━━━ ꧁ད ✶ ཌ꧂ ━━━

CHAPTER 13

━━━ ꧁ད ✶ ཌ꧂ ━━━

There was no room for amazement; the lock on the front door forced itself open without anyone touching it.

"Tell me this is a joke," Thomas said, giving a nervous glance towards the window. "This has got to be a prank. A puppet?"

"I wish this was just a dream."

Another noise echoed through the floor we were on.

"I remember you assuring me no one was home." I started to follow him as he moved, but I decided it would be wiser to find a source of light first. So, I diverted towards the dining room, and as I did, I saw Thomas stepping into the kitchen.

On the shelf where Mom kept the fancy china, I began rummaging through the drawers.

"Zara!" Thomas called my name.

"I'm coming."

It took me a moment to find the pack of candles and grab them. I only needed a lighter, so I headed to the kitchen. Shortly after crossing the threshold, I stopped.

Thomas was standing on the other side, close to the back door and the oven, between the pair of windows that overlooked the small backyard. His expression reflected a clear state of panic.

Right in front of him was Josef, but his appearance indicated that he was a well-crafted doll. He was covered in soot, which led me to deduce that he had come in through the chimney. However, that wasn't the only unusual thing. I also shuddered as I noticed how plates, condiments, utensils, and even fruits were suspended in the air as if they were held by invisible threads attached to the ceiling.

"Zara, what the hell is going on?" Thomas' voice was a whisper. He made a great effort not to provoke the puppet by remaining very still. Smart, but also foolish for speaking to me.

Upon realizing my presence, Josef turned towards me, and I took a step back.

"Get down!"

Without hesitation, I obeyed the command and dropped to the floor. Thomas watched me and soon did the same. Along with a deafening crash, I protected my head as countless fragments fell around me. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a soft glow coming from behind my sweater, indicating that the medallion had been activated.

Once tranquility returned, I opened my eyes one after the other and stood up to contemplate the chaos. The cupboard had a fork stuck in it, condiment jars lay shattered on the floor, and the china was a total mess. The apples were the only ones that escaped unscathed, while the green grapes seemed like stains stuck on the walls and ceiling.

However, the most important thing was that Josef took advantage of the opportunity and jumped through one of the windows. Glass fragments scattered on the floor, as did the pack of candles that had slipped from my hands at some point.

One last piece shattered behind me, and I turned.

I should have figured that the scene of flying objects was the work of the entity that had appeared at some point.

"Are you okay?" Ashton asked.

Since I couldn't find my voice to answer, I watched as he adjusted his hat while approaching.

"Zara," Thomas said, touching my arm. His voice resonated low and trembled, filled with fear. "Are you hurt?"

"My parents are going to kill me," I assured him.

"Not if they do it first." Ashton could be so indifferent; I almost forgot.

Thomas grabbed my arm firmly without hurting me, capturing my full attention. However, I also felt a touch on the tip of my shoe, which turned out to be Ashton's cane.

"Zara, we need to get out before that thing returns."

"Let him go alone," the Lord of Darkness interjected. I had the feeling he was observing me, but I couldn't distinguish how due to the lack of light and clear details.

"He's in danger," I pointed out.

"Who?" Thomas asked. He didn't know that the ghost from his dreams was right in front of his nose.

"No," Ashton stated firmly. "If he gets involved, he'll be a hindrance. He might end up scattered like a condiment or, worse, trapped between the wall and a knife. I won't take responsibility. He'll be better off away from all this."

How graphic he could be.

"Zara!" Thomas shook my arm in desperation. Though it was uncomfortable admitting it, Ashton was right about one thing: my best friend was as important to me as my own family, and he wouldn't be safe if he decided to escape with me, even though he was the one who got me into this mess in the first place.

"I told you not to come, Tom," I urged, releasing myself from his grip.

"That won't work," Ashton challenged. "You have to demand he leaves."

I turned to glare at him, hoping he could perceive my obvious annoyance at his lack of flexibility. However, he made me step back by pulling the edge of my garment. He raised his cane, and there was another faint glow behind my sweater, pushing Thomas back as if a giant wall were shoving him.

My best friend stumbled repeatedly as he called my name. A lump formed in my throat as I watched the door open behind him, and he fell backward onto the damp grass as if he were an insignificant being.

Worried, I felt the urge to approach, but the door slammed shut.

"Why did you do that?" I reproached.

"He'll be fine, better than he would be with us," Ashton responded as he moved around me.

"You didn't have to be so rough."

When he stopped in front of me, he leaned down in a gesture of apology that didn't seem entirely sincere.

"I'm sorry, but it was necessary," he justified.

"Really?" I hesitated, not entirely believing him yet.

The pounding on the door drew my attention to it.

Thomas was standing up and pleading to be let in. Seeing him in that situation was heartbreaking. Although he had come to offer his help, Ashton had just kicked him out.

"If you take one step forward, he won't stop insisting, and he might find a way to break down that door. Then he'll be involved. Are you willing to bear all the consequences that entails?"

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