True Scary Stories Told to the Sound of Rain | Relax and Fall Asleep Quickly Vol. 143 l Black Screen

hello everyone I am the Storyteller and I am here to help you today I know you use this video to fall asleep so before that like the video and subscribe to the channel also where are you from and what time are you watching now get comfortable and relax I've been lying awake for hours staring at the corner of my bedroom where the light never reaches I hear something there it calls my name it waits until I switch off the light lamp and then it starts I've tried ignoring it but it knows every secret I've ever

kept I don't understand how that's possible and I've stopped trying to rationalize it I just know that the voice is real and it won't leave me alone I first noticed it about 3 months ago I was in bed drifting between Consciousness and sleep when I heard the faintest sound it reminded me of air escaping through a crack in the wall I opened my eyes and that's when I heard my name plain as day I remember shooting up in bed and checking my phone for the time it was 27 a.m. my heart was racing and I

kept looking over my shoulder expecting someone to be behind me I got out of bed walked to the door flipped the light switch and scanned every inch of the room I saw nothing I couldn't explain the voice so I told myself I was just tired maybe my mind was playing tricks on me I I turned off the light and lay back down but the whisper returned as soon as my head hit the pillow since then it's only gotten worse I can't sleep with the lights on because the bright glare keeps me awake and I can't

sleep with them off because the whisper grows louder it feels like a lose lose situation most nights I lie awake until dawn the second the sunlight streams through the window the whisper Fades but it never disappears entirely even during the day I feel something behind me I catch glimpses of movement in my peripheral vision I hear my floor Creak as if someone's walking around when I'm alone in the house whenever I check there's no one there I live in a small one-bedroom apartment on the third floor of an old building the hallways smell like stale

tobacco and the floors squeak under every step my place isn't much bigger than a couple of cramped rooms so it's impossible to hide or run far each morning I shower make coffee and try to go about my routine but I keep looking around expecting to see a dark figure in the corners sometimes I hear that voice in the kitchen or the living room Whispering so low that I can barely catch the words I know the voice is talking about me it mentions details of my life that I've never shared with anyone it repeats secrets from

my past that I hate remembering I started leaving the TV on for background noise I hope that any random dialogue would drown out the whisper it doesn't help I can still hear it even over the television some nights I put on headphones and crank up the volume to levels that hurt my ears The Whisper cuts through everything I feel my chest tighten whenever it speaks my arms get goosebumps and a cold sweat breaks out on my forehead I get so jumpy that even a normal sound like a neighbor slamming a door sends my heart racing

a few weeks into this torment I began noticing a sensation of pressure on my shoulder it happens at random I can be walking down the hallway or washing dishes in the sink when I feel a cold hand rest on me the first time it happened I dropped a glass on the floor it shattered and the noise almost made me jump out of my skin I turned around but there was no one behind me the whisper started up again right away it said my name in a drawn out hiss then rattled off another one of my

secrets one I haven't thought about in years my hands were shaking so badly I could hardly pick up the Shar yards of broken glass I felt like I was being watched the entire time one evening I decided to stay out as late as possible I spent hours at a diner sipping coffee that tasted burnt I didn't want to go home I was convinced that if I stayed away the thing in my room couldn't bother me but eventually I had to come back when I unlocked the door my apartment felt ice cold I checked the thermostat

it read 72 but it felt closer to 50 in there I locked the door behind me and switched on every light in the place I looked in closets under Furniture behind the shower curtain nothing no shapes no Silhouettes no figures lurking around yet the whisper still started the moment I turned off the kitchen light it said my name again and then laughed in a low rasping voice my mouth went dry I managed to mutter a few swear words under my breath and stumbled toward my bedroom flipping on lamps as I went no matter what I

did I couldn't shake that cold dread I reached out to a few friends hoping one of them would let me crash on their couch I just needed one decent night's sleep but people have their own schedules and responsibilities and I felt uncomfortable explaining why I needed a place to crash I wasn't even sure I wanted to tell them about this I worried they'd think I was losing my mind so I stayed home the next night I wrapped myself in a thick blanket on the couch and tried to keep the lights on I stayed that way

until exhaustion forced me to close my eyes I might have slept for 10 minutes when I felt that hand on my shoulder again I leapt up nearly tripping over the coffee table The Whisper echoed through the living room calling my name in that slow deliberate tone I could feel every hair on my body stand on end my eyes watered and my breath came in short ragged bursts then everything went quiet for a few seconds and I heard the floor Creak behind me I spun around scanning the room but there was no shape in the dim

light just the flicker of a lamp by the TV I keep telling myself I should move but I'm stuck with a lease and money doesn't grow on trees I also worry that wherever I go this thing might follow me it doesn't seem tied to the apartment itself it's more like it's bound to me I've tried looking up explanations online but I can't find anything that makes sense most of what I see is advice about ignoring it or cleansing my living space I don't feel any relief when I burn Sage or sprinkle salt by the doorway

I've tried both the whisper just laughs like it's amused by my attempts lately I've stopped talking to people as much I feel tired all the time and I'm afraid my nerves are too shot to act normal in public I've called in sick to work more times than I'd like to admit when I do go I'm on edge jumping at every little sound people ask if I'm feeling all right and I just force a half smile I tell them I haven't been sleeping well which is true enough I can't focus on anything even in broad daylight

I see quick movements in the corners of my eyes I hear faint footsteps trailing behind me I feel that awful coldness it radiates from my shoulder down my back whenever I sense that invisible touch one night I tried talking to it I sat in my bedroom with the lights off heart pounding and forced myself to speak my voice shook as I asked what it wanted but I got no direct reply it just said my name then rattled off another secret I felt a surge of anger I wanted to punch something but there was no physical

Target I demanded it leave me alone all I got was that same rasping laugh then the whisper went silent for a few minutes which almost felt worse than hearing it in that silence my thoughts raced and fear settled in my gut after a while it started whispering again repeating my name in an endless loop until I had to cover my ears and leave the room I tried sleeping in the bathtub once hoping that the change of location would throw it off the bathroom is cramped with plain tiles and a single overhead light so I thought

maybe it wouldn't follow me there I filled the tub with a few inches of warm water and tried to relax but the whisper found me almost immediately I jumped up nearly slipping on the Slick porcelain I flicked on the overhead light but that didn't help the voice sounded closer than ever coming from right behind the shower curtain I ripped the curtain open feeling my skin crawl nothing was there I left the water running grabbed a towel and sat in the living room again shaking with frustration I've never felt so powerless nothing I do stops The

Whisper or that freezing hand on my shoulder I try to stay calm but my body reacts every time my legs shake my breathing gets shallow and I can't seem to control it I've had moments where I felt dizzy from all the adrenaline pumping through me at night my muscles are always tensed ready to jump out of bed at the slightest noise I barely eat and I can't remember the last time I slept more than an hour or two the worst part is the way the whisper knows so much about me it brings up past mistakes

regrets and private details I've never shared hearing it list those things sets me on edge it reminds me that there's no safe corner in my own head I've tried yelling at it but I don't think it cares it never responds to my questions directly just circles back to saying my name and those old Secrets sometimes it sounds like it's right next to my ear and I'll jerk away expecting to see a face but there's only emptiness I've turned into someone I barely recognize I used to enjoy evenings at home playing games or watching movies now

I dread the sun going down every flicker of light and Shadow makes me Flinch my reflection in Windows sometimes looks strange as if I'm seeing someone else I've seen my own eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep my shoulders sag with exhaustion and I'm losing weight fast because my appetite is gone I keep expecting to wake up from a nightmare but this is my reality some nights I consider leaving the lights on and trying to force myself to ignore the whisper that never works the whisper is always there always calling always dropping hints about things I'd

rather forget I picture it lurking just out of sight waiting for me to turn my head so it can slip closer sometimes I feel a faint breeze on the back of my neck like a breath my heart pounds so loud I can hear the blood rushing in my ears I spin around again and again but there's nothing to see last night I attempted something I never did before I stood in the dark and pressed my back against the wall so I couldn't be touched from behind I I stood there until my legs began to ache

every time the whisper spoke I tried to stay calm eventually my knees felt weak and I had to sit down the moment I dropped to the floor I felt that icy hand on my shoulder again I scrambled away banging my head on the corner of a small dresser the pain made me curse out loud my vision blurred for a second and the whisper turned into that laugh it was a harsh low Rumble that sent cold waves through my entire body now as I tell you all this I'm sitting in my living room with a single

lamp on it's around midnight The Whisper is in the background but I'm trying to push it aside long enough to speak clearly my hands are shaking my mouth is dry I can't stop checking the hallway convinced I'll see something emerge I know it's only a matter of time before I feel that hand again or hear my name repeated in that cold voice I keep thinking about about what will happen if it finally decides to show itself I'm not sure I want to know I can't imagine what it looks like or if it even has a

shape at all I'm reaching the end of my rope I can't rest I can't think straight I'm stuck listening to my own name Echo in the dark I feel like the walls of my apartment are closing in on me but I know I can't just run this thing follows me day and night it's never satisfied always getting closer always always reminding me that it knows everything about me sometimes I stand near the door thinking about stepping outside but then I remember how the whisper haunts me even in broad daylight I can't escape it I'm convinced

it's waiting for something I don't know what and that uncertainty grinds my nerves raw I'm talking to you now because I need someone to listen I need to share what's been going on maybe hearing myself say it out loud will help me realize I'm not losing my mind I keep hoping there's a rational explanation but every day I find fewer reasons to believe that I hear it again right now it's using that same low tone drawing out each syllable of my name I feel the pressure on my shoulder my entire body is trembling I'm going

to turn around one more time I know I won't see anything I never do but I have to check because deep down I'm still terrified that the moment I stop looking it will appear and I'll finally understand what's really lurking in the darkness and right now I'm not sure how I'll handle that moment when it comes I got that mirror from my grandfather's estate 2 weeks after his funeral I remember standing in his old Workshop sifting through boxes of Dusty tools and piles of clutter I saw the mirror leaning against a wall it had a

