The weight of the message settled on Hanna’s chest like a vice. Her heart raced as she stared at the screen, the words cutting deeper than anything Ciara had ever said.
Unknown Number: You’re running out of time. Choose wisely, or you’ll lose everything.
A second later, her phone buzzed again. This time, a live photo of Emily walking down a quiet street alone appeared on the screen. Hanna’s stomach twisted as she recognized the familiar street behind Emily—the path she always took home.
Panic surged through her veins. “No, no, no…” she whispered, her voice barely a breath as she stared at the image. The photo was recent, taken just moments ago, and Hanna’s mind raced as she tried to make sense of it.
With trembling fingers, she quickly dialed Emily’s number, her pulse hammering in her ears as she waited for the call to connect. The phone rang several times before the voicemail kicked in.
“Emily, pick up,” Hanna said urgently, her voice thick with fear. She ended the call and tried again, each ring making her heart beat faster.
But Emily didn’t answer.
Panic surged within Hanna, her thoughts spiraling. Whoever was behind this—this shadowy force—wasn’t just playing with her anymore. They knew everything. They were watching. And now they were targeting the people she cared about the most.
Her mind raced with possibilities. Was Emily in danger right now? Had something happened to her? Hanna could barely think straight as she shoved her phone into her pocket and bolted out of her room, her feet pounding against the floor as she rushed toward the door.
“Mom!” she shouted, but her mother wasn’t home. The house was eerily quiet.
With no time to waste, Hanna grabbed her keys, her hands shaking violently as she tried to steady them enough to start the car. The seconds felt like hours as she peeled out of the driveway, the fear in her chest mounting with each passing minute.
Emily’s phone went straight to voicemail again. Hanna’s breathing became shallow as she drove through the empty streets, her eyes scanning every corner, every shadow, hoping to spot Emily—hoping she was okay.
But the streets were dark. Silent. Nothing.
As she neared the park, the last place she knew Emily might be walking through, her phone buzzed again. Hanna’s heart skipped a beat as she glanced at the screen.
Unknown Number: It’s too late. The clock’s ticking.
Her stomach dropped. She floored the gas pedal, pushing her car faster through the streets. The park came into view, its dimly lit paths winding around the trees. It was empty.
Too empty.
And then, there it was.
In the middle of the park, just under the streetlight, Emily’s phone lay on the ground. It was cracked, the screen shattered.
A cold chill washed over Hanna as she came to a stop, her heart pounding painfully in her chest. She got out of the car slowly, her legs trembling as she approached the phone.
It was a message from Emily.
“Hanna… they’re here.”
Her breath hitched. Emily’s words were haunting. Someone had been watching her all along. And now, Hanna was walking straight into their trap.
As she knelt down to pick up the phone, she realized she was no longer in control of this fight. The shadows had taken over, and they were far more dangerous than anything she could’ve imagined.
Hanna’s phone buzzed once again. This time, there was no message. Only a single, ominous voice message.
She hit play, her hands trembling.
“You’ve played the game, Hanna. But it’s about to end. You’re running out of time. Choose wisely, or everything you’ve fought for will crumble.”
The voice was distorted, unrecognizable, but there was no mistaking the threat.
Hanna felt a knot tighten in her stomach as she looked around, fear rising in her chest. Whoever was behind this wasn’t going to stop. And now, it wasn’t just about Ciara or the shadow player anymore. It was about survival.
Her phone buzzed one last time. But this time, there was nothing on the screen—only darkness.
The clock was ticking.