The air felt different now.
Not just heavy—
controlled.
Like something unseen…
was watching every move.
Riya stood in front of me.
Still shaken.
Still trying to understand.
But I—
I had stopped trying.
Because deep down—
I already knew.
We crossed a line.
"It said we're not supposed to connect…" Riya whispered.
Her voice fragile.
"What does that even mean?"
I didn't answer immediately.
My eyes moved—
to the corner of the room.
The same place.
Where it always appeared.
And just like before—
it was there.
The shadow.
Silent.
Waiting.
Riya followed my gaze.
"…there's nothing there," she said slowly.
Of course.
She couldn't see it.
Not yet.
"What is it?" she asked.
I exhaled slowly.
"It's… me."
Her expression changed instantly.
"Stop."
"Listen first," I said quickly.
"Because we don't have time."
The shadow stepped forward.
And this time—
it spoke first.
"You shouldn't have let her remember."
My jaw tightened.
"I didn't let anything happen."
"You did."
Its voice remained calm—
almost emotionless.
"Connection accelerates awareness."
Riya looked between us—
confused.
Scared.
"Who are you talking to?!" she demanded.
I ignored the question.
Because something more important hit me.
"Awareness of what?"
The shadow's eyes darkened slightly.
"Of the system."
Silence.
That word again.
"What system?" I asked.
A pause.
Long.
Heavy.
Like even saying it—
had consequences.
Then—
it spoke.
⚡
"There are rules."
The lights flickered again.
Once.
Twice.
Like something didn't want this conversation to happen.
"Rule One," the shadow continued.
Its voice lower now.
More serious.
"Memories are not supposed to cross timelines."
Riya stiffened.
"So… my dreams—"
"They're not dreams," I cut in.
"They're fragments."
"Rule Two," the shadow said.
"Versions must remain isolated."
My heart dropped.
Because we already broke that.
"Rule Three…"
It stopped.
For the first time—
it hesitated.
"Say it," I pushed.
It looked directly into me.
And for a second—
I saw fear.
In it.
Then—
it said it.
⚡
"If two versions fully connect…"
A pause.
Dead silence.
"…one must be erased."
Everything froze.
Riya laughed nervously.
"That's not funny."
But no one smiled.
"Erased…?" she repeated slowly.
"What does that mean?"
"It means," I said quietly—
before the shadow could—
"one of us dies."
The word hung in the air.
Cold.
Final.
"No," Riya shook her head instantly.
"No, that's not happening."
She stepped closer.
Grabbing my arm again.
Stronger this time.
Like she was refusing reality itself.
⚡
The moment our skin touched—
pain exploded in my head.
Visions.
Fast.
Violent.
Uncontrollable.
Me—
lying on the ground.
Blood everywhere.
Riya—
screaming.
Begging.
Crying.
And then—
another version.
Standing behind her.
Watching.
Smiling.
I pulled away instantly.
Breathing hard.
"It's starting…" the shadow whispered.
Not to me.
To itself.
"What is?!" I snapped.
But before it could answer—
⚡
The same unknown voice returned.
Louder.
Angrier.
Everywhere.
"Violation detected."
The room trembled slightly.
"Connection threshold exceeded."
Riya grabbed my hand again—
instinctively.
Fear taking over.
"No—wait—don't—" I tried—
⚡
Too late.
The lights shattered.
Darkness swallowed everything.
And then—
a final whisper.
Cold.
Inhuman.
Right next to my ear.
😱 FINAL LINE:
"Selection process initiated."