Page 99 of Corruption
“Jared?”
However, as I called his name, there was no response from him.
“I mean, Master,” I tried again, but still, there was nothing. A chill ran down my spine, causing every hair on my body to stand on end. I had never been a believer in intuition or a sixth sense, but at that moment, I couldn’t deny the overwhelming feeling that something was horribly wrong.
“Jared?” I whispered, straining to hear any sign of his presence.
I wasn’t alone. I was certain of it. I shifted my head slightly, attempting to locate the source of the unsettling sounds. Another creak, and I sighed in annoyance.
“Jared, I’m not playing this game again. I know it’s you,” I snapped, growing irritated. I was aware that he enjoyed trying to scare me with new methods, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. “Jared, come on. Let’s just get it over with. I know you’re going to hunt me again, so stop this stalking!”
Still, he remained silent, and I strained to hear any movement. I turned my head toward a faint footstep on the floorboard, my throat suddenly dry. Everything grew unnaturally quiet.
“Jared?” I whispered, my voice barely carrying any power.
Suddenly, a chiming sound filled the room. It was a light, rhythmic tone, alternating between high and low pitches, resembling a ringtone. I shifted toward the sound, my head leaning back, as if trying to see the person with me. My fear intensified, as if an alarm bell was warning me that something was different tonight. Jared hadn’t left in the same manner as before. This time, it felt as though he had been certain he’d return early. So, who was in the room with me?
The ringing abruptly ceased, plunging the room into an eerie silence. I held my breath, my body frozen and unable to move. As I waited, I heard it—the second set of breaths. It didn’t sound like the familiar breaths of Jared. These were deeper, more ominous, as if the person was preparing for something, perhaps preparing to attack.
“Who are you?” I whispered, just before the floorboard creaked again, and the stranger began moving closer to me.
To Be Continued…
