Chapter 9 9

A deafening silence erupted in the air between the two of them after the shocking revelation of the piece of truth they just found out and the uncommon situation they are both now in. Even with the thick darkness that loomed larger around Ethan, Lila couldn't explain why or how she started developing sudden interest in him.

However, they both seemed stuck with each other now and they must either fight their way through the situation at hand together for any hope of survival or leave their survival to chances.

They both stared at each other, standing across the web covered table in between them, without speaking a word. Only the sound of their breath could be heard.

''I'm not sure what's ahead of us or if I'm ready for it. But I think we can survive it together.'' Lila broke silence before Ethan could say the words in his mouth, her voice crackly and the tone of her voice fairly uncertain.

''I think so too.'' Ethan responded, nodding.

Ethan collected the piece of paper from Lila and folded it into his back pocket as they turned to continue their search for whatever other leads or piece of information they could still lay their hand on. Ethan held her hand as they step deeper into the scary darkness of the room.

Lila gazed at Ethan as he held her hand. The touch didn't feel ordinary. It made still of the storm inside of her and at the same time speaks fear. Lila wondered what was going on within him but she couldn't get a hint.

As they went deeper, they were swallowed up by the darkness that engulf the entire room, the only sight of what could be seen was the white boldly written letters on the back of Ethan's shirt.

''Did you come with torch or your phone?'' Lila asked, her voice steady.

Ethan checked through his body. ''Yes, yes.'' He answered, his voice low and gentle as though being careful and wary of danger. He brought out two light sticks which he kept with him on their way to Grey Hollow.

He turned the light stick on and they continued. Lila constantly gazed at Ethan at intervals but his face remained unreadable.

When they came to the end of the hall, they decided to split up, but not so far from each other, to search for any available cues and anything they could lay their hands on.

As they continue in their search, Lila stumbled upon a small door covered by dust and cobwebs, unknown to her, leading to crucial information 'bout Ethan's enigmatic past and the actual terms of their contract. Piqued by curiosity, she gently moved closer to the door and knocked. putting her ears closer to door to get a hint of what is behind it.

She tried to open it but it wouldn't open. She tried the second time but it still didn't open. The door had been locked by someone. What door was it? What's behind it? And why was it locked?''

She searched if there was a key around somewhere but she couldn't come close to anything like a key. ''tch tch,'' she smacked her teeth and gently groaned.

''Ethan. Ethan? Ethan?'' she quietly calls, but Ethan didn't answer. She became unsettled and worried, her heart torn apart in fear and all manners of possibilities. ''Ethan, where are you?'' her voice shivering as her eyes scanned through the space.

Suddenly, she felt a firm grasp on her shoulder which startled her and made her want to scream but before she could scream, the person's hand covered up her mouth.

She shut her eyes, her whole body shaking, scared of what to happen next.

''Breathe. It's me.'' The voice was edgy and nearly above the sound of a whisper

She opened her eyes, ''Ethan?''

''Yes, dear.''

She let out a deep breath of relief and immediately turned to face him. His hands holding her waist.

''You scared me. Where were you? You've made me think of...''

''I'm here.'' He cuts her off. ''I'm sorry I scared you. I kind of lost my steps, but I'm here now.''

His words sounded so much peaceful and assuring. Her eyes locked with his as he talked, even though she didn't listen to everything he said. She rested her head on his chest and for a moment, the ongoing turbulence, fear, and anxiety ceased.

Ethan wrapped his arms around her, gently patting her back, and softly kissing her hair.

''I think we should leave here now.'' Ethan demanded, breaking the silence. But Lila didn't answer. She seemed to still be enjoying the little cozy embrace.

''Lila!'' Ethan called, his voice higher than before.

''Yes?'' she shrugged. ''I found a door leading to somewhere but it's not opening and there's no key. I've searched around, I can't find any key.''

''Door?! Where is it?'' Ethan questioned.

''Come.'' Her voice firm.

Ethan followed after her. When they came to the door, he tried to force it open but the door was firm and didn't seem like it will easily open. After many trials, he searched around for something to use to break the door open.

Finally, he was able to break open the door. It's a small chamber that had been designed secretly within the building, withholding answers and secrets buried from seeing the outside world.

Thick darkness filled the room and the howling sound of the rusty air flowing out of the door choked them.

After a long wait, Ethan entered and Lila trailed closely after him.

''Stay very close.'' Ethan ordered.

''Hmm,'' she mumbled. ''Stay alert.'' She warned.

''Sure.'' Ethan replied, his voice low, barely audible.

The room looked scanty and the it walls seemed to be closing in on them for every minute they spend inside. But they were not ready to give up now. They had each other and they're ready to face whatever comes together as one.

As they searched through the room, Lila came upon a picture in between the papers that were stacked. Her eyes grew wide open, she couldn't believe what befell her eyes. It's the picture of a lady, but it's Morgana's, Ethan's ex-lover.

''Wow. How plausible is this? Or, are my eyes deceiving me?''

''Since when have you had my picture?'' she questioned him, her voice soft.

''Your picture? How do you mean?''

''This.'' Lila showed it to him.

Ethan looked very closely and after a moment, h replied, ''that's Morgana's.''

''Who's she?''

Ethan paused to look at her. ''Her name is Morgana. My... she's in my past.''

''Your ex-girlfriend, right?''

''hmm, right.'' Ethan mumbled.

''But how come I look like her?''

Lila is strikingly similar to Ethan's ex-lover, who was killed under questionable circumstances, according to the evidence.

''What happened to her?'' Lila questioned.

Ethan's face burrowed as palpable sadness filled his eyes.

''She was murdered in cold blood in our formal apartment and all attempts to find who was behind it were all futile.''

The sound of murder sent chills of fear and unease down her throat, she swallowed hard.

Ethan continued by acknowledging that he doesn't know who to believe anymore. But he thinks that someone close to him is behind it. Lila starts to doubt everything after learning this, even her developing love for Ethan.