Ghost Behind You

1.12. Sudden Attack

Zach had already reached into the pit. Unlike Rose's usual methodical approach to crime scenes—donning gloves and carefully brushing away soil—he was digging like a farmer, his hands plunging through the dirt until he finally pulled something out.

Rose couldn't quite make out what he had unearthed, which only fueled her curiosity. She squinted, trying to get a better look. But before she could discern anything clearly, a strange sensation crept over her. It was as if something was brushing against her body—starting from her back and slowly curling around to her front, like a chilling caress from head to toe.

What's happening? Rose glanced around, seeing nothing unusual nearby. Could this be something supernatural? Suddenly, a sharp, musky stench hit her nose—the unmistakable scent of wet fur, like the animals she'd smelled at a zoo. The hairs on her arms stood up. Zach, still absorbed in whatever he had found, seemed oblivious to her growing distress. She rubbed her arms, trying to shake off the unsettling sensation.

But the feeling only intensified. It was as if the air itself had come alive, swirling around her body with an eerie, deliberate presence. The coldness seeped into her skin, and something dark and heavy seemed to wrap around her, squeezing the breath from her lungs. An invisible force pressed down on her chest, tightening like a vice around her ribs.

What is this? Panic surged through her. Rose tried to move, but her body refused to obey. There was nothing visible restraining her, yet she felt utterly trapped, her limbs paralyzed. Something unseen had her in its grip, and it was tightening with every passing second. Her legs trembled under the invisible weight.

She wanted to scream for Zach, but her mouth wouldn't respond. Something was smothering her, clamping over her lips like a phantom hand. Her arms and legs grew stiff, the frigid air clinging to her like icy shackles. Desperately, she tried to signal for help, but her movements were sluggish, the force around her growing stronger, making it harder to draw breath.

Her heart pounded wildly, the blood rushing to her head, pulsing painfully in her temples. Her mind screamed for her to move, to fight back, but her body remained hopelessly bound. The pressure on her chest became unbearable—she was suffocating.

Finally, Zach seemed to sense something was wrong. He looked up and saw Rose, her face flushed with panic, her eyes wide with fear, her mouth locked in a silent scream. It was as if she was being held captive by something invisible, unable to move or speak.

"Damn it!" Zach muttered, realizing the danger immediately. Dropping the object he had been examining, he jumped to his feet, raised his right hand in a sharp, deliberate motion, and shouted, "Break!"

Rose saw him rushing toward her, his lips moving, but no sound reached her ears. The invisible force around her slackened slightly, but it still refused to release her completely. She could barely draw breath, but at least one hand was now free. She reached up, clawing at the unseen grip around her throat and mouth, but her fingers found only her own skin, leaving deep, angry scratches across her neck.

Zach lunged at her, grabbing her hand to stop her from hurting herself. Then, with a loud, forceful yell, he hoisted her into his arms, veins straining with effort. He staggered under her weight, as if she were much heavier than she appeared. He carried her towards the bedroom, chanting something under his breath as they moved.

Rose felt herself slipping away. She gasped for air, but it felt like a boulder was crushing her chest, preventing her from breathing. Her vision blurred, stars flashing before her eyes. She was losing consciousness. In the final moments before her mind went blank, she caught one last glimpse of Zach's feet. Then, in the dim corners of her fading vision, she saw it—something black and furry, coiled around her like a monstrous tail. Her thoughts dissolved into darkness, swallowed by swirling lights.

And then, everything went black.