Luca stepped onto the university campus, feeling both excited and out of place. He wasn't sure where to start, but his thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

Nisha (playfully):

"Hey, running a little late, huh?"

Luca looked up to find a girl standing there, arms crossed, a grin on her face.

Luca (stiffly):

"Yeah, had a compartment exam. Just got here."

Nisha (smiling):

"No worries. I'm Nisha."

She extended her hand, and Luca hesitated before shaking it.

Luca:

"I'm Luca."

Nisha (casually):

"Nice to meet you. First day, right? Where's your first class?"

Luca glanced at his schedule, unsure.

Luca:

"Still figuring that out."

Nisha smirked and motioned for him to follow.

Nisha (confidently):

"I'll show you around. First days are always crazy."

Luca, though unsure, found himself following her. They walked across the campus, and Nisha kept the conversation light and easy.

Nisha (teasing):

"So, what are you into? Sports? Or more of an academic guy?"

Luca hesitated, glancing away.

Luca (quietly):

"Used to play basketball. State champion. But... not anymore."

Nisha (impressed):

"State champ? Wow! Why'd you stop?"

Luca looked away, unsure of how to explain.

Luca (distant):

"Needed a break. Focusing on studies now."

Nisha didn't press further, flashing him a grin.

Nisha (encouraging):

"You'll find your way here. College's all about new things. Keep an open mind."

They continued walking, and Luca couldn't help but notice how easy it was to talk to her. As they approached the main hall, Nisha stopped.

Nisha (excited):

"There's a cultural event next week. You should come. Trust me, it'll be fun."

Luca hesitated.

Luca:

"I'm not much for events..."

Nisha (teasing):

"Hey, you're a state champ. You can handle a little stage fright. Besides, I heard you can sing."

Luca froze, surprised.

Luca (softly):

"How do you know that?"

Nisha (grinning):

"Just a guess. Think about it, okay? College's about trying new things."

She waved and walked into the building, leaving Luca standing there, thinking about what she had said. He wasn't sure what to make of her, but something told him this was just the beginning.

The day had been exhausting. After meeting Nisha, Luca tried to navigate the sprawling campus on his own, but the overwhelming number of new faces and unfamiliar surroundings left him drained.

By the time his classes ended, the sun was low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the campus. Luca lingered near the main gates, debating whether to head straight to his rented room or find a quiet spot to clear his head.

As he stood there, a strange feeling settled over him—a weight, almost imperceptible, but undeniably present.

And then, he heard it.

Whisper (barely audible):

"You don't belong here."

Luca's breath hitched. He turned abruptly, scanning the empty walkway behind him. The campus was quiet, the only sounds the faint rustle of leaves and distant voices of students heading home.

Luca (to himself):

"Must be my imagination..."

He shook his head and began walking, trying to dismiss the unease creeping up his spine.

But the whisper came again.

Whisper (taunting):

"You're running, aren't you? Always running."

Luca stopped in his tracks. His pulse quickened as he looked around, searching for the source. There was no one.

He clenched his fists, forcing himself to keep moving.

By the time Luca reached his room, the whispers had faded, but the sense of unease lingered. His rented room, a tiny two-room set on the outskirts of the campus, wasn't exactly inviting. The walls were chipped, the furniture minimal, and the air carried a faint dampness.

Luca dropped his bag near the door and collapsed onto the bed. He stared at the ceiling, trying to make sense of what he had heard.

Luca (softly):

"It's just stress. First days are always tough."

He closed his eyes, but the words from earlier replayed in his mind: You don't belong here.

His thoughts drifted to Nisha. Her easygoing nature, her confidence—it was the first time in a long while that someone had made him feel at ease.

Luca (thinking):

"Maybe I should've stayed with her longer... Might've helped take my mind off things."

Just as his breathing began to steady, a flicker of movement caught his eye.

Luca shot up, his heart pounding. In the corner of the room, where the light didn't quite reach, a shadow seemed to shift unnaturally.

Luca (hoarsely):

"Who's there?"

The room was silent. The shadow didn't move again, but it lingered, darker than the surrounding gloom.

Luca rubbed his eyes, convincing himself it was a trick of the light. He reached over and switched off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness.

But sleep didn't come easily. Every creak of the floorboards, every distant sound outside seemed amplified, clawing at his fraying nerves.

The next morning, Luca arrived at the campus early, hoping the daylight would chase away the unease from the night before. As he walked across the courtyard, he spotted Nisha sitting on a bench, her face buried in a notebook.

