Aarav's body went numb.
The voice had come from behind him.
Inside the room.
Impossible.
Slowly…
Very slowly…
He turned.
Nothing.
Empty darkness.
Still air.
Silent walls.
His chest heaved violently.
"No… no… no…"
Then—
BREATH.
Warm air brushed against his neck.
Aarav's heart nearly stopped.
He spun again—
The light flickered.
Once.
Twice.
And died.
Darkness swallowed the room.
Complete.
Suffocating.
He couldn't see.
But he could hear.
Breathing.
Not his own.
Slow.
Heavy.
Standing inches away.
"Aarav…"
The voice now sounded clearer.
Closer.
Almost… amused.
Something moved beside him.
Soft fabric shifting.
Weight pressing into the mattress.
Someone had sat on his bed.
Aarav's blood ran cold.
He couldn't move.
Couldn't scream.
Then—
The mattress slowly dipped deeper.
As if something leaned closer.
"Aarav…"
A hand touched his face.
Freezing.