Marked By Darkness

Chapter 48- The Unspoken Threat

I stood in the dimly lit kitchen, my hands trembling slightly as I poured myself a glass of water. The incident with the car kept replaying in my mind-the paralyzing fear, the way my body wouldn't respond, and the unsettling fact that Ruhan had once again shown up at the exact moment I needed help. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but my thoughts kept racing.

As I brought the glass to my lips, the silence of the house began to feel oppressive, wrapping around me like a thick blanket. The ticking of the clock sounded louder, and the shadows in the corners seemed to move with a life of their own. I felt the chill in the air deepen, but tried to shrug it off.

Suddenly, a voice broke through the silence. It was faint, but unmistakable-calling my name.

"Ruhi..."

My heart skipped a beat. The voice sounded eerily like mom's.

I spun around, my eyes darting toward the window that overlooked the backyard. I set the glass down, my movements slow and cautious, and edged closer to the back door. The voice came again, clearer this time.

"Ruhi... come here."

It was mom's voice, without a doubt. But something about it was off-it was too soft, almost distant, like it was being carried on the wind.

My breath caught in my throat as I hesitated by the door. Mom was at my aunt's house. She hadn't returned yet. I knew that for sure. So how...?

With shaky hands, I unlocked the back door and stepped outside into the garden. The night air was cold, much colder than it had been when she first arrived home. A shiver ran down my spine as I scanned the dark yard, my eyes searching for any sign of movement.

"Mom?" I called out softly, my voice barely audible.

But there was no response. The garden was empty, the trees casting long shadows across the grass, swaying slightly in the breeze. Just as I was about to turn back inside, I felt it-a sudden rush of icy cold air against the back of my neck, so cold it took my breath away.

My body froze. I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. The sensation was overwhelming, as though the very air around me had thickened and turned into ice. My hand instinctively reached for the pendant hanging around my neck-a small "H" pendent it felt different. Heavy. As if it was pulling me down, draining my strength.

My heart pounded in my chest, and my skin prickled with fear. My throat tightened, making it impossible to call out for help. I felt a presence behind me-a dark, heavy presence that I didn't dare turn to face. The cold breath brushed my neck again, sending chills down my spine.

Then, a soft whisper-so close it was almost inside my ear.

"Ruhi..."

I wanted to scream, but no sound would come out.

---

Upstairs, meanwhile...

Ruhan's POV...

I stood in Ruhi's bedroom, my eyes scanning the space carefully. My face was tense. I was looking for that specific thing. My movements were calculated, cautious. I walked toward the nightstand, my gaze lingering on a stack of books, then shifted toward the wardrobe.

I was about to open the wardrobe when something stopped me-a giggle. It was faint, but unmistakable, and it came from right behind me.

My body stiffened. Slowly, I turned around, but there was nothing there. The room was empty, the shadows still, but I could feel it-someone was watching me. I could feel someone's presence. Like a familiar presence.

Then, the whisper came, low and mocking.

"Why are you here?"

The voice was soft but chilling, sending a shiver down my spine. I glanced around the room, my eyes narrowing, searching for the source of the voice. But I found nothing, only the eerie silence and the growing sense that I wasn't alone.

Suddenly, the door to the room creaked, just barely moving. My hand clenched into a fist as I took a step back, my mind racing. I had sensed something was off in this house the moment I arrived, but this was different. This was something I hadn't anticipated.

The air in the room grew heavy, almost suffocating, as if the walls themselves were closing in. And then, another whisper.

"You shouldn't have come."

And suddenly I heard Ruhi screaming for help.

---

Back downstairs...

Ruhi's POV...

My body was still locked in place, my feet rooted to the ground as the cold presence pressed in around me. My chest tightened with fear, my mind screaming at me to move, to turn around, to run- and just then the word ''help'' came out of my mouth. My necklace felt impossibly heavy now, pulling me down like an anchor.

Then, suddenly, the cold lifted. The presence was gone as quickly as it had appeared. I gasped for breath, my legs trembling beneath my. I stumbled backward, nearly falling, and rushed back inside the house, slamming the door behind me.

My heart raced as I leaned against the door, trying to calm myself, but the feeling of dread lingered.

Something was wrong. Very wrong.

I had to tell Ruhan.

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This chapter builds up the tension with supernatural elements and deepens the mystery surrounding Ruhi's experiences.