AURA THAT HURTS - 2

The hiding spot had been decided: inside my bed drawer. It was spacious enough to fit 10 large suitcases. I was covered with blankets and rough quilts, trying to stay hidden. I was given my phone to contact them in case of an emergency—though I would probably be melting like ice cream from the 1000-degree heat inside.

Everyone was ready. Danya and Mani went home, and my brother was asleep on my bed while I was stacked beneath it. I kept texting the trio, trying to stay calm. But after a while, my anxiety began to grow. Questions swirled in my mind, but I did my best to remain composed.

Thirty minutes later... Yes, I’m still breathing, I’m alive—flesh and blood. The only difference now is that I desperately wanted to get out! I wasn’t going to sacrifice my sleep just because some monster was supposedly coming for me!

Me: *HEY! I CAN'T COPE WITH THIS HIDE AND SEEK... I’M COMING OUT!*

Bro: *No response*

Me: *?? YOU’RE ASLEEP?*

At this point, I was furious. I had thousands of questions running through my head about what was going on in the world right now! And here I was, lying in the hottest place on Earth, with my brother snoring peacefully above me! I tried contacting Danya and Mani, but they didn’t respond either.

---

I stepped out only to find that two giant jute bags were placed in front of the drawer. Despite the sweat dripping down my face, I summoned all my strength and pushed the heavy bags. They smelled disgusting. As I pushed them aside, I discovered something that sent a chill through my bones. I was no longer in my room! Instead, I had been transported to a village—a village burning in flames. Burnt bodies of both humans and animals littered the streets.

Just then, I spotted a hooded figure carrying a lifeless body across his shoulder, singing in an unknown language. His voice was harsh and cracked. As I considered closing the drawer, he spoke. "Leaving so soon, dear?" His voice was grotesque and guttural.

"Even if you try, let me remind you," he continued, "just as the moon is bound to stay in the sky at night, just as death is bound to take lives, just like that, you are bound to stay with me tonight."

I grew pale, my heart racing. I wanted to scream, but I couldn’t. I felt numb, overcome with fear. His voice cracked with a menacing tone. "You kids these days have no manners. You shouldn’t touch things that don’t belong to you." His voice grew more fiery, and with every cackling laugh, he drew closer.

I mustered all my courage and ran as fast as I could to the nearest alley. His voice roared through the clouds, echoing menacingly. Before I could even think of hiding behind the sacks in my bed drawer, burning hands seized me. I cried out in agony, the pain unbearable. His form began to change, his skeleton reshaping as burned skin and bloodshot eyes took over.

"We have a big game to play, Aura."

With that, the curtain of life fell.