small crack in the top corner so I asked my uncle why nobody fixed it he Shrugged he just said it belonged to my grandfather for decades my uncle suggested I take it home I didn't hesitate I've always liked old stuff especially pieces that carry some history and I assumed this mirror would be no different I placed it in my bedroom I set it against the wall near my closet the first time I looked at it in my house I felt a weird discomfort in my stomach the crack in the top Corner was about half an

inch long it didn't look like a big deal so I didn't worry I figured I could get it repaired eventually for the first few days everything seemed fine I woke up got dressed glanced at my reflection nothing unusual but one morning I was tying my shoelaces and caught my reflection behind me in the mirror I saw myself blink it looked normal at first but then I realized my Reflections seemed to Blink a beat after I did I paused and stared at the mirror my eyes felt strained I held my gaze to see if I was

just imagining it I blinked once slowly my reflection blinked a fraction of a second later not at the same time my heart pounded I backed away and looked at my hands they looked normal then I glanced back at the mirror my reflection stood still looking straight at me not moving an inch my pulse throbbed in my temples I turned away and pretended I had somewhere else to be that night I tried to forget about it I crawled into bed and Switched Off the lamp the mirror stood in the dark catching a bit of moonlight I

felt like something in that reflection was still awake I rolled over closed my eyes and told myself I just needed better sleep the next day I caught a glimpse of the crack it seemed bigger I ran my fingertip over it I could feel the Jagged Edge like a little chip it wasn't just just a small line anymore it had spread maybe an inch in length I found it strange because I hadn't touched the mirror I hadn't bumped into it or dropped anything on it I decided to keep an eye on it that evening I walked

into my bedroom after brushing my teeth as soon as I entered I felt a chill on my neck the mirror was in its usual spot but the glass didn't seem as reflective it looked clouded near the crack the crack now had a thin gray Haze leaking out it wasn't smoke but it looked like a little patch of mist I swallowed hard and turned on the overhead light the mirror just looked old and scratched but I swear I saw a faint swirl in the glass I approached it and stared trying to see if there was moisture

trapped between the layers of glass my reflection stared back my forehead broke into a sweat I blinked twice fast my reflection blinked a moment later still not in sync my arms felt heavy my throat went dry I decided to test something I raised my right hand my reflection did the same but there was a noticeable lag like half a second I lowered my hand the reflection mirrored me but again too late my entire body felt tight and I started to breathe faster I left the room and paced around in the living room trying to collect

myself after a while I went back in I didn't look directly at the mirror I tried to ignore it while I got under the covers I left the lights on that night the following morning I checked the mirror first thing the crack had spread again it stretched from the top Corner about 2 in down the glass around it had that swirling fog it made me think of frost but it didn't feel cold to the touch I pressed my palm against the glass it was room temperature but it felt different like the surface was slightly soft

I jerked my hand back I smelled something stale like old basement air I looked around trying to figure out if it was coming from the mirror but I couldn't be certain that day I stayed out of the bedroom as much as I could I kept busy in the living room and kitchen watched TV scrolled through my phone tried to distract myself but every time I passed by my bedroom door I felt that tightness in my chest again I couldn't shake the feeling that something was in there behind the glass it was as if the mirror

was waiting for me by late afternoon I decided to confront it I took a deep breath opened the bedroom door and flipped on the light the mirror looked the same except the crack had widened into a thin fisser I stared at my reflection for a long time my reflection stared back blinking too late opening its mouth an instant after I did I felt laded like the floor was shifting under me me I forced myself to breathe slowly I walked up to the mirror and gently tilted it forward trying to see the back it was just

plain wood backing I ran my hand over it I heard a faint scraping sound from the front I froze my heart hammered in my chest I looked at the reflection again and I saw it had a slight smirk on its face but my own lips were straight I touched my lips they were pressed together but in the mirror I saw them curved upward I stumbled backward bumping into my nightstand my reflection smirk vanished a second later as if it realized it was out of syn I felt something like Panic twist in my gut I tried

to calm down and told myself I would just throw a sheet over it I opened my closet grabbed an old sheet and stepped to the mirror right before I could cover it I saw the crack widen again maybe a fraction of an inch but enough to make a slight popping sound a thin swirl of haze seeped from the glass I swear it moved like a wisp of fog drifting upward I didn't smell anything this time but I thought I heard a soft hiss I dropped the sheet my hands shook I felt a chill that ran

from my back to my fingertips I considered leaving the house but I live alone and I didn't want to run away from my own bedroom I decided to place the mirror face down on the floor floor I reached behind it lifted it carefully and lowered it until the reflective surface faced the floor the crack made a soft crunching noise against the wood I stood there staring at the wooden backing now facing up I exhaled feeling relieved that I didn't have to look at my out of sync reflection anymore that night I tried to sleep around

midnight I woke up hearing a faint scratching sound I sat up in bed my heart banging against against my ribs I looked toward the floor the mirror was still face down but I heard a tap like someone gently knocking from the other side of the glass I climbed out of bed stepped closer and listened I heard another tap my throat felt like it was closing up I froze in place and my hand trembled I leaned over put my ear Close to the Mirror and heard a slow scraping noise like nails on glass my stomach clenched

I grabbed the sheet and flung it over the mirror tucking the edges underneath so it couldn't move the tapping stopped I stood there for a while barely breathing then I crawled back onto the bed not sleeping a wink the next morning I decided I couldn't stand having that mirror in my bedroom anymore I lugged it down the hall and stuck it in a spare closet I pressed it against the far wall and shut the door I spent the day trying to relax I did laundry cooked a simple lunch and listened to music to distract myself

but every time I walked past that closet I heard a soft thump I tried to ignore it my body felt tense and my mouth was dry my head pounded by evening I noticed a draft in the hallway it came from that closet door it was cold air almost like an air conditioning vent except my AC wasn't on I pressed my hand to the door the wood felt cool I listened the mirror made made a slight creaking sound the floor under my feet seemed unsteady I had trouble sleeping again my mind kept drifting to that delayed

reflection that out ofpl smirk the hiss of that fog I told myself I should just smash it but part of me didn't want to risk making it worse the crack was already letting something through what if breaking the mirror opened it wider by morning my nerves were shot I stood outside the closet debating what to do I find finally opened the door the sheet had slipped off the mirror the mirror was upright as if someone had propped it against the wall my jaw clenched I remembered placing it face down but there it was leaning upright

the crack had opened more it now ran halfway down the glass with that gray Haze swirling around it I swallowed hard and stepped closer a cool draft hit my face I peered at the reflection at first I only saw my myself then I noticed that my Reflections chest Rose and fell out of sink it breathed slower than I did like it was on a slight delay I watched my own face I blinked twice but in the reflection I only blinked once my head started to spin I couldn't take it I lifted the mirror again trying

to force it back to the floor then it happened I saw a movement behind my reflection like a shape shifting in the fog it was just a blur but I heard a faint sigh or maybe it was a breath my grip slipped and I almost dropped the mirror I set it down carefully I stood there forcing myself to keep my eyes on the glass the reflections lips parted a moment after mine did my spine tingled I felt like I was going to pass out I pushed the mirror flat on the floor again pressed my knee

against it and tried to keep it still the glass felt strange like it had a soft G under my palm my Reflections face looked up at me from the floor staring I refused to let go but my arm started shaking suddenly I heard a soft rasping sound like a muffled voice pushing through water I leaned my ear close trying to make it out I realized it was coming from the crack something was on the other side my skin crawled I felt sweat dripping down my neck my thoughts were jumbled I wanted to get rid of

the mirror but I didn't know how I pictured myself hauling it outside and dumping it but I worried that whatever was attached to it might follow me I grabbed duct tape from the kitchen drawer my hands trembled while I taped the edges of the mirror trying to cover the crack I pressed strips of tape along the Fisher sealing that opening the swirling Haze pressed against the tape from inside the glass I heard that hiss again I stood up heart pounding and waited the mirror stayed quiet the reflection looked normal for a moment I stared down

at myself lying on the floor pinned under tape that was enough for me I dragged the mirror into the garage placed it against a wall and stacked boxes in front of it then I walked away I still hear noises at night I still sense that cool draft coming from under the door that leads to the garage I've thought about taking a hammer to it I've thought about calling someone to haul it off but I can't bring myself to do it yet part of me is scared that if I break the glass I'll release whatever's waiting

on the other side for now the mirror is hidden behind those boxes the crack is taped shut when I go out there I can hear a faint thump maybe once or twice a day it's like something's trying to get through I have no idea how to fix it and I have no idea if it will ever stop but I can't face it again I can't look at that reflection anymore so I leave it there behind the boxes hoping it doesn't move hoping it stays tape shut and hoping I don't have to see that delayed blink

or that Twisted smirk ever again I never thought I'd find a cave that felt colder than a freezer in the middle of a blazing hot region I remember stepping off the trail feeling the sun beating down on my shoulders sweat soaking through my shirt my backpack straps cut into my skin and my mouth felt dry from hours of hiking I was used to that kind of discomfort because I like the challenge of exploring unknown places but I wasn't expecting the sudden drop in temperature when I brushed aside some thick bushes and discovered a dark opening

in the Rock at first I hesitated I stood there trying to make sense of that freezing air rolling out of the cave entrance it didn't match the environment there was no wind so I couldn't figure out why I felt that Chill on my face and arms my fingertips tingled from the abrupt change in temperature that strange cold made my stomach clench like something was off I pulled out my flashlight to see if the passage looked stable the ground at the entrance was made of gravel and loose Stones the drop in temperature kept my senses on

alert I slowly moved forward letting my flashlight sweep across the rocky walls the beam caught dust particles floating in the air my boots made a crunching sound and every time I took a step it echoed with a dull thud the Cave's walls had streaks of some dark mineral it reminded me of charred marks but I didn't want to jump to any weird conclusions I only noted what I saw the deeper I went the more I noticed an odd damp smell it wasn't musty like most caves it was more like Cold Stone and stale air after

a few steps I paused I listened I heard nothing at first just my own breathing then I picked up a faint whisper as if two people were speaking somewhere far ahead it was so soft that I almost thought it was my imagination I turned off my flashlight to see if that changed anything it just made the dark thicker my eyes tried to adjust and I couldn't see a thing I heard the whisper again maybe a bit clearer it sounded like words but I couldn't make out any language my chest got tight and my heart pounded