She glanced up as he approached and broke into a smile.

Nisha (teasing):

"Survived your first day, huh? You look like you've been through a storm."

Luca forced a chuckle and sat beside her.

Luca:

"Rough night. New place... not exactly cozy."

Nisha tilted her head, studying him.

Nisha (concerned):

"You okay? You seem... off."

Luca hesitated, the words I heard whispers hovering on the tip of his tongue. He shook his head instead.

Luca:

"Just tired. I'll get used to it."

Nisha didn't look entirely convinced but let it slide.

Nisha (brightly):

"Hey, there's this event next week. Cultural fest. You should come—it's a great way to meet people."

Luca raised an eyebrow.

Luca:

"Not really my thing."

Nisha (mocking):

"Let me guess—introvert?"

Luca smirked faintly.

Luca:

"Something like that."

She laughed and nudged him with her shoulder.

Nisha (encouraging):

"Well, you've already met me, so you're one step ahead. Who knows? You might actually have fun."

Luca didn't respond, but her words lingered. For the first time in a long while, he felt like someone genuinely cared.

That evening, as Luca returned to his room, the whispers began again. Faint, like a distant echo.

Whisper (hissing):

"You can't escape us..."

As the night deepened, Luca lay on his bed, his mind restless, replaying the events of the day over and over. The silence in the room felt suffocating, the stillness oppressive, but the whispers—those haunting voices from earlier—were gone. Or so he thought.

It started faintly, like the distant hum of a forgotten memory.

Whisper (soft, like a distant echo):

“You always ruin everything, don’t you?”

Luca froze, his eyes snapping open. The room was still, but he could feel the weight of the words pressing against him, wrapping around his chest like an invisible hand. He sat up slowly, looking around, but there was no one there. No one but him, in the lonely darkness of his rented room.

He rubbed his face, trying to shake the thought away.

Luca (murmuring):

“It’s just my mind...”

But the whispers came again, louder this time.

Whisper (taunting):

“You couldn’t even keep her happy. All you had to do was try harder.”

The voice was unmistakable, laced with a familiar sting—one he knew all too well. His ex's voice, the one that had echoed in his head countless times during their relationship, always reminding him that no matter what he did, it was never enough.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

Luca’s heart sank as memories flooded his mind. Her eyes filled with disappointment. The way she had slowly pulled away, like he was too much of a burden to bear. Every mistake, every moment of weakness, played out again in vivid detail.

Luca (whispering to himself):

“It wasn’t my fault... It wasn’t...”

But the words felt hollow, like an excuse he wasn’t sure he believed anymore.

Whisper (cold, accusing):

“Of course it was your fault. You failed her. Just like you fail everyone else.”

Luca clutched his head, trying to block out the voice, but it was no use. The guilt, the shame, the feeling of not being enough—it all came rushing back. His mistakes with her, the things he should have said, the times he had been too stubborn, too blind. He couldn’t escape it. It had been a pattern in his life, always pushing people away with his inability to open up, to truly connect.

The whispers didn’t stop. They wrapped themselves around his thoughts, twisting and turning, suffocating him.

Whisper (mocking):

“You thought you could just move on. You thought it would be that easy.”

Luca’s hands trembled, his mind spiraling. He could still remember the look on her face when she left him, the finality in her words. It had torn him apart, but the aftermath had been worse. The never-ending cycle of self-doubt, the belief that he was doomed to fail anyone who tried to get close to him.

The darkness of the room felt like it was closing in, pressing against his chest. The weight of it all was unbearable.

Whisper (soft, but venomous):

“You’ll always be alone. No one will ever truly understand you.”

Luca's breath caught in his throat, his chest tightening with the intensity of the pain. He couldn’t escape it. No matter how far he ran, the memories—the guilt—were always there, lurking in the shadows.

Luca (weakly):

“Please… stop…”

But the whispers only grew louder, more relentless.

Suddenly, he felt a cold breeze wash over him, as if the very air in the room had shifted. He turned his head to the side, but there was nothing there—nothing but the shadows stretching across the walls. His heart raced as he searched the empty corners, half-expecting to see her there, standing in judgment.

Instead, the room was silent again. The whispers had faded, but the weight remained. The suffocating sense of failure clung to him, dragging him deeper into the darkness.

Luca (quietly, almost to himself):

“It’s all my fault… I could’ve done better…”

He closed his eyes, trying to escape the memory of her face, but the images wouldn’t leave. The regrets, the guilt—they were always with him.

