Ayaan stepped inside his new home, the silence enveloping him like a heavy blanket. He glanced around, assessing the modest space that would now be his sanctuary. The mirror caught his attention briefly, its intricate frame whispering of stories untold, yet he dismissed it as just another piece of decor. The night passed without incident, Ayaan settling into the rhythm of unpacking and familiarizing himself with his surroundings.
Awakened by the peculiar noise, Ayaan sat up, heart pounding in the oppressive quiet. "What could that be?" he murmured to himself, the sound pulling him from the warmth of his bed. With his phone in hand for light, he ventured out, the tapping leading him to the mirror. It quivered inexplicably, the reflection trembling like a disturbed pond. Ayaan, attributing it to a draft, returned to bed, shrugging off the unease that lingered in the shadows.
Saad paused in front of the mirror, a frown etching into his face. "Bro, this mirror looks... off. Where did you get it?" he asked, eyes narrowing as if peeling back layers of hidden truths. Ayaan shrugged, dismissing the concern. "It came with the place. I haven't given it much thought," he replied. Saad shook his head, a warning in his voice. "You should get rid of it. It gives me bad vibes."
The sound was relentless, each tap resonating in Ayaan's mind like a drumbeat. Determined to uncover its source, he approached the mirror, his reflection eerily still. It didn't mimic his movements but stared back, eyes hollow and unseeing. The lights flickered, and suddenly, a shadowy figure emerged, its form towering and eyes glowing red. Paralyzed with fear, Ayaan stumbled backward, the image seared into his mind as he fled to his room, locking the door behind him.
The elder's voice was calm, reassuring as he instructed them. "Recite these verses, and the shadows will retreat," he advised, handing them a bundle of incense. That evening, the apartment was filled with the soft murmur of prayers, the air heavy with sacred smoke. The mirror shuddered, cracks spider-webbing across its surface. The shadow reappeared, thrashing within the glass, a prisoner fighting for freedom.
"Don't stop reciting!" Saad urged, his voice steady despite the chaos. Ayaan, though terrified, found strength in the words, his voice unwavering as he continued. The mirror finally shattered, the sound like a thousand bells ringing in unison, and with a final, eerie scream, the shadow vanished into nothingness. Exhausted, Ayaan made the decision to leave the apartment, the remnants of the shattered mirror left behind as a testament to the ordeal. Yet, even in his new home, a lingering dread followed him, the feeling of being watched persisting in the quiet of the night.
