Echoes of Yesterday

Part 21 - Woods of Hunger

As I rushed downstairs, my heart pounded in my chest, the eerie silence of the house amplifying Maya's scream. I stumbled down the last few steps, my mind racing with possibilities—had someone come back? Was there an intruder?

When I burst into the room, I found Maya standing near the kitchen, her face pale, eyes wide in shock. Theo and Eric were beside her, looking just as confused.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Maya pointed to the ground. "I... I saw something moving, right there!" Her hand shook as she gestured toward a corner of the room. "I swear it was like a shadow, but it disappeared before I could get a proper look."

Eric immediately rushed over, squatting down to inspect the area. He ran his fingers across the floor, feeling for any disturbance, but came up empty. "There's nothing here, Maya. Maybe it was just your mind playing tricks on you after everything we've been through."

Maya shook her head furiously. "No, it wasn't my imagination. I saw it. Something was there."Theo let out a deep breath, trying to steady himself after the scare. "Look, this place is creepy as hell. Let's not jump to conclusions just yet. But we need to be cautious. We don't know what's out there—or in here."

Eric stood up, his eyes scanning the room for any other signs of movement. "Alright, let's check this house thoroughly. We're not taking any risks."

We split up, with Theo and Eric taking one side of the house while Maya and I stuck together. My stomach was still unsettled from earlier, and the faint echo of Tristan's face on my phone screen still lingered in my mind, along with the unsettling feeling of being watched. The more we explored, the more I couldn't shake the thought that we weren't alone.

As we walked through the narrow hallways, Maya whispered, "This place gives me the creeps. Who just leaves a house like this in the middle of nowhere? And why are the lights on?"

I nodded, my throat tight. "I don't know... but it doesn't feel right. Something about this place feels... off."

We made our way toward what looked like an old study. The air felt heavy as if the very walls held secrets we were not meant to uncover. Maya opened the door cautiously, and as we stepped inside, a faint smell of dust and mildew hit us. The room was lined with bookshelves, and in the middle, an old desk sat, untouched by time.

Maya walked over to the desk and reached for a drawer. "Let's see if there's anything useful in here."

She pulled it open, and we both froze. Inside the drawer, nestled among papers and old notebooks, was a photograph. Maya carefully lifted it out and turned it toward me. It was Tristan.

My heart skipped a beat. "What... how is that here?"

Maya's hand trembled as she stared at the photo, her voice barely a whisper. "This can't be real..."