The security room fell silent.
Arjun kept staring at the screen, his heartbeat echoing in his ears.
"That… thing… was already there," he whispered.
The officer nodded. "And it disappeared the moment you entered."
Arjun's hands clenched.
"Meaning… it wasn't afraid of her."
The officer looked at him seriously.
"It was waiting."
Back in the hospital room…
Aanya slowly got off the bed.
The machines started beeping wildly, but she ignored them.
Her bare feet touched the cold floor.
Above her, the crimson shadow stretched further, almost touching her.
"Aanya…" a faint whisper echoed.
She tilted her head slightly.
As if she could hear it clearly.
"What do you want?" she murmured.
The shadow trembled… then moved closer.
Meanwhile, Arjun rushed back toward her room.
His mind was racing.
Aanya is not safe… or maybe… she's not the one in danger.
He reached the door and pushed it open.
"AANYA—"
He froze.
The bed was empty.
The machines were still running.
But she was gone.
The window was open.
Cold air rushed inside.
Arjun slowly stepped closer.
"Aanya…?" his voice shook.
Then—
A soft sound came from behind him.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Unnatural.
Arjun turned around.
Aanya was standing in the corner of the room.
In complete darkness.
Her face barely visible.
"How did you—" Arjun started.
But stopped.
Because something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
Her head was slightly tilted… in an unnatural angle.
Her eyes locked onto him.
And then—
She spoke.
But the voice wasn't hers.
"You came back… just like I wanted."
Arjun's blood ran cold.
"What… are you?" he whispered.
Aanya slowly stepped forward.
The lights flickered violently.
And on the wall behind her…
"And in that moment, Arjun realized… Aanya wasn't being haunted anymore—she was becoming the haunting."