The next morning felt strange.
Too quiet.
Too heavy.
Kabir woke up late, his head aching.
Like he hadn't slept at all.
The mark on his wrist…
Still there.
Darker now.
More visible.
He tried to ignore it.
Tried to act normal.
But something felt off.
Very off.
As he walked toward school…
His steps slowed down.
Not by choice.
But like something was pulling him.
His body felt heavier.
His mind… foggy.
"What's happening to me…?"
He stopped in the middle of the road.
His heartbeat started syncing with something.
Slow.
Deep.
Thump…
Thump…
Thump…
And then—
He heard it again.
That voice.
Clearer this time.
"Turn…"
Kabir's body moved.
Without his permission.
He turned left.
"That's not the way to school…"
But his legs started walking.
On their own.
Step by step.
Like he was being controlled.
"Stop…"
He tried to resist.
But his body didn't listen.
His eyes widened in fear.
"I can't control myself…"
The streets changed.
From busy roads…
To empty lanes.
From noise…
To silence.
And finally—
He stopped.
In front of an old, abandoned building.
Broken windows.
Cracked walls.
Dark entrance.
Cold air flowing out of it.
Kabir's breath got stuck.
"Why am I here…?"
The mark on his wrist pulsed again.
Stronger.
Painful.
And the voice whispered—
"Enter…"
Kabir shook his head.
"No… no…"
But his hand moved on its own.
Slowly reaching toward the door.
At the same time—
Aarya was running.
Fast.
Through the streets.
Her face filled with panic.
"Don't go there, Kabir…"
She whispered desperately.
Because she knew that place.
She knew what it meant.
"If he enters…"
Her voice broke.
"…there's no coming back."
Back at the building—
Kabir's fingers touched the door.
Cold.
Lifeless.
But something inside…
Felt alive.
Calling him.
Pulling him.
And slowly—
The door creaked open.
Chapter 12 Suspense:
As the door opened…
A deep darkness spread inside.
And from within—
A faint figure became visible.
Standing still.
Waiting.
Kabir's eyes widened.
Because that figure…
Looked exactly like him.
And it slowly smiled.
"Welcome… Kabir."