Mara was falling.

Not through air.

Not through darkness.

Through memories.

Hundreds of them.

Thousands.

She saw people she had never met.

Women running through forests.

Children hiding beneath beds.

Families leaving houses in the middle of the night.

She saw the Hollow House being built.

Stone by stone.

Brick by brick.

She saw men digging beneath the earth.

She saw something moving underground.

Something alive.

Something waiting.

Then she saw a woman.

The First Mother.

But she was not old.

She was young.

Beautiful.

Human.

Mara watched as the woman walked through a forest carrying a newborn baby.

The woman was crying.

Behind her, people were chasing her.

“Give us the child!”

The woman ran faster.

She reached a cave.

Inside was darkness.

She placed the baby on the ground.

“Please.”

The darkness moved.

The woman fell to her knees.

“I will give you anything.”

A voice answered.

“Anything?”

The woman nodded.

“Yes.”

“Your life?”

“Yes.”

“Your soul?”

“Yes.”

“Your blood?”

The woman hesitated.

Then nodded.

“Yes.”

The darkness touched the baby.

The baby stopped crying.

The woman smiled.

Then she screamed.

Black veins spread across her body.

Her eyes turned completely black.

The darkness entered her.

When she stood again, she was no longer human.

She had become something else.

Mara watched in horror.

The woman looked at the baby.

“My daughter.”

The baby opened her eyes.

They were black.

The First Mother smiled.

And the memory ended.

Mara opened her eyes.

She was lying on a cold floor.

She tried to move.

Pain spread through her body.

She looked around.

She was inside a huge room.

The walls were made of stone.

But the room was not part of the Hollow House.

Mara knew that immediately.

The walls were covered with thousands of names.

Some were written in blood.

Some were carved into stone.

Some appeared to be moving.

Mara slowly stood.

Her head was spinning.

“Iris?”

Silence.

Mara looked around.

“Iris!”

Nothing.

She walked forward.

The floor was covered with photographs.

Mara picked one up.

A family.

A mother.

A father.

Two children.

Everyone in the picture had black eyes.

Mara dropped it.

She picked up another.

A wedding.

Another.

A funeral.

Another.

A school.

Every person had black eyes.

Mara stepped backward.

“What is this place?”

A voice answered.

“Where everything begins.”

Mara froze.

She turned.

Nora stood behind her.

But Nora looked different.

She wasn’t wearing the white dress anymore.

She wore a long black gown.

Her hair was tied behind her head.

She looked older.

Not like a child.

Not like a ghost.

Like a queen.

Mara backed away.

“Where is Iris?”

Nora smiled.

“Always Iris.”

“Where is she?”

“Safe.”

“Let me see her.”

“You can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because she is waiting.”

“For what?”

Nora stepped closer.

“For you.”

Mara shook her head.

“No.”

Nora smiled.

“You still don’t understand.”

“Then explain.”

Nora pointed toward the walls.

“Do you know what these names are?”

Mara looked around.

“The victims.”

“No.”

“The girls.”

“No.”

“The dead.”

Nora shook her head.

“The mothers.”

Mara stared.

“What?”

Nora walked toward one of the walls.

She touched a name.

“Eleanor Voss.”

Mara froze.

Her grandmother.

Nora moved to another.

“Clara Voss.”

Mara’s mother.

Mara’s breathing stopped.

She looked at Nora.

“Why are their names here?”

Nora smiled.

“Because they were chosen.”

“For what?”

Nora looked directly into Mara’s eyes.

“To become mothers.”

Mara shook her head.

“You’re lying.”

“Am I?”

“My grandmother was human.”

“Of course.”

“My mother was human.”

“Once.”

Mara felt sick.

“What did the house do to them?”

Nora laughed softly.

“The house did nothing.”

“Then who did?”

Nora pointed toward the ceiling.

Mara looked up.

A black shadow moved across the stone.

The shadow had no shape.

No face.

But Mara knew it was watching.

“The First Mother.”

Nora nodded.

“She chooses women.”

“Why?”

“To continue her bloodline.”

Mara stared.

“Why?”

“Because she cannot create life.”

Mara didn’t understand.

Nora continued.

“She can only take it.”

Mara remembered the babies.

The sacrifices.

