Determined and resolute, I stepped through the front door with a single purpose burning in my chest. No more hesitation. No more empty calls to the police who dismissed my claims. The figure trapped beyond the towering walls wasn’t going to free himself, and it was up to me to prove his existence—no matter the risk.
That entire evening was a restless blur as I mapped out my plan, pacing in my small room under the dim glow of my desk lamp. My idea was straightforward but fraught with danger: under the cover of night, I would slip onto Mr. Albu’s property, find the captive, and capture undeniable photographic evidence. Then, I would confront the police again with proof they couldn’t ignore.
But the biggest challenge was clear—I had to avoid detection at all costs. If caught, I’d be in far more trouble than I already was.
Hours later, as the household succumbed to sleep, I dressed quietly in black, grabbed my phone, and slipped out the front door into the silent street. The neighborhood felt abandoned; porch lights dark, windows shuttered. All I could hear was the soft chorus of crickets and the whisper of wind through the leaves.
By the time I reached the wrought iron gate of Mr. Albu’s estate, my heartbeat was so loud I feared it would betray me. The imposing ten-foot wall rose before me, a fortress of dark stone, casting long shadows that seemed to reach for me. My palms pressed against the cold, rough surface as a voice inside me warned: this was reckless, dangerous, possibly suicidal.
“What are you doing?” I muttered to myself, eyes flicking up at the indifferent stars overhead. There was no turning back now.
Summoning what little courage I had, I pulled myself up, muscles burning as I clawed at the uneven bricks. My hands scraped raw, but adrenaline pushed me onward until finally, I hoisted myself over the wall. From the top, the mansion below looked even more menacing, its sharp angles like jagged teeth outlined against the night.
Landing softly on the grass, I let out a shaky breath and stepped forward into the backyard—an abyss of dense shadows and cold silence. My eyes immediately sought the ancient cottonwood tree standing guard at the far end of the yard, its massive boughs swaying gently in the night breeze.
Suddenly, a subtle movement caught my attention. My breath hitched as something shifted amid the thick branches, leaves rustling like a murmured warning.
Then, those eyes appeared—silver-grey and glowing, reflecting an unnatural light. Unblinking, they fixed me with a cold, predatory gaze that froze my blood. The figure perched within the tree was eerie and unnatural, limbs folded and hidden beneath the foliage, its stillness almost supernatural.
From its ankle dangled a long silver chain, coiling tightly around the tree trunk, binding it. This was no ordinary prisoner, but a creature—something not of this world.
My heart thundered in my chest as the weight of what I was witnessing settled over me like a shroud. The thing watched me—me, a trespasser in this dark domain—with unwavering intensity.
Before I could process more, the figure moved suddenly, dropping from the branch with a fluidity that defied nature. Its elongated limbs carried it silently to the ground, where it shifted on all fours, cautious and tense, like an animal unsure if I meant harm.
I was rooted to the spot, frozen by a mixture of fear and instinct not to provoke it. My muscles screamed to run, but my mind held fast, driven by something deeper—compassion.
It reminded me painfully of a stray dog, beaten and wary of any touch. That image twisted my stomach into knots, and despite my terror, I took a tentative step forward.
The creature’s glowing eyes widened, its body recoiling into the shadows beneath the tree. I raised my hands gently, voice barely more than a whisper. “I’m not here to hurt you. I want to help.”
The night swallowed my words, broken only by the rustling leaves as the strange being retreated.
I fumbled with my phone, fingers trembling as I opened the camera app. This was the evidence I needed, the proof to break through the police’s disbelief. I tapped the shutter, and the flash cracked the darkness.
Instantly, a guttural snarl shattered the silence, vibrating through my chest like a shockwave. The creature lunged with unnatural speed and terrifying strength, its limbs extended like a panther’s, closing the gap between us in heart-stopping seconds.
I stumbled backward, arms flailing to shield myself, my scream caught in my throat. The damp earth rushed up to greet me as I fell hard, scraping hands and knees against the cold ground.
Desperately, I scrambled away, breath ragged and shallow, dirt clinging to my palms. But the creature was held back—pulled abruptly by the chain that bit into its flesh, rattling and straining under its furious weight.
Its glowing eyes locked on mine, wild and fierce, burning with rage and pain.
Before I could react further, rough hands seized my collar, yanking me backward with brutal force.
“You just don’t know when to stop, do you?” Mr. Albu’s voice was cold, sharp as ice. His grip was iron, unyielding despite my struggles.
I gasped for air, spinning my head to see the old man’s face twisted in fury. “What is that? Some lunatic you’ve chained up?” I demanded, brushing dirt from my scraped elbows, eyes darting back to the tree—only to find it empty and silent.
The creature had vanished as suddenly as it appeared, leaving behind nothing but the haunting stillness of the night.
Mr. Albu sighed heavily, pressing a hand to his temple like I was an exhausting nuisance. “What are you doing sneaking around my property at this hour?” he snapped.
I took a deep breath, steadying myself against the sting of fear and adrenaline. “Why do you have someone tied to that tree?”
His gaze cut through me like a blade, but I held my ground. “I’m not leaving until I get answers.”
For a long moment, the old man said nothing, the weight of silence pressing down like the darkness surrounding us. Then, with a slow, menacing smile, he leaned in closer. “Be careful what you ask for, boy. Some truths come with consequences far worse than you imagine.”
His words sent a chill deeper than the night’s cold, and I realized the fight to uncover the truth was only just beginning.