Never before had silence felt so heavy to Lynette. Sophie’s hands trembled, and her touch felt icy.

  “Don’t be afraid… Do you trust me?” Lynette asked.

  “Y-yes,” the girl in front of her answered quietly. “It just feels awful… like I’m standing on the edge… and about to fall.”

  A knock echoed at the door.

  Lynette stood up, about to move closer.

  “Wait,” Sophie whispered. “Don’t leave me.”

  “Is anyone there?” a woman’s voice called from the corridor.

  Lynette tensed, her heartbeat quickening. She knew everyone in the mansion—but this voice was unfamiliar.

  Sophie’s hands clenched tightly, so hard that they caused pain.

  It hurts… Is she trying to break my arm?!

  “Calm down,” Lynette said, touching her friend gently. “I’m here.”

  Sophie seemed to come back to herself and relaxed. They sat in silence—until they suddenly heard the sound of ticking behind them.

  Lynette turned and saw a painting on the wall. It depicted a wall clock that looked disturbingly real. Its hands were moving, ticking steadily.

  How did it get here?.. Is the painting alive?

  “What the hell…?” she whispered.

  Sophie glanced at the blank canvas beside it—it remained completely still.

  The ticking grew louder, echoing through the room and inside their hearts.

  “Stay calm…” Lynette muttered. “Think.”

  What is the ghost’s goal? Why isn’t it attacking? Maybe it can’t?

  “You didn’t see anyone disappear, did you?”

  “No… I think you have to be alone,” Sophie said firmly.

  Taking a deep breath, Lynette forced herself to calm down. Goosebumps crawled over her skin, but she held onto her composure.

  The light grew dimmer, and Sophie wouldn’t let go of her.

  What should we do? Just sit here?.. That’s not an option…

  Suddenly, both of them felt a gaze upon them—one that forced them to act. Slowly and simultaneously, they turned in the other direction.

  The new painting was dominated by shades of gray.

  The image shuddered to life, its eyelids snapping open with an abrupt, wet sound. An eye appeared—huge, with faintly visible veins.

  It was enormous, pale gray, almost translucent, its gaze deep, cold, and piercing.

  The tear slid from the eye, continuing past the canvas without pause until it touched the floor. One tear followed another, each falling with a faint, unsettling sound.

  “This is bad…” Lynette whispered.

  She understood who the gaze was fixed on. The eye tracked Sophie’s every movement, watching her intently.

  Lynette felt a strange relief—the danger, it seemed, was not directed at her.

  The crystal-clear tears began to darken. Black stains spread across the floor, forming a vivid, living contrast.

  Strangely… I don’t feel that bad.

  “Maybe we should leave,” Lynette said.

  “Where?”

  “To my place. It’ll be better there.”

  It was a logical decision, but fear and despair intertwined, thickening the air.

  Stepping onto the floor coated with a thin layer of black liquid, they moved toward the door. Lynette led, pulling Sophie along. At the threshold, she stopped—something wouldn’t let her go farther.

  Cold sweat broke out on Sophie’s skin. Her breathing was shallow and uneven.

  “Why are you crying?” Lynette asked softly, watching tears stream down Sophie’s face.

  “I… I don’t know…” Sophie sobbed.

  Her face, filled with weakness only a moment ago, contorted with fear. She stared straight at Lynette, unblinking.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  No answer…

  The exhausted girl’s teeth began to chatter.

  Stolen story; please report.

  And then Lynette understood.

  She’s not looking at me…

  “Behind me…?” Lynette whispered, swallowing hard.

  Sophie gave a barely noticeable nod.

  I don’t want to see this! I’m terrified... but staying means death!

  Her legs buckled, her body swaying.

  “Do you trust me?!” Lynette asked sharply.

  “I think so…” Sophie replied, still trembling.

  They locked eyes, as if sharing a silent conversation.

  “Ready?”

  “Yes!”

  Dashing for the door, they threw it open and ran into the hallway.

  Their hearts pounded so loudly it felt like they might burst from their chests. They ran with all their strength—toward the stairs leading to the third floor.

  I can’t drag others into this!

  Sophie had lost her shoes, her bare feet dragging clumsily against the cold floor. Weakness slowed her, and the world ahead seemed to blur.

  In her mind, the thoughts echoed:

  I thought I was ready to die… but no. I have to survive!

  “Hee-hee-hee…”

  Footsteps echoed behind them, growing louder—and the laughter… the laughter was filled with a strange, blood-soaked joy.

  As they reached the third floor, Lynette noticed a girl standing at the stairway entrance, wearing a white nightgown that fell to her knees.

  Her sclera were black, her pupils red like flames, fixed directly on them. Her smile was bottomless—cold and terrifying. Black hair cascaded down, partly hiding her face.

  She’s just standing there?

  Instinct took over. Adrenaline surged through their veins, lifting the weight from their shoulders as if it had never been there.

  Behind them, a strange sound began to play.

  A quiet, slow melody—like an old lullaby, warped and distorted, its long, drawn-out notes unnaturally slow and monotonous.

  Once inside, Lynette slammed the door shut.

  Shit! We won’t escape! Will I have to leave her behind?!

  “Thank you…” Sophie said, catching her breath. “You’re the only one who dared to help me. Truly… thank you.”

  A childlike, innocent smile appeared on her face.

  I need to think of something… fast!

  “Tell me… what did you see back there?” Lynette asked.

