The Whispering House

The storm lashed against the windows as Eva lit the last candle.

“We shouldn’t be here,” Mohona whispered, clutching her coat tighter.

Jake scoffed. “It’s just a house. An old one. The ghost stories are for kids.”

Leo grinned, filming on his phone. “This will make a killer video. 'Five Friends Spend the Night in a Haunted House’. Views, baby.”

Luka stayed silent, staring at the basement door. “Did you hear that?” he asked.

A soft creak echoed below.

Eva’s breath caught. “Is someone else down there?”

They had broken in for a thrill—an abandoned mansion in the woods, known for strange disappearances. One night. That’s all they promised each other.

Eva and Leo, the heartbeat of the group, had planned this outing. It was supposed to be fun, a break from the stress of city life. They’d always been drawn to mysteries—and to each other. Leo squeezed her hand gently. “We’ll be fine,” he said. “Just stick with me.”

Midnight struck. The fireplace crackled though no one lit it.

“Guys,” Mohona said, eyes wide. “Where’s Jake?”

He was just there.

A sudden thud from below.

“Jake?” Eva called, moving toward the basement door.

“No, wait—” Luka grabbed her arm.

But it was too late. Eva vanished into the darkness of the basement stairs.

Leo didn’t hesitate. “Eva!” He rushed in after her, the camera still rolling.

Down in the basement, Eva moved cautiously. “Jake?” she whispered. “Is that you?”

The basement felt alive—the walls seemed to breathe, shadows twisting unnaturally.

“Eva, this place is wrong,” Leo said, catching up. “We need to get out.”

Suddenly, a figure lunged from the shadows—it looked like Jake, but distorted, his smile far too wide.

They ran.

“Don’t stop!” Eva yelled as the thing chased them. “It’s not human!”

They slammed the basement door shut behind them. Eva turned to Leo. “We have to get the others. This place—it feeds off secrets.”

Back upstairs, Mohona gasped. “Leo—?”

Suddenly, Eva stumbled back into the room, gasping. “It’s not Jake—it’s something else!”

Leo followed seconds later, pale and shaken but alive. “We have to leave. Now. This house is alive.”

Only Luka and Mohona hadn’t moved.

“We have to go,” Mohona said again, this time more desperate.

Luka’s voice was distant. “No… listen…”

From the fireplace, a voice whispered, "Why did you come back, Luka?"

Mohona stared at him. “What’s it talking about?”

He didn’t answer.

“You knew something,” she said, backing away.

“They were supposed to stay away,” Luka muttered. “I warned them.”

“You brought us here!”

The house groaned, the floorboards warping like something beneath was rising.

Mohona screamed as arms of ash and shadow reached for her.

Luka stood still, whispering to the darkness, “I gave them what you wanted. Let me go.”

The shadows paused.

Then a whisper:

"But what about you, Mohona? What did you do ten years ago?"

Eva and Leo charged forward, grabbing Mohona and pulling her back just in time, out of the reach of the shadows.

“Run!” Eva shouted.

Together, they burst out the front door as it slammed behind them with a roar. The house let out a long, low groan that echoed into silence.

They collapsed on the muddy grass, gasping, staring at the house.

Leo looked at Mohona. “What did it mean? What did you do?”

Mohona didn’t answer..........