Zahir stood still.
The room was silent.
Then he turned to Mrs. Hodgins, eyes narrowed, voice low and sharp.
"Are you dumb, bitch?"
Hodgins blinked.
Zahir stepped forward, brushing dust off his half-unbuttoned shirt. "You've already used up three wishes. That's your weekly quota. I'm going back in the lamp."
He stretched, cracked his neck, and added, "And I swear, if Grandma tries to wake me up again, I will not be kind."
He snapped his fingers.
"Time for white girl noises and sleep."
With a shimmer of gold, he vanished.
Brittany and Lily stared, eyes sparkling.
"That was… kinda hot," Lily whispered.
"Yeah," Brittany muttered. "But also terrifying."
Hodgins stood frozen, confused and fuming.
Mira descended the staircase, heart pounding.
The air grew colder.
At the bottom, she found Anne—unconscious, floating just inches above the ground. A faint shadow hovered nearby, shaped like a little girl.
"Anne?" Mira whispered.
Anne stirred.
Her eyes fluttered open.
She saw Mira—and broke into tears.
"Mira…"
Mira rushed forward, catching her as she collapsed.
"I thought I was alone," Anne sobbed.
"You're not," Mira said gently. "We're here. Brittany's here. Lily too."
Anne looked up, eyes wide. "Lily?"
"She came through the fog. She's with us now."
Anne nodded, wiping her tears. "We need to get out."
They turned to the shadow.
Egry.
She hovered near the wall, flickering.
"I can't leave," Egry whispered. "I'm part of this place."
Anne's heart cracked.
"No," she said. "I'll get you out. I promise."
Egry smiled faintly. "You're the first to say that."
Scene: The Return
They climbed back up.
The mansion groaned.
The fog thickened.
And then—they saw her.
Mrs. Hodgins.
Standing in the center of the room.
Waiting.
Anne scanned the space.
"Where's Zahir?"
No answer.
Her pendant pulsed.
Her eyes narrowed.
And her rage began to rise.
To be continued…