Maya couldn’t see anything.

She could only hear three things.

Zoya’s frightened breathing.

Rayyan whispering her name.

And someone laughing.

A soft laugh.

A woman’s laugh.

Maya stood completely still.

“Rayyan?”

“I’m here.”

“Zoya?”

“I’m also here.”

“Where?”

“Somewhere near you.”

“That’s not helpful.”

“I can’t see you either!”

“Stop talking!”

“Why?”

“Because whoever is laughing might hear us!”

Zoya immediately became silent.

A few seconds passed.

Then Rayyan whispered:

“Maya.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t move.”

“Why?”

“There’s someone behind you.”

Maya’s heart stopped.

“What?”

“I said don’t move.”

She could feel her heart pounding.

“Is it a person?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then how do you know someone is behind me?”

“Because I can see a shadow.”

Maya’s breathing stopped.

“How close?”

“Very.”

“How very?”

“Extremely very.”

“That’s not a measurement!”

“Do you want a measurement now?”

“Rayyan!”

Suddenly, the emergency lights came on.

Maya turned around.

Nothing.

No person.

No shadow.

No one.

Zoya was standing near the door.

Rayyan was beside Maya.

Maya slowly looked at the floor.

The silver locket was gone.

Her eyes widened.

“Where is it?”

Rayyan frowned.

“What?”

“The locket!”

“It was here.”

“I know!”

They searched the floor.

Nothing.

Zoya looked nervous.

“Maybe someone took it.”

Maya turned toward the cake.

“Who?”

Nobody answered.

Then Rayyan noticed something.

“Wait.”

He pointed toward the floor.

There was a trail of white cake crumbs.

Leading toward the wall.

Maya followed the trail.

It stopped at an old painting.

She looked at it.

The painting showed a woman standing in front of the hotel.

The same woman from the photograph.

Maya touched the painting.

It moved.

Behind it was another hidden door.

Zoya stared.

“Why does this hotel have so many secret doors?”

Rayyan sighed.

“Because apparently normal doors weren’t enough.”

Maya pushed the painting aside.

A narrow passage appeared.

Rayyan looked inside.

“Absolutely not.”

Maya turned.

“What’s wrong?”

“We’re not going in there.”

“Why?”

“Because every time we open a secret door, something creepy happens.”

Zoya nodded.

“He’s right.”

Maya looked at both of them.

“You can stay here.”

She stepped inside.

Rayyan immediately followed.

“Where are you going?”

Maya smiled.

“I thought you didn’t want to come.”

“I changed my mind.”

“Why?”

“Because if you disappear, I’ll have to explain it to your family.”

Maya stopped.

“You care about me?”

“No.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“I care about avoiding paperwork.”

“Of course.”

Zoya followed them.

“Wait for me!”

The three walked through the narrow passage.

The walls were covered in dust.

Old photographs hung everywhere.

Maya stopped.

“Look.”

One photograph showed the hotel staff.

Another showed the wedding hall.

Another showed a group of children.

Maya stared.

There she was.

A little girl.

Standing beside the bride.

And the groom.

Rayyan stepped closer.

“That’s you.”

Maya nodded slowly.

“I don’t remember this.”

Zoya looked at the photograph.

“You were here.”

“I know.”

“How old were you?”

“Maybe eight.”

Rayyan looked at the date.

“Fifteen years ago.”

Maya’s heart began beating faster.

Fifteen years.

The same year the bride’s mother disappeared.

The same year the strange incident happened.

The same year Maya had apparently forgotten something.

“Why was I here?”

Maya whispered.

Rayyan looked at her.

“Maybe we should ask your parents.”

“They’re not here.”

“Call them.”

Maya took out her phone.

She dialed her mother’s number.

No answer.

She tried again.

Still nothing.

Maya frowned.

“That’s strange.”

“What?”

“My mother always answers.”

“Maybe she’s asleep.”

“At midnight?”

“Some people sleep at midnight.”

“Not my mother.”

Maya tried again.

This time, the call connected.

But there was only silence.

“Mom?”

Nothing.

“Mom, can you hear me?”

A sound came through.

A woman’s breathing.

Maya’s face changed.

“Mom?”

Then a whisper.

“Leave.”

Maya froze.

“Who is this?”

The line went dead.

Rayyan stared at her.

“What happened?”

“Someone answered.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know.”

“What did they say?”

Maya looked at him.

“They told me to leave.”

Zoya suddenly pointed behind them.

“Guys.”

They turned.

The secret passage door was closing.

Maya ran.

“Wait!”

She grabbed the door.

It slammed shut.

They were trapped.

Zoya’s face went pale.

“Great.”

Rayyan looked at Maya.

“Any brilliant ideas?”

Maya stared at the door.

“Yes.”

“What?”

“We find another exit.”

“Of course.”

They continued walking.

The passage became narrower.

At the end was a small room.

Inside was a desk.

On the desk was an old tape recorder.