I flipped the flashlight back on I took a few more steps not sure whether I should turn back or keep going my legs felt shaky and my breath got shallow despite feeling uneasy I couldn't let it go the cave tugged at me I felt this odd pull like something was waiting to be discovered I reminded myself I'd explored plenty of dark places before I had my emergency gear a backup headlamp and I knew how to handle tight corridors still I couldn't shake the uncomfortable sensation my gut told me this was different I crept forward trying

not to make much noise my boots scuffed over some sharp rocks I could see my breath forming little Puffs in the beam of the flashlight that's how cold it was my hands trembled a bit from the chill and I had to flex my fingers to keep them warm the whispering didn't stop it seemed to move around me but I couldn't pinpoint The Source at one moment it was coming from my left near a jagged wall with narrow cracks then it shifted to the right side near a cluster of stalagmites my pulse raced I felt sweat

on my forehead but the rest of my body was cold the conflict between the Heat I'd come from outside and this Eerie cold made my head spin as I continued deeper I noticed a subtle shift in the Cave's layout the passageway opened up the ceiling Rose higher and I saw what looked like old carvings on some part parts of the rock they were faint lines and shapes that formed patterns I brushed my hand over a few of them feeling the grooves under my fingertips my flashlight revealed what seemed like symbols or marks left by past

explorers I wondered how old they were I also wondered if they'd heard the same Whispers The Thought made me uneasy the further I Advanced The More The Whispers turned into soft Echoes they weren't loud but they surrounded me sometimes I thought I heard my name my heart kept thumping and my mouth went dry I swallowed hard feeling my throat tighten I kept sweeping the flashlight around half expecting to see someone else but there was nobody I felt trapped by that cold atmosphere my mind started to play tricks on me I thought I saw Shadows move

along the walls each time I turned my flashlight in that direction I saw only Stone my legs felt tired but I kept going I told myself I'd gone too far to turn back without at least checking if there was an end to that tunnel the floor turned slippery in places water dripped from above forming little puddles my flashlight reflected off the wet surfaces creating brief flashes my own breathing sounded loud in my ears I had this nagging feeling I was being watched my skin prickled at random intervals and the back of my neck felt tense

I tried to steady my nerves by focusing on where I placed my feet after walking another 15 minutes I came across a small chamber it wasn't huge but it was big enough to stand up straight without bumping my head on the ceiling in the middle I found a cluster of bizarre Stone formations some were smooth and others had sharp edges a few had cracks that looked like open mouths I felt a chill roll through my chest when I glanced at them The Whispers intensified they seemed to come from every corner of that chamber my my

heart pounded so hard that I felt it in my ears I Stood Still shining the flashlight around my breath came in quick bursts and my Palms were damp with sweat I leaned in to check one of the stone formations as I touched it the whispering paused for a second my entire body went rigid I could hear my pulse and the faint drip of water from somewhere behind me then the whispering started again quietly and I felt a pressure in my chest I pulled my hand away stepping back to get some distance I wanted to catch

my breath but I also felt weirdly intrigued my curiosity kept me there even though my instincts told me to leave I don't know how long I lingered in that chamber listening to the walls The Echoes sometimes overlapped and I thought I heard a sort of dialogue I couldn't identify any familiar words but it felt like it had a rhythm I kept turning in circles trying to locate the source my muscles were tense and my jaw was clenched I let out a shaky exhale and forced myself to step away the cold had seeped into my bones

and I realized I was shivering I decided it was best to go back my gut Twisted with both fear and a strange yearning to keep exploring but I chose to retrace my steps on the way out the cave didn't get any warmer the whispering never completely vanished but it faded as I got closer to the entrance I had this persistent feeling the cave didn't want me to leave when I saw a faint glow of sunlight I felt relief mixed with regret part of me wanted to turn around and go deeper just to see what else

might be hidden but I pushed myself forward my breaths were shallow and my legs felt weak I glanced over my shoulder a few times as if expecting the darkness to close in on me stepping out into the heat felt overwhelming the sun hit my face and the warmth on my skin made me squint I inhaled the hot air which felt almost suffocating but it was better than the cold pressure inside the cave I let out a long breath my heart still racing from the tension I sat down on a Flat Rock a few steps away

from the cave entrance my mind was spinning and I felt this empty sensation in my chest I tried to Shake It Off by drinking some water and wiping the sweat off my forehead it didn't help much over the next few days I couldn't stop thinking about that place I replayed The Sounds in my head questioning if I'd imagined them my chest felt heavy every time I remembered the whispering I tried to distract myself by going on different Trails checking out less intense cave systems and talking to other hikers but nothing felt the same that weird

cold sensation stayed with me like my body never fully adjusted back to the normal temperature at night I found it hard to sleep because my thoughts circled around that freezing atmosphere and those carvings on the walls I soon real realized I was restless and edgy I caught myself pacing in my living room replaying every moment from the cave I could almost feel the crunch of gravel under my boots the scuffing sound echoing in the darkness I remembered the damp smell and that lingering hush between The Whispers my heart would speed up and my chest would

tighten as if I was back there it felt like something was missing inside me like a chunk of my Consciousness stayed behind in that chamber I tried to fight the urge to return telling myself it was just another cave but I couldn't shake off the sense that I'd left something important in there my thoughts were scattered I couldn't focus on daily tasks The Emptiness grew I started to think about heading back maybe to see if I could figure out what caused those sounds at the same time the idea of returning sent my pulse racing I

pictured myself standing in that cold Darkness hearing those soft Echoes again when I told a friend about my experience I avoided the details of the whispering I just mentioned that I found a weirdly cold cave and felt creeped out he joked about me watching too many scary movies and he suggested I let it go I nodded but I knew I couldn't the hollow feeling in my chest made me anxious sometimes I'd wake up in the middle of the night covered in sweat with the memory of that whispering so sharp in my mind that I felt

I was still there I tried to plan a return trip but kept postponing it part of me feared the unknown aspect of that place another part wanted to confirm if the cave was truly that strange or if I'd just been exhausted and spooked myself but whenever I closed my eyes I saw those Jagged formations and heard that muttering that seemed to slide along the walls my heart would hammer against my ribs eventually I decided I needed to write down what happened hoping it would help me process it as I wrote each detail I felt felt

my hands shaking my skin prickled again with that memory of the freezing air against my face I remembered the exact moment my flashlight caught dust particles in the Stillness and the hush that hovered before those Whispers started back up putting it into words almost pulled me back inside now I'm still dealing with the aftermath I feel like my lungs never quite fill up completely my chest feels constricted I keep my gear ready in case I decide to head out there again I haven't mustered the courage yet but the pull won't go away there's a hole

in me that won't close I notice it every morning when I wake up and every evening when I settle in for the night I don't talk about this much it's a strange thing to explain people expect a big dramatic story and I only have the cold facts I found a cave it was unnaturally cold I heard Whispers And I left feeling incomplete no children are other people were there and nobody died but ever since that day I can't shake the feeling that part of me stayed behind when I say that I'm not trying to sound

mysterious that's just how it feels my chest gets tight and a shiver runs through me whenever I think about it I'm not sure how to move forward but I keep telling myself I have to find closure some nights I picture myself stepping back inside the cave with better equipment maybe setting up a camera or a digit digital recorder to capture those sounds I get nervous Imagining the freezing air around me again the Goosebumps all over my arms my throat gets dry just thinking about it but I also feel drawn to it like I need to

confront whatever is behind that Darkness for now I live with that emptiness I go about my day but I keep remembering the crunch of stones under my boots and the sudden drop in temperature I keep hearing that distant whisper that seemed to brush against my ears I still don't have answers but I can't forget the way the walls seemed alive the way those Echoes bounced around me the memory of that place clings to me and I'm not sure I'll ever be the same I feel stuck between wanting to go back and wanting to pretend I

never found that cave that's the whole story it's just me the cave and the cold that made no sense I have no proof no dramatic conclusion just the physical iCal memories imprinted on my body and the lingering tension in my mind it still scares me but it's also part of who I am now I don't know if I'll ever set foot in that cave again but if I do I wonder if I'll feel that part of me slip back into place or if I'll lose even more of myself to The Whispers that live in those

walls for now I carry on hoping that the chill in my chest might Fade with time even though I can't shake the suspicion that it won't I accepted the invitation without much thought I got the letter from a distant relative someone I barely remembered meeting years ago the message was brief and said he wanted me to spend a few days at his old house in the countryside far from any major town it felt strange but I agreed I had some time off and I wanted a change of SE scenery I drove there on a late

afternoon following a dirt road that stretched through wide Fields as soon as I saw the tall iron gates and the old stone walls I felt a tension in my stomach the house looked stuck in a different age the air was heavy and I noticed my heartbeat picking up for no clear reason I parked my car in a small yard filled with dry leaves I saw no caretaker no other guests and no lights the sky was overcast and the wind had an odd Stillness I grabbed my bag and walked up the stone steps when I opened

the heavy wooden door my arm shook a bit from the effort the hinges creaked inside the entrance hall was dim lit only by a single lamp in the corner I could see old furniture a tall ceiling and a wide staircase leading to the second floor everything seemed Frozen my footsteps echoed with an odd crispness that was when I noticed the big clock on the wall to my left the wood frame was carved with twisting patterns and the glass face was large taking up most of the surface but it had no hands it was just an

empty face with numbered markings for some reason my chest felt tight when I looked at it it seemed like it was staring back at me I stood there for a moment waiting for some kind of ticking sound or mechanical hum but I got nothing the entire house stayed silent it was so quiet that I could hear my own breathing I also realized realized I didn't hear any Wildlife outside no birds no insects nothing I set my bag down at the base of the staircase and called out but I got no answer I didn't see any