Sleep didn’t come easily that night. Every creak of the floorboards, every distant sound outside seemed amplified, as if the entire world was pressing against him. The memories wouldn’t stop, echoing through his mind, and no matter how hard he tried to push them away, they clung to him like a second skin.

In the silence of the room, all Luca could hear was the voice of his past, reminding him over and over that he had failed, that he wasn’t enough.

Luca couldn’t take it anymore. The weight of the guilt, the relentless whispers, the suffocating memories—all of it felt too much. His mind raced, his body numb, and with one final, defeated sigh, he collapsed back onto the bed, the world around him blurring as sleep, however troubled, took over.

The harsh sunlight pierced through the thin curtains, waking Luca with a start. He groggily rubbed his eyes, confusion settling in as he glanced at the clock on the bedside table.

Luca (groggily):

"Shit..."

It was well past his usual time to wake up. His body felt like it had been hit by a truck, sore and heavy, but the exhaustion from the previous night weighed more heavily on him than any physical tiredness. His mind, though foggy, still carried the sting of the past—those whispers, those cruel words that had been haunting him.

He sat up, pressing a hand to his forehead as the disorienting haze of sleep left him. The room felt colder than usual, and for a brief moment, Luca wondered if he had been dreaming—or if the whispers were something more. His chest tightened as he realized that despite the morning light filtering through, the oppressive weight of guilt hadn’t lifted. It still clung to him, lurking beneath the surface.

Luca (softly):

“Just... just a dream.”

He stood up, his legs unsteady, his head spinning slightly. His clothes from the day before were wrinkled and disheveled, and his hair stuck to his forehead, a reminder of the restless night. But there was no time to dwell on it. He was late—he needed to get to class.

Luca (quietly, trying to shake it off):

“Doesn't matter... I’ll deal with it later.”

He stumbled toward the bathroom, splashing water on his face in an attempt to wake up, but the face staring back at him in the mirror was not the one he remembered. His eyes were bloodshot, the weight of sleepless nights and painful memories etched into his features.

As he dressed quickly, the events of the day before flashed in his mind—meeting Nisha, the strange comfort in her easy conversation, her inviting smile. He wondered if he’d be able to face her today. The events of the night before, though, still clouded his thoughts, making it hard to focus on anything else.

He grabbed his bag, quickly heading out of the room, trying not to think about the suffocating silence that had followed him through the night. The whispers of the past, the images of her face, still lingered in his mind. And deep down, Luca knew that it wasn’t over. The pain—the memories—would always be there.

He stepped out of his room, the morning sun shining brightly, and for a moment, it almost felt like a new day. But Luca couldn’t escape the feeling that the shadows, those voices, would be waiting for him again. It was only a matter of time.

Luca walked onto campus, his head still swirling with the memories of last night. He tried to push them aside, focusing instead on the noise of students chatting, the rustling of leaves, and the distant sound of footsteps. He didn’t want to let those whispers drag him down today.

As he walked across the courtyard, he spotted Nisha sitting on a bench, her notebook in hand, seemingly absorbed in her work. Her easy smile greeted him when she saw him approach, and for a moment, Luca felt a sense of relief. He was glad to have her around, even if just for a little distraction.

Nisha (teasing):

"Look who finally showed up! I thought I’d have to send a search party for you."

Luca forced a smile, feeling the tension in his chest lighten just a bit.

Luca (half-smiling):

"Late night... you know how it is."

Nisha (nodding):

"Yeah, I get it. First days always mess with your schedule. Anyway, come on, I’ve got someone I want you to meet."

Nisha stood up from the bench, a spark of excitement in her eyes. Luca, though curious, couldn’t shake the lingering unease from the night before. But he followed her, hoping that whatever Nisha had in mind would distract him from his thoughts.

They walked through the courtyard, and soon they reached a small group of students gathered near the main building. One of them stood out—a girl with dark, striking features and a confident air about her. She was laughing with a few friends, but as soon as Nisha approached, she caught sight of Luca and smiled brightly.

Nisha (grinning):

"Luca, this is Ananya. Ananya, meet Luca."

Ananya turned her full attention to Luca, her smile widening as she extended her hand.

Ananya (with a playful tone):

"Hey, Luca. Nisha’s been telling me about you. You’re the one who almost got lost on your first day, right?"

Luca couldn’t help but chuckle, feeling a bit more at ease as he shook her hand.

Luca:

"Yeah, I guess that would be me."

