Chapter 1:"The Beginning of Darkness"
It was exactly 12 midnight.
The streets of Karnal were eerily silent. A cold wind was blowing, and every alley seemed to be hiding a secret.
Aarav was slowly walking back home. He had his phone in his hand, but suddenly…
The phone screen turned on by itself.
"Unknown Number…"
He answered the call.
"Hello?" — his voice trembled slightly.
From the other side, there was only a whisper—
"Do you want to know the truth?"
Aarav's heart started pounding.
"Who are you?"
There was silence for a few seconds… then the voice said—
"Turn around…"
Aarav slowly looked back…
But no one was there.
Suddenly, a photo appeared on his phone screen—
It was his own picture… with a shadow standing behind him…
His body went cold.
"How… how is this possible?"
At that moment, the lights of his house went off all at once.
The entire area was drowned in darkness.
And in that darkness…
He heard footsteps approaching—
Thak… Thak… Thak…
"Who's there?!" Aarav shouted.
But this time… there was no reply.
Only a cold breeze passed by him…
And near his ear, someone whispered softly—
"Now the game has begun…"7
Chapter 2: The Game of Shadows
It felt like all strength had left Aarav's body.
He quickly turned around again… but still, no one was there.
"This… this is a dream…" he muttered, but there was no confidence in his voice.
He looked at his phone again—
The photo had disappeared.
"Impossible…"
Suddenly, his phone vibrated again.
Message received…
With trembling hands, he opened it—
"Run… if you can…"
Now, Aarav's fear had turned into reality.
He ran quickly toward his house.
He opened the door, rushed inside, and slammed it shut.
The whole house was dark.
"Mom…?" he called out.
No response.
He turned on his flashlight and slowly moved forward.
With every step, the floor creaked louder…
Creeeak… Creeeak…
Then he noticed something strange on the wall.
He pointed the light toward it—
Written in a blood-red color were the words—
"You are too late…"
Aarav's heart nearly stopped.
"Who did this…?"
Suddenly, the door behind him slammed shut on its own.
Aarav jerked back and turned—
And this time…
He saw it clearly.
Near the door… stood a dark shadow.
Tall… completely faceless…
And where its eyes should have been… there was only deep darkness.