The chair That demands a Life | Penana

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The chair That demands a Life | Penana

The chair That demands a Life

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The chair That demands a Life

ISSUE #9

Author:

Humera

The chair That demands a Life

Author:

Humera

ISSUE #9

39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVUeZ9thRF

Chapter 9: The Trade

The darkness went still.

Completely still.

As if the entire world had paused…

just to hear her choice.

“Take me.”

Aanya stood firm.

Her fear didn’t disappear—

But she stood anyway.

Meera shook her head violently.

“No! Aanya, don’t do this! It will trap you—just like them!”

Aanya didn’t look at her.

Because if she did—

She might break.

“If a life is needed,” Aanya said quietly,

“then mine is enough.”

Silence.

Then—

The darkness moved.

Slow.

Heavy.

Watching her.

“You offer yourself…”

The voice echoed from everywhere.

Aanya’s heart pounded.

“Yes.”

A pause.

Long.

Unnatural.

Then—

A whisper.

“…accepted.”

Meera screamed.

“AANYA NO—!”

The ground beneath Aanya shattered.

Darkness pulled her down.

Cold hands.

Endless shadows.

Wrapping around her.

She gasped, trying to breathe—

But there was no air.

Only silence.

Only falling.

Then—

Everything stopped.

Aanya opened her eyes.

She wasn’t falling anymore.

She was standing.

In front of the chair.

Back in her room.

Her breath trembled.

“It’s… over…?”

The air felt normal.

The room was quiet.

No shadows.

No voices.

Nothing.

Aanya looked around slowly.

“Meera…?” she whispered.

No answer.

Her chest tightened.

“No… no, it said it accepted—”

A sound interrupted her.

creak…

Aanya froze.

Slowly—

She turned toward the chair.

And her heart stopped.

Someone was sitting on it.

A girl.

Still.

Silent.

Aanya stepped closer, her breath shaking.

“Who…?”

The girl lifted her head.

And Aanya’s world shattered.

It was her.

Not a vision.

Not a reflection.

Her.

Sitting on the chair.

Eyes empty.

Smile broken.

Aanya stumbled back.

“No… this isn’t real…”

The seated version of her spoke.

“You made the trade.”

Her voice echoed strangely.

“You gave a life…”

Aanya’s chest tightened.

“I gave mine…”

The other Aanya smiled.

“No.”

Silence.

“You gave your future.”

Aanya froze.

“What…?”

The room grew colder.

The shadow formed behind the chair.

“You are still alive.”

Her breathing quickened.

“Then what did you take?!”

The shadow moved closer.

“Your place.”

Aanya’s mind spun.

“Your life will continue…”

The seated version of her slowly stood up.

“…but it no longer belongs to you.”

Aanya stepped back in horror.

“No… no, take it back—I didn’t agree to this!”

The shadow didn’t respond.

Because it didn’t need to.

The other Aanya stepped forward.

Closer.

“You wanted to save her.”

Aanya’s voice broke. “Where is she?!”

Silence.

Then—

A soft whisper.

“Gone.”

Her heart shattered again.

“You were never trading for her…”

The truth hit her like a blade.

“You were replacing yourself.”

Aanya collapsed to her knees.

“No… I tried to save her…”

The other Aanya crouched in front of her.

Smiling.

“You saved yourself.”

The lights flickered.

The shadow grew larger.

And Aanya finally understood—

The chair never takes a life…

It takes control of one.

39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24rIKupIeO

39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI53rkWx1ct
39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIwxKdE8sx

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