Kabir and Aarya stepped away from the building.
But the feeling didn't leave.
It followed them.
Like something was still watching.
Still connected.
Kabir looked at his wrist again.
The mark had changed.
The lines were sharper now.
Darker.
More alive.
"What is happening to me…" he whispered.
Aarya walked ahead silently.
Her expression tense.
Like she was thinking too fast.
Too much.
Finally, Kabir spoke again.
"You said… that thing is me."
Aarya stopped.
But didn't turn.
"A part of you."
Kabir frowned.
"A part…?"
Aarya turned slowly.
Her eyes serious.
"The curse doesn't just attack…"
She stepped closer.
"…it corrupts."
Kabir's chest tightened.
"What does that mean?"
Aarya looked at his wrist.
Then back at him.
"The more you stay connected to me…"
Her voice softened.
But the words hit harder.
"…the more it takes over you."
Silence.
Kabir felt it.
That truth.
Heavy.
Real.
"And if it fully takes over…?"
Aarya didn't answer immediately.
But her eyes gave it away.
Kabir swallowed hard.
"I become… that thing?"
Aarya nodded slowly.
"And then… you won't come back."
The air between them felt colder again.
Kabir looked down.
Thinking.
Processing.
Then suddenly—
He laughed softly.
Aarya frowned.
"What's funny?"
Kabir looked at her.
A strange calm in his eyes.
"So basically…"
"…I'm turning into a monster because I care about you?"
Aarya's expression changed.
Slightly.
"Don't say it like that."
"But that's the truth, right?"
She didn't answer.
Kabir stepped closer.
Ignoring the fear.
Ignoring the danger.
"I'm not leaving."
Aarya's eyes widened slightly.
"Kabir—"
"I already said it."
His voice firm.
"This thing… this curse…"
"…I'll face it."
Aarya clenched her fists.
"You can't fight this!"
"Then I'll learn how to."
Silence.
Heavy silence.
Aarya looked at him.
Really looked at him.
And for the first time—
She felt something she wasn't ready for.
Hope.
But also fear.
Because hope…
Was dangerous.
Very dangerous.
"You don't understand the rules…" she whispered.
Kabir frowned.
"What rules?"
Aarya looked away.
Like she didn't want to say it.
But she had to.
"The curse grows stronger…"
She paused.
Her voice dropping lower.
"…when feelings grow stronger."
Kabir's heartbeat skipped.
He didn't speak.
Neither did she.
Because both of them understood…
What that meant.
Chapter 14 Suspense:
Suddenly—
Kabir's mark burned again.
Stronger than before.
He dropped to his knees, gripping his arm.
"Aah—!"
Aarya rushed toward him.
But before she could touch him—
Kabir's shadow on the ground…
Started moving on its own.
Stretching.
Twisting.
Rising.
And slowly—
It began to take shape again.
Not behind him this time…
But from him.
Aarya's eyes widened in horror.
"No… it's already starting…"
Kabir looked down—
And saw his own shadow…
Smiling back at him.