The heart.

The locked rooms.

“What does she want from me?”

Nora smiled.

“Your child.”

Mara froze.

“I don’t have a child.”

“You will.”

Mara stepped backward.

“No.”

“She needs your body.”

“Why?”

“Because your blood is different.”

Mara looked at her hands.

The black veins were still there.

“You put this inside me.”

“No.”

“Then who did?”

Nora’s smile disappeared.

“Your mother.”

Mara stopped.

“My mother?”

“She made the choice.”

“What choice?”

Nora walked closer.

“She gave you to the First Mother before you were born.”

Mara couldn’t breathe.

“No.”

“She wanted to save you.”

“By giving me to a monster?”

“She believed she had no choice.”

Mara shook her head.

“You’re lying.”

Nora pointed toward another wall.

Mara turned.

There was a photograph.

A woman.

Pregnant.

Mara’s mother.

Standing beside the First Mother.

Mara stared.

Her mother was smiling.

Mara’s heart broke.

“No.”

Nora whispered:

“Your mother made a deal.”

Mara touched the photograph.

“Why?”

“Because the First Mother promised to protect you.”

“From what?”

Nora looked at her.

“Death.”

Mara frowned.

“What?”

“Your mother was dying.”

Mara remembered the hospital.

The room.

The bed.

The lie.

Nora continued.

“She had a disease.”

“She was dying.”

“Yes.”

“And the First Mother saved her?”

“Yes.”

Mara shook her head.

“Then why did she disappear?”

“Because the price was you.”

Mara stared at the photograph.

Her mother had sacrificed her.

Not because she hated her.

Because she loved her.

That somehow made it worse.

Mara began crying.

“Where is she?”

Nora looked away.

“She is here.”

“Where?”

“Everywhere.”

Mara turned.

Her mother appeared at the end of the room.

Mara ran toward her.

“Mom!”

Her mother opened her arms.

Mara stopped.

Something felt wrong.

Her mother smiled.

“I’m sorry.”

Mara shook her head.

“Why?”

“I wanted you to live.”

“You gave me to her.”

“I saved your life.”

“You destroyed it!”

Her mother began crying.

“I didn’t know.”

“You knew.”

“I didn’t know what she would become.”

“She was already a monster.”

“No.”

Her mother shook her head.

“She was a woman.”

Mara stared.

“Before the house.”

“Before the darkness.”

“What happened to her?”

Her mother looked at the ceiling.

“She loved someone.”

Mara didn’t understand.

“Who?”

“The first man.”

“Who was he?”

“I don’t know.”

“What happened?”

“He died.”

Mara waited.

Her mother continued.

“She couldn’t accept it.”

“So she made a deal.”

“Yes.”

“To bring him back?”

Her mother nodded.

“She opened the first door.”

Mara suddenly understood.

The First Mother wasn’t trying to create a kingdom.

She had started everything because of love.

She wanted someone back.

Someone she had lost.

“What happened to him?”

Her mother looked terrified.

“He came back.”

Mara waited.

“But he wasn’t human.”

Mara felt cold.

“What was he?”

Her mother whispered:

“The thing beneath the earth.”

Mara looked at Nora.

“The shadow.”

Nora nodded.

“The First Mother thought she had brought back the man she loved.”

“But she hadn’t.”

“No.”

“What did she bring?”

Nora looked toward the darkness.

“Something that had been waiting.”

Mara stepped backward.

“Then the First Mother isn’t the real monster.”

Nora smiled.

“Now you’re beginning to understand.”

The room shook.

A deep sound echoed beneath them.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Mara looked down.

“The heart.”

Nora nodded.

“It’s waking.”

“What does it want?”

Nora looked at Mara.

“You.”

Mara shook her head.

“No.”

Nora stepped closer.

“She needs your body.”

“Why?”

“Because you are the last Voss.”

“That doesn’t explain anything.”

“It does.”

Nora touched Mara’s chest.

“You were born with the blood of the First Mother.”

Mara froze.

“What?”

“Your grandmother.”

“Her mother.”

“Her mother before her.”

Nora smiled.

“All of them carried the blood.”

Mara stared.

“Then why me?”

“Because you are the first one born after the heart woke.”

Mara felt dizzy.