Maya approached it.

Rayyan stopped her.

“Don’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I have learned that mysterious objects in abandoned rooms are never good.”

Maya pressed the button.

The recorder clicked.

A woman’s voice began playing.

Maya immediately recognized it.

The bride’s mother.

“If anyone finds this recording, please listen carefully.”

Maya and Rayyan exchanged a glance.

The recording continued.

“Fifteen years ago, I discovered that someone was stealing money from the hotel.”

Zoya frowned.

“That’s the mystery?”

Maya shook her head.

“Keep listening.”

“I discovered that the person responsible was someone I trusted.”

The recording crackled.

“But before I could expose him, I found out something worse.”

Maya leaned closer.

“He wasn’t working alone.”

The room became silent.

“Someone inside my family was helping him.”

Maya’s heart raced.

The recording continued.

“I didn’t know who to trust.”

Then…

A loud noise.

The recording stopped.

Maya pressed the button again.

Nothing.

“That’s it?”

Rayyan sighed.

“Of course.”

Maya looked at the tape recorder.

“Someone removed the rest.”

“Who?”

Maya turned.

“I don’t know.”

Suddenly, the room’s door opened.

A man stood there.

The old man.

Maya recognized him immediately.

“You.”

The man stared at her.

“You’re not supposed to be here.”

Maya stepped forward.

“You know who I am.”

“Yes.”

“How?”

The man didn’t answer.

Rayyan stepped between them.

“Who are you?”

The man looked at him.

“You should ask her.”

Maya frowned.

“Ask me what?”

The old man pointed at her.

“Why you were here fifteen years ago.”

Maya’s heart stopped.

“Tell me.”

“You already know.”

“No, I don’t!”

The man stared at her.

“You just don’t remember.”

“Why?”

“Because someone made sure you forgot.”

Maya felt cold.

“What does that mean?”

The man looked toward Rayyan.

“Ask him.”

Maya turned.

Rayyan’s expression had changed.

“Rayyan?”

He didn’t speak.

Maya stared at him.

“What does he mean?”

Rayyan looked away.

“Rayyan.”

“I don’t know.”

“You’re lying.”

“No.”

“You know something.”

“Maya—”

“What do you know?”

Rayyan took a breath.

“I knew you were here fifteen years ago.”

Maya froze.

“What?”

“I saw you.”

“You were here?”

“Yes.”

“How old were you?”

“Eleven.”

Maya stared at him.

“You remember me?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because I didn’t think it mattered.”

“Didn’t think it mattered?”

Maya’s voice broke.

“I have no memory of this place!”

Rayyan stepped closer.

“Maya, listen.”

“No.”

She stepped away.

“You knew.”

“I knew you were here.”

“You knew something happened.”

“Yes.”

“And you never told me?”

“I didn’t know what happened.”

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

Maya stared at him.

For the first time…

She wasn’t angry.

She was hurt.

Rayyan saw it in her eyes.

“Maya.”

“Don’t.”

“I was a child.”

“So was I.”

“I didn’t understand.”

“Then why do you look like you do now?”

Rayyan had no answer.

Maya turned away.

The old man watched them.

Then he spoke.

“The truth is closer than you think.”

Maya turned.

“What truth?”

But the old man was gone.

Again.

Maya looked at Rayyan.

“Where did he go?”

Rayyan looked around.

“I don’t know.”

“Of course.”

“Maya.”

She ignored him.

“We need to get out.”

They searched the room.

Zoya suddenly shouted.

“Found something!”

She was standing beside the desk.

She had discovered a small wooden box.

Inside was the missing silver locket.

Maya took it.

But this time, something was different.

The locket was open.

Inside was a new photograph.

Maya stared.

It was a picture of her.

But she wasn’t alone.

She was standing beside Rayyan.

They were both children.

And behind them stood the bride’s mother.

Maya’s hands began shaking.

On the back was a message.

“THE NIGHT OF THE FIRE.”

Maya whispered:

“Fire?”

Rayyan looked at the photograph.

Then his face changed.

Maya immediately noticed.

“You remember.”

“No.”

“Rayyan.”

“I don’t.”

“Look at me.”

He did.

Maya stepped closer.

“Tell me what happened.”

Rayyan swallowed.

“There was a fire.”

“Where?”

“Here.”

Maya stared.

“What?”

“Fifteen years ago, there was a fire in this hotel.”

“How come I don’t remember?”

“You were hurt.”

Maya’s face went pale.

“What?”

“You were unconscious.”

“For how long?”

“Three days.”

Maya stared at him.

“Three days?”

Rayyan nodded.

“Your family told everyone it was an accident.”

“Wasn’t it?”

Rayyan looked away.

“No.”

Maya’s heart sank.

“Then what was it?”

Before he could answer…

A loud alarm began ringing.

The entire passage filled with smoke.

Zoya screamed.

“FIRE!”

Maya grabbed her.

“Run!”

They rushed toward the exit.

