Haunting

At first, the haunting was subtle.

Doors would creak open even when the windows were shut tight. Shadows moved across walls, curling like fingers reaching for her. Objects would fall from shelves for no reason. Aria told herself it was just the house settling, but her gut told her otherwise.

Then the voice came.

“Aria… why didn’t you come?”

It sounded soft at first, like a frightened child, but underneath it was anger and pain. Aria’s chest tightened. She whispered, “Siya… is that really you?”

The next night, she saw her.

A figure in the corner of her bedroom, pale, eyes dark, hair falling over her face. She stepped forward slowly, a cold wind following her movement. The floorboards creaked under her weight, though no one was there. Aria felt herself being pushed, almost falling over her desk. She screamed, but no one came her mother was asleep, and the air seemed to swallow her voice.

Siya’s first appearance was terrifying. Aria realized she was not just haunted; she was being tested. The anger in Siya’s eyes was real, and so was the grief. Aria cried herself to sleep that night, hugging her pillow tightly, whispering, “I’m so sorry. I never forgot you…”