Click!

5. The Shadow Returns

The air grew eerily cold as Jamie stared at the reflection in the window.

A twisted shadow stood behind her—its form distorted, its mouth curled into an unnatural grin.

She forced herself to stay calm, taking a deep breath before spinning around—

Nothing.

The room was empty except for Sandra, who was now watching her closely. "What did you see?"

Jamie licked her dry lips, her voice low. "The shadow… it's still here."

Sandra's gaze darkened as she scanned the room. Other than the faint, damp scent lingering in the air, there was nothing out of place.

"It's either exhaustion playing tricks on you," Sandra said, voice cool and measured, "or—" she paused, her eyes narrowing slightly, "—it never intended to leave."

Jamie clenched her fingers, her grip tightening around her phone as she reread the unknown message.

[Your photos turned out beautifully.]

The screen flickered—

[But you look even better right now.]

Jamie's pulse slammed against her ribs.

It was watching her.

6. The Shadow's True Intentions

Sandra stepped closer, her expression grave as she studied the phone screen.

"It's mimicking human conversation," she observed. "But why?"

Jamie let out a dry chuckle. "Maybe to scare me."

Sandra lifted an eyebrow. "Are you scared?"

Jamie paused—then smirked. "Would it make a difference?"

Without hesitation, she raised her camera and snapped multiple shots of the room, scanning through each image.

And there it was.

Not behind them. Not in the mirror.

It was on the ceiling.

Its limbs splayed in unnatural angles, pressed against the ceiling like an insect, head twisted downward—staring.

For the first time, Sandra's expression shifted ever so slightly.

Jamie grinned. "You like being photographed, don't you? Let's play a game."

She switched on the flash mode—

Click!

A burst of light illuminated the entire ceiling.

7. The Power of Flash

The moment the light touched the shadow, it convulsed, twisting violently as if the light itself was burning it. A guttural, inhuman whisper filled the air, like a voice coming from underwater.

"It fears light," Sandra noted, her voice still calm. "But if it's just a shadow, it shouldn't react to a light source."

Jamie narrowed her eyes. "What if… it's not a shadow at all?"

Sandra turned to her. "Explain."

Jamie's mind raced back to the first photo they had taken in the old manor.

Back then, the shadow had been vague.

But with every glance, every captured image, it had grown clearer—

Closer.

Until now, it was no longer confined to the photo.

"This isn't a haunting," Jamie murmured. "It's a progressive manifestation."

Sandra's fingers curled slightly. "So you're saying every photo you took helped it materialize?"

Jamie exhaled slowly. "Yeah."

Sandra's voice turned sharp. "Then we destroy the photos."

Without hesitation, Jamie pressed delete.

[Deletion failed.]

The screen flashed red.

Sandra's jaw tightened. Jamie let out a sharp breath, a grin curling her lips.

"Looks like it doesn't want to leave."

8. Changing the Game

Sandra stared at the screen, then at the shadow's faint outline on the ceiling.

"If it fears light," she reasoned, "then it needs darkness as its medium."

Jamie drummed her fingers on the desk. "So we force it fully into the light."

Sandra's eyes flicked toward her. "What are you thinking?"

Jamie smiled—a dangerous smile.

"If its form is still incomplete," she said, "then let's complete it."

Sandra's gaze sharpened. "You want to make it stronger?"

"Not stronger." Jamie raised the camera. "Vulnerable."

Without waiting for approval, she began taking rapid photos—the walls, the ceiling, the corners of the room.

One after another, the shadow grew clearer—its limbs fully formed, its facial features coming into focus, its grin stretching wider.

And finally—

Its eyes opened.

Empty. Deep. Hollow.

It lifted both hands—not in attack, but in an eerie, almost… welcoming gesture.

Sandra's voice was unreadable. "You're done, aren't you?"

Jamie exhaled. "Almost."

She raised the camera one last time—

Click.

And at that moment, the flash burst out in an explosion of pure white light.

The shadow screamed.

It fractured, splitting apart like shattered glass, disintegrating into nothing but wisps of fading darkness—

Until the room fell completely silent.

Jamie lowered the camera.

The screen was blank. The photos—all gone.

Her phone screen flickered—

The unknown number had disappeared.

Sandra observed the room for a long moment, then finally spoke. "Is it over?"

Jamie blinked, a slow grin creeping onto her lips. "I think so."

She shut off the camera, turning toward the window.

Outside, the city was quiet. The night, undisturbed.

But neither of them noticed—

On the desk behind them, a single undeleted image remained on the screen.

And within the photo—

The shadow was still smiling.