But the door was locked.

Rayyan tried to open it.

Nothing.

“Help!”

Smoke filled the room.

Maya began coughing.

Rayyan grabbed her hand.

“Stay with me.”

“I can’t breathe.”

“We’re getting out.”

He pulled her toward the wall.

Maya stumbled.

Rayyan caught her.

For a second…

They were extremely close.

Maya looked into his eyes.

His face was filled with fear.

Not for himself.

For her.

“Rayyan.”

“Yes?”

“If we don’t get out…”

“Don’t say that.”

“But—”

“Don’t.”

His voice broke.

Maya stared at him.

He held her tighter.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She looked at him.

“Why?”

Rayyan didn’t answer.

“Why do you care so much?”

His eyes met hers.

“Because…”

He stopped.

Smoke filled the room.

Maya could barely see.

Rayyan leaned closer.

“Because I love you.”

Maya froze.

The world seemed to stop.

“What?”

Rayyan stared at her.

“I’ve loved you for years.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because you hated me.”

“I didn’t hate you.”

“You called me arrogant.”

“You are arrogant.”

He laughed weakly.

“See?”

Maya smiled through her tears.

Then she whispered:

“I don’t hate you.”

Rayyan’s eyes softened.

“Good.”

“I think…”

She coughed.

“…I might love you too.”

Rayyan stared at her.

“Really?”

“Don’t make me repeat it.”

He smiled.

Even in the middle of a fire…

He smiled.

Then suddenly, someone broke the door open.

A hotel security guard pulled them outside.

Everyone collapsed onto the hallway floor.

The fire alarm stopped.

Maya looked back.

There was no fire.

No smoke.

Nothing.

The entire thing had been fake.

Someone had trapped them.

Rayyan stood.

“Who did this?”

No answer.

Maya looked toward the end of the hallway.

The mysterious old man was standing there.

Watching them.

Maya ran toward him.

“Wait!”

The man stopped.

“Tell me the truth!”

He looked at her.

“You remembered.”

“Remembered what?”

“The night of the fire.”

“What happened?”

The man stared at her.

“You weren’t the victim.”

Maya froze.

“What?”

“You were the witness.”

“To what?”

The man looked at Rayyan.

Then back at Maya.

“To a murder.”

Silence.

Maya felt her blood run cold.

“Whose murder?”

The old man slowly pointed toward the wedding hall.

“The bride’s mother.”

Maya’s heart stopped.

“But she died fifteen years ago.”

“No.”

The man shook his head.

“She didn’t die that night.”

Maya stared.

“Then what happened?”

“She disappeared.”

“Where is she?”

The man smiled sadly.

“That’s what the cake was hiding.”

Maya’s eyes widened.

“The cake?”

The old man nodded.

“The cake was never stolen.”

“Then why was it hidden?”

“Because someone wanted to find out if you remembered.”

Maya stared at him.

“Remembered what?”

The man whispered:

“Who killed her.”

Suddenly…

A woman’s scream echoed through the hotel.

Maya turned.

The bride was standing in the wedding hall.

Her face was pale.

She pointed at the cake.

“She’s here.”

Maya froze.

“Who?”

The bride looked at her.

“The woman who disappeared.”

Everyone turned toward the cake.

The seven-tier wedding cake was standing in the middle of the hall.

But now…

There was a red stain across the white icing.

And written on the cake were four words.

I KNOW YOU REMEMBER.

Maya stared at the message.

Then she heard a whisper behind her.

“Because you saw everything.”

She turned.

No one was there.

Only Rayyan.

He was holding something.

A small black key.

Maya stared at it.

“Where did you get that?”

Rayyan looked confused.

“I don’t know.”

Maya stepped closer.

The key was covered in blood.

And on the handle…

Was Maya’s name.

MAYA.

She slowly looked at Rayyan.

“Why does it have my name?”

Rayyan didn’t answer.

Because suddenly…

A memory flashed through Maya’s mind.

Fire.

Screaming.

A woman running.

A little boy.

A little girl.

And a man standing behind them.

Holding a knife.

Maya gasped.

She stumbled backward.

Rayyan caught her.

“What happened?”

Maya looked at him.

Her face was white.

“I remember.”

“What?”

“The night of the fire.”

Rayyan’s expression changed.

“What did you see?”

Maya stared into his eyes.

And whispered:

“I saw who killed her.”

“Who?”

Maya’s eyes filled with fear.

“It wasn’t a stranger.”

Rayyan held his breath.

“It was someone we know.”

“Who?”

Maya looked toward the crowd.

Her eyes stopped on one person.

The groom.

He was standing completely still.

Watching her.

Maya whispered:

“It was him.”

The groom smiled.

Then…

He disappeared.

Right before everyone’s eyes.

And when Maya looked down…

The mysterious black key was gone.

In its place was a small piece of paper.

“THE WEDDING HAS ONLY JUST BEGUN.”

To Be Continued…