Alex sped away from the house, hands trembling on the steering wheel. The car felt too small, too suffocating, as Lena's screams echoed through the cabin. She writhed in the back seat, clutching her arm in agony.
"God, it hurts!" Lena cried out, her voice breaking between gasps. Her arm throbbed painfully where the Umbrella Man had grabbed her back at Maya's house. Tears streamed down her face as she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the pain.
Ethan, sitting beside her, tried his best to comfort her. His own body was a wreck—scratches covered his face, his fingers were raw, bloodied stumps where his fingernails used to be. His shirt, soaked with dried blood, clung to his body. He gently rubbed Lena's arm, whispering, "It's going to be okay, Lena. Just hold on a little longer."
But his words fell flat. The pain was too much for her to bear, and the steady patter of rain on the windows only seemed to intensify the sense of dread hanging over them. Maya glanced back from the front seat, tears glistening in her eyes as she tried to console Lena as well.
"Lena, we're getting you help. Just hang in there, okay? We're almost there." But Maya's voice cracked, betraying her own fear. She couldn't look at Ethan for too long—the sight of him covered in blood, fingers mangled, haunted her. She knew he was hurting more than he let on, but Ethan never once complained about his injuries. Instead, he focused on Lena, even though his own mind was trapped, replaying the scene from the basement over and over. He couldn't forget the Umbrella Man, the cold grip that had pulled him down into the darkness.
Up front, Alex was barely holding it together. His knuckles were white as he gripped the wheel, tears stinging his eyes. The rain hammered down, making the road a blur. His breath hitched as guilt gnawed at him, and his mind spiraled with self-blame.
"I... I'm so... sorry," Alex choked out suddenly, his voice cracking. He was shaking, the weight of his guilt crushing him from all sides. "I'm sorry... for summoning him... for telling you guys that stupid story. I should've never—" He couldn't finish the sentence, tears streaming down his face as sobs racked his body.
Maya reached over and grabbed Alex's arm, squeezing it tightly. "Alex, stop. This isn't your fault," she said firmly, though her voice wavered with emotion. She blinked back her own tears, trying to stay strong for him. "You didn't know this would happen. None of us knew."
"I should've never opened my mouth. None of this would've happened if I hadn't... if I hadn't suggested it," Alex whispered, his voice barely audible over the rain. His chest heaved as he struggled to keep his emotions in check, but the guilt was overwhelming.
Maya wiped her face, the tears mixing with the rain from outside. "Alex, we were all there. We all made the choice to go along with it. You can't carry this alone. Please, don't blame yourself. Not for this."
Alex sniffled, nodding slightly, but his heart was heavy. He'd been an overthinker since they were kids, always second-guessing his decisions. And now, more than ever, it felt like his worst fear had come true. He'd dragged his friends into a nightmare, and the consequences were written in blood and pain.
The rain continued to pour, relentless and unyielding, as they drove further away from the house. No matter how far they went, though, the terror of what had happened back there clung to them like a shadow. Lena's sobs had simmered down to quiet whimpers as Ethan held her, his arm around her shoulders, offering what little comfort he could.
After what felt like an eternity, Alex finally spoke again. His voice was hoarse, and his eyes were swollen from crying. "Where do we go now?"
"Not my place," Ethan said immediately, shaking his head. His voice was sharp, urgent. "I can't risk it. If we go there, we're putting my family in danger, and I'm not letting that happen."
Alex nodded, understanding the weight of Ethan's words. His heart raced as he racked his brain for another option. They needed somewhere safe, somewhere far away from the nightmare that had followed them.
"We need to find a motel," Ethan suggested after a pause. "But first, we have to make sure our families are safe. Call them, warn them. Whatever this thing is, it's not done with us."
Maya turned in her seat, eyes wide. "But how are we supposed to fight it? How do we stop him?"
Ethan swallowed hard, his face grim as he answered. "I know his weakness. It's light. Direct light. But not just any light—it has to be from an incandescent flashlight. That's how I escaped in the basement... it was the only thing that worked."
Alex furrowed his brow, his mind racing. "There's a 24-hour store near the gas station up ahead. We can stop there, grab what we need."
"Good," Ethan muttered, nodding. He glanced at the dashboard, noticing the gas needle dipping lower and lower. "But first, we need to get some gas."
