Ending: The Promise in Your KissA chill ran down my spine.“Who?” I asked, voice barely above a whisper.Travis looked away, jaw clenched. “I can’t say more right now. Just… trust me when I say it’s dangerous.”I swallowed hard. This wasn’t just about mixed feelings or fear of commitment — this was something bigger, darker.For the first time, the pieces started to fall into place. The way he disappeared for days. The coldness that sometimes replaced his warmth. The feeling that we were never truly alone, even in the brightest moments.I nodded slowly. “Okay. I’ll trust you.”He pulled me into a tight embrace, and I rested my head against his chest, listening to the rapid beat of his heart.“Thank you,” he whispered.We stood there, wrapped in each other, the night around us full of shadows—but maybe, just maybe, we could find a way to bring the light back.I stayed wrapped in Travis’s arms, but inside, a storm was raging. His words echoed in my mind — people watching, danger, things
Chapter 105: Lost Between Us“I don’t want to go with you!” I snapped, crossing my arms tightly over my chest. “I’d rather rot here than go with you.”“Stop being difficult,” he said, his tone low, almost tired.“I don’t care!” I shouted back. “I’m staying.”“Kourtney…” He called my name softly, but I ignored him, resting my forehead on my knees, tears welling up again.Travis was my Kryptonite. No matter how hard I tried, I felt weak and vulnerable when he was near. The pull he had over me was maddening.After a long silence, he sighed and said quietly, “Alright. If you don’t want to leave yet, we’ll stay.”I peeked up through my lashes and saw him watching me, the dim light catching the sadness and frustration in his eyes.For a moment, everything was still except for our breathing.Then he spoke again, softer this time.“Kourtney, I don’t want to fight with you. I just want to protect you.”His words sliced through me. I felt tears spill again, but this time, they were mixed with s
Chapter 104: Cursed in ReflectionSuddenly, the ornate mirror behind us cracked — a jagged line splitting the glass from top to bottom.“Did you see that?!” Seth gasped, stepping back.Before we could react, the floor beneath us trembled violently. Dust and debris rained from the ceiling, and the doorway slammed shut with a deafening bang.Travis pulled me close, shielding me instinctively. The room grew colder, darker, the whispers turning into anguished screams.“We’re trapped,” Travis muttered, voice grim.I clutched the locket, which suddenly burned hot against my skin. A low humming filled the room, the symbol on the locket glowing faintly.My heart raced. “What is this? What does it want from me?”The mirror pulsed, and then — the cracked glass began to shift and distort, revealing not my reflection, but a different place entirely: a sunlit garden, bright and alive.I blinked. “Is this… another world?”Seth shook his head. “No, it’s a memory. Or a door.”Then the ghostly voice w
Chapter 103: Whispers in the Dark“Thanks,” I murmured.“We need to get you out of here,” Seth said.Travis remained quiet, his expression unreadable.We started walking, slow and careful, navigating the winding, claustrophobic hallways of the haunted house. The shadows seemed to press closer with every step, whispering secrets we didn’t want to hear.I kept stealing glances at Travis, trying to decipher his silence.Finally, I broke it. “Why do you act like this? Like you don’t care but then... you do?”He stopped and faced me, eyes locked on mine.“I’m scared,” he admitted, voice barely above a whisper.“Scared of what?”“Losing you. Losing control. Losing... myself,” he said, running a hand through his hair.It stunned me—he was vulnerable. Raw. Human.“I’m scared too,” I confessed. “Of being left behind, forgotten.”For a long moment, neither of us spoke.Then, a chilling howl echoed through the halls.We froze.“It’s starting,” Travis said grimly.“What?” I asked, heart pounding.
Chapter 102: Midnight Break“Let’s check it out,” he said, voice low but firm.As we crept forward, the flashlight’s beam caught something that made my heart drop — a torn piece of fabric snagged on a rusty pipe, soaked in what looked like blood.“Who—?” I started, but Travis pulled me back.“Stay close. Something’s wrong,” he warned.My breath hitched as we followed the trail, every instinct screaming danger. The eerie silence wrapped around us like a cold hand, making it impossible to tell friend from foe.Then, out of the darkness, a figure stumbled into view — panting, face pale and eyes wild.“Seth!” I gasped.He collapsed against the wall, clutching his side.“What happened?” Travis demanded, dropping to his knees beside him.Seth’s voice was barely a whisper. “We… someone’s here. Someone dangerous.”My stomach twisted. The game wasn’t just a game anymore.Travis looked up at me, eyes burning with fierce protectiveness.“We need to get out of here. Now.”I nodded, heart poundin
Chapter 101:Suddenly, a loud thud rang through the hall, echoing wildly against the walls.My heart slammed against my ribs.I froze.“Travis?” I whispered again.A shadow darted behind a pillar.Without thinking, I moved toward it, hands outstretched.“Twenty... twenty-one...”My fingers grazed cold concrete.No Travis.A voice whispered nearby, so soft I almost missed it.“Kourt…”It was him.Relief flooded me.“Travis!” I rushed forward.He stepped out from the shadows, a small smile playing on his lips.“You scared me,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.“Sorry,” he said quietly, brushing his hair back. “I was just hiding.”We stood there for a moment, the tension slowly melting.“Ready to find the others?” he asked.I nodded, feeling safer now that he was close.“Alright, we start looking after fifty, right?”I glanced at my watch again. It was already 9:55 PM.“We should hurry.”Travis took my hand, a firm, reassuring grip.Together, we stepped away from the wall and moved