📖 Secrets of Silence

Chapter 2: "The Door of the Old Mansion"

The night had grown deeper.
The moon shimmered alone in the sky, while clouds drifted by, hiding it from sight every now and then. At the edge of Noorabad stood the old mansion, drowned in darkness. For years it had seemed abandoned, but tonight its silent walls felt as though they were hiding a secret from Alia.

The moment she turned off the car engine, the atmosphere grew even more terrifying. The branches of the trees rustled with the wind, whispering like unseen voices.

Alia took a deep breath and slowly walked toward the gate. The hinges groaned as the heavy doors creaked open, and a strange fear gripped her heart. But she did not turn back.

The moment she stepped inside, the dry leaves scattered on the ground crunched beneath her shoes. In the darkness, the wounds of time were clearly visible on the mansion’s walls:
broken windows, peeling paint, and old portraits dangling loosely from their hooks.

“This place really does look like something out of a horror movie…” Alia whispered to herself, but gathered her courage and kept moving forward.

Suddenly, the door behind her slammed shut.
Her heartbeat raced.
“Who’s there?” she called out.

Her voice echoed into the darkness, only to fade away.
Moments later, footsteps echoed from the staircase—slow, heavy, deliberate steps.

Alia clutched her camera bag tightly.
From the shadows of the stairs, a tall figure appeared. That face, those piercing eyes… it was Ayaan.

He walked down and said only one thing:
“You shouldn’t have come here.”

Suppressing her fear, Alia steadied her voice:
“I’m a journalist. Asking questions is my right. People are saying Anwar’s death happened because of you. Is that true?”

A flicker of light passed through Ayaan’s eyes, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he turned away, as if he had no intention of speaking.

Alia stepped closer.
“If you didn’t do anything, why stay silent? Hiding the truth won’t change reality.”

Ayaan stopped. Slowly, he turned his head and said in a deep voice:
“Truth isn’t always what you want it to be.”

His words sent a chill through Alia.
Suddenly, the mansion’s electricity flickered, and for a brief moment the entire hall lit up.

Alia’s eyes landed on a portrait hanging above the wall.
It showed Anwar and Ayaan standing together.

The words slipped out of her mouth:
“So you did know Anwar?”

Ayaan gave no reply. He climbed the stairs quickly.

Alia made a decision in her heart.
“This man knows everything. To reach the truth, I’ll have to follow him.”

She carefully began to ascend the staircase. Each step groaned beneath her feet, and the darkness grew heavier.

At the top was a long corridor, rooms on both sides. The doors were shut, but from within, faint breathing could be heard.

Alia pressed her ear closer and realized someone was reciting softly inside—Qur’anic verses, or perhaps a prayer.

She slowly opened the door.
Inside stood Ayaan. In front of him, on a small table, lay one of Anwar’s files.

Alia gasped.
“These… these are Anwar’s documents! How did they end up with you?”

Ayaan’s voice turned harsh:
“This is not your concern. Leave right now.”

Alia, gathering courage, stepped forward.
“No. Now it is my concern. Because your secrets might decide the fate of this entire city.”

At that very moment, the window panes shattered.
The room shook as a storm of wind rushed in.
Both of them recoiled in shock.

Outside, in the darkness, a shadow fled.

Ayaan rushed to the window, but the figure was impossible to identify.
Clenching his teeth, he muttered:
“He’s watching us…”

Alia’s trembling voice asked:
“Who?”

Fear flashed in Ayaan’s eyes.
“The same one who killed Anwar. And now he’s following us.”

End of Chapter 2:
Alia’s heart pounded violently. She now understood this was no ordinary murder, but the beginning of a dark game.
Ayaan’s words echoed in her mind:

“He’s watching us…”

Who was this mysterious enemy?
And after Anwar’s death, whose turn would be next?