36. BLOOD

Murad wandered through the dimly lit hallways of the house, his footsteps echoing eerily off the walls. The air was thick and oppressive, carrying a faint metallic scent that set his nerves on edge. As he moved deeper into the house, the shadows seemed to stretch and twist, morphing into grotesque shapes that danced at the edges of his vision.

Suddenly, he stepped into a large room. The floor beneath him gave way with a sickening lurch, and he found himself submerged in a flood of dark, viscous liquid. Panic seized him as he struggled to stay afloat, realizing with horror that the room was filling with blood. The coppery taste clung to his tongue, and he could feel it seeping into his clothes, pulling him down.

Desperation clawed at him, and he flailed wildly, trying to find something to hold on to. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing like a drum. Just as he was about to be consumed by the crimson tide, a hand shot out from the darkness and grabbed his.

Taliya. She emerged from the shadows, her face calm and composed. Her grip was strong, pulling him back from the brink. Relief washed over Murad as he clung to her hand, feeling a sense of safety in her presence. But that relief was short-lived.

Taliya’s eyes, once warm and familiar, turned pitch black, voids of nothingness that seemed to swallow the light. Murad’s breath caught in his throat as he noticed scars forming on her hands, snaking up her arms like living things. The transformation was sudden and terrifying, the contrast between the Taliya he knew and the creature before him too stark to comprehend.

“Taliya?” he whispered, his voice trembling.

Her lips twisted into a cruel smile, and she jerked her hand away, leaving him floundering in the blood once more. Murad’s grip tightened, trying to hold on, but she stood up, her expression one of malevolent delight. The sight of her, transformed and unrecognizable, sent a chill down his spine.

“No!” he screamed, the sound ripping from his throat as he struggled against the overwhelming tide. But Taliya was gone, leaving him alone in the nightmare. The blood rose higher, threatening to drown him, and just as he felt his strength ebbing away, he woke up startled.

Gasping for breath, Murad found himself lying on the cold ground, the projection screen in front of him flickering with Viktor’s video. The image of Viktor stepping off an airplane played in an endless loop, a stark contrast to the horror he had just experienced. Murad’s chest heaved as he struggled to steady his breathing, his heart racing uncontrollably.

He scanned the room, but there was no one around. The realization that he was alone, with no one to help him, sent a fresh wave of panic coursing through him. His vision blurred, and the world tilted dangerously. With a final, desperate gasp, he blacked out, the image of Taliya’s black eyes and twisted smile burned into his mind.

~☆~

Fahad stood in the middle of the opulent event, the atmosphere buzzing with chatter and laughter. His eyes were fixed on Haroon, a sneer playing on his lips as he delivered yet another veiled insult.

Fahad stood behind Haroon with a smug look on his and with his hands shoved into his pockets. His words still ringing in Haroon's ears.

"That's none of your business." Haroon drawled out the words with lazy tone making Fahad shot back the words at him.

"And you don't have any business." Fahad was a man who would never backout from insulting competition.

Haroon rolled his and muttered under his breath, "then what this event looks like to you a farming event?" Sarcasm dripped from his voice as he said making Fahad's ears turn red.

"You,-" before the insults could continue, the shrill ringing of Fahad's ringtone caught everyone's attention.

Haroon’s jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Fahad's phone vibrated in his pocket. Irritated by the interruption, he pulled it out, intending to silence it. As he glanced at the screen, his eyes widened in shock.

"Hello?" He question into the phone then widened his eyes more on the speaker's words.


"Murad... fainted?" he whispered, disbelief and concern mingling in his voice. Without another word, he turned on his heel and bolted for the exit, his usual composure shattered.

The sudden change in Fahad's demeanor caught Taliya's attention. She had been mingling with guests, her eyes scanning the room with practiced ease, when she noticed Fahad's abrupt departure. Her gaze hardened, curiosity piqued by the unusual urgency in his actions.

Taliya excused herself from the conversation she was engaged in and, with a quick glance around, discreetly followed Fahad. She kept a safe distance, ensuring he didn't notice her presence. Her steps were measured and purposeful, her eyes never leaving his retreating figure.

Fahad burst through the venue doors and into the car parking area, his mind racing. He fumbled with his keys, his hands shaking as he tried to unlock his car. Taliya, staying hidden behind a parked vehicle, watched him closely. She saw the panic in his movements and knew something serious had happened.

"Murad..." she heard Fahad mutter as he finally managed to unlock his car. He jumped into the driver’s seat and started the engine, the sound echoing through the otherwise quiet lot.

Taliya waited until Fahad had driven off before quickly making her way to her own car.

As she stretched her hand towards her car, she was stopped by someone.