Whispers of the Forgotten Pines

Ethan gripped the old newspaper clipping in his hands, his pulse hammering in his ears. Eleanor Bell. She had vanished decades ago, yet he had seen her, spoken to her.

How was that possible?

The air in the archive room felt heavier now, as if the walls themselves were leaning in, listening. The scent of aged paper and dust mixed with something else—something faint, almost metallic.

A presence.

Ethan turned sharply. Nothing.

He exhaled, stuffing the article into his jacket pocket. He had to get out of here.

Pushing open the heavy door, he stepped into the hallway. The lights buzzed overhead, flickering slightly. He walked quickly toward the front of the library, but as he passed the tall shelves, something caught his eye.

A book, sitting slightly ajar on the third shelf. Unlike the others, this one had no title on its spine.

Ethan hesitated. Then, slowly, he reached for it.

The moment his fingers brushed the cover—

THUD.

A book from a higher shelf tumbled to the ground behind him.

He spun around. Nothing. Just rows and rows of books stretching into dimness.

His throat went dry. He turned back—

The book was gone.

His breath caught. He had just seen it. Touched it. But now the space where it had been was empty.

The whispers started again.

Low, overlapping voices, too many at once, swirling around him like a rising wind.

Ethan…

He staggered back. The whispers grew clearer, forming words.

You're getting too close.

His heart pounded.

A shadow passed between the shelves ahead. A fleeting movement, barely there.

Ethan didn't wait. He bolted down the hall, bursting into the library's front area.

Clara looked up from her desk, startled. "Ethan?"

He was already heading for the door. "I need to go."

"Wait! What happened?"

He didn't answer.

Outside, the cold air hit his face, but it did nothing to clear his head. The town looked normal—quiet, peaceful. As if the darkness inside the library hadn't just whispered his name.

He pulled out the newspaper clipping again, staring at Eleanor Bell's face.

What happened to her?

What had he just heard?

And more importantly—

Who didn't want him to find out the truth?