Chapter 178

Aria

“What’s that sound?” Lucas asks, pulling me closer, his arm wrapping protectively around my waist as we both stare at the door like it’s about to burst open.

“I think it’s the creature,” Shiva answers, her voice low and tense. She raises her flashlight and sweeps it across the dark room, trying to see clearly through the lingering mist of rain outside.

But the noise doesn’t come again. There’s only the steady sound of rain tapping the roof and the distant rumble of thunder rolling across the sky like a warning.

Lucas shakes his head, clearly frustrated. “I don’t fucking get it. You knew something like this existed and still dragged us out here? Are you trying to get us killed or what?”

“I didn’t think we’d actually run into it, alright?” Shiva snaps, her tone defensive but tired. “It’s rare for that creature to appear. Most people never even see it.”

Her voice trails off and she freezes, eyes fixed on the door like she’s just noticed s