Ananya raised an eyebrow, her playful smile still in place.

Ananya:

"So, what’s your story, Luca? What brought you to this madhouse of a college?"

Luca hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to answer. He didn’t exactly have a neat backstory to give, especially with everything weighing on him. But Nisha’s easygoing nature helped him relax just a little.

Luca:

"Uh, just… trying to get my life back together, I guess. College seemed like the right step."

Ananya studied him for a moment, then nodded.

Ananya:

"Fair enough. That’s what most of us are trying to do here. We all have our own baggage."

Her words were surprisingly honest, and Luca felt a flicker of connection. But before he could say anything more, Ananya gestured to the group behind her.

Ananya (brightly):

"So, what do you think of the campus? It’s a madhouse, but it has its charm."

Luca glanced around, taking in the chaos of students rushing from one building to another, laughing, talking, and organizing events. The college felt alive in a way that both excited and intimidated him.

Luca:

"It’s… definitely busy."

Nisha (teasing):

"Yeah, it takes some getting used to. But we’ll show you the ropes."

Ananya (playfully):

"Yeah, just don’t get lost again, okay?"

Luca chuckled softly, his initial tension easing a little more. It was clear that Ananya had a confident, no-nonsense vibe, but there was something about her blunt honesty that made her feel approachable, even if she was a bit more outspoken than Nisha.

Luca (lightly):

"I’ll try not to."

The three of them stood there for a while, chatting about classes, events, and the usual college banter. For the first time in days, Luca felt somewhat normal, like a part of the crowd instead of an outsider. But as the conversation drifted, Luca couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that things weren’t as simple as they seemed.

There was still the shadow of his past, those whispers, and the eerie sensation that he was being followed.

But for now, he pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind, deciding to stay in the moment. He was surrounded by people who seemed genuinely interested in him. Maybe this could be the fresh start he needed.

It all started the day Nisha introduced Luca to Aarav.

Luca had just started getting to know Nisha better, and though they weren't yet close friends, they had formed an easy camaraderie. One afternoon, Nisha invited Luca to join her and some of her friends for a coffee at the campus café.

As they sat down, Nisha turned to Luca with a smile, already feeling a sense of trust building between them.

Nisha (casually):

"Luca, this is Aarav. He's my good friend. You’ll get along with him, I’m sure."

Luca (slightly nervous but trying to stay composed):

"Nice to meet you, Aarav."

Aarav (grinning, extending his hand):

"Same here. Nisha’s told me a bit about you. You’re the new guy in college, right?"

They exchanged pleasantries, and as they continued talking, Luca began to feel a little more comfortable. Aarav’s carefree, friendly attitude helped break the ice, and the three of them chatted about classes, campus life, and their shared experiences. Nisha, in her usual energetic manner, kept the conversation flowing, and before long, Luca found himself laughing along with them, something he hadn’t done in a while.

But there was someone else in the group—a quiet figure sitting across from them. Ananya, who had been Nisha's friend for a while, observed the scene with a calm demeanor. She didn’t talk much, but when she did, her words carried weight. She had a presence, one that seemed to draw people in without her even trying.

As the weeks passed, Luca began to notice the growing closeness between Aarav and Ananya. What started as casual interactions slowly turned into something deeper. Their connection was obvious to anyone who looked at them, but Luca couldn’t help but feel a bit unsure about it. He didn’t know if he was just overthinking things, but there was a subtle tension in the air when they were together.

Aarav (one afternoon, walking alongside Luca on campus):

"Hey, Luca. You noticed Ananya, right?"

Luca (raising an eyebrow):

"Yeah... she seems pretty amazing."

Aarav (grinning):

"She is. I think I’m starting to like her, you know?"

Luca nodded. He had noticed the way Aarav’s smile grew every time Ananya was around, the way he seemed to light up in her presence.

But there was a complexity to Ananya that Luca couldn’t quite grasp. She was beautiful, confident, and seemed to have everything anyone could want. Yet, there was something guarded about her, a sense that she wasn’t fully present even when she was right in front of you. Luca had seen her in those quieter moments, when she thought no one was watching, and something told him that her confidence was more of a shield than a trait.

The more Luca observed them together, the more he realized that something deeper was happening. Aarav and Ananya started to spend more time together outside of their usual group settings, and it became clear that they were growing closer. Nisha, who was always the bridge between them, kept the group dynamic alive, but even she couldn’t deny the obvious chemistry between Aarav and Ananya.

