We stepped back slowly, every step a cautious shuffle, until the old library finally swallowed us whole.
The door slammed behind us, the sound echoing like a warning we couldn't ignore.
The lights inside flickered weakly, barely enough to illuminate the dust-filled shelves. The dim glow was useless against the Phantom.
I told the others to Check the shelves.
Anything could be useful. I'll guard the door.
They nodded, spreading out between the rows of dusty books. Each movement careful, quiet.
Their hands hovered over the spines, flipping pages with a mix of hope and fear.
I stayed at the entrance, phone in hand, flashlight cutting a narrow beam under the door. I wasn't letting that thing slip inside.
Then… I heard it.
A sound.
Soft. Fragile. Shaky.
A child's cry.
Ben froze mid-page, eyes wide and tense.
Ben: Please tell me that's not a kid.
Michael and Lisa stopped moving, listening, their faces drained of color.
Lisa: Did…did you guys hear that?
The crying came again, louder, bouncing off the shelves. It was trapped…desperate…real.
"Go check it I'll keep watch" I said
Lisa and Michael crept toward the sound, their steps careful and measured. Ben remained with his book, hands trembling.
The sobbing grew clearer, more desperate. Every note tugged at my chest.
Lisa rounded a corner and froze.
Lisa: Chris… my brother?
She ran to him, pulling him into her arms. Tears soaked his shoulder.
Lisa: I thought I'd never see you again… how did you even get here?
I kept my eyes on the door, my breath tight. But when Lisa raised her voice for a second, I glanced away.
And when I looked back…
The Phantom was there.
A tall, silent shadow forcing its way through the dim light. It didn't hesitate, didn't flicker it just existed.
It didn't attack. Not yet. It paused, uneasy under the gaze of the others.
Then, as if dissolving into mist, it vanished.
Everyone's attention snapped back to Lisa's "brother."
He didn't speak. His voice barely a whisper.
Then he stepped away from her and pointed toward a book on a nearby shelf.
I walked closer.
The crystal on my chest pulsed violently, light flaring brighter and brighter.
By the time I reached the shelf, its glow cut sharply through the darkness, almost burning my eyes.
Alex: Something's wrong.
I looked into the boy's eyes.
Black. Glossy. Predatory.
Michael: Alex… what's wrong?
I told Lisa… that's not your brother.
Her face drained of color, confusion and fear mingling in her wide eyes.
Then the boy spoke, voice trembling with a perfection that made it wrong.
Boy: Will… will you help me? I'm scared...
Every word felt fake. It mimicked emotions it didn't understand.
The crystal flashed again. Deep purple.
Alex: Lisa, don't get closed Ask him something only your real brother would know.
Her hands shook violently, her knuckles white, her voice barely a whisper.
Lisa: Chris…did you feed my dog, Cappy, this morning?
the Boy: Yes. I fed him today.
Lisa's breath caught, Her face went pale.
Lisa: That's not my brother… my dog died two years ago.
She stumbled back, trembling. We all backed up with her.
Lisa: If you're not my brother… then who are you? And what did you do to Chris?
The creature's expression twisted. Sadness, anger, hunger… all at once. Its voice deepened.
the thing: Sister… I'm scared… please… help me… I want to go home.
My hands shook, but I forced myself to stay steady.
I grabbed a metal lamp from the desk and swung.
The impact felt like hitting stone with paper. The creature didn't flinch.
Step by step, it began to change. Bones forming where none should exist. Skin stretching, twisting.
Until it stood before us
a human-shaped monster.
Its teeth were long, curved, sharp like tiger fangs.
The smile stretched wider and wider, reaching its ears.
It stepped forward slowly.
Fear tightened my stomach like a fist.
Ben: The light... they can't handle it.
He raised his phone, flashlight steady.
The creature screamed as the beam hit it.
Not burning yet, but fading. Its goo-like body pulled together, reshaping itself.
This was my chance.
I charged. The monster roared, snapping at me, but I didn't stop.
Punch after punch, it flinched.
Michael grabbed another lamp, smashing it across his head.
Ben kept the light focused, weakening it further.
Lisa stayed behind, trembling, mouth covered.
The creature tried to retreat, but Lisa gathered courage. She grabbed a massive book from the floor.
Lisa: Get away from us!
She slammed it down with all her strength. His head caved, face collapsing into a mix of black and burning gray. Its body crumbled completely.
Lisa staggered back, shaking.
Lisa: Are we done… are we done here?
Before anyone could answer, the crystal on my chest flared violently, pulsing hard.
A whisper brushed my ear. My name.
Everything went black.
We dropped unconscious again.