Voices Beyond the Break

There was a group of five friends—Luna, Emma, Ava, Veronica, and Victor. Luna had a laid-back nature; Emma had a deep love for cats; Ava was narcissistic. Veronica was emotionally detached, and Victor—her brother—had unrequited love for Ava. At their school recess time, a regulation allowed students to move around campus grounds—but only within prescribed limits. Ignoring this decree, the group strayed beyond, discovering a barren, dilapidated mansion. Veronica, captivated by the scene, insisted that they investigate. Victor, being the moral one, protested, recalling the school rule against entering it. But influenced by his sister's sad eyes, he gave in. Veronica was filled with excitement as they entered the abandoned estate—so their nightmare began. The group split up: Ava and Victor went upstairs; the others stayed behind. While walking, creeping sensations arose—the unmistakable realization of being followed. Turning back, they saw nothing. Then suddenly, Luna was grabbed by an invisible hand, yanked hard across the ground. When she was gone, Emma and Veronica looked frantically for her. Shortly, a monstrous horror appeared—Luna's headless body at their feet. Aghast screams filled the air as they ran away. In another room, they encountered a girl seated silently, consuming. something. As they neared, the grotesque truth emerged: the girl was devouring a human heart—Luna’s. Shrieking anew, they retreated, seeking sanctuary. Emma crawled beneath a bed; Veronica concealed herself within a closet. Moments later, a blood-curdling scream echoed—it was Emma’s. Realizing her end, Veronica bolted upstairs, calling out: “Onii-chan! Victor! Flee from this place—you’ll die!” But before she could make an escape, she was captured as well. Paralyzed by fear, Victor heard her final cry. He told Ava to get out right away. But in trying to escape, the decaying floor caved in and kept them separated. Out of the darkness appeared a ghostly girl. I was like you," she spoke softly. "A man came for me in 2020, telling me he knew where my parents were. He brought me here. and blinded me. He cut off my arm. disregarded my screams. then took out my organs. I died. buried in this house. Now I kill those that disobey their elderly." She faced Ava. "Do you want to see the knife? Thinking she was safe, Ava advanced. The ground beneath her cracked—she fell. Her head came off her neck. Victor, completely alone now, ran with frantic abandon. Outside, stumbling, he met a laborer. "Hey kid, shouldn't you be at school?" Victor, shaking, said "M-my. my friends. they're dead. In that place." When he pointed, the house was gone—only trees. Time had warped. The bell rang again. Students went back to class. Victor, stunned, sat quietly. The teacher began calling names: "Olivia, Sebastian, Elina, Mia." Victor waited for his friends' names—Emma, Ava, Veronica, Luna. But never were those names spoken. "M-ma'am," he interrupted, "you missed some names." The teacher scowled. "There are no such students. I don't even think those names exist." Victor was paralyzed. Later, at home, he was greeted nonchalantly by his parents. "Victor, who's the girl in your picture?" his mother asked. "Veronica—my sister." "Sister? But you don't have one." Victor gazed at the family picture. He was alone in the photo. Shattered, he barricaded himself in his room and cried. With the months passing by, Victor's sanity began to break down. He talked continuously to an imaginary child: "Don't rebel against your parents. they always know best." "You never listened. and now, neither will you.".