“What heart?”

“The real one.”

Mara remembered the black heart.

“No.”

Nora nodded.

“The heart you destroyed was only a copy.”

Mara’s stomach dropped.

“Then where is the real heart?”

Nora pointed toward Mara.

Mara looked down.

The black veins on her arms were spreading.

“No.”

Nora whispered:

“Inside you.”

Mara screamed.

She fell to her knees.

Her chest burned.

Something moved inside her.

A heartbeat.

Not hers.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Mara screamed.

“GET IT OUT!”

Nora stood watching.

“You can’t.”

Mara scratched her chest.

“HELP ME!”

Nora shook her head.

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because I put it there.”

Mara stared.

“You?”

Nora nodded.

“When?”

“The night you opened the first door.”

Mara remembered.

The locked room.

The heart.

The black shadow.

Nora smiled.

“You thought you destroyed the house.”

Mara’s breathing became faster.

“You didn’t.”

“You destroyed the prison.”

Mara stared.

“And released the prisoner.”

Nora nodded.

“Exactly.”

The walls began shaking.

Mara looked toward the entrance.

A woman was standing there.

The First Mother.

She was no longer old.

She looked young again.

Beautiful.

Human.

Mara stepped backward.

“How?”

The First Mother smiled.

“Your blood.”

Mara understood.

The First Mother had used her blood to restore herself.

“You used me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I was tired of being old.”

Mara looked at Nora.

“And you?”

Nora smiled.

“I was created to replace you.”

“Replace me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because the First Mother needed a daughter.”

Mara stared.

“You.”

Nora nodded.

“But you weren’t enough.”

Mara felt cold.

“Why?”

“Because you weren’t human.”

Nora smiled.

“She wanted someone with human blood.”

Mara looked at the First Mother.

“Me.”

The First Mother nodded.

“You.”

Mara shook her head.

“I will never help you.”

The First Mother laughed.

“You already have.”

Mara’s chest burned again.

She fell.

The black veins spread across her neck.

The First Mother walked toward her.

Mara screamed.

“Stay away!”

The First Mother touched her forehead.

Mara suddenly saw a vision.

A city.

Darkness.

Millions of people.

All with black eyes.

Then she saw herself.

Standing in the middle of the city.

Holding a baby.

The baby opened its eyes.

Black.

Mara screamed.

“No!”

The vision disappeared.

The First Mother stepped back.

“You have seen the future.”

Mara breathed heavily.

“That won’t happen.”

“It will.”

“No.”

“You will give birth to the first child of the new world.”

Mara shook her head.

“I won’t.”

The First Mother smiled.

“You don’t have a choice.”

Mara looked at Nora.

“Why are you helping her?”

Nora’s smile disappeared.

For the first time, Mara saw anger in her eyes.

“Because I have no choice.”

“She controls you.”

“Yes.”

“Then help me.”

Nora looked at her.

Mara stepped closer.

“Help me destroy her.”

The First Mother screamed:

“NO!”

The walls shook.

Nora looked afraid.

Mara understood.

There was something between them.

A connection.

A weakness.

Mara whispered:

“She can’t control you completely.”

Nora shook her head.

“Don’t.”

“You’re afraid of her.”

“Stop.”

“She made you.”

Nora’s eyes became black.

Mara continued.

“But she doesn’t own you.”

Nora screamed:

“STOP!”

The room exploded with darkness.

Mara flew backward.

She hit the wall.

The First Mother grabbed Nora.

“Traitor.”

Nora struggled.

“Let me go.”

“You belong to me.”

“No!”

The First Mother raised her hand.

Nora screamed.

Mara watched helplessly.

“Nora!”

The First Mother turned toward Mara.

“You wanted to save your sister.”

Mara froze.

“I can give her back.”

“Where is she?”

The First Mother smiled.

“Behind the final door.”

Mara stood.

“Take me there.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because you must choose.”

“Again?”

The First Mother nodded.

“Your sister.”

Mara looked at Nora.

“Or Nora.”

Mara froze.

“What?”

“One must die.”

Nora stared at Mara.

“Don’t choose me.”

Mara shook her head.

“I won’t.”

“You have to.”

“No.”

The First Mother smiled.