staff around I knew my distant relative wasn't supposed to arrive until the next morning so I assumed I had the house to myself for the night that should have felt liberating but it made me uneasy I thought about leaving but I brushed aside the idea I had driven for hours and I felt too tired to get back on the road I picked up my bag walked upstairs and searched for a guest room I found one at the end of the hallway it was clean but had a thin layer of dust on the desk in the

corner the bed was old with a tall wooden frame and a thick mattress I tossed my bag onto a chair I went back downstairs to check if there was anything in the kitchen I found some basic supplies a few cans of soup a bread loaf on the counter that looked fresh and a pitch of water I he heated the soup on a small stove that seemed about 50 years old as I waited for it to warm I kept listening for any sound but the house stayed completely silent it pressed against my ears in an uncomfortable

way after I ate I returned to the entrance hall I stared at that big clock again it bothered me it gave off a feeling that something was missing but I told myself that it was just a harmless antique I shook my head and went back to my room I shut the door and locked it I turned on the small lamp next to the bed and flipped through an old magazine I found in a drawer the pages smelled musty my legs felt restless so I paced around the room for a while after about an hour I

felt tired enough to sleep I got under the covers turned off the lamp and lay there in the dark trying not to think about the emptiness of the house my eyes wouldn't stay closed for long I kept opening them waiting for for a noise in the hallway my heart beat a bit faster than normal my breathing felt shallow eventually I managed to drift off sometime in the middle of the night I jolted awake a deep resonant sound echoed through the hallway it sounded like a distant Bell I blinked staring into the darkness my mind raced

with questions there was no clock with working parts in this place there were no visible Bells but I heard a low chime it vibrated in my chest I got out of bed my legs unsteady and crept to the door I opened it just a crack the hallway was dark lit Only By Moonlight through a small window I smelled something old in the air like stale Dust In Cold Stone I stood there listening my ears picked up another chime it was the same deep note it seemed to come from downstairs near the entrance hall it gave

me a prickling sensation at the back of my neck I reached for my phone to check the time but it wouldn't turn on the battery was dead even though I had charged it fully on the drive I felt a jolt of confusion I looked at my watch instead the hands were frozen at 11: I tapped the glass but nothing changed I took a few slow steps into the hallway trying not to make noise each step made the old floorboards Creak my breathing felt tight I kept waiting for a third chime but it didn't come I

reached the staircase and leaned forward peering down the hallway light was off but I saw a faint glow coming from the entrance hall it flickered a bit I took one more step and I heard a small thud behind me I turned feeling my chest seize up there was nothing there just Shadows I whispered a few curses to myself my hands were shaking and sweat formed on my forehead I decided to go back to the bedroom I didn't know what else to do I locked the door again and sat on the bed my heart pounded so

hard that I felt it in my ears after a few minutes I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep I listened for more Chimes but heard nothing I eventually dozed off but it wasn't restful I stirred around 2 in the morning my head felt heavy the air smelled stale like an old attic I got up walked to the window and looked outside it was Pitch black I couldn't even see the yard or the fence suddenly I felt disoriented as if I had lost a chunk of time my eyes stung and my hands felt cold

I turned on the bedside lamp and I looked around the room it looked the same but something felt off I couldn't name it I stepped into the hallway again my legs felt weak but I kept going the silence was overwhelming I had an urge to make noise just to fill the space I forced myself to keep quiet because I thought there might be something else in the house my instincts warned me not to call attention to myself I walked toward the stairs and I heard a faint scraping sound behind a nearby door it was a

guest room or maybe a storage room I froze my muscles stiffening I felt my pulse in my temples the scraping continued for 2 or 3 seconds then it stopped I tried to calm my breathing I pressed my ear to to the door I couldn't hear any movement so I backed away I headed downstairs each step felt like it took forever when I reached the entrance hall the faint glow was gone the lamp in the corner was off I glanced at the big clock on the wall still no hands still silent the glass face reflected the

small amount of moonlight that filtered in from outside I approached it trying to see if there was any sign of a mechanism I touched the wood and it felt cold the silence made my ears ring then the Deep chime rang again it pulsed through my chest I jumped and turned around the hall was empty I looked at the clock's face and I saw a slight Distortion like something moved behind the glass I leaned in trying to see it more clearly but there was nothing there my hands felt sweaty and I wiped them on my pants

I took a few steps back trying not to trip on the rug I noticed the front door was closed but not locked I considered leaving right then I reached for the door knob turned it slowly and pulled the door creaked open revealing the front yard under the Moonlight I saw my car I could leave but an odd sense of uncertainty made me hesitate the invitation had said to wait until morning to meet my host I felt trapped by curiosity and by a strange sense of obligation I stepped out outside inhaled the cool night air and

listened the wind was still and the fields were dark my breath looked thick in the cold air I thought about driving away but something kept me from moving forward I returned to my room and tried to get some rest my mind wouldn't stop replaying the sound of that chime I lay in bed until dawn drifting in and out of shallow sleep when the pale light of morning came I got up rubbed my eyes and looked at my watch it still read 11 I grabbed my phone and saw that it was dead again I plugged it

into my charger but it showed no response I got dressed and went downstairs the house felt different with the daylight but the silence remained I walked around checking each room most of them were Dusty or covered in sheets there was a musty Library a drawing room with covered furniture and several locked doors I couldn't open no sign of my relative no sign of of anyone at all I found some cereal in a kitchen cabinet and ate a bit the front door was still unlocked so I stepped outside to see if I could get a phone

signal there was nothing I tried to start my car but the engine refused to turn over the battery was completely dead I stood in the yard looking at the stone walls and Tall windows I felt a slow Panic creeping up my hands Shook and my breathing got heavier I went back inside searching for a phone line or some kind of landl line I found an old rotary phone in a small office near the back of the house but it had no dial tone I had no way to contact anyone the day passed slowly I heard

nothing at one point I thought I caught a glimpse of someone in the upstairs hallway but when I ran up there the corridor was empty as evening approached a strong sense of dread settled over me my stomach felt tight I was sweating even though the air was cool I realized I hadn't seen the sun move in the sky it seemed stuck behind clouds I tried to keep myself occupied by searching every room I could unlock most of the doors were firmly shut the ones that opened led to Dusty bedrooms or storage areas the silence never

changed that night I lay in bed with the lamp on I couldn't face the dark again around what I guessed was midnight I heard the chime it was louder the sound vibrated in the walls my heart pounded so hard it hurt I sat up rubbing my eyes my skin felt clammy that was when I sensed a distortion in the air like everything had shifted I felt dizzy I looked at the door and for a second it seemed like it flickered the space around me felt the same but also different I got up stood by the

door and waited the chime hit again a deep and slow note my mind raced I felt the distinct impression that I had experienced this moment before my thoughts spun and I wondered if I was dreaming I touched my arm with my fingertips and felt the pressure so I was definitely awake I pulled the door open and stepped into the hallway as soon as I did the light in my room blinked off the corridor looked the same but my body felt heavier I could hear my pulse in my head my skin felt cold I realized that

each time I heard the chime I was looping back to some earlier state yet I couldn't pinpoint the exact moment of each Loop it was just a strong impression in my gut and a weird tension in my muscles I noticed the door to the guest room across the hallway was a jar even though it had been shut before I approached it my hands trembled and sweat slid down my temples I reached for the doorknob but I hesitated I held my breath listening I heard a faint rustling inside like fabric moving I pulled my hand away

my instincts screamed at me to back off then I heard a slow Creak in the corridor behind me like a footstep on Old floorboards I spun around my chest pounding there was no one there I felt something watching me but I couldn't see anything my throat tightened my breath came in short gasps the air felt charged I took a step back then another the boards groaned under my feet I thought I saw a shadow shift on on the far wall but it was gone in a blink I heard the chime again my head spun and

I shut my eyes it felt like my stomach turned in on itself my legs almost gave out but I stayed on my feet when I opened my eyes the hallway lamp was on again even though it had been off just seconds before I realized I had returned to some earlier point in the night the door to the guest room was shut the tension in my chest grew stronger and I thought I might throw up I swallowed hard and wiped my mouth I heard a soft drag of something along the floor behind me but when I

glanced over my shoulder the corridor was empty I stumbled toward the staircase and hurried downstairs I looked at the clock still no hands still no ticking it looked exactly the same my breathing was shaky I reached out and tapped the glass face I felt no vibration or movement the chime sounded yet again louder than before I almost dropped to my knees my ears rang the house seemed to shift around me the front door which I had left open earlier was now closed and bolted I felt trapped I wiped sweat from my forehead trying to steady

my nerves each time that chime rang I felt I was getting pulled backward in time forced to repeat the same stretch of night and each time I sensed something walking through the corridors approaching me at a slower pace Cas than real time should allow but I couldn't see it my chest felt tight as I thought about that presence every hair on my arm stood up I'm still here I don't know how many times I've lived through these same moments the clock never changes yet it Chimes over and over my phone stays dead and my watch

is stuck at 11: the house remains silent except for that sound I can't escape it and I can't understand it the presence moves closer with each repetition I can sense it more clearly now I hear slight shifts in the air faint creeks in the floor gentle Taps on the walls my Palms sweat each time my heart races my thoughts spiral as I wait for the chime to pull me back once again and each time it feels more real and the footsteps get a bit louder I have no idea what will happen if it reaches me