  “A huge canvas,” Sophie said. “It showed a room filled with paintings. And she was standing in the center.”

  “She? The girl in white?”

  “Yes.”

  “And that’s the cause of your uncontrollable fear?”

  “No…” Sophie shook her head. “I think I understand what happened to everyone who disappeared.”

  The ghost’s power lies in the paintings. Every girl who left the mansion eventually disappeared—it was only a matter of time…

  “Wait…” she whispered. “That means—”

  Before she could finish, a new melody filled the air.

  "The shadows crawl across the wall,

  You hear a cold and silent call.

  Your heart is beating fast and loud,

  As darkness wraps you in a shroud."

  The voice was soft and alluring, carrying a mix of pleasure and tension, with a hint of horror that made their breath catch.

  "You run across the empty floor,

  But find no key, no open door.

  The silver glass is cold and deep,

  The trap is yours alone to keep."

  Each word grew louder, clearer…

  Lynette stepped forward, fighting to keep control of her body.

  "The final flame is burning low,

  No more the light you used to know.

  The breath runs out, the world is still,

  The void alone remains to fill."

  They knew the danger was close.

  The first quatrain represents the fear growing inside. The second — the trap. The third — death…

  A light sound of footsteps, as if someone were hopping, drew closer.

  "A fleeting life dissolves in night,

  Its colors glow with fading light.

  Your spirit lingers in each hue,

  Forever trapped within the view."

  The melody, along with the footsteps, fell silent right outside their door.

  I wondered why she wasn’t trying to catch us. I’m such an idiot… For this monster, the real pleasure is watching her victims struggle.

  “We’re trapped…” Sophie whispered, shaking. “You heard it too, didn’t you? We know what’s coming.”

  Why does her voice sound so calm?..

  “Please…” Sophie said, smiling. “Kill me.”

  Kill her?.. Sophie…?

  “What are you—” Lynette began.

  “I don’t want to become part of her collection!” she shouted, clenching her fists. “I don’t want to die! But… do I even have a choice?”

  Despite the pain, she forced a smile, holding back her tears—just to make Lynette’s choice easier.

  Maybe… maybe it’s better if I kill her, than—

  “Please…” Sophie said again, stepping back.

  Her eyes held nothing but resignation.

  “I—”

  For Lynette, the world slowed. She couldn’t move—only watch.

  Out of nowhere, a canvas fell, covering Sophie’s unsuspecting head. Lynette saw everything: Sophie’s body was slowly swallowed by it as it fell.

  And directly behind her, as Sophie vanished, a figure began to appear—the one that fed on suffering.

  She looked young. With each moment, her form sharpened until she stood at full height. Aside from her unnatural features, she looked almost human.

  No… How is this possible?..

  Lynette caught her scent—metallic and sharp, mixed with damp earth.

  Blood.

  The canvas hit the floor as if nothing unusual had happened. Sophie was gone—without a trace.

  “Hi-ha-hee…”

  The laughter was eerie—yet genuine.

  The creature, radiating sorrow and rage, approached calmly. Lynette couldn’t look away. She went still when the ghost stopped beside her, her heartbeat thundering in her ears.

  Why isn’t it attacking me?

  Lynette turned away, closing her eyes against the nightmare. Her body no longer obeyed; she collapsed to the floor.

  It’s okay… I have the talisman… It’s okay…

  The thoughts looped endlessly as sound dissolved into white noise.

  The breath of the spirit burned with cold, leaving the taste of iron and damp soil on her lips.

  “I like you,” the spirit said calmly.

  Opening her eyes slightly, Lynette saw the ghost step back, watching her with a faint smile.

  “What do you… want?” Lynette asked, rising to her feet.

  “I?” — the ghost touched her own cheek, feigning innocence. “I… love… breaking those… who fight back.”

  Her innocent face spoke the words with chilling calm.

  “W-what happened to the girl who was with me?”

  “Oh… her?” The ghost tilted her head, a slow, hollow smile spreading across her lips.

  “Tell me!” Lynette cried.

  “Mhm… let’s see…”

  The girl in white raised her right hand with a slow, near-elegant grace. Following the gesture, the canvas drifted upward to face Lynette.

  The painting was strange—pure white around the edges, and in the center something like the top of a head.

  “What the—”

  “Boo!” the ghost suddenly shouted, snapping Lynette’s attention to her.

  Looking at the painting again, she went rigid.

  The image had changed.

  Sophie stared directly at her, the muscles of her face twitching eerily. The expression on it could be described with one word: pain.

  “Fuck!” Lynette stumbled back, slamming into the closed door.

  “H-hel… p…” The voice from the canvas belonged to her friend.

  “What do you want from me?!”

  Sophie’s pleas would not fall silent…

  “You’re next,” came the reply—cold, emotionless.

  “Am I… next?” The words slipped out before Lynette even realized.

  “I will slowly…” the voice sliced through the air, “…with pleasure, break you. I will tear off your limbs and fit you perfectly into my pure white canvas. Your final scream will be forever frozen in the paint of my greatest masterpiece!”

  The spirit appeared beside Lynette and gently touched her shoulder. She fell asleep instantly, collapsing onto the floor.

  “Sweet dreams. Rest and gather your strength,” the pale girl whispered, looking down at her. “You’ll need it.”

  In the next moment, Lynette was alone. The canvas and the ghost had vanished.

  The room fell into calm, broken only by her quiet breaths.