“Then both die.”

Mara looked around.

She remembered the doors.

The girls.

The heart.

The blood.

The bargains.

Everything was connected.

Then she realized something.

The First Mother had one weakness.

She couldn’t make a choice herself.

She always needed someone else to choose.

Mara looked at her.

“You want me to choose.”

“Yes.”

“Because you can’t.”

The First Mother became silent.

Mara smiled.

“You’re afraid.”

The First Mother screamed.

“ENOUGH!”

The room shook.

Mara stepped forward.

“You’re afraid of being alone.”

The First Mother stopped.

Mara continued.

“That’s why you keep everyone.”

“The girls.”

“The mothers.”

“Evelyn.”

“Nora.”

“Me.”

The First Mother stared.

“You don’t want power.”

“You want someone to stay.”

The woman’s face changed.

For a moment, she looked human.

Sad.

Lonely.

Mara saw the woman she had once been.

The woman who had lost someone she loved.

The woman who had opened the first door.

Mara whispered:

“Who was he?”

The First Mother froze.

The room became silent.

Mara stepped closer.

“Who did you lose?”

The First Mother began crying.

Mara had never seen her cry.

“His name was Elias.”

Mara waited.

“He was my husband.”

“What happened?”

“He died.”

“And you brought him back.”

“I tried.”

“What came back?”

The First Mother looked toward the darkness.

“Something else.”

Mara felt cold.

“The shadow.”

The First Mother nodded.

“I thought it was him.”

“Why?”

“It knew everything.”

“It knew my name.”

“It remembered our home.”

“It remembered our daughter.”

Mara stared.

“You had a daughter?”

The First Mother nodded.

“Her name was Evelyn.”

Mara froze.

Evelyn.

The woman who had haunted the house.

Mara finally understood.

Evelyn was not her first daughter.

She was her real daughter.

The First Mother had sacrificed her own child.

Mara whispered:

“What did you do to Evelyn?”

The First Mother closed her eyes.

“I gave her to him.”

“To the shadow?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because he demanded a sacrifice.”

Mara stared.

“You sacrificed your own daughter.”

The First Mother screamed:

“I wanted my husband back!”

Mara stepped backward.

The First Mother fell to her knees.

“I was young.”

“I was afraid.”

“I was alone.”

“I didn’t understand.”

Mara looked at her.

“And when Evelyn died?”

The First Mother looked up.

“She didn’t die.”

Mara froze.

“What?”

“She became the first door.”

Mara remembered the locked room.

The woman in the walls.

Evelyn.

The First Mother continued:

“Every door is connected to her.”

“Every soul feeds her.”

“Every sacrifice keeps her alive.”

Mara whispered:

“Evelyn is the house.”

The First Mother nodded.

“And the shadow?”

The woman looked toward the darkness.

“He is the master.”

Mara felt cold.

“Then what are you?”

The First Mother smiled sadly.

“The mother.”

The room went silent.

Mara understood.

The First Mother had created everything.

Evelyn had become the house.

The shadow had become the master.

And the girls had become the sacrifices.

But Mara was different.

She was the final bloodline.

The one who could end it.

Mara looked at Nora.

“Nora.”

Nora looked at her.

“Do you want to be free?”

Nora nodded.

Mara looked at the First Mother.

“Do you want your daughter back?”

The First Mother froze.

Mara continued:

“Your real daughter.”

“Evelyn.”

The First Mother whispered her name.

“Evelyn.”

Mara stepped closer.

“I can bring her back.”

The First Mother stared.

“How?”

Mara pointed toward the darkness.

“The shadow has her.”

The First Mother looked afraid.

Mara knew she had found the truth.

“You want her.”

The First Mother nodded.

“Then help me.”

“How?”

“Destroy the shadow.”

The First Mother laughed bitterly.

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because he is inside me.”

Mara’s heart stopped.

The First Mother touched her chest.

“He has always been.”

Mara stared.

“Then who are you?”

The First Mother smiled.

“His mother.”

Mara suddenly understood.

The shadow wasn’t her husband.

It was her child.

The First Mother had created the darkness herself.

The room began shaking.

The walls cracked.

A terrible roar came from below.

The First Mother looked up.

“He knows.”

Mara stepped backward.