I only know that time is isn't working here I'm stuck in these same hours going in circles I can't stop listening for those deep Chimes dreading the moment they sound again I got the invitation on a Thursday afternoon the envelope showed up in my mailbox without a sender's name or address it was a thick white envelope with a neat black seal the message inside asked me to prepare an exclusive dinner in a large mansion on the outskirts of town the note mentioned a high fee and promised complete discretion it didn't include the client's name or

any personal details but it gave me a specific date and time it also listed the dishes the client requested the handwriting was smooth and elegant I felt a mix of excitement and confusion because I'd never received a job offer in such a secretive way I decided to accept the money was too good and I couldn't resist the chance to cook in a new environment I arrived at the Mansion around dusk on the scheduled day the exterior looked enormous the walls were white stone with tall dark Windows there were statues along a long driveway all facing

me like silent guards my car rumbled over gravel until I reached a wide set of steps leading up to a huge black door I knocked once and the door opened by itself no one greeted me in the for laer I walked in and felt a slight chill even though the air outside had been warm the floors were polished marble and my footsteps made an echo that felt too loud in the empty space I called out a greeting no one answered I took a breath and stepped farther into the foyer a note rested on a small

table nearby held down by a silver paper weight it said to head left and enter the kitchen I followed the instructions turning left into a long corridor lined with tall mirrors on one side I avoided my reflection something about that hallway felt off my eyes kept sliding to the mirrors expecting to see movement but I only saw my own body passing by I didn't see anyone else at the end of the corridor I found a door that led to the kitchen inside I saw an impressive setup the counters were smooth Granite the appliances looked brand

new and there was every tool I could imagine a single overhead lamp lit the center Island the corners of the kitchen were in deep Shadow there was a small note on the counter with instructions about how the client wanted each dish prepared the handwriting matched the note I got in the mail the list included a starter a main course and a dessert everything was clear and detailed I started unpacking my knives and spices I double checked all the ingredients everything seemed top quality and fresh it made my job easier so I tried to focus on

that still I couldn't ignore the empty feeling in the Mansion I expected staff or maybe a butler but the whole place felt abandoned while I rinsed vegetables in the sink I thought I saw a shape move past the doorway I leaned forward and glanced around but I saw no one the air felt colder near the doorway so I shifted my focus back to the food as I chopped onions I heard soft clicks against the floor somewhere behind me they sounded like footsteps STS but not steady ones I stopped chopping turned around and saw nothing the

corners remained dark but I didn't see a single person or even a shadow I hesitated for a moment then went back to cutting my heart was beating faster than normal I tried to keep a steady hand on the knife while I boiled pasta for the starter I heard another Noise near the pantry it was a faint shuffling sound like fabric brushing against a door frame I paused again and stared at the pantry door it stayed closed I watched it for a few seconds waiting for it to move it stayed still I returned to my work

my mind was racing but I forced myself to think about the sauce and the timing of the main course I had a job to do and I didn't want to mess it up the pay was high and my Professional Pride kept me going every few minutes I sensed a presence in the corner of my vision I would turn my head and there would be nothing there no figure no shape no Shadow still I felt watched my arms got goosebumps my mouth felt dry I took a sip of water and tried to concentrate I repeated each

step of the recipe in my head I arranged the plates carefully I kept my eyes down on the plating when I felt another Rush of cold air at my back when I finished cooking I carried the dishes out to the dining room the table was massive with at least a a dozen chairs there was one chair set at the head where the table had a single place setting the cutlery reflected the Chandelier's light I placed the starter on that plate the seat was empty of course I glanced around expecting to see someone step in at

any moment no one came I walked back to the kitchen to grab the main course my heart was still pounding I inhaled slowly trying to calm down I carried the steaming plate into the dining room again I found that same empty seat there was no sign of any person I set the plate down and stepped back I waited a moment hoping to see at least a hand or some sign of a guest nothing happened right then I went back for the dessert feeling my Palms sweat after setting the dessert on the table I stood by

the door the silence pressed in then I heard the gentle Clank of Cutlery I snapped my eyes toward the chair I saw the fork lift off the table but there was no hand holding it I heard small metal Taps as if the fork touched the plate my breath got stuck in my throat the pasta on the appetizer plate started to vanish bite by bite I didn't see it disappear in chunks but the food simply reduced with each sound of a fork I took a step backward my knees felt weak my arms tingled I gripped the

door frame for support the glass of water by the plate shifted and Rose a few inches I heard the faint sound of swallowing but no shape the main course began to vanish in the same way the steak I had cooked was cut piece by piece leaving the plate empty I couldn't move my feet for a few seconds I couldn't tear my eyes away from that floating Fork eventually I forced myself to shift my gaze to the walls checking for any mirrors or cameras I saw none I returned my attention to the table when I heard

the dessert spoon scraping the dish the pudding I'd prepared was also disappearing the entire meal was going away as if eaten by an invisible guest then I heard a man's voice it was low smooth and came from the empty chair he thanked me by name he complimented the flavors the texture the presentation he said everything was perfect I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out my heart hammered in my chest he asked me to leave the bill by the candle on the far end of the table I reached into my pocket grabbed

one of my business cards and scribbled the amount do on it my hand shook so much I could barely write I walked over to place the card by the candle I noticed a thick wad of cash already sitting there it matched the fee we had agreed upon I took the money stuffed it into my jacket pocket and tried not to drop it as I backed away I said something like thank you sir my voice sounded shaky and weak the man's voice told me I could let myself out I didn't see any figure rise from the

chair but I heard it shift slightly as if a person leaned forward I got the sense that he was watching me but I couldn't see him the whole scene felt impossible my stomach churned I turned around and hurried back through the corridor not looking at those mirrors I reached the foyer and left the Mansion the door closed behind me with a gentle click in the car I sat behind the wheel and tried to steady my breathing my forehead was damp with sweat my hands wouldn't stop shaking I drove away glancing at the rearview mirror to

see if anyone stood at the mansion's door I only saw the large facade and the stone statues no movement I got home late that night took a quick shower and crawled into bed with the lights on I couldn't sleep right away my brain replayed the images of Cutlery floating in the air air eventually I drifted off but my sleep was Restless the next day I tried to go about my normal routine I still felt anxious my thoughts kept returning to that empty seat late in the afternoon I decided to cook something simple for dinner hoping

to calmed down with a familiar activity I sliced some vegetables and put them in a pan with chicken my hands were steadier than the night before I took measured steps with each ingredient following a mental recipe I knew well I set the table with a single plate in my small dining area I tried to relax listening to the sizzle of the pan at least my own home felt more comfortable than that Mansion when the meal was ready I carried the plate to the table and sat down I cut a piece of chicken and brought it

to my mouth trying to focus on the flavor a few bites in I froze I heard a scraping sound from across the table there was no plate there no chair set but I heard the exact sound of metal on ceramic my eyes darted to the empty spot I saw nothing my breathing sped up my legs tensed ready to jump away from the table I tried to keep calm telling myself it was my imagination then I heard the faint clink of a fork I watched in disbelief as bits of food vanished from the pan on the

stove the lid was still off so I could see the chicken pieces disappearing one at a time my throat tightened sweat formed on my forehead I pushed my chair back got up and walked to the kitchen the food kept Vanishing I couldn't see a fork this time but I heard the same quiet chewing noises and the occasional scrape of metal against the pan my hands shook a jolt of fear Shot Through Me it felt like that same presence from the Mansion had followed me home my mind scrambled for an explanation but I found none I

felt a sick rush in my stomach my mouth went dry I stumbled backward until till I hit the counter then I just stood there listening to the sounds of invisible eating eventually the noise stopped the pan was empty I stood in silence staring at the place where the chicken had been my thoughts raced trying to find something concrete to do I touched the edge of the pan it was still warm but most of the food was gone I felt the muscles in my arms tense my breathing was shallow I tried stepping away then I forced

myself to walk around the house turning on every light checking every room no one was there over the next few days this kept happening whenever I cooked something would remove the food from the pot or plate sometimes I would hear the gentle clink of unseen Cutlery other times I would hear faint footsteps I never saw a single outline of a person the presence never spoke at my home it just ate my food I noticed that it seemed to happen only when I cooked something if I ordered takeout or ate a sandwich nothing occurred but as

soon as I prepared a proper meal I felt that cold tension in the air I heard the faint scrape of utensils I watched my dishes empty themselves one bite at a time I started losing my appetite my heart pounded every time I picked up a knife or lit a stove burner I'd wipe sweat from my eyebrows while stirring a sauce waiting for the moment that the Invisible Presence would start start eating it happened at random times sometimes it started right as I set the plate down other times I had already taken a few bites before

the presence joined in each experience left me shaking with my stomach Twisted in knots I tried to keep myself together but it was impossible to ignore I haven't gone back to the mansion I haven't tried to contact the mysterious client I'm afraid of what might happen if I do but my reputation has grown because of that single job word got around that I made a private meal for a very wealthy Patron people started asking me for special requests my phone rang more often with potential clients I found excuses to turn them down I don't want

to relive that night I can't forget how I felt when I heard that empty chair scrape across the floor or when I saw the food fade from the plate without a visible hand now every time I stand in my kitchen I feel that cold spot behind me every time I hear a slight sound of metal on ceramic I tense up I haven't told anyone the full truth I just say I'm taking a break but the truth is I can't stop cooking it's what I do yet each new dish brings that familiar creeping feeling that I'm

not alone I stand there waiting for the first bite to disappear I keep hoping it won't happen but it does and whenever I hear those ghostly utensils I remember the man's voice thanking me back in that mansion He said my cooking was perfect I can't see him but I know he's still around and that knowledge makes my pulse pound every single time I pick up a knife I never thought anything strange would happen here I came to this Lake for peace and quiet I wanted a break from traffic noise endless emails and the usual chaos

back home I found a small ad for a cabin rental right at the water's edge it was cheap and the photos looked fine I packed my car with a couple of bags drove a few hours and arrived Just Before Sunset I walked around that first evening and enjoyed the calm surface of the lake there were no waves no strong currents it almost looked like a giant mirror I felt Rel relaxed that was my first mistake I assumed everything would stay normal I noticed a soft Breeze as I parked the sun was going down and the

sky glowed orange I unlocked the door and stepped into a one room cabin it smelled a bit musty like old wood and damp fabric the floor creaked under my boots and I felt a small gust of cold air against my legs the rental agent had left the windows cracked open I tossed my bag onto the the only bed it squeaked the mattress felt thin under my hand but I didn't mind I just needed a place to rest I set my phone on the nightstand there was no signal that didn't surprise me I opened the closet

