Jake stood in front of the tree beneath which Daniel's body was buried.He stared at the spot, a chill running down his spine. He still couldn't believe that someone they knew was truly gone. Furthermore, he had died here. Murdered.By whom? No one knew.
He looked to the side and lifted his gaze toward the abandoned hotel that had once been a luxurious place. Now, it looked like ruins—shrouded in darkness and mystery.
What secrets did this place hide?Why was he seeing memories of his grandfather and his sins? Was he the one who caused the tragedy?Were the ghosts really seeking revenge on his descendants?
The gray day only amplified the atmosphere of dread.Jake stood on the hill, watching the ocean waves crash angrily against the shore.He prayed someone would finally find them and take them off this cursed island.
He closed his eyes, sighed... and froze when he opened them again.A figure stood by the tree—where Daniel had been buried.White, translucent—the ghost of their friend.His mouth moved, as if trying to say something. Silently.
"Am I going crazy?" flashed through Jake's mind.
His legs felt like jelly.He tried to read the ghost's lips.Finally, with great effort, he understood:
"He... is... coming... for... you... you... must... watch... out..."
Suddenly, a hand touched his shoulder. Jake jumped.It Will.
"What's up, man? You look like you've seen a ghost," Will said with a smirk.
Jake turned toward him and glared.
"You interrupted me... He was trying to warn me."
"Who?"
"Daniel. I saw his ghost."
Will raised an eyebrow.
"Jake, come on. I know this whole situation is getting to us. But ghosts? Daniel's dead. He was murdered. That's a fact. But show some respect and don't make up stuff like this."
Jake felt humiliated.
"Okay. That's the last time I tell you anything. If you think I'm crazy—that's on you."
He turned and walked toward the hotel.Will just sighed and glanced at the tree. He frowned, as if analyzing something, then followed him inside.
*
That evening, the storm returned.Lightning lit up the sky, and rain slammed against the windows like a waterfall.The group sat near the reception area, on two old brown couches.
Olivia was snuggled up to Mason, casting jealous glances at Nancy, who kept eyeing her fiancé.
Betty flinched at every thunderclap.Mason watched Noah carefully, who looked completely zoned out.Jennifer and Will were watching Jake, who nervously paced by the front desk.
"Paranormal phenomena?" Olivia scoffed. "I always thought that stuff was nonsense. Horror movies never got to me."
"Then I'll take you to a cave full of skeletons and leave you there overnight. We'll see how brave you are then," Mason replied.
"A cave with bodies? What are you talking about?" Jake asked.
"Seriously. We found a cave full of human remains. When I walked over them, I had visions. It was like a frenzy. Terrifying."
"I believe you," Jake said quietly.
"It must've been some group hallucination," Will muttered. "Give me some of whatever you're taking—I want visions too."
Mason shot him a sharp look.
"Want to find out? Spend the night in that cave with Olivia. Maybe you'll both have a 'mystical experience.'"
"What?!" Olivia snapped. "You're not even jealous?"
"I don't love you," Mason said coldly.
Everyone fell silent. The tension was thick, and Olivia looked as though she'd just been slapped.Nancy barely hid a smile, which only enraged the brunette girl further.
"We're getting married anyway. Your father adores me. He won't accept anyone else," she growled.
"First, we need to get off this island," Mason replied calmly.
Just then, the old phone at the front desk rang.It wasn't connected to any network.
They froze. Mason and Noah stood up at the same time, but Noah let his brother take the lead.
Mason picked up the receiver, his hand trembling.
"Hello?" he asked softly.
Static. Then a female voice, desperate and pleading:
"Please... come... room... sixty-six..."
The call was cut off.
Mason looked at everyone.
"Someone's up there. I'm going alone. If I'm not back in ten minutes—come find me."
"It's a trap!" Nancy cried. "Don't go!"
"This might be our chance to find out what's going on here."
They couldn't stop him. Mason was stubborn.
With his heart pounding, he ran upstairs.Lightning flashed, illuminating the hallway.As the door to room 66 creaked open, he knew something was waiting for him.
He stepped in slowly.The room was dark, but seemed normal—at first glance.
Then he saw it.
A massive painting hung on the wall.A man, not much older than Mason. Cold, devilish eyes.Mason stepped closer. Reached out his hand.
Something compelled him to touch it.
Just as he was about to, Noah burst into the room.
"No! Don't touch it! It's a trap!"
Too late. Mason's fingers touched the canvas.
And then everything changed.
Light. Daytime. Voices. People.
They were in the same place—but in another time.The room looked different. The painting still hung there, but it wasn't terrifying.
"Noah, tell me I'm not crazy. What just happened?" Mason asked.
The blond boy looked around, terrified.
"What worries me more... is that you look exactly like the man in the painting..."
"What?!"
"He might be your ancestor. You're the spitting image."
Mason walked up to a mirror. He turned pale.
It was his grandfather.
But why was he now... him?
He looked at Noah.Neither of them had any answers.
They had fallen into a time trap.
And no one knew how to escape.