“Knows what?”

“That you’re here.”

The floor exploded.

A massive black hand emerged.

It grabbed the First Mother.

She screamed.

Mara ran.

Nora grabbed her.

“Where are we going?”

“To Iris.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s the only one who can help us.”

Nora stared.

“She isn’t human anymore.”

Mara stopped.

“What?”

Nora whispered:

“She’s becoming the next First Mother.”

Mara froze.

“No.”

“That’s why the shadow wants her.”

“Why?”

“Because she carries your blood.”

Mara understood.

The shadow didn’t want Mara’s child.

It wanted Iris.

The First Mother had lied.

Everything was a trap.

Mara turned.

The First Mother was gone.

The black hand disappeared.

The room was silent.

Mara looked at Nora.

“Where is Iris?”

Nora pointed toward a door.

A door Mara had never seen before.

It was covered with red markings.

Mara walked toward it.

She opened it.

Inside was a bedroom.

Iris was sitting on a bed.

She looked normal.

Human.

Mara ran toward her.

“Iris!”

Iris stood.

“Mara.”

They hugged.

Mara began crying.

“I thought I lost you.”

Iris whispered:

“You did.”

Mara pulled away.

“What?”

Iris looked at her.

Her eyes were black.

Mara stepped backward.

“No.”

Iris smiled.

“I can’t stay.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s coming.”

“Who?”

Iris pointed behind Mara.

Mara turned.

The First Mother stood there.

But she was not alone.

Evelyn stood beside her.

And behind them—

The shadow.

Mara’s blood froze.

The First Mother looked at Iris.

“Come to me.”

Iris stepped forward.

Mara grabbed her.

“No!”

The First Mother smiled.

“You can’t stop what is coming.”

Mara looked at the shadow.

“What does it want?”

The shadow spoke.

Its voice shook the walls.

“Her.”

Mara pulled Iris closer.

“No.”

The shadow moved.

The entire room darkened.

Mara screamed:

“TAKE ME!”

The shadow stopped.

Mara stepped forward.

“Take me instead.”

Iris grabbed her arm.

“Mara, don’t.”

Mara looked at her.

“Run.”

“No.”

“Run!”

Iris shook her head.

“I won’t.”

Mara pushed her away.

The shadow moved toward Mara.

Blackness surrounded her.

Mara felt something enter her body.

She screamed.

The First Mother laughed.

Nora cried.

Iris screamed.

“MARA!”

Mara fell.

The shadow entered her chest.

Her body began changing.

Black veins covered her face.

Her eyes turned black.

Mara tried to fight.

“No.”

The shadow whispered:

“You opened the door.”

Mara screamed:

“I will close it.”

The shadow laughed.

“You cannot.”

Mara looked at Iris.

Iris was crying.

Mara whispered:

“I love you.”

Iris froze.

Mara smiled.

Then she reached inside her chest.

The pain was unbearable.

Her hand disappeared into darkness.

The shadow screamed.

Mara pulled.

Something came out.

A black heart.

The real heart.

The shadow screamed.

The First Mother screamed.

Evelyn screamed.

Nora screamed.

Mara held the heart.

She was dying.

Iris ran toward her.

“MARA!”

Mara smiled.

“Take it.”

Iris shook her head.

“No!”

“Take it!”

Iris grabbed the heart.

The moment she touched it—

Everything stopped.

The First Mother disappeared.

Evelyn disappeared.

The shadow disappeared.

Nora disappeared.

Mara fell.

Silence.

Then Iris screamed.

“MARA!”

Mara opened her eyes.

Iris was holding her.

The heart was gone.

Mara smiled weakly.

“Did we win?”

Iris looked terrified.

“No.”

Mara frowned.

“Why?”

Iris looked behind her.

Mara slowly turned.

The First Mother stood in the doorway.

But now she was smiling.

Behind her stood Evelyn.

And beside Evelyn stood Nora.

All three were staring at Iris.

Mara realized the truth.

The heart had not been destroyed.

It had chosen a new host.

Iris.

Mara stood.

“No.”

Iris looked at her hands.

Black veins were spreading across her arms.

“Mara.”

Mara ran toward her.

“Iris!”

Iris screamed.

“Stay away!”