it was empty except for a single coat hanger the walls looked clean enough then I checked the bathroom it was a cramped space with a small sink a metal framed mirror and a narrow shower everything looked fine I stepped outside sat on the short Dock at the edge of the lake and watched the last bit of daylight fade the water was so still that I felt a strange urge to reach in and stir it up but I just let it be I remember hearing some faint rustling in the distance maybe a raccoon rumaging in the

brush I heard the faint hum of insects I breathed the cool night air until my eyes felt heavy the next morning I went out to the lake the sun was up the water was smooth again I walked to the same spot on the dock and crouched down to wash my hands I leaned forward expecting to see my reflection I saw nothing the water was perfectly clear but my reflection wasn't there it just showed the Blue Sky overhead the outline of trees on the far Shore and some reflected sunlight I blinked a few times I rubbed

my eyes still nothing I stuck my hand in the water and I saw ripples the ripples made small circles on the surface I still saw no sign of my face arms or anything else in the reflection my heart pounded I felt the hairs on my neck stand up I couldn't explain it I tried different angles I checked if maybe I was standing in Shadow or if the sun was at some weird position I still saw no reflection I walked back to the cabin my arms feeling cold I felt a knot in my stomach I tried

to brush it off maybe I was still sleepy I made coffee on the small stove inside I drank it fast and decided to step back out determined to see if things went back to normal I crouched down at the water's edge again same problem no reflection of me that entire day I tried to distract myself I took a short walk around the property I sat on a folding chair next to the cabin with a book in my hand I flipped through a few pages but I couldn't focus my eyes kept drifting toward the lake I

wondered if I was losing my mind I felt waves of tension in my chest my shoulders felt stiff and my throat was dry I considered leaving but I had paid for the rental and I was too stubborn I decided to stay the next morning I woke up early my neck hurt from sleeping on that thin pillow I heard a light tapping sound outside it could have been bran anches against the cabin but it felt too consistent I dressed quickly in jeans and a jacket then went outside the air was chilly I took a few steps

toward the water the tapping sound stopped I leaned over the dock squinting down at the surface this time I saw something a face stared back at me but it wasn't mine it belonged to another man he had short dark hair and a pale complexion his eyes were wide and he looked desperate or scared I could see his mouth open but I heard nothing the face jerked like he was trying to speak then the image vanished the water was still again and my reflection was nowhere to be seen I felt sweat forming on my palms and

my breath went shallow my throat tightened I knelt on the dock trying to see if he'd come back I whispered hello but I got no answer no Echo nothing I touched the water and it felt ice cold the sun was out so I expected it to be warmer I jerked my hand away I dried my hand on my jacket and stared at the still Lake the breeze brushed against my hair the face didn't return I stayed outside pacing up and down the small Shore I kicked at small rocks my mind was racing I thought about

driving away that minute I felt a weight in my chest and my heartbeat was too fast then I realized I had nowhere else to stay I had about a week off from work and I wanted some kind of break I convinced myself to hold on and try to figure things out I decided I would check the lake again around midday just to see if something changed at noon I walked to the same spot this time I saw multiple faces in the water they weren't moving I saw a woman with short blonde hair I saw a

man with a thick beard I saw another face that looked older maybe in his 50s with deep lines on his forehead each face looked up at me none matched my own face I bent closer and my stomach felt tight I felt warmth rising in my cheeks like I was about to panic I forced myself to stay still the faces all seemed silent like they couldn't speak their mouths stayed shut but their eyes tracked me I heard nothing but my own breathing then the water rippled and the faces disappeared I got up my knees shaking I

walked back to the cabin locked the door and sat down on the edge of the bed my hands were trembling I pressed them against my thighs to steady them I stared at the floor I tried to figure out if this was some kind of trick I had no idea who those people were they looked human not some weird Illusions or distortions I felt a sudden chill so I found a sweater in my bag and pulled it on I paced around the cabin counting steps to calm myself eventually the sun began to set I closed the

curtains and tried to distract myself with some music on my phone but I had no signal for streaming and I had forgotten to download much so I just lay down on the bed with my mind racing that night I heard a quiet scratching sound near the front door it felt rhythmic scratch paw scratch my pulse spiked I got up heart pounding and tiptoed to the door I placed my ear against it the scratching stopped I grabbed a small flashlight from the nightstand and flicked it on I slowly opened the door nothing was there I pointed

the beam around the trees were still I saw no footprints in the dirt the lake looked calm I shut the door again but I didn't feel safe a few hours later I finally drifted off to sleep around 3: in the morning I heard voices outside they were faint but distinct I jolted awake and sat up my mouth was dry and my heart was pounding it sounded like multiple Voices All low and Urgent Calling My Name They repeated it over and over in hushed tones I felt my chest tighten I wanted to ignore it but I

couldn't I grabbed my flashlight again opened the curtains of sliver and peered out I saw nothing except the silhouette of the trees and the faint glimmer of the lake but the voices continued for a few more seconds before they stopped I didn't sleep much after that my eyes stayed open scanning the walls of the cabin I listened for footsteps or more voices I heard a branch snap at some point it made my stomach Lurch but after a while everything went quiet again when the first light of morning appeared I got dressed and stepped outside I

looked at the lake and I tried to keep my distance even from a few yards away I noticed movement in the water it seemed like small ripples were forming near the center but I couldn't see anything else I walked to the dock again though my legs felt heavy the air was cold I looked down the water was clearer than ever but my reflection was gone in its place I saw several faces some had their mouths open but I heard no sound their eyes twitched and flicked around I felt my hand shaking and my jaw was

tight I stepped back almost stumbling I forced myself to stay calm I filled a bucket with lake water and carried it to the cabin I wanted to see if the same thing would happen in a container I set the bucket on the table it just looked like water I leaned over it trying to see if a face would appear nothing I felt a small sense of relief thinking maybe the effect only happened at the lake I left the bucket there half expecting something to change but it stayed normal the rest of the day I tried

to keep my mind off the reflections I prepared a small lunch with canned soup I Tried reading again but everything felt tense my shoulders were rigid and my head started to ache I walked around behind the cabin looking for any sign of a trick or a hidden camera or something that might explain what was happening I found nothing there was only a narrow dirt path leading into the woods I followed it a short way but I got spooked by the quiet it felt like all the usual forest sounds were gone I didn't hear birds or

squirrels just silence I turned around and went back to the cabin after dinner the sun set quickly I locked the door closed the curtains and turned on the small lamp I sat on the bed with my back against the wall my ears were on high alert every tiny Creek from the wood made me Flinch eventually I heard the voices again this time they sounded closer they called my name with more urgency as if they were right outside the windows my hands gripped the blankets I felt my breathing speed up and I swallowed hard I turned

off the lamp I couldn't see outside but I pictured shape standing near the dock then I heard a knock on the door a soft slow knock three Taps silence three Taps again I forced myself to speak who's there I said my voice cracked no response I repeated my question louder this time but I got nothing back back except a faint shuffling sound then the voices started again Whispering my name I stayed where I was sweating my stomach churning after about 10 minutes the sound stopped when morning arrived I felt exhausted I heard Birds again which

surprised me I rubbed my sore eyes and stepped outside I kept my distance from the lake at first but something pulled me closer I went to the dock and I felt my legs shaking I looked down and saw the same faces more had appeared there were at least five or six of them they stared at me with wide eyes one of them opened his mouth and I heard a faint moan like a muffled plea I jumped back almost tripping over my own feet I didn't speak to them I felt terrified my heart pounded so hard

that I thought I might collapse I went back to the cabin paced around and decided I couldn't handle another night I gathered my belongings in a rush shoving things into my bag my head pounded my hands shook I felt anxious and Queasy I stepped out to load everything into my car I glanced at the lake and I saw those faces still there drifting waiting silently urging me to come closer I threw my bag into the back seat started the engine and got out of there even as I drove away I thought I heard voices they

sounded desperate my rearview mirror showed the reflection of the cabin shrinking behind me the water in the distance looked calm too calm my chest felt tight and I kept my foot on the gas I refused to stop until I was far away from that place I don't know who those people were I don't know why I saw them instead of my own reflection I just know I won't ever go back and sometimes late at night I still think I hear them calling my name I still remember the chill that crawled up my arms the moment

I saw that hooded statue in the museum I had walked through rows of Old Pottery and Dusty armor not caring much about anything else but then I spotted this marble figure standing in a corner separated from the other artifacts its face was hidden under a carved hood and its body looked human enough though the robe covered everything I stood there staring at it longer than I should have feeling my stomach tighten it wasn't fear at first it felt more like a pull as if I needed to keep my eyes on it I don't usually get

stuck on things like that I like history and old objects but I'm not obsessed with them yet I couldn't walk away I looked at the statue's hood trying to see any details on the face there were none just smooth marble where eyes and a mouth might be eventually I tore myself away and continued my tour but in the back of my mind I kept picturing that shape when I got home from the museum I tried to push it out of my thoughts I told myself it was just some old sculpture that caught my attention for

a second but a few days later I started noticing something weird in my bedroom at night I have a habit of reading in bed my lamp is on the nightstand and my curtains are usually drawn at first I saw a dark outline in the corner near the Wardrobe it was shaped like a person with the top part looking somewhat like a hood I blinked thinking my eyes were playing tricks on me I switched on the overhead light there was nothing there except my plain wall and the corner of the Wardrobe I tried to write it

off as a shadow maybe the angle of the bedside lamp was creating an odd shape but the next night I saw it again it was closer to the door that time I noticed it out of the corner of my eye my heart jumped I turned my head fast it didn't move or vanish right away so for a second I truly believed someone was in my room my muscles tensed and my breath caught in my throat I reached for the lamp and my hand bumped into my phone it clattered onto the floor making a loud noise

that echoed in the silence when I finally flicked the light on the corner was empty I got out of bed and checked the windows they were locked I peaked under the bed feeling a little ridiculous but I had to be sure no one was there I felt my Palms getting sweaty my scalp felt tight I couldn't explain why I was shaking eventually I settled down turned off the overhead light and tried to sleep I had trouble relaxing every time I closed my eyes I imagined that shape standing over me the next few nights were the