Alex pulled the car into the nearest gas station, the rain still pounding down in sheets. The world outside felt cold, dark, and unforgiving. Every sound, every shadow made them flinch. As Alex parked the car by the pump, the group sat in tense silence, each of them haunted by what they had seen and what was yet to come.
"Stay close," Ethan said quietly, glancing out into the rain. "We're not out of this yet."
Alex nodded, still shaken but determined. "There's a store right here. We'll grab everything—flashlights, duct tape, medical supplies. Whatever we can find."
Maya unbuckled her seatbelt, her hands trembling as she glanced back at Ethan and Lena. "We won't be long."
Ethan nodded, grimacing in pain but trying to stay composed. "Be quick."
Without another word, Maya and Alex bolted from the car, sprinting through the rain toward the store. The fluorescent lights inside buzzed as they pushed through the door, the sterile atmosphere in stark contrast to the chaos outside.
"We'll split up," Alex suggested, trying to sound in control despite his pounding heart. "I'll grab flashlights and duct tape. You get medical supplies for Ethan and Lena."
Maya agreed with a quick nod. "Meet back here in five minutes."
They parted ways, the tension between them unspoken but palpable. Every second felt like a lifetime.
His heart hammered in his chest as he searched for the flashlights. He grabbed a basket, tossing in whatever he could find. Flashlights. Batteries. Duct tape. His hands shook as he threw them into the basket. The fluorescent lights above buzzed ominously, and for a moment, Alex thought he could hear something else—a faint melody, barely audible.
He stopped, frozen in the middle of the aisle.
It was singing.
His blood ran cold. His breath hitched as the familiar, haunting tune echoed in the silence. The Umbrella Man's song.
"No... no, no, no..." Alex muttered under his breath, panic flooding his veins. He spun around and saw it—a single black umbrella lying in the middle of the floor, soaked in rainwater. It hadn't been there a second ago.
Terror gripped him. "Oh god... no!"
Grabbing as many flashlights and rolls of duct tape as he could carry, Alex sprinted through the store, shouting at the top of his lungs. "Maya!!"
She found bandages, antiseptic, and painkillers, stuffing them into a plastic bag as fast as she could. Her mind was racing, thinking of Ethan and Lena, thinking of Alex and how scared he had looked. But they didn't have time to be scared—they needed to survive.
Her hands trembled as she searched for the first aid kit. "Where is it? Come on..." she muttered, frustration and fear rising in her chest.
Then she heard it—Alex's voice, distant but urgent.
"Maya!! He's here... Maya, he's here!!"
Her heart skipped a beat. She froze, the fear so sharp it almost paralyzed her. The Umbrella Man had found them. Alex's voice sounded closer now, frantic, terrified.
She abandoned the shelves and started running toward the sound of Alex's voice, yelling as she moved through the aisles. "Alex! Where are you?!"
The store felt like a labyrinth, the narrow aisles stretching endlessly in every direction. The lights flickered overhead, casting long shadows that made every corner seem like a potential hiding place for the Umbrella Man. Maya's footsteps echoed as she sprinted, her breath ragged.
"Alex!" she screamed again, her voice shaking. She turned a corner, and there—finally—she saw him.
Alex was running toward her, his face pale with terror, his arms full of supplies. He was screaming, but the words seemed to blur in the chaos. Everything felt like it was moving in slow motion.
Maya's legs burned as she pushed herself faster, reaching out for Alex. Their fingertips grazed each other as they ran to close the gap. Just as their hands were about to touch, Maya's world flipped upside down.
She was pulled off her feet and slammed to the floor, her head hitting the cold tile with a sickening thud. Pain shot through her skull, and before she could even register what was happening, she was being dragged. Dragged through the aisles, her body scraping against the floor.
Her screams echoed through the store, raw and desperate.
"Alex! Help! Please!!"
Alex's heart stopped. His blood turned to ice as he watched her being pulled away, her hands clawing at the floor, trying to grab anything to stop her momentum.
"Maya!" he screamed, his voice breaking. "No! No, no, no!"
Everything around him blurred. His legs felt weak, but he forced himself to run after her, his feet pounding against the floor. He could barely breathe as he watched Maya disappear down the long, narrow aisle, her screams echoing off the walls.