Weeks passed, and despite the increasing closeness between Aarav and Ananya, cracks started to show. It wasn’t an explosive fight, but something subtle shifted. Aarav began to notice that Ananya seemed more distant, preoccupied with other things, and he couldn't help but feel neglected. His carefree attitude started to fade as he wondered if he had misread their connection.

Aarav (one evening, after an awkward silence between him and Ananya):

"Ananya, are you... okay?"

Ananya (avoiding his gaze, fiddling with her phone):

"I’m fine. Just... a lot on my mind."

Aarav (hesitant):

"You know you can talk to me, right?"

Ananya didn't respond immediately, and Aarav could feel the growing distance between them, a distance that made his chest tighten.

Ananya (finally looking up, her voice barely above a whisper):

"It’s not about you, Aarav. It’s... me. I think I need some space."

And just like that, it happened. The break-up wasn’t dramatic or filled with anger. It was more of a quiet realization that they weren’t who they thought they were anymore. Ananya seemed to have emotionally checked out, and despite Aarav’s attempts to hold on, she had already moved on, though not in the way he expected.

The breakup hit Aarav hard. Luca, ever the supportive friend, reached out to him, offering an ear to listen.

Aarav (sitting down with Luca after a few days of silence):

"I don’t get it, man. We were good together... or so I thought. But now everything feels... off."

Luca (nodding, understanding the weight of the situation):

"I’m sorry, Aarav. Sometimes people change, and it’s hard to accept."

Aarav let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair.

Aarav (quietly):

"I guess I didn’t see it coming. But now that it’s over, I don’t know what to do with myself."

Luca (softly):

"You’ll get through it, Aarav. You’re stronger than you think."

In the midst of his heartbreak, Aarav introduced Luca to Amisha, a friend he had known for a while but never really spent much time with. Amisha was a whirlwind of energy and unpredictability—nothing like Ananya, but maybe that was exactly what Aarav needed in the moment.

Aarav (introducing Amisha to Luca):

"Hey, Luca. This is Amisha. She's been a friend of mine for ages. I think you’ll like her."

Amisha (grinning mischievously):

"Nice to meet you, Luca. Aarav says you’re cool. Let’s see if he’s right."

Amisha's bold personality was the perfect antidote to Aarav’s somber mood. She made Luca laugh, distracted him from his own worries, and in turn, became someone Luca didn’t know he needed in his life.

As the days passed, the campus seemed quieter without the usual energy that Aarav and Ananya once brought to their group. Aarav, though trying to move on, found himself lost in thought more often than not. Every conversation with Nisha or Luca felt a little hollow, as if something crucial was missing.

But it wasn’t just Aarav who felt the shift. Luca couldn’t shake the unease that settled deep within him. The whispers, those same voices he’d heard before, seemed to grow louder with each passing night. Their words twisted and turned in his mind, feeding his doubts and insecurities. They were more insistent now, louder than the conversations around him.

“You shouldn’t be here... You’re the cause of all this... You were never meant to be happy...”

The words felt like a heavy weight pressing on his chest. His heart raced, and the walls of his small apartment seemed to close in on him. He had no idea where they were coming from, but the chill in the air seemed to confirm it wasn’t just his imagination.

Luca’s hand trembled as he reached for his phone, desperate to call someone, anyone, to make the voices stop. His eyes darted nervously to the door. Something felt off.

It was then, in the dead of night, as he lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, that he heard it: a knock. Soft, faint, but unmistakable.

He froze, his breath caught in his throat. No one knew where he lived. No one except...

Suddenly, the phone buzzed in his hand. It was a text from Amisha.

Amisha (text):

“I don’t know what’s happening, Luca. But something isn’t right. I need you to meet me. Now.”

Before Luca could respond, another knock at the door, louder this time. His pulse quickened, and a cold shiver ran down his spine.

He wasn’t alone.

Then, as the room seemed to grow colder, the whispering voices returned, this time more sinister, more urgent.

Voice (demonic, raspy):

"Free us... We can protect you... You're not safe. Don't open the door."

Luca's heart thudded painfully in his chest, the words echoing in his mind, sending waves of fear through his body. The whispers felt closer now, as though they were coming from within the walls themselves.

The knocks continued, relentless.

Luca stood frozen, the phone still in his hand. He couldn’t move, couldn’t think straight. His mind was racing, the weight of the decision pulling him in two directions. He didn’t know who was at the door, and the voices... the voices made it clear that whatever was waiting outside wasn’t safe.

He took a shaky breath, trying to steady himself.