Requiem

Chapter Three: Presence

Chapter Three: Presence

Mikaa’s POV

After what happened , strange dream began the next night, creeping in just as I had finally drifted off to sleep. In the dream, a beautiful woman appeared, ethereal and graceful, with long flowing hair that shimmered like the night sky. She looked just like me, as if she were my reflection, yet she radiated an otherworldly aura that was impossible to ignore.

“Mikaa,” she called softly, her voice a soothing melody that resonated deep within my soul. “Beware the shadows. Danger lurks where you least expect it.”

Her expression was earnest, filled with a blend of fear and urgency. As she reached out toward me, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and loss, but just as I began to comprehend her warning, the dream faded, and I jolted awake, heart racing and covered in sweat.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of her warning pressing down on me. Who was she? What did she mean by shadows and danger? As the dawn light crept through the window, I resolved to uncover the meaning behind her message.

°•°•°

After breakfast, the group gathered in the living room, their faces still shadowed by sleep. Kenjie was animated, his enthusiasm a stark contrast to the heaviness in my chest. “So, what’s the plan for today?” he asked, his bright eyes scanning our faces.

I cleared my throat, hesitant to share my dream. “I think we should explore more of the mansion. We need to gather more material for our project. There has to be something in this place that can help us understand… well, everything.”

“Sounds good to me!” Chris replied, grabbing his camera with a determined grin. “There has to be something cool in this place we haven’t discovered yet.”

As we ventured deeper into the mansion, an unease settled over me, intertwining with the curiosity that had driven us here. I felt a strange pull towards the library, an inexplicable urge urging me to uncover its secrets.

When we stepped inside, the dim light barely illuminated the room’s corners, but it felt charged with a mysterious energy. An old chest nestled in the corner, partially hidden beneath a tattered, dust-covered sheet, drew my attention.

“What’s this?” I asked, my fingers brushing against the fabric, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Looks like a treasure chest,” Jharine joked, stepping closer. “Or maybe it’s just filled with more dust bunnies. What do you think, Mikaa? Is this where you keep your secrets?”

“Oh, definitely!” I shot back with a smirk. “I keep all my embarrassing childhood photos in there. Want to take a look?”

“Please don’t!” Kenjie interjected with mock horror, covering his eyes. “I’m not ready to see those yet!”

As we gathered around the chest, Kylene crouched down, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Let’s see what’s inside!”

With a firm tug, I pulled the sheet away, revealing the intricately carved wooden chest. It was heavier than it appeared, and the lock was rusty, but with a little effort, I managed to pry it open. Inside, we found a stack of old journals and a collection of faded photographs, the pages yellowed with age.

Chris immediately pulled out a photograph, holding it up for all to see. “Whoa, check this out!”

The image was of a woman dressed in elegant attire, standing in front of the very mansion we were exploring. Her dark hair framed a face that was hauntingly familiar. “Isn’t that—?” I started, but the words caught in my throat.