A silence filled the room, thick with the weight of unspoken fears. Liam swallowed hard, his gaze darkening. He's getting stronger. Each time, it's harder for me to push him out.
Lisa looked away, struggling to keep her voice steady. I can't let him take you. There has to be a way to sever his hold on you—on us—without... losing you.
Liam's hand found hers, his touch grounding her. We'll find a way, Lisa. But you need to be prepared… if he comes back and it's worse than before, you might not have a choice. I won't let him hurt you.
But Lisa shook her head defiantly, the determination in her eyes hardening. I don't care what he threatens. I'm not giving up on you. Not now, not ever.
A silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken fears and doubts. They both knew the necromancer would return, and that each visit left Liam a little more vulnerable. And now, as morning wore on, Lisa could feel the minutes ticking away, each one a step closer to the necromancer's next attack.
Later that evening, as night crept across the town, a chill filled the air—a harbinger of what was to come. Lisa and Liam sat in the dim light of the living room, waiting, hearts beating in sync as tension threaded through the silence. Every creak and groan of the house set Lisa's nerves on edge, but she kept her gaze locked on Liam, unwilling to let her guard down.
Then, without warning, his face twisted in pain, his hand flying to his head. His breathing quickened, and his body tensed, as if resisting an invisible force.
Liam? Lisa's voice quivered.
A deep, sinister chuckle escaped from his lips—a sound that did not belong to him.
Did you really think you could resist me, little girl? The necromancer's voice echoed through Liam, sending a chill down Lisa's spine.
Lisa's heart hammered in her chest, but she forced herself to stand tall. Leave him alone! You have no right to use him like this."
The necromancer's lips curled into a sneer. Oh, but he belongs to me now. And so do you, if you refuse to let him go. He leaned closer, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Release him, or I will turn this town into a nightmare. I'll start with the people you love—one by one.
Lisa's mind raced, her hands clenching into fists. You think scaring me will make me abandon him? I won't give you that satisfaction.
The necromancer laughed—a cold, hollow sound that filled the room. "Such bravery. Such foolishness. His gaze sharpened, dark and foreboding. Very well, then. You've made your choice. But don't say I didn't warn you.
He released Liam's body with a sudden, violent shudder, and Liam slumped forward, gasping for air, his face drenched in sweat.
Lisa knelt beside him, her hand on his back, her voice a soft, soothing murmur. It's okay. You're safe now.
But Liam shook his head, his face pale. No, Lisa. None of us are safe. He looked at her, his voice filled with dread. He's not going to stop. He's coming for everyone… for everything.
The weight of his words settled over her like a shroud. The necromancer's threat wasn't empty, and now, with the lives of everyone in town hanging in the balance, Lisa realized they had little time left to find a way to sever the connection.
Lisa helped Liam to the couch, where he collapsed, the terror still etched in his eyes. She could feel his exhaustion, the strain of his battle with the necromancer leaving him fragile, haunted.
We need to find a way to break his hold, Lisa whispered, her voice steady with a forced calm. He's not going to stop until he has you completely.
Liam shook his head, his hands trembling. It's… it's more than that. He's feeding off my memories, my regrets. Every time he gets inside my head, he grows stronger. He looked at her, eyes dark with fear. And I think he's closer to the edge of life than we know.
Lisa swallowed, her mind racing as she tried to piece together what they knew. So he's using your past, your memories… and that's how he's gaining power over you?
Liam nodded. Every regret I've ever had, every failure, he amplifies them, twists them." His voice cracked, and he clenched his fists, as if fighting to keep control. He knows where to dig, and it's getting harder to push him out.
Lisa's hand tightened around her pendant, her eyes narrowing. Then we'll find a way to sever his influence. If he's drawing strength from your memories, maybe there's something we can do to block him.
A knock at the door broke the tension, startling them both. Lisa and Liam exchanged a wary glance, each of them on edge.
Lisa moved toward the door, her heart pounding. She wasn't sure what she expected—a townsperson, someone who needed her help—or something far worse. But when she opened it, standing there was Emily, her face drawn with worry.
Lisa, I… I needed to see you, Emily said, her voice small, uncertain.
Lisa's breath caught, realizing what this meant. She stepped aside, letting Emily in, but kept a protective eye on Liam. Emily was the last person she wanted involved in this, yet here she was, a fragile connection to the world outside their nightmare.
Emily, you shouldn't be here, Lisa murmured, her voice thick with tension. It's dangerous.
Emily looked at her, her eyes hard with determination. I know something's wrong, Lisa. I can feel it. And I won't just stand by and watch you face this alone.
Liam managed a weak smile. Emily, you've always been braver than you look.
Emily's face softened, and she moved closer, concern in her gaze. Liam… you look terrible. What's going on?
Lisa stepped in, her mind whirling. Emily, there's… there's something you don't understand. The necromancer—he's real, and he's trying to take control of Liam. He's threatened to hurt everyone we care about if I don't… let Liam go.
Emily paled, her eyes darting between them, processing the weight of what Lisa had just said. Are you serious?
Liam nodded, his expression grim. It's worse than we ever thought. He's feeding on my regrets, my memories. He's using everything he can to make me… his.
Emily's jaw set, her hands clenching at her sides. Then let me help. Whatever you need, I'll do it. I won't leave you two to face this alone.
Lisa felt a flicker of hope, mingled with fear. Emily's loyalty was unwavering, but she knew the risk was greater now that Emily was involved.
We don't know what we're facing yet, Lisa said, her voice tight. But we can't wait much longer. The necromancer's getting stronger every day.
A heavy silence fell over the room as they looked at each other, the weight of their situation sinking in. The clock ticked ominously, a reminder that time was running out.
Liam took a shaky breath, his face set with determination. If we're going to end this, we have to act now. I don't know how much longer I can hold him off.
Lisa nodded, her gaze fierce. Then we find a way to cut him off from your memories, your regrets—whatever he's using to latch onto you. And we stop him, once and for all.
Emily looked at both of them, her voice steady. Then tell me what to do. I'm with you.
As the night deepened and shadows grew, the three of them began to plan, their determination steeling them against the darkness. But as Lisa's eyes flickered to Liam, she could see the strain, the fragile line he was walking between himself and the necromancer's control.
And she knew that the next time the necromancer came, he wouldn't leave until he'd claimed what he wanted—or destroyed everything in his path.