William felt an intense, chilling gaze pierce through him, sending a shiver down his spine. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, and his heart pounded wildly as he realized they were no longer alone. Whatever was watching them from the shadows wasn't human or anything close.
"Run!" he shouted to his companions, his voice barely holding back the terror he felt. The three of them bolted from the courtyard, their footsteps echoing through the cold, stone hallways of the castle. There was no time to think, no time to look back. They could feel the oppressive presence pursuing them, filling the air with a suffocating dread that seemed to sap the strength from their legs. They ran faster, panic gripping their chests, until finally, they burst through the castle gates and sprinted out into the open, gasping for air.
"This place… it's a nightmare!" one of them panted, his voice trembling.
