Towering faceless shadows emerged from the emptiness one after another, surrounding her without making a single sound, while an icy chill seeped into her bones as invisible hands slowly wrapped themselves around her throat.
She could still feel the crushing pressure that had stolen every desperate breath from her lungs, and she could still hear that sorrowful voice whispering her name with such heartbreaking familiarity that it sent another shiver racing through her body.
Then came the mirror. She watched, helpless, as words slowly formed upon its fogged surface, each letter appearing one after another as though carved there by an unseen hand. The debt has been claimed.
A violent shudder coursed through her entire body. Almost instinctively, her trembling fingers rose to her neck, and the instant they brushed against the tender skin hidden beneath her hair, a sharp sting forced a quiet gasp from her lips.
