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Chapter 1: The Shadow of Midnight
The town of Ashbourne had always been quiet, too quiet for someone like Ayla Moore. The fifteen-year-old stood at the edge of the forest, her breath fogging in the cool night air. Her parents never liked her sneaking out after dark, but tonight, something was different. There was a pull, something tugging her toward the old woods like a whispered invitation she couldn’t ignore.
She glanced back toward the row of houses behind her, their lights flickering in the distance like sleepy eyes. Everyone was fast asleep, unaware of what lingered beyond the trees. But Ayla knew. She had always known.
It had started three nights ago—whispers on the wind, faint, barely there, but real enough to make her heart race. At first, she thought it was just her imagination. A bad dream. But the whispers returned every night, stronger, clearer.
"Come closer."
The voice was a low murmur, neither male nor female. Ayla swallowed hard, the weight of her curiosity heavier than the fear creeping up her spine. She had always been the brave one, the one willing to explore the unknown. So why stop now?
A rustling in the bushes made her freeze. Her pulse quickened, but she forced her feet forward, stepping cautiously into the woods. The moonlight barely penetrated the thick canopy above, casting everything in shadow. The deeper she went, the louder the whispers became.
"Come closer."
A sudden chill filled the air, and Ayla shivered. She wasn’t dressed for this. Her thin hoodie did little to keep out the cold, but she kept going, her feet crunching on fallen leaves and twigs.
Then, she saw it—something that didn’t belong. In the middle of the clearing ahead, bathed in a soft glow, was a large stone. It was nothing like the others in the forest. This one was smooth, polished, and black, almost like obsidian, with strange markings carved into its surface.
As she approached, the whispers stopped. Silence pressed against her ears, thick and unnerving. Ayla hesitated, her hand hovering just inches above the stone. It was then that she noticed the reflection in its dark surface—her reflection. Only, it wasn’t just her. Standing behind her was a figure. Tall, shrouded in shadow.
She spun around, her heart slamming against her ribs, but there was no one there.
“Who's there?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
No answer.
She turned back to the stone, and the reflection was gone, replaced by something even more chilling—an inscription. The letters, glowing faintly, spelled out words in a language she didn’t recognize. But somehow, she understood them.
"To those who dare, the door will open."
Ayla’s breath caught in her throat. The ground beneath her trembled, and the stone emitted a low hum, vibrating under her fingers. Something ancient was waking up, something that had been waiting for her all along.
Before she could move, the ground split open beneath her feet, and with a scream, she was swallowed by the earth, tumbling into the darkness.
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End of Chapter 1
