"What is that? What is that thumping noise?" Bonnie intoned in a loud whisper, her eyes adjusting to the darkness around her. Her anxious gaze moved from the kitchen to the front door. "Is someone trying to break in?"
Dixie turned around and flicked on the bedside lamp. Blinking the spots out of her eyes, she wiped her sweaty face and looked towards their kitchen. She could hear a faint beating sound as well. "I'm sure it's nothing. Maybe somebody upstairs is stomping or it's from the boiler room." She yawned. "Gosh, I'm so tired. That dream exhausted me."
Bonnie glanced away from the door. "Wait, you too? Did you dream about the book too?"
Dixie was about to nod when the faint thumping sound suddenly turned into a loud, hard pounding. Like that of drums beating.
Both she and Bonnie leapt out of bed, now fully awake and on full alert. Goosebumps erupted along their arms and they both suddenly felt very scared.
"Okay, what the hell is that?" Bonnie demanded, her fists tightly clenched. "Is it coming from downstairs or outside our door?"
Dixie being older entered the kitchen first. The pounding sound was quite loud. Had anyone else woken up from it?
Bonnie stepped in behind her. "I have a bad feeling. A really bad feeling."
Dixie's brows scrunched together. "What the hell?"
The drumming was coming from within their trashcan. The same place where she had tossed the paranormal book! The lid of the can was leaking light, as if someone had placed a flashlight inside it.
The sisters exchanged glances.
Dixie stepped closer and placed her hand on the lid.
"Don't touch it, D---"
Bonnie's words broke off as the lid flew open, breaking off completely. The discarded book soared out as if thrown.
The sisters cry out in shock, falling back with their hands raised over their faces.
The haunted book fell to their feet. The glowing infinity symbol pulsed like a living heartbeat as it separated itself from the cover and levitated over their heads.
The drums beat louder and faster as the infinity grew larger and brighter.
The room instantly became sweltering, triggering a panic. At this point, it sounded as if the drumming is coming from within them.
Dixie clutched her chest as a sudden sharp pain twisted her heart. "What's happening?!"
Bonnie grabbed her own throat as the heat made breathing difficult. "You bought a haunted book, Dixie! We're going to die!"
The infinity symbol expanded and dropped over them, trapping each sister in one of its loops. The knot grew tight and shrunk, causing their backs to slam together. A sharp current of lightning shot through their bodies.
They both shrieked in shock and agony.
They are continuously electrified. No matter how hard they thrash about they can't escape the hoops that have them in its vice.
Finally, it becomes too much. Both lose consciousness, their heads flopping.
Their bodies slowly dissolve into mist and get absorbed into the infinity. The symbol disappears as soon as it finishes devouring them.
The book falls to the ground and a haunting silence replaces the wild beating.