Lost Realms

Whispers of Guilt

Content Warning:

This story may contain disturbing content, including references to suicide and violence, which may be harmful to some audiences. Reader discretion is advised.

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Si Autumn ay isang forensic pathologist sa kilalang ospital, specializing in handling mysterious cases and unraveling the truth behind deaths. One of her unique abilities is the capacity to communicate with spirits. Initially frightened, she grew accustomed to this skill over the years.

One day, Autumn and her friends—Reese, Caleb, Leigh, Tristan, and Kali—decided to go camping. They were all having fun until night fell, and at 3 am, ay nagkanya-kanya na sa kanilang mga tent.

At 4 am, a message from the hospital informed Autumn of the need for emergency clarifications regarding a previous autopsy. Without waking her friends, she packed her things and rushed to the hospital. Pagdating sa ospital ay nagmessage na lang si Autumn sa kanilang group chat para i-inform ang mga kaibigan niya sa emergency na kailangan niyang gawin.

By 6 am, after concluding the emergency meeting, her friends called to report that Caleb had been found dead in his tent. Shocked and saddened, Autumn suggested to the hospital that she handle the autopsy, but they disagreed, considering her and the others as prime suspects due to their last interaction with Caleb.

In the interrogation room, Tristan was questioned first. He stated that he woke up at exactly 3:34 am as nature called him, but he was half asleep at that time, which might explain why he did not notice anything unusual. He immediately went back to his tent after answering the call of nature.

Following Tristan's statement, the police announced that Caleb's death was ruled a suicide, which was met with disbelief. Caleb's family, unwilling to accept the initial findings, specifically requested that Autumn conduct the autopsy, given her reputation.

Autumn agreed and first reviewed the initial autopsy, which confirmed suicide by overdosed pills. Strangely, Caleb's spirit appeared, silent and staring at Autumn. With no other option, she initiated the conversation and asked him about his death.

"Close your eyes," Caleb instructed. His cold voice sent shivers down Autumn's spine, causing a sense of fear. She closed her eyes, and a sudden flash of memory revealed itself.

In the vision, Autumn was in a psychotic trance, tightly gripping her sleeping pills. A sinister grin stretched across her face as she approached Caleb's tent. With a manic intensity, she unzipped it and crept inside, her expression gleaming with an unsettling madness.

With a disturbing precision that bordered on obsession, she forcefully pried open Caleb's jaw and mercilessly shoved the pills into his mouth. Each action carried a disturbing glee as she ensured he swallowed every pill. As Caleb gasped for breath, Autumn stood there, coldly relishing the satisfaction derived from this twisted act.

The surreal scene unfolded with a chilling awareness of Autumn's actions, painting a picture of a mind teetering on the edge of sanity. Though she clung to the belief that she was merely sleepwalking, the vivid and psychopathic details hinted at a darker truth lurking within her subconscious.

Opening her eyes, she met Caleb's gaze. "Now you know how I died," he stated.

"You killed me, Autumn."