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When Silence Breathes
Chapter 5 – Something Behind Him
Aarav did not turn.
He couldn't.
His body had crossed the boundary between fear and paralysis.
The breath against his neck was slow.
Wet.
Unnaturally steady.
Not human.
Every instinct screamed at him to run.
But his muscles refused to obey.
The room's air felt thick again.
Heavy.
Like invisible pressure closing in from all sides.
He could feel it.
Something standing directly behind him.
Close enough that even the slightest movement would result in contact.
Then—
A soft sound.
Tap.
Not from the door.
Not from the walls.
From the floor.
Aarav's eyes slowly lowered.
Nothing.
But the breathing remained.
Closer now.
Lower.
His heart pounded violently.
Tap… Tap…
The sound came again.
Right beside his bed.
Like fingers striking wood.
Slowly.
Patiently.
Aarav's throat tightened.
Sweat slid down his spine despite the freezing air.
Then—
The mattress shifted.
A small dip.
Something had placed weight on the edge of the bed.
Aarav's pulse exploded.
He still did not turn.
Could not turn.
Because now—
He felt it.
Fabric brushing softly.
Movement behind him.
Then—
A whisper.
Directly into his ear.
"So afraid…"
Aarav screamed and spun violently—
The room was empty.
No one behind him.
No one beside the bed.
Silence.
Dead.
Still.
His chest heaved uncontrollably.
Eyes darting wildly across the room.
"This isn't real…"
His voice cracked.
Then he noticed something.
Near the wardrobe.
A shadow.
Standing upright.
Not cast by anything.
Not moving.
Just standing.
Watching.
Aarav's blood ran cold.
Slowly…
The shadow began to move.
But the light did not change.