Shadows & Screams

Chapter 3; Whispering from the asylum

The group stood frozen outside the locked door of the asylum's forbidden wing, their ears straining to catch every whispered word from beyond. Although they couldn't make out what was being said, they knew instinctively that it was a message meant only for them. Willow's heart pounded in her chest, and she glanced nervously at her companions, searching for a sign of what to do next. Raven, always the bravest of the group, stepped forward and examined the door more closely, her fingers tracing the rusted metal edges. "We have to get in there," she said, her voice low and determined. "Whatever or whoever is trying to communicate with us, they might be the key to solving this mystery."

With a determined nod, Raven stepped back from the door and pulled out a set of lock-picking tools from her backpack. She had taught herself this skill years ago, in case she ever found herself in situations just like this. The other members of the group watched her intently as she worked, the sound of her tools scraping against the lock echoing through the quiet hallway. After a few tense moments, the lock finally clicked open, and the door creaked slowly inward. The group held their breath, unsure of what they would find on the other side.

As they stepped into the dimly lit room, the musty smell of old papers and rotting wood filled their nostrils. Shadows danced on the walls, cast by flickering candles on a large table in the center of the room. Scrolls, books, and maps were spread out haphazardly on the table, their contents spilling haphazardly onto the floor. The group approached the table with cautious steps, their eyes scanning the contents for any clues that might help them solve the dark mystery surrounding the asylum. But as they drew closer, they realized that something wasn't quite right - the maps were drawn in an ancient language that nobody could decipher, and the books were bound in human skin.

The sight of the books made Willow's stomach churn, and she stumbled backwards, away from the table. "This is disgusting," she whispered, her eyes wide with horror. "Who would do something like this?" Raven didn't answer, her attention drawn to something on the far side of the room. With a sudden movement, she strode across the room and knelt down by a small iron chest that was hidden beneath a pile of decaying cloth. The rest of the group followed her, curiosity overcoming their disgust. Raven ran her fingers over the rusted lock before pulling out her trusty set of lock-picking tools once again.