Desperate escape

Chapter 21: Desperate Escape

The rumbling noise intensified, the ground shaking beneath their feet. Sophie grabbed Emily's hand, her eyes locked onto the detectives.

"We have to get out of here, now!" Sophie shouted.

But as they turned to flee, Sophie's eyes snapped back to Emily's. "Wait," Sophie said, her voice barely audible over the growing din. "I have to tell you something."

Sophie took a deep breath, relaying the shocking truth The Shadow had whispered in her mind. "The Shadow told me that Oakwood's founders made a pact with a malevolent entity," Sophie said, her words tumbling out in a rush. "They sacrificed innocent lives to bind the entity, but it's been growing stronger ever since."

Emily's eyes widened, horror etched on her face. The detectives exchanged grim glances.

The Shadow, sensing their fear, surged forward. Dark tendrils snaked around them, pulling them toward the door.

"Come on!" The Shadow's voice echoed in their minds. "I'll get you out of here!"

As they stumbled through the doorway, the rumbling noise reached a deafening crescendo. The house shuddered, walls crumbling as the entity broke free of its ancient bonds.

The Shadow's power propelled them forward, carrying them through the forest as the house behind them imploded in a blaze of flames and splintered wood.

They finally stumbled to a stop, gasping for breath as they stared back at the inferno.

But as they turned to thank The Shadow, they realized it was gone.