk tearing the door open again."
The implication hung heavy.
Worse than before.
Amara swallowed hard.
Then what do we do?"
For the first time—
Neither of them answered immediately.
Because there wasn't a good option.
The corridor felt tighter now.
Colder.
Like something unseen had settled into the space with them.
Listening.
Waiting.
Then—
Amara felt it again.
That faint shift inside her.
But this time—
It didn't speak.
It smiled.
Her breath caught sharply.
It's still here.
The young man tightened his grip slightly. "We know."
A pause.
Then the other man spoke, voice quieter than before.
There may be one way."
Both of them looked at him.
Amara's chest tightened. "What way?"
His gaze didn't waver.
"We take you to where it came from."
Silence.
You mean," the young man said slowly, "the other side?"
"Yes."
Amara's heart dropped.
You want me to go back there?"
"No," he said.
A beat.
"We want you to survive it."