Visions in the Dark (Part 4 – The Search for Dr. Varman)

Maya sat in her car, staring at the news article about Dr. Elias Varman.

A renowned neurosurgeon and researcher. Disappeared two years ago. Vanished without a trace.

Her fingers tightened around her phone. If anyone could explain what was happening to her, it was him.

But where was he?

The First Clue

She scrolled through more articles, looking for any hint of his last known whereabouts. Finally, she found something—a blog post by someone claiming to have been his last patient.

"Dr. Varman helped me after my accident. He told me strange things about how near-death changes the brain. Then one day, he left. Just like that. But I remember he always used to visit an old bookstore near the university. If anyone knows where he went, it's the owner." — @ArjunV".

A bookstore.

Maya's heart pounded. She had a lead.

The Bookstore

The next morning, Maya found herself standing in front of a dusty old shop on the edge of town. The sign above the door read "Eclipse Books."

A bell chimed as she stepped inside. The scent of old paper and ink filled the air.

A young man sat behind the counter, peering at her over his glasses. "Looking for something specific?"

She hesitated. "I'm looking for Dr. Elias Varman. I heard he used to come here."

The man's expression darkened. "No one has come looking for my dad in a long time."

Maya swallowed, "Your dad?" "Please. It's important."

"Yes, unfortunately my dad", " hi, I am Arjun Varman", He said shaking hands with Maya.

He studied her, then sighed. He reached under the counter and pulled out a small, yellowed envelope. "He left this here years ago. Told me to give it to someone who came looking for him."

" Now I understood even you are as strange as him" Arjun said eyeing her suspiciously.

Maya's breath caught as she took the envelope. Inside was a single note.

"If you've found this, then you've seen the future. You're not alone. Meet me where time stands still."

Her hands trembled as she read the words.

Where time stands still?

What did that mean?

"The abandoned clock tower.", Arjun said quickly.

Maya left abruptly leaving Arjun disappointed.

It had been shut down for years. A place where time had literally stopped.

And if Dr. Varman was still out there… that's where she would find him.

The Meeting

That night, Maya stood outside the old clock tower, heart pounding. The wind howled through the broken windows.

She stepped inside. The air was thick with dust, the silence almost unbearable.

Then—a voice. Low, quiet. "You found me."

She turned.

A man stood in the shadows. His hair was streaked with gray, his eyes sharp and knowing.

Dr. Elias Varman.

Maya's breath hitched. "I need answers. My dreams… they're real. I see the future, but I can't change it."

The doctor studied her for a long moment, then sighed. "I know. That's why I disappeared."

Maya's stomach twisted. "What do you mean?"

Dr. Varman stepped closer. "Because I had the same dreams."

Maya's blood ran cold.

She wasn't alone.

And whatever this was… it was bigger than she had ever imagined.