*The Lost Highway*
*Part 1: The Dark Road*
Akhil hit the gas, speeding down the dark highway. His GPS said 30 minutes to the next town, but he'd been driving for hours. Suddenly, his phone buzzed – an old song, "Heartbeats." His ex's song.
He'd deleted her number, but this felt like her. He slowed down. The road blurred. Headlights flickered – a car behind. Akhil sped up. The car matched.
*Part 2: The Sign*
Then, a sign: "Welcome to Ashwood. 5 miles."
Akhil laughed. Ashwood? His ex's hometown.
The car behind vanished. Akhil pulled over. Why did he come here?
*Part 3: The Figure*
A figure appeared at his window. "Lost?" a voice whispered.
Akhil turned – it was her.
*Part 4: The Ex*
She smiled. "Akhil, why are you here?" Her voice was the same.
Akhil's heart raced. "Just passing through," he lied.
She leaned in. "No one passes through Ashwood."
*Part 5: The Invitation*
She opened the door. "Come. Stay tonight."
Akhil hesitated. Something felt off.
*Part 6: The House*
She led him to an old house. "My place," she said.
Inside, photos of them covered the walls.
*Part 7: The Truth*
Akhil spun around. "What's going on?"
She whispered, "You left me. You left Ashwood."
*Part 8: The Realization*
Akhil backed away. This wasn't real.
She stepped closer. "You never left."
*Part 9: The Trap*
Akhil turned to run. The door locked.
She whispered, "You're home now."
The lights went out
*Part 10: The Darkness*
Akhil stumbled, trapped. Her laughter echoed. He crawled toward a window – shattered glass everywhere. He cut his hand, but pain felt distant.
A voice whispered, "You left me bleeding." Footsteps closed in.
Suddenly, memories flooded: Akhil had hit her, left her in Ashwood. This wasn't the past – it was a loop.
*Part 11: The Escape*
Akhil's apology hung in the air. The darkness pulsed. Then, silence.
Her grip on reality wavered. Akhil saw a glitch – the walls blurred.
He pushed through the shattered window. Outside, Ashwood was empty. No cars. No lights.
He ran. The highway reappeared. His phone buzzed – "Heartbeats" fading.
Akhil kept running. Behind, a whisper: "You're still here."
He didn't look back
THE END.