The Ghost's Quick Escape: A 4-Minute Horror

In the heart of an old, abandoned mansion, the air was thick with the scent of decay and fear. The woman, known only as Lily, stood at the threshold, her breath visible in the cold night air. Her heart raced as she realized the gravity of her situation. She had only 24 hours to escape the clutches of the ghost that haunted this place.

Lily had heard the legends, whispered through generations of townsfolk. The mansion had once belonged to a wealthy family, but a tragic event had left it cursed. A young daughter, Eliza, had vanished without a trace, her ghost now said to roam the halls, seeking her mother's forgiveness. But Lily's visit was not for nostalgia or curiosity; she had come to save her own life.

As she stepped inside, the echoes of her footsteps reverberated through the empty rooms. The mansion seemed to breathe, a living entity watching her every move. The windows were dark, save for one flickering light that seemed to mock her. Lily's mind raced, trying to recall the map of the house she had studied earlier.

The first challenge came when she found herself in a room with four doors, each numbered. The ghost, a specter of Eliza, appeared at the top of the stairs, her eyes hollow and filled with malice. "You won't escape so easily," she hissed. Lily's pulse quickened, but she stood her ground.

"Which door leads to freedom?" Lily called out, her voice steady despite the tremor in her chest.

The ghost smiled, a chilling sound that echoed through the room. "You must choose wisely, Lily. One door leads to the garden, another to the basement. But only one will take you to safety."

Lily's mind worked quickly. She had to rely on the map and her wits. She approached the doors, her fingers tracing the cool metal handles. The ghost watched her every move, her laughter a hollow sound that sent shivers down Lily's spine.

With a deep breath, Lily opened the door marked '4'. To her relief, the ghost did not follow. She stepped into the darkness, her flashlight cutting through the shadows. The air was cooler here, and she could hear the distant sound of running water. She made her way through the labyrinth of corridors, her heart pounding in her chest.

Suddenly, the ghost appeared at the end of the hall, her form ethereal and haunting. "You're not so clever after all, are you?" she sneered.

Lily's eyes widened in terror, but she had a plan. She spun around, pulling out a small, ornate key from her pocket. "This is the key to the safe room," she said, her voice filled with determination. "And I intend to use it."

The ghost's eyes widened in shock as Lily unlocked the door to a small, hidden room. She darted inside, the ghost hot on her heels. The door slammed shut, locking them in together. Lily's heart pounded as she realized the ghost had followed her.

"You can't hide from me forever," the ghost hissed through the wooden door.

Lily's eyes widened as she realized her only hope was to outsmart the ghost once more. She rummaged through her bag, pulling out a small vial of holy water. "I know your weakness," she whispered, pouring the water over the doorknob.

The ghost let out a cry of pain, her form flickering and fading. Lily's heart raced as she heard the ghost's form disintegrate into nothingness. She took a deep breath, relief washing over her as she realized she had done it.

With a sigh of relief, Lily stepped out of the safe room and into the night. The mansion loomed behind her, a shadowy figure now free from the curse. She ran towards the sound of the garden, her heart still racing from the encounter.

When she reached the garden, she saw a figure waiting for her. It was a man, his face a mask of concern. "I thought I would never see you again," he said, his voice filled with emotion.

Lily smiled, tears of relief streaming down her face. "I had to get out," she said, her voice trembling. "But I did it."

The man nodded, his eyes filled with admiration. "You're a brave woman, Lily. You've done the town a great service."

Lily smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment she hadn't felt in years. She turned to leave, the man walking beside her. As they stepped into the moonlit night, Lily couldn't help but feel a sense of freedom, knowing that she had escaped the ghost's quick escape and lived to tell the tale.

The end.