The library was too quiet.
Even the rain had stopped, as if the whole world was holding its breath.
Lena stood frozen by the door. Dre gripped a broken chair leg like a weapon, but it felt useless.
The voice outside repeated:
> "Lenaaa... come read the book again."
Lena backed away, whispering, "That's her. That's my grandma's voice. But it can't be. She disappeared years ago—she's gone."
Dre looked at her. "Are you sure she's gone?"
Lena stared at the book on the floor. "I don't know anymore."
---
Flashback - The Last Time Lena Saw Her
It was late. Lena had woken to the sound of the front door creaking open. Her grandmother was standing there, staring into the woods.
"Where are you going?" Lena had asked, her voice small.
Ama Lilith didn't turn around.
She whispered something instead. Words Lena didn't understand then.
> "The roots are calling. I can't fight them this time."
When she turned to face her, Lena remembered her eyes—completely black.
And the smile.
It wasn't hers.
---
Present Day - Back in the Library
Lena picked up the book with shaking hands. "She didn't leave. She stayed. She became one of them."
Dre moved closer. "What do you mean?"
Lena opened the book. A page flipped on its own.
There, drawn in old ink, was her grandmother's face.
Screaming.
Below it, in shaky handwriting:
> "I broke the chain once. Now she has to finish it."
"She left it for me," Lena whispered. "She tried to warn me. But now I'm next."
Dre looked at her, quiet for a long moment.
Then: "Then we don't run. We fight."
Lena laughed bitterly. "With what, Dre? A chair leg and a haunted coloring book?"
Dre looked her in the eyes. "With you. That's what we have. You're part of this. Maybe that's our only way out."
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the room—closer this time.
> "It's almost midnight. Time to come back underground."
The floor began to shake.
Books flew from shelves.
And slowly, the book in Lena's hands began to glow.
"Run?" Dre asked.
Lena shook her head.
"No. We open it."