★ＨＡＵＮＴＥＤ ＭＡＮＳＩＯＮ★

★63

over him. Jaxon burst into the small town, his heart racing as he stumbled onto the main street, where the warm glow of streetlights flickered against the encroaching darkness. He could see people milling about—couples walking hand in hand, a group of teenagers laughing, and an elderly man sitting on a bench—none of them aware of the horror he had just escaped.

"Help! Somebody, please!" he shouted, his voice hoarse from panic and exertion. The laughter and chatter faded as people turned to stare at him, their faces a mix of confusion and concern.

A woman with a concerned expression stepped forward. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" she asked, her brow furrowing.

Jaxon shook his head violently, trying to catch his breath. "I need help! There's something... something in that house! It's—"

Before he could finish, a heavy silence fell over the street. The laughter ceased, and the townspeople exchanged wary glances. The woman took a step back, her eyes widening with fear.

"What house? You mean the old Pittsburgh mansion?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"Yes! That place is haunted! I saw it! My friends—" His words came out in a rush, desperation clawing at his throat. "You have to believe me! It's dangerous!"

The elderly man on the bench slowly shook his head. "You shouldn't have gone there, son. That place is cursed. People have gone missing from there for years."

"But my friends!" Jaxon shouted, panic rising in his chest. "They're still inside! We have to go back!"

The townspeople's expressions hardened, their disbelief palpable. The woman stepped back, glancing at the others, her voice low and steady. "No one goes near that house anymore. It's too late for them."

Jaxon felt his stomach drop as despair washed over him. "You don't understand! They're in danger!"

Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath his feet. The air grew thick with an unnatural chill, and the townspeople looked around in alarm, confusion etched on their faces. Jaxon turned, feeling the oppressive darkness creeping closer, the memories of Amber and Tayla flashing through his mind.

"Please! You have to help me! We can't let it take anyone else!" he begged, but the crowd was already dispersing, fear driving them away.

Feeling abandoned and desperate, Jaxon stumbled to a nearby payphone, fumbling with the buttons as his fingers trembled. He dialed 911, praying someone would believe him. "Help! There's something wrong at the Pittsburgh mansion! Please, you have to send someone!"

The operator's voice came through, calm but distant. "What's the emergency? Please describe your location."

As Jaxon shouted out his location, the ground shook violently again, and he could feel the familiar darkness closing in, just outside the town's edge. He hung up,