Them and me.

Water splashed over the edge of the tub as Akena scrambled to get out, her heart racing in her chest. Each frantic movement sent ripples through the warm water, but all she could think about was the image that had flashed in the mirror. Something—no, someone—had been there, lurking just beyond the glass. The panic constricted her throat, and she hesitated, terrified to look again.

She managed to pull herself free, her foot slipping on the slick tile as she landed hard against the cool bathroom floor. The shock of the cold tiles jolted her senses, but the realization of her surroundings made her blood run cold. Mirrors lined the walls, each reflecting her wide-eyed terror back at her, amplifying her fear. She felt trapped, a prisoner of her own anxiety.

Summoning what courage she had left, Akena forced herself to face the nearest mirror. Relief flooded her as she saw only her own shaken reflection staring back, but it was fleeting. The haunting feeling lingered—something dark and insidious had invaded her sanctuary.

"Just a trick of the light," she whispered, trying to convince herself. "I must be mistaken… right? Haha, I'm just losing it."

With a deep, shuddering breath, she grabbed the robe hanging nearby, wrapping it tightly around herself as if it could ward off the chill that clung to her skin. She pushed the thought of the mirror from her mind and stepped into the dimly lit bedroom. A sense of foreboding followed her, but fatigue clawed at her, and she sank onto the bed, exhaustion pulling her under almost instantly.

But sleep was no refuge.

A sudden, blaring beep jolted her awake, heart racing. She gasped for breath, eyes darting around the dim room as shadows danced in the corners. A sharp pain shot through her neck, a reminder of her restless slumber.

"What was that...? A nightmare? Again?"

For three nights now, she had woken in terror, drenched in sweat, her sisters had gathered around her, their hushed whispers filling the darkness , the same whispers that she had been surrounded by for the first time at the start of this series of nightmares . Only Lily, the one who remained unfazed by the chaos, had dared to explain. "You scream in your sleep, Akena. 'Go away! Go away!' You wake us all."

Akena pressed her palms to her face, frustration washing over her. This was too much. The relentless cycle of fear felt suffocating.

Then came the knock.

KNOCK KNOCK.

"Who...? Probably Mother," Akena muttered to herself, her heart pounding in response to the sound. But her mother had told her to stay in her room. Doubt twisted in her stomach, a vine of unease coiling tightly.

"Who is it?!" she called, her voice strained with a mix of fear and defiance.

KNOCK KNOCK!

The sound escalated, a frantic rhythm that resonated through the wooden door, sending icy tendrils of dread spiraling down her spine. Panic surged, urging her to retreat, but curiosity gripped her. She approached the door, heart pounding, hand trembling on the handle.

Taking a deep breath, she twisted it slowly, peering through the narrow gap.

Nothing.

She slammed the door shut, breath catching in her throat. Relief washed over her momentarily, only to be shattered by the next round of knocks.

KNOCK KNOCK!

The noise morphed into a brutal pounding, a chaotic drumbeat that reverberated through her bones. Tears pricked at her eyes as she pressed her back against the door, her chest heaving.

"Calm down," she whispered, though her voice wavered. She locked the door and turned to face the room, waiting. The oppressive silence returned, thick and suffocating.

Then, the knocking ceased, leaving her in an unnerving stillness. Akena's curiosity clawed at her, the desperate urge to see who—or what—was on the other side growing stronger.

But the moment she exhaled, the chilling sound of KNOCK KNOCK echoed from the corner of the room.

Her blood ran cold. It wasn't the door; it was coming from within.

"Is someone there?" she whispered, her voice barely audible against the suffocating silence.

Silence answered, stretching on until it felt unbearable. Akena turned slowly, dread pooling in her stomach like poison.

In the corner stood the full-length mirror, its surface glimmering ominously in the low light. As she stepped closer, the reflection warped, shadows coiling around her. For a fleeting moment, she saw something move behind her reflection—a figure with hollow eyes, reaching out as if to grasp her.

Against her better judgment, she unlocked the door, heart racing. "Just a quick look," she reassured herself. Hoping to see a sign of a person's presence rather than the shadows that now filled her space.

With a surge of resolve, she opened the door and stepped into the hallway, the ominous click of the lock echoing behind her. Panic gripped her as she realized she had left the key inside