She couldn't see what was dragging her, but she knew. She knew it was the Umbrella Man.
Maya clung to the edge of the shelf, her knuckles white, the cold metal digging into her palms. She could feel her grip weakening, but she refused to let go. The Umbrella Man stood over her, a dark, shadowy figure, his face obscured by the brim of his black hat. One by one, his fingers closed around hers. His touch was ice-cold, deliberate.
Snap.
The sound of her first finger breaking echoed through the empty store. Maya's scream ripped from her throat, raw and desperate, bouncing off the walls. The pain was blinding, shooting up her arm like fire.
"Hold on, Maya!" Alex's voice was distant, but he was getting closer. She could hear his footsteps pounding against the tiled floor, but it felt like he was miles away.
Snap.
Another finger. The Umbrella Man's grip was merciless. Each snap was louder than the last, each crack of bone ringing in Maya's ears. She let out another scream, her voice hoarse and broken.
Alex was just a few steps away when he saw the Umbrella Man hyperextending her fingers. The sight made his stomach twist, nausea rising in his throat. "Maya!" he shouted, his voice filled with panic.
But before he could reach her, Maya was yanked backwards, her body sliding across the floor as if an unseen force had claimed her. She disappeared into the darkness of the storage room, her fingernails leaving streaks of blood on the tiles.
Alex sprinted after her, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He skidded to a halt at the entrance of the storage room, his flashlight casting weak, trembling beams of light into the pitch black. "Maya!" His voice was swallowed by the oppressive silence.
Suddenly, the light flickered and died, plunging him into complete darkness. Alex's heart raced. He fumbled with the flashlight, smacking it against his palm until it flickered back on. He took a step inside, his hand trembling as he aimed the beam around the room.
The only sound was his own ragged breathing—until he heard it. The faint rattle of chains.
Alex turned, the beam of his flashlight shaking as he searched the shadows. The rattle grew louder. He followed the sound, his heart hammering in his chest, when his light fell on Maya.
She was suspended in the air, a thick chain coiled around her neck like a noose. Her feet dangled inches from the ground, her face pale, her eyes wide with terror. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Alex..." she whimpered, her voice a broken whisper. "Please, help me..."
As soon as Alex took a step toward her, the Umbrella Man yanked the chain. Maya's body jerked upwards, her feet kicking as she gasped for air. The horrible sound of her choking filled the room, her fingers clawing at the chain digging into her neck.
"No!" Alex screamed, running toward her. The beam of his flashlight danced across the walls, casting wild shadows as he searched for something—anything—to cut her down. The Umbrella Man's deep, guttural laugh echoed through the room, sending a chill down Alex's spine.
"I want my sacrifice," the Umbrella Man's voice rasped from the darkness, the words dripping with malice.
Alex's breath came in short bursts. He glanced around frantically, the room spinning as panic set in. There was no time. Maya's gasps were growing weaker, her struggles slowing. He had to act fast.
"The breaker!" Alex muttered to himself, his eyes scanning the room. He knew he had seen it somewhere nearby. His flashlight flickered again, the weak beam sputtering as he raced toward the back wall. His hands fumbled over the cold metal of the breaker box.
"Come on... come on!" he gritted his teeth, yanking it open. His fingers shook as he flipped the switch. The room flooded with dim, flickering light, the fluorescent bulbs buzzing overhead like a swarm of angry insects.
Without wasting a second, Alex ran back to Maya. Her body hung limp now, her eyes half-lidded, barely conscious. The chain creaked ominously as it held her up.
"Hold on, Maya, just hold on!" he cried, lifting her down as carefully as he could. The chain slid free, clattering to the ground. He laid her on the cold floor, his hands trembling as he pressed two fingers against her neck, searching for a pulse.
For a moment, there was nothing. Just cold, still skin. Alex's heart sank, fear clawing at his chest. "No... no... please..."
He pressed his ear to her chest. Silence.
"No!" Alex screamed again, pounding his fist against the floor. But then—faint, almost imperceptible—he heard it. A heartbeat.
"Thank God!" Alex breathed, relief washing over him. But they weren't safe yet. The Umbrella Man was still there, lurking in the shadows. He could feel his presence, like a cold draft creeping up his spine.
