Morning arrived quietly, as if the world itself was hesitant to wake.
Soft golden sunlight spilled across the empty streets, brushing against the walls of small houses and slipping through half-open windows. The air was still, untouched… almost too calm.
The door creaked open.
I stepped outside, my name is Symen.
I paused for a moment, letting the warmth of the morning settle on my face.
"Good morning, Snibey," i said casually, glancing back inside. "I'll be back in ten minutes. Just going to grab some milk… and your favorite biscuits."
The door shut behind him.
I wasn't like other people.
I didn't believe in society's norms, nor did i care for its judgments. While others chased comfort, success, or love… i chased something far more dangerous.
Truth.
Not the kind found in books or conversations—but the kind hidden in shadows. The kind whispered by things that shouldn't exist.
I am a paranormal expert.
And fear… had long since stopped meaning anything to me.
The small shop at the corner of the street was just opening for the day. The faint smell of dust and fresh goods lingered in the air.
"Morning," i said, stepping inside. "One litre of milk… and two packs of my usual Ching biscuits."
The shopkeeper looked up and gave a tired smile. "Ah, Symen. Give me five minutes. The biscuit stock isn't opened yet."
"Alright."
A few minutes later, the shopkeeper returned.
"Here you go."
I paid without a word, picked up the bag, and walked out.
Back home, the silence greeted me again.
"I'm back, Snibey," i called out, placing the bag on the table. "Here—your biscuits. And one pack is mine."
I stretched my arms, exhaling slowly.
"First things first… I should call Haroku. This case feels… interesting."
I picked up my phone.
The call connected after a few rings.
"Hello?" Haroku's voice came through, slightly rushed. "Make it quick, bro—I'm about to take a bath."
"Relax. This won't take long."
I gave him reassurance.
There was a brief pause before i continued.
"We've got a new investigation. Countryside area. There's a school… something's wrong there. Students have been disappearing—specifically from an old building section. The principal's already shut the place down."
The silence on the other end deepened.
"Sounds serious," Haroku replied.
"It is," i said calmly. "Meet me at 1:30 PM."
"Got it. See you."
The call ended.
The day passed quickly.
Routine tasks. Cooking. Eating. Preparation.
By the time i locked his door and stepped outside again, the sun had begun its slow descent.
My car engine hummed to life.
"Done with lunch?" i asked as Haroku stepped into the passenger seat.
"Yeah," Haroku replied, buckling in. "Fully ready. After all… this is our 35th investigation."
"Thirty-five," i repeated. "Not bad."
I started the engine.
"Let's celebrate with pastry."
Haroku chuckled. "Deal. But first—how far is this place?"
"Forty… maybe fifty kilometers."
"Alright," Haroku said, leaning back. "Let's go."
The road stretched endlessly ahead.
Fields replaced buildings. Silence replaced noise.
And as evening approached, the sky darkened into shades of orange and grey.
Finally—
They arrived.
The school stood before them.
Old.
Still.
And unnaturally quiet.
The structure looked abandoned, yet it wasn't. The walls seemed to carry a weight… as if they remembered something terrible.
Something that refused to fade.
They were greeted by the principal—a nervous man whose eyes betrayed sleepless nights.
"Sir," i said politely, "we'll need someone to guide us through the school."
The principal nodded quickly and called for a staff member.
Inside, the atmosphere changed.
The air felt heavier.
Colder.
Even the sound of their footsteps seemed… wrong.
Haroku leaned slightly closer to me, lowering his voice.
"Bro… what if this isn't paranormal?" he whispered. "What if it's just a kidnapping case?"
I didn't stop walking.
"No," he said firmly.
"I came here three days ago. Observed everything."
I paused briefly, his gaze shifting toward the dark corridor ahead.
"There's something here," he continued. "Something strong."
The guide, visibly uneasy, pointed forward with a trembling hand.
"Sir… this area…" he stammered. "This is the scariest part of the school. It's always dark. I don't feel right here."
I turned to him.
"Relax. You're with us."
I glanced around, observing every corner, every shadow.
"Today, we're just observing," he added. "From tomorrow… the real investigation begins."
Then, as if remembering something—
"Oh, and the principal mentioned a house in front of the school. It belongs to him. We'll be staying there."
Haroku frowned. "You didn't tell me that."
I shrugged slightly. "Yeah… I forgot."
Time slipped by unnoticed.
Darkness settled fully.
By the time we stepped outside again, the world had grown silent.
"10 PM," I said, checking my watch. "Let's head back."
"Yeah," Haroku agreed.
"See you tomorrow," the principal said, it looked like he was forcing a smile.
They left.
Unaware.
1:30 AM — Somewhere Unknown
Darkness.
Not the absence of light—but something deeper. Something alive.
A chamber, hidden from the world.
And within it…
A voice echoed.
"Jason…"
Again.
"Jason…"
Louder.
"JASON… JASON… JASON…"
The air trembled.
Shadows twisted unnaturally along the walls.
And then—
A figure emerged.
A man stepped forward, his presence heavy… overwhelming.
He moved toward a throne carved from darkness itself.
And slowly—
He sat.
Silence fell.
Meanwhile—
The night seemed ordinary.
I dropped Haroku outside his house.
"Alright," he said. "Come early tomorrow."
Haroku nodded. "Yeah. See you."
The car drove away.
The streets returned to silence.
Everything felt normal.
Peaceful.
But somewhere, beyond sight…
Something had already begun.