As soon as Ishani mentioned her mother's name, the piano keys began to play automatically, but this time the music was not melodious, but terrifying. The dark shadow standing in the corner of the room slowly grew larger.
"She won't let you go, Ryan!" A heavy, resounding voice filled the room.
Ryan's face turned blue with fear. He pushed Ishani back. "Ishani, get out of here! This is guilt. This is the dark energy that keeps me imprisoned in this room. It doesn't want me to complete my tune."
Ishani refused to back down. "No, Ryan! If my mother was waiting for you, she has the right to hear this tune. I won't surrender you to this darkness."
Ishani ran towards her hostel. Her mother, Meera, was supposed to pick her up from college today. A snowstorm had intensified outside. Ishani spotted her mother's car in the parking lot and ran straight towards her.
"Mom! You have to come with me to the music room right now!" Ishani gasped.
Meera's face went pale. "The music room? No, dear, I'll never go there. The memories of it hurt too much."
"Mom, Ryan is there. He's been waiting for you. For the last ten years!"
The moment she heard the name "Ryan," Meera dropped the keys from her hand. Old wounds flooded her eyes. Without a second thought, she ran with Ishani towards the music block.
When they reached room 404, the door was blocked with snow. Ryan's screams came from inside. The dark shadow seemed to be pulling her inside the piano.
Ishani and Meera pushed the door open. As Meera stepped into the room, a golden light filled the room. As soon as Ryan saw Meera, tears welled up in his eyes.
"Meera... you're here?" Ryan's voice was like a whisper in the air.