The Missing Link

027. Hallucinations, Illusions, Delusions

His heart pounded faster, each beat visible on his chest. He was about to calm himself when the hissing sound returned.

"Oh sh..." he muttered under his breath, grabbing his white pillow and pressing it against his ears as he curled up in bed, the blanket wrapped tightly around him.

He clapped his hand over his mouth to stifle his panicked breathing, but the hissing continued. As the night finally fell into silence, Zane began to mutter his prayers.

From under his blanket, he could barely see what was happening around him in the bedroom. He kept still until a shadow passed through the room. He clamped his hand over his mouth, trying not to sob as the creature's footsteps grew louder, coming closer and closer.

Suddenly, a voice came through his earpiece. "Zane," Raine called from the other side. "Zane," she repeated.

"Where- Where are you?" he answered softly, keeping his voice as low as possible, but even at that volume, his terror was unmistakable.

The footsteps drew nearer, and the shadow loomed closer, its presence unmistakable in the dark room. Zane's breath quickened, his pulse racing as the terror gripped him.

"I- I don't know what to do," he whispered, his voice trembling. "It's right outside..."

Zane's grip tightened on the pillow as the creature's footsteps reached the door. He held his breath, praying that it wouldn't notice him, that it wouldn't come any closer.

"I'm inside Mrs. Nuñez's shop," Raine replied.

Zane lowered his hand and kept his voice barely a whisper. "Please, call for help, Raine. Please."

"I'm going. I'll find your Auntie. She's just somewhere around the building, tending to some stuff," Raine reassured him.

"The creature's near. It'll take me," Zane whispered, his voice shaking.

"What are you seeing?" Raine asked, her concern growing. But there was only silence in response. "Zane?"

"It'll find me," Zane muttered, his words barely audible. "Whatever happens to me tonight... Please, solve my murder."

"What are you talking about?" Raine's voice crackled through the line.

"Please," Zane pleaded, his voice breaking. "Give me justice."

"Snap out of it! I'm coming with or without Mrs. Nuñez!" Raine shouted, desperation edging her tone.

The footsteps stopped, and Zane felt a presence looming in front of him. He stared ahead, his eyes wide with dread, as the hissing sound grew louder, closer.

"Goodbye," Zane said flatly, his voice barely more than a whisper.

A shadow moved closer, the footsteps growing louder, almost suffocating in the silence of the room. Zane closed his eyes, bracing for the inevitable, when suddenly, the blanket around him was tugged upwards. The bedroom light flickered on, and Raine's face appeared beside his bed, her expression filled with anxiety as she reached for his hand.

"Zane, are you alright? Are you hurt?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.

Zane's eyes snapped open in utter disbelief. His trembling hands grasped Raine's, and with a surge of panic, he pushed himself up.

"Zane? Please, reply," Raine urged.

"What the- Oh my-" Zane gasped, his voice trembling with fear. He scrambled to his feet, unsteady, and hurried toward the living room, pulling Raine's hand as they rushed to the long sofa, sitting side by side.