same I didn't see it every time but every now and then I caught a glimpse of that outline sometimes it was in the corner other times it seemed closer to the window once I saw it right by the foot of my bed that one made me jerk up so hard I almost fell off the mattress I fumbled for the lamp switch my heart was pounding and my mouth went completely dry I checked everything again the doors were locked the windows were sealed no sign of forced entry I kept thinking about the Statue the shape in

my room looked just like the hooded figure only it was darker it didn't shine like marble it was more like a shadow but with a solid outline I tried to ignore it by staying in my living room I left the TV on for background noise hoping the chatter would keep me calm I ended up falling asleep on the couch for a couple of nights I woke up stiff and exhausted my neck felt sore from the angle I was sleeping in I went back to my room eventually because the couch wasn't good for me but the

shape appeared again always in that silent way it never made a noise it never moved around in front of me I only noticed it when I turned my head or blinked a certain way then it was there standing still I started turning on every light in my home that seemed to help for a little while I could still feel something though I'd be washing dishes in the kitchen and I'd feel a cold pressure on the back of my neck I'd look over my shoulder and I'd see nothing except my sofa coffee table and the hallway

leading to my bedroom my hands would Shake as I dried the plates my pulse would race I kept telling myself there was nothing there one night I got up to use the bathroom I was half asleep stumbling through the hallway with the door closed behind me when I flicked on the light above the mirror I saw the hooded face instead of my own it was so clear that I dropped the glass I was holding it shattered in the sink I jerked back and banged my knee on the cabinet my teeth clenched at the pain I

looked up again my reflection was back to normal my hair was messy my eyes were bloodshot and there was no hood I stood there panting trying to collect myself my knee throbbed and my foot was on some shards of glass but I didn't cut myself I carefully picked up the broken pieces and threw them in the trash the entire time my chest felt tight and my skin skin prickled I didn't want to look in the mirror again so I left the bathroom light on and went back to bed the following morning I decided to check

on my mental state I wasn't sure if I was hallucinating I hadn't been sleeping well my anxiety was through the roof I searched the internet for stories about that museum piece but I found nothing specific I called the museum front desk but they only confirmed it was a recently acquired statue from some old estate they did offer any details about its history or significance their tone suggested they didn't know much or maybe they thought I was a random curious caller I hung up feeling frustrated I tried to think of logical explanations maybe my eyes were

strained maybe my brain was overstressed and it was Conjuring these images because of that statue I forced myself to go for a run I'm not much of a jogger but I needed some fresh air I ran a couple of miles around the neighborhood feeling the burn in my thighs and the sweat dripping down my temples it cleared my head for a moment but as soon as I came back home and stepped inside the tension returned I checked the corners of every room Nothing Was there still my stomach felt tight like I was expecting something to

jump out at me later that week I went to bed early around 9: in the evening I thought maybe a longer rest would help me reset I turned off the lights and tried to focus on my breathing I didn't see anything at first but but after a few minutes I noticed a dim shape near the closet door it was that same outline tall and hooded I stayed very still under the covers watching it my heart beat so hard I could hear the thumping in my ears the outline didn't move it didn't approach me and it

didn't fade it just stood there the only noise in the room was the soft hum of the ceiling fan my chest felt tight and I realized I was holding my breath I forced myself to Exhale my hands were shaking and the blanket was starting to feel too warm but I didn't dare pull it away I reached for my phone on the nightstand my plan was to shine the phone's flashlight on the figure and see if it vanished as soon as my screen lit up the shape disappeared I pointed the light around the room nothing just

my dresser the closet door and the plain walls my throat felt scratchy and I swallowed hard I stayed awake for another hour scrolling through useless social media feeds trying to distract myself a few days later I walked by the bathroom mirror again I caught a glimpse of the hooded face in the reflection it was only for a split second but my entire body froze I felt a jolt in my chest my vision blurred and I had to grab the edge of the sink to keep my balance when I looked again it was just me the

hooded figure was gone I splashed water on my face face rubbed my eyes and walked out I couldn't handle staying in the bathroom with the door closed I left it open every time I went in after that I tried inviting a friend over just to have someone else in the apartment my friend sat on the couch and we watched TV he didn't see anything odd we had a few beers talked about random stuff and I didn't mention the statue I wanted to see if he'd notice anything on his own he didn't no shape in the

corner no weird Reflections I nodded along as he talked but my eyes kept drifting to the hallway I was waiting for that silhouette it never showed up while he was there after he left I locked the door and did my usual routine of checking the windows everything was fine but I couldn't shake the feeling that the figure was around waiting for me to be alone again that night I woke up around 2: in the morning I wasn't sure why my throat felt dry so I reached for the glass of water on my nightstand in the

darkness I noticed a faint outline near the foot of my bed my pulse shot up my chest tightened and I found myself gripping the sheets so hard my Knuckles hurt the shape was the same as before the height of a person with a slight bulge at the top where the hood would be I leaned over and turned on the lamp it disappeared immediately but now I was wide awake staring at the empty space where I had seen it my heart r rate stayed high and my legs felt tense ready to LEAP up if something moved

I kept the lamp on for the rest of the night I dozed off once or twice but woke up from my own Twitches in the morning I paced around the apartment muttering to myself I felt a constant pressure at the base of my skull my eyes stung from lack of sleep I couldn't keep living like this I decided to revisit the museum thinking maybe I'd learn something new if I saw the statue again I arrived that afternoon paid for a ticket and found my way to the Antiquity section the statue was still in the same

Corner nothing looked different I approached it carefully a guard gave me a quick glance but didn't say anything I stood in front of the statue arms crossed looking for any inscription or plaque there was only a small label with minimal information Unknown Origin marble hooded figure no dates or background I stared at it until my eyes watered the hood covered its head just like before the surface of the marble was cold and pale there was no sign that it could move or change it was just a statue I stepped closer and touched the edge of

the base the guard cleared his throat and told me not to touch I apologized and stepped back I wanted to ask him if he'd seen anything strange about it but I felt embarrassed so I just walked away since then the figure in my room has hasn't stopped appearing it shows up less often than before but it's there enough to keep me on edge I can't ignore it every time I see that dark outline I feel my muscles tense I hear my breath catch in my throat my forehead gets damp it's always silent always in a

corner or near the furniture when I turn the lights on it vanishes I haven't seen anything else in the mirrors lately but I avoid looking at them in dim lighting I brush my teeth with the bright overhead light on I try to keep my eyes on my own face I've considered moving but I'm not convinced that will fix the problem what if this thing follows me what if it's something that got attached to me at the Museum I have no proof no explanation I haven't told many people most of my friends would just suggest therapy

or medication I'm holding it together for now I go to work I come home and I deal with the occasional sight of that shape some nights I sleep through without seeing anything other nights I wake up feeling certain that someone is watching me I don't know if it will ever stop I've tried ignoring it I've tried chasing it by leaving the lights on and I've tried confronting that statue again none of it changed anything for good there's no trail of footprints no broken locks no physical signs of an intruder but every few days I'll wake

up look across my room and notice that still hooded outline and each time I feel the same fear rush through my body making my skin cold my heart pound and My Mind Race I keep searching for answers but all I've got is this shape standing in the dark and the memory of that marble figure in the museum I remember how confident I felt when I packed up my gear and drove out to this Forest I always thought I was prepared for anything I've gone camping in a lot of different places but I've never experienced silence

like this on the first day I walked a few miles in set up my tent and sat outside to eat some trail mix that's when I realized something was off there were no birds around no crickets no wind passing through the branches just a Stillness that felt heavy on my ears every time I moved even the crunch of my boots on the dirt sounded too loud my own breathing bothered me I tried to shrug it off but my chest felt tight I spent the afternoon Gathering wood for a small fire the ground was damp in

some spots and I almost slipped a few times the soil felt loose under my feet like it hadn't been touched in ages I checked my map a few times to confirm my location I wasn't lost but I didn't see any familiar landmarks either I only saw dense trunks lined up in in every direction their bark was dark and the branches were thin and crooked even in broad daylight they looked strange I didn't see any small animals scurrying around I didn't even see bugs usually I have to brush away mosquitoes but I didn't feel a single

bite I tried to relax after setting up my sight I lit a small fire but the Flames didn't give me Comfort the crackle sounded strange in that kind of Silence I tried to listen for anything that might explain the of wildlife but I only heard my own heartbeat my pulse felt loud in my ears even my swallowing seemed to Echo in my head I tried to distract myself by checking my supplies and organizing my food but my nerves were rattled I felt a Twist in my gut like I might be sick I forced myself to

eat a protein bar and drink some water the texture of the bar felt chalky and I had to swallow hard to keep it down that evening the sun went down fast and the Darkness was complete I've camped in remote places before but I could always see the sky or sense the open space around me here the trees seemed to close in when I aimed my flashlight around I saw rows of trunks Fading Into Blackness the ground between them looked uneven with shadows I couldn't interpret I started to sweat even though it wasn't hot my forehead

felt damp and I had to wipe my Palms on my pants I tried to stoke the fire but the flame seemed weak the wood sizzled and a thin smoke drifted up my eyes stung from the smoke and I coughed that tiny noise felt overwhelming in the silence I decided to settle in my tent early I wanted the sense of enclosure even if it was flimsy inside I turned off my flashlight to save batteries I lay there listening to my own breath my heart was still racing from the uncomfortable Vibe outside my sleeping bag rustled every

time I shifted the tent's nylon walls felt thin like they offered no real protection after a few minutes I tried to calm down by focusing on simple tasks like adjusting my pillow and tightening the sleeping bag around me it didn't help the silence pressed in my ears started picking up the faintest sounds sometimes I thought I heard a snap of a twig or some leaves rustling but whenever I held my breath to listen the sound stopped eventually I fell asleep but I woke up in the middle of the night I wasn't sure what time it

