The shadow twisted, as if considering her question. Then, a voice, deep and resonant, but not like the spirit that had spoken through Lucas-it was older, darker, like something from the depths of the hellish earth-echoed through the room.
"I am Ago...
As the lights came back on, a false calm settled over the room. The students began to breathe again, their hearts still pounding in their chests, but for a moment, they believed the terror had passed. Mrs. Marques stood tall, shaking but determined to honor her promise. The spirits had asked for their stories to be told, and she would make sure they were remembered.
But then, the room darkened once more-not the flickering of faulty lights this time, but something more sinister. The shadows seemed to grow longer, darker, and colder. An eerie wind howled through the closed windows, and the air turned thick with the stench of decay.
"Wait... what's happening?" Gabriel asked, his voice quivering as his eyes darted around the room. "I thought... I thought it was over!"
It wasn't.
The oppressive feeling returned, but this time, it was worse. Far worse. A deep, guttural growl emanated from the walls, low and rumbling, vibrating through the floor beneath them. The classroom seemed to warp, the walls distorting as if the very fabric of reality was unraveling.
Without warning, the door at the front of the classroom burst open with a violent crash, but instead of offering an escape, a swirling mass of darkness began to pour in, like smoke but more solid, more alive. From within that shadow emerged a grotesque figure, monstrous and twisted, its face contorted into a mask of rage and hunger. Its eyes glowed red, burning with a malevolent light.
"I warned you," came Agouro's voice, now more terrifying than ever. His form had grown into something monstrous-no longer just a shadow, but a tangible, horrific being, its body made of writhing black mist, with claws that scraped the ground as it moved forward. "Your time is up."
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The students screamed. Chaos erupted as chairs were knocked over, and they scrambled to the back of the room, pushing each other in a blind panic. Chad, who had never shown fear before, was among the first to bolt, his bravado completely gone as terror overtook him.
"We need to get out of here!" he yelled, his voice cracking as he slammed his shoulder against the window. But it wouldn't budge. None of the windows would. It was as if the room itself had come alive, trapping them inside.
Fatima screamed as another spirit appeared-this one far worse than the others. It was skeletal, with hollow eyes and skin stretched taut over its bones, its mouth twisted in a permanent scream. It lunged at her with a high-pitched shriek that set everyone's nerves on edge. Gabriel grabbed Fatima by the arm and yanked her back just as the spirit's bony fingers swiped at her face, missing by inches.
"Go! GO!" Gabriel shouted as he kicked open the classroom's back door, which led to the wooded area surrounding the school. "Run for the woods!"
The students didn't need any more encouragement. They bolted for the door, shoving each other in their desperation to escape the horror unfolding in the classroom. Mrs. Marques grabbed Lucas, who was still dazed from the earlier possession, and dragged him to his feet.
