Story 974: Whispers of the Hollow

The house breathed. Shadows coiled along the warped wooden walls, shifting like living things. The Forsaken Girl stood in the center, her hollow eyes locked onto Mira.

"Your nightmares," she repeated, her voice too calm, too knowing. "Give them to me, and I will give you the truth."

Draven’s grip on his revolver tightened. "Not happening."

The girl’s head tilted unnaturally. "You think you have a choice?"

The house lurched, throwing them off balance. The floor split apart, revealing a chasm of writhing figures beneath—their faces twisted in silent screams, their arms reaching.

Mira gasped, staggering back. The cursed book in her hands burned cold. She could feel its pages trembling, as if the Hollow Man himself was listening.

Elias pulled a knife from his belt, his voice low. "Mira, I don’t like this. Whatever she is—"

The girl laughed. It was a sound that didn’t belong in this world.

"You fear me, but you should fear what follows you more."