Echoes of the dark

e's grasp. It wasn't just pulling her in-it was dragging her into the darkness. Her

amed, twisting

as still staring into space, his

hrough her skin. It pulled with relentless strength, dragging her

ed, her voice brea

loomed closer, its mouth stretching open with that imposs

oice deep and guttural, like the earth groan

ng pulled into the shadows, her breath coming in shallow gasps. The pre

her voice pleading now.

red. He blinked, his pupils narrowing as if tryi

hispered, her

. I can't... escape..." His voice was wea

looding her eyes. "You have to fight i

smile, chuckled softly, her voice a melodic but hollow

"No... No, you're wron

out to Sam, her voice breaking. "Sam

gain-something deep inside him seemed to stir. His ha

's mind, wrapping around her thoughts. "He's mine, Jesse. A

icking out as she tried to break free. She could

uted. "You don'

l she could feel its breath, cold and foul against her skin. She could h

ve disturbed. I am the one who will consume all. And y

roat. "What do you want from us

do I want? I want everything. I want to feed on the souls

zen, his face expressionless. But his eyes-those hollow eyes-s

raw with emotion. "Come back to me!

the strain of pulling, her entire body shaking with effort. And then, just as she th

ingers

asping breath, he whispe

d, confusion flashi

voice was barely a whisper, strai

anked at his arm with all her m

ust a brief moment-but it was enough. His hand shot

Sam murmured, his voice tremb

d laugh that filled the room. "You think you can save

et go. She pulled him with all the strength she had left, her legs

ey reached it, the h

undation of the house was buckling. The shadowy creature behind them screeche

creature bellowed, its voice rising

s and wrenched it open. The cold wind rushed in, blowing aga

se cried, her v

his face pale, his eyes wide and unfoc

nd tightening around his. "You're str

gh the window, following him closely. She didn't look back as sh

ood-curdling scream that seemed to tear t

am didn't stop.

the thing from the house, t