The ground floor was a sea of shadows and murmurs. Shoppers pressed together, faces pale, eyes wide. Some clutched children tightly, others whispered frantic prayers. The air smelled of damp rain, spilled coffee, and the faint tang of fear.
Raven stood slightly apart from the crowd, her hands stuffed into her jacket pockets. She watched the chaos with quiet curiosity, noting who panicked, who froze, who tried to comfort others.
Lily stepped lightly towards Theo, eyes darting around. Theo, usually calm, had his jaw tight, scanning the floor for anything unusual.
“Everyone, please remain calm!” one of the security guards shouted over the rising noise. “We need to check the basement — the lights, the circuits. We can’t do this alone!”
The crowd murmured, fear and hesitation thick in the air.
A taller guard continued, voice firm but cautious. “We will not be asking fathers or sons to come along. But anyone here who is single, with friends, and feels courageous… step forward."
The group fell silent. People exchanged nervous glances.
Sienna’s crew immediately protested. “No! She’s busy! She can’t—”
Sienna raised a hand, cutting them off. She looked around at the panicked crowd, at the crying children and worried parents. Her sharp gaze softened slightly. This wasn’t about interviews or cameras anymore — it was about helping people.
She sighed. “I’ll go.”
A few heads turned. Some whispered. Others muttered, impressed.
One by one, volunteers stepped forward.
A guard held a small notepad and pen. “Name and phone number, please. Just so we know who’s with us,” he said, voice firm. Raven, quiet but steady, moved toward the front. She scribbled her name and number quickly, not looking up.
Isabel Lily clutched her small backpack, courage in her wide eyes. “Isabel Lily,” she said softly, handing over her phone number.
Theo shuffled slightly, hesitant, then nodded. “Yeah… I’m Theodore. Here’s my number.”
Blake muttered something about not having a choice, rolling his eyes but following. “Blake. 050… whatever.”
Damian’s smirk never left his face. “Why not?” he said, almost to himself, giving his contact.18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPmk7W0pcx
Four strangers; Peter, Geol, Menon, and Wends whose faces were still tense from fear, also stepped up, writing down their names and numbers reluctantly.
18Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMejDp9fO5y
Six security guards led the way, two stayed behind with the remaining crowd. The group descended into the dim stairwell, the echo of their footsteps bouncing off the walls, each name now officially recorded — a subtle reminder that there was no turning back.
The air grew colder as they went down, the faint hum of the emergency lights above replaced by silence. Only the occasional drip of water or a distant metallic clang broke the quiet.
To pass the time — or perhaps to ease tension — introductions began.
“Raven,” the quiet, yet observant girl said simply, keeping her eyes forward.
“I’m Sienna,” the confidence in her that shined in everyone's heart, voice firm.
Lily peeked at Raven, smiling faintly. “Isabel… Lily,” she said.
Theo finally spoke, shrugging. “Yeah… I’m Theodore. But you can call me Theo.”
Blake muttered his name, Damon style, half-interest, half-annoyed. Damian only offered a sly nod, keeping his real thoughts to himself.
The strangers gave only their first names, wary, whispering.
Step by step, they descended deeper, the mall above them now a faint echo of light and chaos. Every shadow seemed alive, every faint sound amplified.
And for the first time, the group — six youngsters and four strangers — realized that they were now dependent on each other. The security guards might lead the way, but what awaited in the basement was unknown… and the darkness didn’t care who was brave or who was not.
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and then Add to home screen.