>>5750677With a mixture of amusement and curiosity, you address the shadowy figure in your room, affectionately dubbing it "Smiley" due to its whimsical appearance. "Hey there, Smiley, would you like to join us for breakfast?"
The shadow's eyes seem to brighten as you speak, a subtle change in its form indicating its response. The series of high-pitched murmurs and squeaks it emits take on a more animated quality, and you can't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with this enigmatic presence.
Just as you're about to engage with Smiley further, your mother's voice echoes from downstairs, laced with a touch of impatience this time. "Honey, breakfast is getting cold! You really should come down before it's completely ruined."
With a nod to Smiley, you pocket the <span class="mu-s">TARNISHED BELL</span>, a tangible link to the mysteries you've encountered, and head downstairs to join your mother. The ordinary routine of breakfast is a stark contrast to the extraordinary events you've experienced. Your mother, blissfully unaware of the paranormal occurrences, chats cheerfully about mundane topics, and you find yourself torn between the normalcy of her conversation and the secrets you've uncovered.
As you sit at the table, the sensation of being watched returns, and you glance towards the hallway, catching a fleeting glimpse of a shadow that seems to dance just at the edge of your vision. Smiley, it seems, is incredibly shy around others and has chosen to hide within your own shadow to remain unnoticed.
Your mother's routine strikes you as peculiar – a comforting routine that contrasts with the eerie mysteries of Eldridge. She moves about the kitchen with practiced ease, oblivious to the strange presence that seems to linger just beyond her awareness.
