Three Cold Fingerprints

Aanya never meant to wander far. One moment she was walking on a narrow forest path,

and the next, the trees closed in around her. Her phone had no signal.

The air felt cold and heavy. Then she heard it. “Aanya…” Her name drifted

through the trees like a whisper. She spun around, but no one was there. Shadows stretched

across the ground, twisting into shapes that didn’t look human. Her heart raced

as slow footsteps crunched behind her. She ran. Branches scratched

her arms as pale figures flickered between the trees. Their faces were empty,

their eyes glowing softly. No matter how fast she ran, the whispers followed,