The Door That Led Nowhere

The darkness beyond the door was thick, endless, hungry.

Aarav hesitated at the threshold. His gut screamed for him to turn back.

But the girl? She stepped forward. Without hesitation. Like something was calling her.

Aarav grabbed her wrist. "Wait. We don't know what's in there."

She turned to him. Her eyes were wide—but not with fear.

With recognition.

"Aarav," she whispered. "I think I've been here before."

---

The Step Into Nothingness

The moment her foot crossed the threshold, the world changed.

The torchlight behind them vanished.

The stone walls? Gone.

Aarav felt weightless—like he was floating in an abyss.

Then—

A whisper.

Not the same one as before. A new one.

And this time, it wasn't calling his name.

It was laughing.

Cold, empty laughter that sent a sharp chill down his spine.

The girl gasped. Aarav turned to her—

Only to see her fading.

Her body, dissolving into the darkness like smoke.

"No!" He lunged, grabbing her hand.

His fingers closed around hers—only to pass right through.

She looked at him, panic flashing across her face.

"Aarav! I—"

And then she was gone.

---

The Room That Shouldn't Exist

The darkness didn't swallow Aarav.

Instead, it spit him out.

His feet hit solid ground, and suddenly—he was standing in a room.

A small, dusty room.

Old furniture, a flickering candle on a wooden table, and walls lined with portraits.

And the strangest part?

Every portrait… was of him.

Different ages. Different expressions. Some looking at him, some looking away.

His breath came in short, sharp gasps.

This isn't real.

It can't be.

Aarav turned slowly—and froze.

Because across the room, sitting in a wooden chair, was a man.

No.

Not just any man.

A man who looked exactly like him.

Same face. Same features.

But older.

And when their eyes met, the man smiled.