When I inherited my grandparents' mansion, I thought it was my escape from chaos. With my best friend Maia, I arrived eager to explore its grandeur. The estate felt like a dream-until Damien showed up. Damien, our neighbor, seemed friendly at first. But as nights passed, I started hearing whispers in my sleep. "I love you... You love me..." They grew louder after Maia left for a family emergency, leaving me alone in the vast, dark mansion. Struggling with the mansion's upkeep, I reluctantly accepted Damien's help. His constant presence only amplified the whispers and my growing unease. The whispers turned into sinister dreams, trapping me in a web of fear. __________ He raised an eyebrow at my panicked state. "I saw your car out front and figured I'd stop by with a little housewarming gift for you..." "Well, well... Seems like you're smarter than I gave you credit for." Ice flooded my veins as I turned slowly, following his line of sight to the dark interior of the house. There, framed in the doorway with an unsettling smirk, stood a ghastly familiar figure. No, it can't be... It was the same gaunt, hollow-eyed man I had seen lurking in the hidden room. "You..." I choked out, feeling dizzy as the truth crashed over me. How could I have been so blind? "I have to admit, I didn't think you'd ever find my little hideaway. But I guess I underestimated you..." His eyes bored into me with unsettling intensity. "Which is a mistake I don't plan to repeat."
58 parts