As Emily and Max tried to decipher the cryptic message, they began to feel a sense of unease. The air in the room seemed to grow thick and heavy, and the shadows on the walls appeared to twist and writhe like living things.
"I don't like this," Emily said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like we're being watched."
Max nodded in agreement. "I know what you mean," he said. "But we have to keep moving forward. We can't let fear paralyze us."
But as they continued to study the message, Emily began to feel a creeping sense of dread. The symbols on the paper seemed to shift and rearrange themselves, spelling out a message that made her blood run cold.
"Max, look at this," Emily said, her voice shaking.
Max leaned in close, his eyes scanning the paper. And then, suddenly, he froze.
"What is it?" Emily asked, her heart racing.
Max's eyes were wide with fear. "I think I know what this message is saying," he whispered. "And I think we're in grave danger."
As Emily looked at Max, she saw something that made her blood run cold. His eyes had turned black as coal, and his skin was deathly pale.
"Max, what's happening to you?" Emily screamed.
But Max didn't respond. He just kept staring at her with those black, empty eyes.
And then, suddenly, he spoke. His voice was low and menacing, and it sent shivers down Emily's spine.
"I've been waiting for you, Emily," Max said. "I've been waiting for a very long time."
As Emily watched in horror, Max began to transform before her eyes. His body began to twist and contort, his limbs elongating like rubber.
And then, suddenly, he disappeared.
Emily was left alone in the room, her heart racing with fear. She knew that she had to get out of there, fast.
But as she turned to run, Emily realized that she was trapped. The doors and windows were sealed shut, and she was alone with whatever evil force had taken over Max.
And then, the lights went out.
Emily was plunged into darkness, surrounded by an oppressive silence. She knew that she was in grave danger, and she had to think fast if she wanted to survive.
As she stumbled through the darkness, desperate to find a way out, Emily realized that she was not alone. There were footsteps echoing through the hallway, heavy and deliberate.
And they were comi