Chapter 4

*the encounter*

As the lights flickered and died, Emma's heart skipped a beat. She was plunged into darkness, and the only sound was the creaking of the old warehouse. She strained her ears, trying to pinpoint Sarah's location.

"Sarah?" Emma called out, her voice barely above a whisper.

There was no response. Emma's eyes strained to adjust to the darkness, but it was like trying to see through a thick veil. She took a step forward, her hands outstretched in front of her.

Suddenly, Emma's skin prickled with unease. She felt like she was being watched. She spun around, but there was no one there.

And then, a faint whisper seemed to caress her ear. "You shouldn't be here, Emma."

Emma's heart racing, she spun around again, but there was no one there. The voice seemed to come from all around her, echoing off the walls.

As her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, Emma saw a faint light in the distance. It was a small window, and through it, she could see the faint glow of streetlights.

Emma's eyes locked onto the light, and she took a step forward. And then another. And another.

As she moved closer to the window, Emma saw a figure standing in the shadows. It was Sarah. But something was off. Sarah's eyes seemed...different. Her smile was too wide, too forced.

"Sarah?" Emma called out, her voice shaking.

Sarah's eyes locked onto Emma's, and for a moment, Emma saw a glimmer of recognition. But then, Sarah's expression changed. Her eyes seemed to cloud over, and her smile faltered.

"Emma," Sarah said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You have to get out of here. Now."

Emma's heart skipped a beat. Something was wrong. Sarah's voice was different, her eyes were different...everything about her seemed different.

"What's going on, Sarah?" Emma asked, her voice firm. "What's happening to you?"

Sarah's eyes darted around the room, as if she was searching for something. Or someone.

"I...I don't know," Sarah stammered. "I don't know what's happening to me. But you have to get out of here. They're coming for you."

Suddenly, the lights in the warehouse flickered back to life, and Emma was blinded by the sudden brightness. When her eyes adjusted, she saw that Sarah was standing right in front of her. But there was something in her eyes...something that made Emma's blood run cold.

And then, Sarah spoke, her voice low and menacing. "You're too late, Emma. I've been waiting for you."

Emma's heart sank. This wasn't her sister. Something was controlling her, manipulating her. Emma knew she had to act fast.

But before she could react, Sarah's eyes locked onto hers, and Emma saw a glimmer of her sister's real self. "Run," Sarah mouthed, before her eyes went blank again.

Emma's heart skipped a beat as she saw the desperation in Sarah's eyes. She knew she had to act fast. Without hesitation, Emma grabbed Sarah's arm and pulled her towards the door.

"Come on, Sarah, we have to get out of here," Emma whispered urgently.

But Sarah didn't budge. She was like a dead weight, her eyes fixed on some unknown point in the distance.

"Sarah, snap out of it!" Emma shouted, shaking her sister's shoulders.

Slowly, Sarah's eyes focused on Emma's face. For a moment, Emma saw a glimmer of recognition, and she felt a surge of hope.

"Sarah, it's me, Emma. Your sister. We have to get out of here," Emma said, her voice firm but gentle.

Sarah's eyes locked onto Emma's, and for a moment, Emma thought she saw a spark of understanding. But then, Sarah's expression changed. Her eyes turned cold, and her face twisted into a sinister grin.

"You're too late," Sarah said, her voice low and menacing. "They're here."

As Sarah spoke, the warehouse was filled with the sound of footsteps. Heavy, deliberate footsteps that seemed to be coming from all directions.

Emma's heart sank. They were surrounded. She knew she had to act fast if she wanted to get Sarah out of there alive.

Without hesitation, Emma grabbed Sarah's arm and pulled her towards the window. They had to get out of there, and fast.

As they reached the window, Emma pushed it open and hoisted Sarah up. "Climb out, Sarah. Now," Emma shouted, her voice hoarse with fear.

Sarah hesitated for a moment, and Emma thought she saw a glimmer of resistance. But then, she started to climb out the window.

As Emma followed close behind, she heard the sound of footsteps getting closer. They were running out of time.

As they dropped down to the ground, Emma's ankle twisted beneath her. She cried out in pain, but she knew she couldn't stay there. She had to get Sarah to safety.

With a surge of adrenaline, Emma pulled Sarah up and started to run. They stumbled through the darkness, the sound of footsteps getting closer and closer.

Suddenly, Emma saw a glimmer of light in the distance. It was a car, and it was heading straight for them.

"Get down, Sarah," Emma shouted, pulling her sister to the ground.

As the car approached, Emma's heart was racing. Was it their savior, or their worst nightmare?