Bishnupriya_Parida

Aarav awakens in a world that defies logic—a place where time distorts, shadows move on their own, and the walls seem to whisper secrets. He doesn’t remember how he got here, but he knows one thing: he is not alone.

Then he sees her. A girl with piercing golden eyes who speaks in riddles and seems to understand the chaos surrounding them. She warns him—this place is not just a prison, it’s a test. And those who fail? They vanish.

As unseen forces close in, Aarav must navigate a labyrinth of shifting corridors and cryptic messages. Every step brings him closer to the truth, but also to something darker—a secret buried within himself, waiting to be unlocked.

The rules of reality no longer apply. If Aarav doesn’t escape soon, he won’t just lose his life—he’ll lose himself.

The Reflection Paradox

Aarav's breath caught in his throat. The thing in the mirror—it wasn't him.

It had his shape, his features, but its grin was wrong. Too wide. Too knowing.

The candlelight in the room flickered wildly as if sensing the shift in reality. The man in the chair—his perfect copy—didn't move, only watching Aarav with an expression that was almost… expectant.

Aarav wanted to turn around, to confirm that nothing was really standing behind him. But he couldn't. His body refused to obey.

Aarav's mouth was still, yet the figure in the mirror tilted its head, its lips curving into that unnatural smile. His heartbeat pounded in his ears.

"You shouldn't have come," the reflection whispered.

Aarav stumbled back, breaking his gaze from the glass. His pulse roared in his skull. This wasn't real. It couldn't be.

The man in the chair sighed. "You saw it, didn't you?"

Aarav turned to him, his hands trembling. "What… what is that?"

The man leaned forward, his expression calm. "A question I asked once too. But you already know the answer."

Aarav shook his head violently. "No. I don't."

The reflection behind him let out a slow, deliberate chuckle. Deep. Hollow. Like something ancient waking up.

Aarav didn't dare turn back toward the mirror.

"You've been watching yourself for so long," the man continued, "but did you ever stop to wonder… if something else has been watching you too?"

Aarav clenched his fists. "That's not me."

The man in the chair only smiled. "Not yet."

The room seemed to darken, shadows stretching toward him. And then, the lights went out.

The Smiling Shadow