Walking down the stairs, I grabbed my duffle coat.  Putting it on, I turned to Emily.

"How do we even know where to go?", I asked, confused, buttoning my coat closed.

"We'll follow them"

Confused about Emily's reply, I went to question her, but before I could, Emily already was explaining what she intended to say.

"Two girls, they're both alive.  Both are experiencing outer body experiences and, having someone sensitive to the paranormal, helps them contact whoever they want"

"So, basically, they're calling to you?", Alex asked, raising a weary eyebrow.

"Yes!". Nodding, Emily walked out of the door, pressing the unlock button on her car keys as she went.  The car lights turned on, indicating the car was unlocked.

Getting in, I rested my head against the seat, playing with the hem of my coat.  The car hummed and vibrated as the ignition turned on. The headlights blared on, the car pulled away from the path and continued down the road leading out of the estate.

Silence

We drove past different kinds of houses and shops, all lined up on different streets.  The further we continued down the road, the more the buildings dispursed.  The land became greener.  Pulling up, we had made it to a forest.

Getting out, Alex held the door open for Violet and I.

"Follow me"

We nodded, and followed Emily into the thick blanket of trees and bushes.

The forest felt so surreal.  The trees loomed over us, streaks of light shone between the blanket of trees.  Shining on the worn down path, fallen trees were bound to the forest floor.  Vines and moss grew from the ground embracing the fallen trees.  The distant sounds of birds chirping their melodies could be heard.  Water was running down stream, hitting against the rocks.  Shadows cast long streaks of darkness along the forest floor.  Flowers danced in the silent breeze, their scent filling the air.

Walking along the path, I felt a calming presence.  Trees rustled in the wind.  Feet rustling through the fallen leaves was the only sign of human contact within the forest.

"We're near", Emily whispered in a timid voice, as if she was scared of disturbing any living force within the forest.

Continuing along the designated path, a rush of warm air engulfed me, pulling me towards an untravelled path.

"This way!". Pointing towards the path, my feet began to move, as if someone was guiding me.

Everyone followed me.  Looking around, the warmth I grew accustomed to faded, leaving me in the shadows of the looming trees.

"Now where?" Alex exclaimed.

Looking directly at me, Emily smiled and led the way, moving deeper into the labyrinth of trees and mother nature.

Walking through the forest, the noises began to morph into whispers.

"Don't go!"

"Go away!"

"You're near!"

The voices became louder the more we descended into the forest.

Suddenly, the voices stoped as we entered a clearing; the clearing looked so familiar.  That's when it hit me...my dream!

"This is the place from my dream"

Walking towards the cabin, the sound of feet rustling towards me grew.

Attempting to open the door was a failure.  With a reassuring smile, Alex grabbed the door, helping me to widen a gap which was big enough for us to slip in.

"On the count of three, one, two, three!"

Pushing strength into my arms, I opened the door with my brother's help.

"Follow me!"

Emily walked sideways behind the slightly ajar door.  Placing her hand out, she indicated to us to follow her movements.

As we all entered, I peered around the room. In the abandoned room, loose paint hang freely from the crumbling wall and ceiling.  Rotten wood dampened the air as a musty smell loomed over us.  The wind blew, whistling as it passed through the cracked windows.

The concrete floor was covered in damp leaves and moss.  Nails hung loosely from the wooden wall, hanging where random clothes stained red.  Candle holders were scattered over the floor.  Melted wax had hardened, attaching itself to damp leaves.  Cobwebs were left undisturbed in every corner of the decaying shack.  Chains were laid on the floor, rusting.

"There's no one here!" I shouted, worried that we were too late.

"No!" Leaning a hand on the ground, Emily closed her eyes, concentrating, her brows furrowed.  Emily opened her eyes.  Slowly, Emily walked across the room.  Four pair of eyes focused on her figure.

Kneeling once again, Emily raised her fist and knocked it on the ground.  No-one dared to disturb her.  Emily continued this, but stoped on the seventh knock as her fist made contact with the floor.

"Here!". Pushing away dead leaves and debris, Emily had found a rusted handle.

"Brooklyn, help me with this!"

Coming to Emily's aid, I grabbed the handle, helping to open the heavy trap door.

The sound of stone scraping against stone filled the room.  The room was filled with a overwhelming stench of metal.  The door was now fully opened, revealing a small passage way, which was dimly lit by old-fashioned oil lamps on the cobblestone walls.

Hesitantly, I jumped down after Emily.  Everyone else followed.

"A-are you sure about this?", a worried Violet asked, as she curled one hand on top of the other for comfort.

"Yes!"

As we continued, we heard a silent cry emanate from the end of the passage way.  Now running, we entered the room.

Darkness overwhelmed me.  The cold of the stone brushed against my fragile skin, sending shivers down my spine.

Turning the light from my phone on, I looked around the mysterious room.  My light shone on two faces, causing both to squint as a result of the sudden burst of light.

Two pale-faced girls sat upright in front of us, their hair messily tied back away from their faces.  Their arms were limp and rested by their side.  Their faces were drained of all colour, and hope, breathing ragged from the dusty air.  Their only source of light and oxygen was a hole which was dug up in the passage way behind me.

"Penelope and Elise!"

End of Chapter 27

Thank you for reading Chapter 27 of 'The Terror Within'