Mara stopped.

Iris’s eyes turned completely black.

The First Mother smiled.

“The new mother has been chosen.”

Mara shook her head.

“No.”

Evelyn smiled.

“The house has a new heart.”

Nora laughed.

“The doors are opening.”

Mara looked around.

One by one, doors began appearing.

On the walls.

On the ceiling.

On the floor.

Hundreds.

Thousands.

All opening.

Behind every door were people.

Families.

Children.

Cities.

The world.

Mara understood.

The doors were no longer inside the house.

They were opening everywhere.

The First Mother raised her arms.

“The age of darkness begins.”

Mara grabbed Iris.

“No!”

The First Mother screamed.

The entire world went dark.

Mara felt herself falling again.

But this time—

Iris was falling with her.

They fell through the darkness together.

Mara reached for her sister.

“Iris!”

Iris reached back.

“Mara!”

Their hands touched.

Then something pulled them apart.

Mara screamed.

“Iris!”

“I’M HERE!”

“Don’t let go!”

“I WON’T!”

But the darkness was stronger.

Their fingers slipped.

Mara watched Iris disappear.

“No!”

The darkness swallowed her.

Mara fell alone.

And somewhere far above her—

The First Mother whispered:

“One sister will become the mother.”

“And the other…”

A pause.

Then a terrifying laugh.

“…will become the sacrifice.”

Mara opened her eyes.

She was standing in front of the Hollow House.

But the house was no longer empty.

Lights were glowing in every window.

People were standing behind the glass.

Hundreds of them.

Thousands.

All watching her.

Mara looked at the front door.

It opened.

Iris stood inside.

She was wearing a black dress.

Her eyes were completely black.

Behind her stood the First Mother.

Mara’s mother.

Nora.

And Evelyn.

Iris smiled.

“Come inside, Mara.”

Mara shook her head.

“No.”

Iris stepped forward.

“Please.”

“No.”

“You’re my sister.”

Mara cried.

“You’re not Iris.”

Iris smiled.

Then her voice changed.

The voice of the shadow.

“Come home.”

Mara stepped backward.

The house began breathing.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

Mara turned to run.

But the ground was covered with black hands.

They grabbed her feet.

Her legs.

Her arms.

Mara screamed.

The front door opened wider.

The First Mother laughed.

Mara was dragged toward the house.

“No!”

She fought.

“I won’t!”

The hands pulled harder.

Mara screamed Iris’s name.

“Iris!”

For one second—

Iris’s real voice returned.

“Mara!”

Mara looked up.

Iris was crying.

“RUN!”

Mara tried.

But it was too late.

The doors slammed shut.

The windows shattered.

The house screamed.

And Mara was pulled inside.

The last thing she saw was Iris reaching for her.

Then—

Darkness.

Mara woke in a room.

A familiar room.

The locked room.

The same room where everything had begun.

The door was in front of her.

Mara stood slowly.

She looked at the mirror.

Her reflection was normal.

No black eyes.

No black veins.

Nothing.

Mara touched her face.

Then she heard a sound.

A baby crying.

Mara turned.

There was a crib behind her.

She walked toward it.

Inside was a baby.

Mara froze.

The baby opened its eyes.

Black.

Mara stepped backward.

The baby smiled.

Then it spoke.

“Mother.”

Mara screamed.

The door behind her opened.

Iris stood there.

Her face was covered in blood.

Mara ran toward her.

“Iris!”

Iris grabbed her.

“Don’t look at the baby.”

Mara froze.

“Why?”

Iris whispered:

“Because it isn’t a baby.”

The crib began moving.

Slowly.

The baby sat up.

Its body was too long.

Its arms too thin.

Its head tilted.

Mara stared.

The thing smiled.

Then it climbed out of the crib.

Iris grabbed Mara’s hand.

“Run!”

They ran toward the door.

Behind them—

The thing laughed.

Not like a baby.

Like a woman.

Like the First Mother.

Like Evelyn.

Like Nora.

Like every dead girl trapped inside the house.

Mara and Iris ran.

The hallway stretched.

Doors opened.

Ghosts screamed.

The walls bled.

The house was alive again.

Mara looked at Iris.

“Where are we going?”

Iris was crying.