With shaking hands, Alex scooped Maya's unconscious body into his arms. He could feel her shallow breaths against his chest. He had to get her out of here. Now.
He grabbed the basket she had dropped earlier—the first aid kit, flashlights, and duct tape spilling out across the floor. His hands trembled as he shoved the supplies back inside. The Umbrella Man's laughter echoed around him, growing louder, more distorted, as if it were coming from everywhere and nowhere all at once.
"You can't save her, Alex," the voice hissed, sending a shiver down his spine. "She is mine."
As Alex approached the counter, drenched in sweat and his heart still pounding, the cashier eyed him with a mix of confusion and concern. Maya's limp body was draped over his shoulder, her arms hanging lifelessly, her skin pale in the harsh fluorescent light.
The cashier furrowed his brow. "Sir... why are you screaming? And—" He hesitated, his gaze locking onto Maya's unconscious body. "What happened to her?"
Alex's voice cracked with desperation. "If I tried to explain, you wouldn't believe me! Just let me pay!" His words tumbled out in a rush, his hands shaking as he fumbled for his wallet. "Please! I don't have time!"
The cashier, still perplexed, took a step back, unsure of what to do. "But—"
"I said please!" Alex's shout echoed through the small store, his voice trembling with panic. His eyes darted nervously toward the darkened aisles behind him, as though the shadows themselves might come alive. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was still there. The Umbrella Man.
The cashier's eyes widened, his hand slowly reaching for the phone, but then something caught his attention. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a figure standing at the far end of the store, just beyond the flickering lights.
It was a man. A tall, gaunt figure. And he was holding an umbrella.
The cashier blinked, trying to process what he was seeing. "Uh, sir," he called out, his voice shaky as he tried to remain professional, "No umbrellas inside the store. You'll have to—"
Without warning, the cashier was lifted off the ground, his feet dangling inches above the floor. His eyes widened in horror, his mouth opening as if to scream, but no sound came out.
"What's... happening?!" he gasped, his voice trembling as he looked down at Alex, pleading for help. His body hung suspended in the air, then, slowly, began to turn upside down.
"What... is this...?" the cashier managed to choke out, his voice now a strangled cry of terror.
Before Alex could respond, the cashier's body twisted violently. His left leg bent in the opposite direction with a sickening crack, the bone snapping like dry wood. The sound echoed through the store, and the cashier's scream followed—a shrill, blood-curdling wail that made Alex's blood run cold.
"Help me! Oh Gosh, help me!" the cashier screamed, his voice growing more desperate with each second.
Alex froze, paralyzed by fear, his breath caught in his throat as he watched in horror. The cashier's arms began to twist next, the joints popping and bones splintering beneath the skin. Blood vessels ruptured, and bright red blood started pouring from his mouth and nose, staining his uniform. His eyes bulged as his entire torso was twisted, his spine contorting grotesquely.
"No... no, no, no!" Alex muttered under his breath, backing away. His mind raced. He had to get out. Now.
With one final, sickening twist, the cashier's neck snapped, his head hanging at an unnatural angle. His body collapsed into a twisted, broken heap on the floor, lying in a growing pool of his own blood. His lifeless eyes stared blankly at the ceiling.
Alex gasped, unable to tear his eyes away from the grisly sight. He felt nausea rising, but instinct kicked in. He grabbed his basket of flashlights, duct tape, and first aid kit without paying and bolted for the door.
His heart pounded as he ran toward the parking lot. For a split second, he glanced back over his shoulder. The Umbrella Man wasn't following him. Relief flooded his chest, but it was short-lived. Alex turned his head back, only to see the Umbrella Man standing directly in front of him, slowly approaching, his black umbrella casting a long, eerie shadow over the ground.
"Hell, no..." Alex whispered, fear gripping him. His body froze, his legs refusing to move.
The Umbrella Man's slow, deliberate steps echoed through the empty parking lot. His face remained obscured beneath the shadow of his umbrella, but Alex could feel the cold, malevolent presence radiating from him. It was suffocating.
In that moment, Alex remembered what Ethan had said about his witness. His heart raced as he quickly fumbled for his flashlight. Hands shaking, he aimed it directly at the Umbrella Man and switched it on.
