Unexpected Mercy
I had entered the supposedly haunted house bravely enough, but now I was beginning to wonder about it. . .strange shadows flickered from the light of my torch, and things moved in the corner of my eye, always stopping when I turned to see them.
A cold, chilling breeze suddenly blew into the room, and then It seemed to dissipate into a hooded form. It looked at me for a moment, and then suddenly terror overwhelmed me as It lashed out at me. Trembling with fear, I fled down the hallway but the door was locked, and I was trapped. As I turned back to face the deadly phantom, It wailed, a long and painful shriek that dropped me to my knees - and then It keened, a mournful dirge which seemed to freeze me to the marrow. Just when I thought It could not get any worse, the Figure reached out an ethereal hand which seemed to pass into my very soul.
"Master! I begged, "Have mercy on me!"
The Figure paused, and then It hissed, "Beware Me, for you have seen not half My power. Flee now or die mortal."
The shimmering Spirit suddenly began to radiate energy, and I felt Its power wash over me as It reached past me to open the door. I dashed out of the portal, sure I would never return. Only then did I realize with a shock that my hair had gone white, and I was no longer the powerful young man I had been. I had aged at least ten years in the course of a single night! Still, the Ghost had been merciful, and I was grateful to still be alive..
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