The next day, the friends decided to take Sheila to the hospital due to her condition. The doctor said physically she was fine, but she was under severe stress. When Sheila recalled those moments, she squeezed her hands together and quietly said:
"He… he was whispering... he said something incomprehensible... but there was one sentence I clearly heard: 'You've come back...'"
Fred and the others looked at each other.
"'You've come back...'" Victoria whispered. "So, whoever that person is, he was waiting for us..."
These words only intensified the fear within everyone.
Orlich placed his hand on his chin and thought.
"We know someone used to live in that basement. But maybe that person is still around... and is worried about us being here?"
Ethan furrowed his brows.
"Then why didn't he just chase us away? Why did he keep Sheila there?"
There was no answer to that question.
Despite their fears, the friends were determined to solve the mystery. So, the next day, they decided to return to the forest. But this time, they were prepared: Richard brought his pocket knife, and Ethan took a small stick his father had given him.
When they reached the basement, Fred looked at Orlich.
"Alright, buddy. You turn on the flashlight, and we're going in together."
Orlich turned on the flashlight and descended first, followed by the others. This time, the daylight allowed them to see more clearly. There were old footprints on the floor and dried blood stains. But the most interesting thing was a notebook in the corner.
Fred carefully picked up the notebook and flipped through the pages. The pages were filled with strange, incomprehensible sentences. But some parts were clear:
"They've come back. They're looking for them. But they must not be found."
"The night will come. It will awaken."
A cold fear gripped Fred's heart.
"What does this mean?" Rima asked nervously.
Richard clenched his teeth.
"We've gone too far…"
Just then, a sound came from above the door. Someone was at the entrance of the basement… and they closed the door.
The friends quickly looked up. But it was too late.
The door had been closed... and a breath was heard in the darkness.
They were trapped.