The beam hit the Umbrella Man dead center. He let out a horrible screech, like the sound of nails scraping across metal, his body jerking violently as if burned by the light. His form flickered, and then, with a final piercing cry, he disappeared into the darkness.
Alex didn't waste another second. He sprinted to the car, throwing open the passenger door and gently placing Maya's limp body inside. He climbed into the driver's seat, his hands trembling as he fumbled with the keys. Ethan sat in the back, his face filled with confusion and fear.
"What the hell happened, Alex? Why is Maya passed out?" Ethan's voice cracked as he leaned forward, trying to get a better look at her.
Alex's hands tightened on the steering wheel as he sped out of the parking lot. His voice was strained, the words tumbling out in a rush. "The Umbrella Man... he nearly killed her, Ethan. He... he tried to hang her with chains. I barely got her down in time."
Ethan's face paled, his eyes wide with shock. "Holy shit... you saved her just in time." His voice trailed off, the weight of the situation sinking in. He sat back in the seat, muttering under his breath. "That bastard's playing with us... He can actually kill us, Alex. He's not just some ghost—he's toying with us, picking us off one by one."
Alex glanced at Maya, her face still pale, her chest rising and falling weakly with each shallow breath. His throat tightened as guilt overwhelmed him, tears blurring his vision. He bit his lip, trying to hold back the sobs that threatened to spill out.
"I'm sorry, Maya," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the sound of the engine. "I'm so sorry... this is all my fault."
They found a cheap motel on the edge of town. Alex parked the car and shut off the engine, his hands still trembling as he unbuckled Maya and lifted her gently into his arms. Ethan followed, helping Lena, who was groggy but regaining her strength, out of the car. Together, they made their way inside, where Alex booked a room with two beds and a small bathroom.
As they entered the room, Alex gently laid Maya down on one of the beds, her body still weak and sluggish as she slowly came to. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open, her voice barely a whisper. "Alex...?"
"I'm here," Alex said softly, sitting beside her and brushing a strand of hair from her face. "You're safe now."
While Ethan helped Lena bandage her wounds and gave her some painkillers, Alex grabbed the duct tape and started taping flashlights to the bedframes, their beams aimed outward, creating a makeshift circle of protection. He worked in silence, his mind racing with thoughts of the Umbrella Man and what they had just narrowly escaped.
Once the room was secured, Alex stepped into the bathroom to take a shower. As soon as the water hit his skin, the weight of everything crashed down on him. He broke down, his sobs echoing in the small, tiled space. He slammed his fist against the wall, over and over, cursing himself for what had happened. Maya had nearly died—because of him.
Outside the bathroom, Maya slowly got up from the bed, her limbs still aching. She could hear Alex crying, the sound of his muffled sobs tearing at her heart. She stood by the bathroom door, resting her head against it, listening to him quietly.
When Alex finally emerged, his face pale and his eyes red from crying, Maya was waiting for him. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. She whispered softly into his ear, her voice shaky but filled with gratitude. "Thank you..."
Alex was speechless, staring into her eyes as flashes of the moment she was being hanged replayed in his mind. His throat tightened again, but this time he swallowed the tears back. They had all been through enough.
As the night wore on, everyone settled into their beds. The room was dim, only the weak beams of the taped flashlights providing any sense of security. Maya lay next to Alex, listening to his soft, broken voice as he whispered to himself in the dark.
"Look at Maya... she almost died... because of my stupid story..." Alex muttered, his voice filled with regret. He began to sob again, the sound breaking the silence of the room.
Without a word, Maya shifted closer to him, wrapping her arms around his torso, holding him tight. "It's okay," she whispered softly, her voice calming him. "It's going to be okay. We'll get through this. We'll get rid of him, Alex. I promise."
Alex turned toward her, burying his face in her shoulder as he let the tears flow. He whispered apologies between his sobs, his voice barely audible. Maya reassured him again, her voice gentle and soothing.
"We'll survive this... because we have each other. Don't blame yourself."
For the first time that night, Alex felt a small flicker of hope, and with Maya holding him, he allowed himself to believe—just for a moment—that they might actually have a chance.
ns 15.158.61.6da2
