LOCKED SHADOWS

CHAPTER 008

CRACKS IN THE CALM

The sun rose reluctantly over the mist drenched forest, its pale light filtering weakly through the tall lodge windows. It cast no warmth, only a dull illumination that seemed to emphasize the silence rather than dispel it. Daisy sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the gray morning. Her sleep had been fragmented, her dreams fractured by the faceless man who haunted her nights. She could almost feel him still, lingering in the corners of her room. The air was too heavy, the silence too alive.

When she finally mustered the courage to step into the dining hall, the mood of the group mirrored her unease. Where laughter had echoed just the day before, now only quiet clinking of cutlery filled the space. Dave wolfed down eggs without a word, his jaw tight. Lucia scrolled her phone, distracted and unusually subdued. Alex tried half-heartedly to keep conversation alive, but his grin lacked its usual conviction.

Moses sat at the head of the table, commanding attention as always, though his charm now felt like a strained performance. Rebecca served tea with her calm, steady hands, but she avoided Moses’ gaze. Hannah sat quietly, stirring her cup in endless circles. Derek muttered under his breath, restless energy crackling in him, while Sugar chewed thoughtfully on toast, smirk playing at her lips.

Alright, Derek finally said, breaking the tension. What’s wrong with us? We look like extras in a funeral scene.

Lucia shot him a look. Maybe some of us didn’t sleep.

Dave grunted. Nightmares aren’t real. You all just need thicker skin.

Daisy flinched, lowering her gaze. She wanted to tell them what she’d seen, what she’d heard whispering in the halls, but her throat locked. If she spoke, would they believe her? Or would they, like Dave, dismiss it as weakness?

Moses clapped his hands together, forcing brightness into the room. We came here to have fun, not mope. Pool this afternoon, games tonight. We’ll shake this gloom off.

Rebecca’s quiet voice cut him down effortlessly. Not everyone is comfortable, Moses. You should acknowledge that.

The table stilled. Moses and Rebecca locked eyes, something unspoken but sharp passing between them. Daisy shivered. Moses’ smile wavered, Rebecca’s expression unchanging, like two forces pressing against each other in silence.

After breakfast, the group splintered. Dave, Derek, and Moses went to the pool, their laughter echoing too loudly in the still air. Sugar followed, teasing Dave along the way. Alex disappeared into the lounge, determined to keep the mood alive, while Rebecca and Lucia stayed behind to clear the table.

That left Daisy with Hannah. Together, they wandered into the library, where the dust laden air smelled faintly of mold and forgotten time. Tall shelves towered around them, their books sagging with age, spines cracked and brittle.

Hannah traced a finger along a row of worn titles. Places like this… they remember things.

Daisy frowned. Remember what?

Hannah hesitated, her eyes shadowed. Whatever happened here. She pulled her hand back sharply, as though the books had burned her skin.

A chill ran down Daisy’s spine. Do you know something?

But Hannah only shook her head and retreated deeper into the library.

By late afternoon, the group reconvened in the lounge. Derek had set up another round of cards, Sugar by his side with her usual smirk. Moses carried the room with his booming laugh, though the sound rang hollow. Rebecca watched quietly, her hands folded in her lap. Alex tried to fuel the fun, while Dave sat stiffly, arms crossed, as if daring anyone to mention fear again.

Then the chandelier above them swayed.

At first it was a subtle tremor, a shiver of glass. Then the heavy fixture groaned on its chain, swinging gently though no breeze stirred. Dust cascaded downward in thin streams. Conversations stopped mid-word. Eyes turned upward.

Old building, Moses said too quickly, forcing a laugh. That’s all.

But Daisy’s breath caught in her throat. In the corner of her eye, she saw him. The faceless man. Standing utterly still in the far corner of the lounge, his blank head tilted as though watching. Her heart pounded. She blinked and he was gone.

Her hand shook as she set her cards down. Did anyone else

See what? Derek asked sharply.

She faltered. Nothing.

Lucia’s eyes lingered on Daisy, concern flashing, but she said nothing.

As dusk crept in, the air thickened. The mist outside swallowed the grounds, pressing against the windows like an advancing tide. The group’s laughter dwindled, voices shrinking under the weight of something unseen. One by one, they slipped away to their rooms until only Sugar remained in the lounge.

She stretched out on the couch, tossing an empty chip bag at Derek as he left. Don’t stay up too late, tough guy, she teased. When the room emptied, she pulled out her phone, scrolling idly. The light from the screen lit her face in the growing dark.

A creak echoed.

Sugar stilled, eyes darting toward the doorway. Moses? she called, her voice half playful, half-cautious. No answer.

She rolled her eyes, muttering to herself. Creepy old house.

Another creak. Louder this time. Closer.

Sugar sat up, nerves flickering behind her smirk. Alright, not funny. She stood, brushing crumbs off her shirt, and stepped toward the corridor. Seriously, if you’re trying to scare me, it’s not working.

The lamp beside her flickered violently, plunging the room into near darkness before flaring back to life.

And then it happened.

A hand. Cold, unseen, but unmistakably real, seized her arm.

Sugar screamed. She yanked, but the grip tightened, nails or claws digging into her skin. Her body slammed against the wall with a force that knocked the breath from her lungs. Pain shot through her shoulder. She thrashed wildly, her screams piercing the lodge.

The others came running. Moses burst in first, followed by Dave, Alex, and Rebecca. Daisy and Hannah stumbled behind, hearts racing.

Sugar was on the floor, clutching her arm, eyes wide with terror. Red marks scored her skin, long and raw, as though something had raked across her. The lamp beside her swayed on its base, the bulb buzzing faintly.

What the hell happened? Dave demanded, his voice sharp with disbelief.

Sugar gasped, pointing at the empty air. It grabbed me! Something grabbed me!

Dave snorted, though uneasily. You probably tripped

Tripped? Sugar snapped, her voice shaking. She shoved her arm toward him. Does this look like I tripped?

The marks were undeniable. Rebecca knelt beside her, examining the wounds with careful hands. These aren’t from a fall, she said quietly. Something did this.

Moses rubbed the back of his neck, eyes darting nervously toward the shadowy corners of the room. It doesn’t mean

It means exactly what it looks like! Sugar cut in, tears brimming in her eyes. There’s something in this house, and it touched me.

Silence fell, thick and heavy. Daisy’s heart pounded. Finally, she wasn’t alone in her fear. Finally, someone else had seen, felt the truth. But instead of relief, dread washed over her. If the lodge could touch them now, then the nightmares weren’t just hers.

Dave shook his head, stubborn as ever. I don’t buy it. Maybe you scratched yourself without realizing.

Sugar lunged at him, fury flashing through her terror. You think I did this to myself?

Rebecca pulled her back gently. Enough. She’s hurt. That’s real.

Hannah’s voice, soft but steady, cut through the chaos. It’s beginning.

All eyes turned to her. She lowered her gaze, her hands trembling. I told you… places like this remember things. And sometimes, they don’t want to let go.

Daisy shivered. The faceless man’s whisper echoed in her mind: Leave.

But it was already too late.