Whispers in the Attic: A Ghost's Last Lament

The rain poured down like tears, a relentless symphony that echoed through the creaking walls of the old dormitory. It was the kind of place that whispered secrets to those who dared to listen, a place where time seemed to stand still and memories clung to every corner.

Evelyn had left the dormitory a decade ago, her heart heavy with the weight of a tragedy that had torn her life apart. Her best friend, Sarah, had died under mysterious circumstances, and the dormitory had become a place of haunting memories. Yet, something compelled her to return, as if the dormitory itself was calling her back.

The dormitory was a relic of the past, with its faded posters of rock bands and peeling paint. Evelyn pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside, the scent of dust and old wood enveloping her. She wandered through the halls, her footsteps echoing through the empty rooms.

The attic was always the most eerie part of the dormitory. It was where Sarah had spent most of her time, a place of solace and solitude. Evelyn had never ventured up there, but tonight, something felt different. She felt an inexplicable pull, as if she was being drawn to the attic by an invisible force.

The attic door creaked open with a loud, ominous sound. Evelyn stepped inside, her heart pounding in her chest. The room was small and cluttered, with old furniture and boxes piled haphazardly. In the corner, a small, ornate mirror stood on a pedestal, its surface cracked and tarnished.

As Evelyn approached the mirror, she saw her reflection, but something was off. The eyes in the mirror were not her own. They were wide and haunted, filled with a sorrow that seemed to pierce through her soul. She gasped and stepped back, her breath catching in her throat.

"Sarah?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

The mirror shifted, and a ghostly figure emerged. It was Sarah, her hair disheveled, her eyes filled with pain. Evelyn took a step forward, her hands reaching out as if to touch the specter.

"Sarah, what happened?" Evelyn asked, her voice breaking.

Sarah's lips moved, but no sound came out. Instead, a series of words formed in the air: "I didn't leave... I can't leave... They won't let me go."

Evelyn's eyes widened in horror. "Who won't let you go?"

Sarah's figure flickered, and she pointed to the mirror. Evelyn turned and saw a shadowy figure standing behind her. It was a man, tall and gaunt, his face twisted in anger and desperation.

"Leave her alone!" the man's voice was cold and menacing.

Evelyn spun around, her eyes darting to the mirror. The man's face was blurred, but his eyes were clear and filled with malice. "You killed her," Evelyn accused.

The man's laughter echoed through the attic, a sound that sent shivers down Evelyn's spine. "Killed her? No, I made her disappear. She's mine now, and she will stay mine."

Evelyn's mind raced as she tried to process the information. The man was the one who had killed Sarah, and now he was holding her spirit captive. She had to free her friend, but how?

The man lunged at her, his hands outstretched. Evelyn dodged, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked at the mirror, and the reflection of Sarah's eyes seemed to hold a message for her.

"Find the key," the words whispered through the air.

Evelyn's gaze shifted to the pedestal, where the ornate mirror stood. She reached out and touched the surface, feeling a cold, metallic object beneath her fingers. It was a key, a small, intricately carved key that fit perfectly into the lock on the mirror.

Evelyn turned the key, and the mirror began to glow. The man's figure wavered, and then he vanished. Sarah's figure reappeared, her eyes filled with relief.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Evelyn nodded, tears streaming down her face. "You're free now."

Sarah's figure faded, and then she was gone. Evelyn stood in the attic, the mirror still glowing. She knew that she had done the right thing, but she also knew that the dormitory would never be the same.

She left the dormitory that night, the rain still pouring down. As she drove away, she looked back at the old building, its windows dark and empty. She felt a sense of peace, knowing that Sarah was finally free.

But the dormitory would never forget. It had witnessed too much pain, and it would always be haunted by the echoes of the past.