“To the final door.”

Mara froze.

“I thought that was destroyed.”

Iris shook her head.

“It was never destroyed.”

“Then what is behind it?”

Iris looked back.

The baby was following them.

Walking on four long black legs.

Iris whispered:

“The First Mother.”

Mara stopped.

“No.”

Iris grabbed her.

“And the only way to kill her…”

“What?”

Iris looked into Mara’s eyes.

“…is to kill me.”

Mara stared.

“No.”

“You have to.”

“No!”

“I’m becoming her.”

“I won’t.”

“You must.”

Mara shook her head.

“I can’t.”

Iris smiled through her tears.

“You promised.”

Mara froze.

“I promised what?”

Iris whispered:

“That you would come back for me.”

Mara began crying.

“I did.”

“And you did.”

Iris hugged her.

“Now keep your promise.”

Mara held her sister tightly.

Behind them, the baby screamed.

The final door appeared.

Mara looked at it.

Iris stepped away.

Mara shook her head.

“No.”

Iris smiled.

“Goodbye, Mara.”

“No.”

“Save them.”

“Iris.”

“Save everyone.”

“Iris!”

Iris opened the final door.

Darkness exploded from inside.

The First Mother screamed.

The shadow roared.

The house shook.

Mara grabbed Iris.

But Iris pushed her away.

“RUN!”

Mara fell backward.

The door slammed.

Iris was trapped inside.

Mara screamed.

“IRIS!”

Silence.

Then—

A knock.

Three times.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Mara stared at the final door.

A voice whispered from behind it.

“Mara.”

Mara knew that voice.

Iris.

But something was wrong.

The voice continued:

“Open the door.”

Mara stood.

Tears ran down her face.

She placed her hand on the handle.

Then she heard another voice behind her.

Nora.

“Don’t.”

Mara turned.

Nora was standing in the hallway.

She was crying.

Mara stared.

“Why?”

Nora whispered:

“Because it’s not Iris anymore.”

Mara looked at the door.

The knocking continued.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

Mara slowly stepped away.

Nora came closer.

“The First Mother is inside.”

Mara looked at her.

“What do we do?”

Nora shook her head.

“There is only one way.”

“What?”

Nora looked at Mara.

“You have to become the new First Mother.”

Mara stared.

“No.”

Nora nodded.

“Yes.”

“Never.”

“Then everyone dies.”

Mara looked at the door.

The knocking stopped.

Silence.

Then a voice whispered:

“Mother.”

Mara closed her eyes.

The house began breathing.

The walls moved.

The floor cracked.

Nora grabbed Mara’s hand.

“Choose.”

Mara looked at her.

“Again?”

Nora nodded.

Mara looked at the final door.

Then at Nora.

Then at the darkness.

And finally—

She understood.

The First Mother had always forced everyone to choose.

But Mara had one final choice.

Not to become the First Mother.

Not to become the sacrifice.

But to become something else.

Mara stepped toward the final door.

Nora whispered:

“What are you doing?”

Mara smiled.

“I’m ending the game.”

She placed her hand on the door.

The black veins disappeared from her skin.

The house stopped breathing.

The doors stopped moving.

The ghosts became silent.

Mara whispered:

“Not your mother.”

The door cracked.

“Not your sacrifice.”

The darkness screamed.

“Not your prisoner.”

Mara pushed the door open.

The First Mother stood inside.

Behind her was Iris.

The shadow was wrapped around her.

Mara stepped forward.

The First Mother smiled.

“You finally came home.”

Mara looked at her.

“No.”

Mara raised her hand.

“I came to take my sister home.”

The First Mother screamed.

The shadow attacked.

Mara grabbed Iris.

The world exploded.

And as the house collapsed around them—

Mara heard one final voice.

A voice from deep beneath the earth.

The voice of something older than the First Mother.

Older than the house.

Older than death.

It whispered:

“You have forgotten one thing.”

Mara looked into the darkness.

“What?”

The voice laughed.

“You were never the last Voss.”

Mara froze.

The voice continued:

“There is another.”

Mara’s eyes widened.

“Who?”

The darkness answered.

“Your daughter.”

Mara screamed.

The world went black.

And somewhere inside the collapsing house—

A baby began to cry.