Chapter 2: Nightmare begins 2
Jack grasped the gate, pulling it open with a loud creak. The sound echoed through the still air, sending shivers down their spines. The friends cautiously entered the castle grounds, their footsteps once again echoing in the silence. The ground was uneven, the cobblestones cracked and broken. The castle loomed above them, its dark presence an oppressive weight on their shoulders.
Suddenly, a noise broke the silence. A faint, almost inaudible sound, like someone calling their names. The friends froze, their eyes darting around, searching for the source of the voice. "Did you hear that?" Laura whispered, her voice low and anxious.
"Hear what?" Tyler said, his voice slightly shaky. Olivia clutched his hand tightly, her eyes scanning the darkened surroundings. "Someone called our names," Laura whispered. "I heard it, too," Jack added, his voice taut with fear. The friends huddled closer together, their shoulders touching, as they strained to hear the sound again.
The voice came again, louder this time. It seemed to be coming from everywhere and nowhere at once. "Over here," it whispered, a strange hint of desperation in its tone. The friends looked at each other, their faces paler than usual. "What do we do?" asked Olivia, her voice a barely audible murmur. The sound of their heartbeats echoed in their ears.
"We should follow it," Jack said, his voice firm. "Maybe it's part of the game." The friends reluctantly started walking towards the direction of the voice, keeping close together. The castle loomed above them, casting long shadows that seemed to dance and shift in the darkness.
As they walked, the voice continued to call out to them, beckoning them further into the castle. It became louder, more insistent, the tone now tinged with a hint of urgency. The friends quickened their pace, their footsteps echoing through the eerily deserted courtyard.
They found themselves in front of the entrance to the castle, the huge oaken door towering over them. The voice was now a constant whisper, its words almost tangible in the air. The friends shared one final, uneasy glance before Jack pushed open the door, the ancient hinges squealing in protest.
They stepped into the entrance hall, the cold stone floor chilling their bare feet. Torches flickered along the walls, their dancing flames casting a dim, unnatural light. The castle was massive, the ceilings stretching high above them, disappearing into the darkness.
The friends walked forward, their eyes darting around, taking in the sheer enormity of the castle. A massive staircase led up to the next level, the steps broken and crumbling. Dust and cobwebs hung from the ceiling, creating a blanket of decay and abandonment.