Two days later, Aryan checked into a new hotel — this time alone, under a false name, carrying nothing but the journal and a camera.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB13lICdklI
The place was called Hotel Suryantra, a rust-colored building on the edge of the city that once served as an orphanage. Room 9 was on the first floor, nestled between a janitor’s closet and a utility shaft. A single bulb flickered above its frame.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjbboonWUI
He unlocked the door.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5Z2TXKkTh
The scent of lavender hit first — sweet and strange.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3aJGKu2YO
The room looked ordinary: single bed, rusted mirror, yellowed curtains. But on the bed lay a diary — already open.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzgvKNWWZZ
In delicate handwriting:
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TpvaHAX9q
“My dreams are too loud. They won’t let me sleep anymore.”
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ZO30k3NKT
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUK4POJkO6O
---
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiE9DnrEGe8
Aryan flipped the pages.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzfpgEOhrX
Each entry got darker.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡehIZq828gi
“They come when the lights go out.”
“She’s wearing my face now.”
“Mom said I screamed in my sleep again. But mom’s not alive.”
“They say if you dream of Room 9, you never wake up.”
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlMgriHHauR
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKUCzckL5P
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUqB6MEwBB
The last entry was scrawled in smeared ink:
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUW55r75x1N
“If I fall asleep tonight, please don’t let her take me.”
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtaGmZHVnfJ
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOvdRT7D5T
---
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroLLHfnAUv
Aryan sat on the bed. Turned off the light. Waited.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoMi91QfbnO
Minutes passed.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl2L7B3pGk
Then — soft humming. Like a lullaby.
A child’s voice, echoing from the walls.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsChBMTSV7I
He turned toward the mirror.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSN42XmRIeF
A girl stood behind him. But her eyes were white — no pupils. Her smile trembled. And she wore Aryan’s university hoodie.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZADR2d9zC
She whispered:
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvGLVcTlk2z
“You dream too loud. She heard you too.”
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4FcsYFZUy
Aryan gasped. The room spun.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMImraTKYK
Suddenly, he was lying on the bed, paralyzed. His body wouldn't move. Shadowed figures gathered near the ceiling, watching.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97ax4uE08h
One descended. Slowly. Crawling across the wall.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL8jgE0EKy
A girl — burned, melted, eyes black like ink. She opened her mouth but didn’t speak. Instead, Aryan felt the words in his skull:
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzRbCiVp9g
“This is where we’re buried. In dreams. You opened the files. Now you must carry the screams.”
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOT1Ya49GXk
He closed his eyes and whispered:
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeA7XbUp3sx
“I’m listening.”
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiSPKr8lw0k
A sudden gust.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2RmRgGPnW
And silence.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVfKSiyThq
When he opened his eyes again, it was morning.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr45QyBByVE
The room was empty.
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIpu0jeTdG
Except for a new page in the black journal:
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxImn9uUmmy
Room 9 – Delivered
Room 27 – Next
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiKnenowdyr
40Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSo43RgMBVc