was but it felt like it had been a few hours the darkness was still there unchanged my fire was out I reached for my phone to check the time but when I clicked the screen the light hurt my eyes and I turned it off I listened for any reason I might have woken up at first I heard nothing then there was something faint in the distance it sounded like footsteps they were light maybe spaced out by a few seconds seconds my breathing turned shallow and my pulse hammered in my neck I tried not to make

a sound the steps seemed to move in a direction perpendicular to my campsite I waited counting each step then they stopped my chest felt so tight I thought I might gasp out loud I stayed still trying to control the air in my lungs I managed to drift off again after a long stretch of Silence but I woke up at dawn feeling sore and tired my back achd and my shoulders were stiff as soon as I unzipped the tent I noticed the cold air on my face it smelled earthy and stale like wet leaves that had

been piled up for weeks I stretched my arms and stepped out my campsite looked normal at a glance but I felt uneasy I saw strange prints in the soft dirt near a cluster of small rocks they didn't look like mine I crouched down to check them the shape was UN clear but the depressions looked fresh I tried to match my boot to one of them but it was different in size and pattern I shook my head trying to convince myself it was maybe just an odd shape made by water but the soil wasn't muddy enough

for that to be the explanation I made breakfast with my small propane stove the hiss of the stove was the only sound I heard there were still no birds singing no squirrels running around I ate in silence just chewing oatmeal out of of a metal cup then I decided to do a short hike around the area I wanted to see if there was any sign of a stream or a clearing I followed a narrow path that I found behind some heavy brush it led me deeper into the forest the tree density was even higher the

trunks were close together and I had to duck under low branches the further I went the more I felt a tingling under my skin my scalp prickled and I kept turning around to see if anyone was behind me I couldn't shake the sense that I wasn't alone sometimes I heard faint cracks in the distance like something stepping on dead wood every time I tried to follow the sound I ended up stumbling over roots or stepping into a small dip in the ground after about an hour I found a spot that looked like an old campsite

the remains of a fire ring were scattered on the ground with blackened rocks in a loose Circle I kicked at one of the rocks it shifted and revealed damp Ash it didn't look recent the ash was gray and hardened around the edges there were no Footprints or signs of gear I crouched and picked up a piece of burnt wood it crumbled in my hand I tossed it aside feeling a jolt of paranoia someone had camped here once but why had they left the ring scattered like that did they leave in a hurry the silence kept

me from thinking too hard about it my stomach was tense I realized I was sweating again even though the temperature was mild I decided to head back to my own campsite the walk back felt longer I tripped on a route and nearly fell forward when I recovered my heart pounded like I just had a close call on a highway my throat was dry I stopped to sip water from my canteen and the sound of me swallowing echoed in my head again I tried to clear my throat and my cough sounded harsh I looked around but

I saw nothing alive in the trees the branches looked Twisted in some places and the bark was rough to the touch I got a few splinters when I grabbed a trunk to steady myself I pulled them out wincing at the quick pinch of pain in my fingertips back at my campsite I found everything in the same place I left it but it felt different the ground under my tent looked slightly Disturbed near the edges like someone had been poking around the tent Stakes I checked them and they were still solid so maybe I was imagining

things I decided to build a fire again just to keep my mind occupied I also wanted the smoke to maybe signal that I was there in case anyone else was wandering around while I gathered more wood I kept hearing those small snaps in the distance my nerves were on edge my hands shook when I carried the branches back to the fire pit by late afternoon I realized I couldn't stay out here another night without trying to figure out what was going on I kept thinking I might run into another camper or a ranger but I'd

seen no one I'd heard heard those footsteps though and sometimes what sounded like low voices but they were too distant for me to catch any words I started to suspect I might be dealing with other people who were just messing with me maybe they were hiding in the trees waiting for me to drop my guard my imagination was going wild but nothing about this place felt friendly the Stillness made me feel like I was inside a sealed container my lungs felt tight my neck felt stiff as the sun started to set again I tried to

calm my nerves by making a bigger fire the Flames Rose a bit higher this time and I fed them every few minutes the crackling was steady and it helped cover the silence Darkness crept in again I sat on a small folding chair shining my flashlight around every time I heard a noise the beam of light caught glimpses of trunks and twisted branches but there was no clear shape of any person or animal I got up once to investigate a soft rustling sound near the edge of my campsite I found a half broken Branch dangling from

a low tree limb it swung a bit when I touched it but I saw no reason for it to have moved on its own my nerves were raw my fingers felt numb from gripping the flashlight so hard I didn't want to go in the tent right away I decided to stay awake longer I tried to chew on some jerky but my stomach felt too tight my throat was dry and I just couldn't Force the food down I drank some water but it tasted stale I noticed my shirt was damp with sweat even though the temperature

had dropped my muscles felt tense like I was ready to run my mind kept racing with images of someone peering at me from behind the trees whenever I thought I saw a shape in the corner of my vision I'd snap my head in that direction but there was nothing eventually I had to lie down in the tent I left my flashlight within Arm's Reach I tried to keep the zipper closed at the top but not all the way so I could peek out if I heard something I stayed awake listening to the crackle of the

fire outside at some point I heard the distinct crunch of footsteps again they were slow and they seemed to circle the campsite I felt a surge of adrenaline I grabbed my flashlight unzipped the tent and pointed the beam around my fire was still glowing a bit giving off enough light to see a few feet Beyond The Ring of stones but I saw no one my arms were trembling and my chest felt tight my breath sounded loud in my own ears I yelled out who's there and my voice sounded shaky no answer came back I only

heard my fire crackle and my heartbeat pounding away I stayed half in half out of my tent for several minutes aiming the flashlight in different directions after a while I convinced myself that whoever was out there had moved on I zipped the tent shut again and tried to sleep but my nerves were shot my back tensed up and I felt a dull ache in my ribs from breathing too shallow the night dragged on every small noise made me jolt eventually I dozed off from sheer exhaustion when Morning Light finally came I felt relieved I stepped

out of the tent and looked around my fire was a pile of cold ashes the air felt damp my shoulders were stiff and my eyes burned I decided I couldn't spend another night there I packed up my gear in a hurry I stuffed my tent into its bag and jammed everything else into my backpack my hands shook the whole time my gut told me to get out as fast as possible I didn't eat breakfast I just kept moving I followed the same path I'd taken when I arrived the forest seemed even denser on the way

out I barely stopped for breaks my feet were sore and I felt twinges of pain in my calves I stumbled a few times but I forced myself to keep going the silence was the same except for the sound of my boots and my ragged breathing at one point I thought I heard a distant voice again a low murmur drifting between the trees I didn't stop to check after about 2 hours I reached my truck I threw my stuff in the back seat started the engine and rolled out of there my hands were still shaking on

the steering wheel the drive out was bumpy and I hit a few potholes that made me grit my teeth once I got on the main road I felt some of the tension leave my body but my heart was still beating fast my mouth felt dry and my shirt was soaked in sweat I kept looking in the rearview mirror expecting to see something behind me but the road was empty I don't know what I heard out there or who it was I didn't see anything concrete but the complete silence the strange prints and those footsteps at

night shook me up I've never felt so watched in my life I love nature and I usually feel safe in the woods but not in that Forest I'm not planning to go back anytime soon I still get tense when I think about those nights it felt like the forest itself wanted me gone like it was rejecting everything living I have no proof of anything Supernatural but I know what I heard I know how I felt I can't shake the memory of that emptiness pressing on my ears and the light steps circling my tent I'm just

glad I got out before I lost my nerve completely now that I'm home I can breathe normally again but whenever I close my eyes at night I still imagin that dense canopy above me blocking out the sky and that quiet that made my heart beat louder than I ever knew it could I remember the exact moment I realized I wasn't alone in that old place it was my second night there and I was in the middle of unpacking when I saw that first envelope on the floor by the front door it had my name on

it I hadn't told anyone my new address yet I hadn't even updated my mail forwarding still there it was this plain white envelope with no postage no return address and my name typed on the front as soon as I picked it up the hairs on the back of my neck stood up something felt wrong I opened it slowly and unfolded a single sheet of paper that said I know what you did yesterday I saw you struggling with that old trunk you cursed under your breath at least four times careful with your back I could feel

my pulse pounding in my ears nobody had been around while I lugged that trunk from the back of the van into the living room at least I hadn't seen anyone I stood there for a while just staring at those words my heart hammered humed so hard that my fingers felt numb eventually I refolded the note tucked it back in the envelope and stuck it in my back pocket I tried to brush it off as some weird prank but I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that Rose in my stomach I thought about calling a friend but

it was late and I couldn't find my phone in the mess of boxes I figured I should at least finish unpacking for the night or maybe just go to bed and deal with it in the morning but my mind kept drifting back to that letter so I decided to look around the house and see if any windows or doors were unlocked the house was old and the previous owner had left behind a lot of stuff there were boxes stacked in the second floor hallway Dusty suitcases in the attic and a few sealed crates in the

basement I'd been too tired to sort through everything the front door had a flimsy lock which I'd planned to replace soon I tested the windows and found that most of them were stiff from years of neglect they didn't open easily and the ones that did had warped frames the entire Place felt damp my footsteps on the wood floors echoed in the silence the walls seemed thin and I could hear the faint drip of a faucet somewhere upstairs every small Creek set me on edge I didn't sleep well that night when I finally settled down on

the old mattress I dragged into the only clean bedroom I stared at the ceiling for a long time my mind raced with thoughts of who could be watching me every time the house made a noise I sat up heart racing by morning I was groggy and irritated I almost convinced myself the whole thing was just some strange coincidence then I remembered the exact wording of the letter it mentioned details only someone physically present could have known I got dressed and headed downstairs hoping for some fresh air I found a second letter under the door as

soon as I stepped into the living room this envelope was almost identical plain white no postage my name typed on the front my mouth went dry I knelt down and picked it up my hand shook a little as I opened it this time the letter read you look tired you won't find your coffee in the same place you left it last night checked the Box near the sink and that sentence made my spine tingle I'd left a small bag of coffee grounds on the kitchen counter I was positive about that I walked into the kitchen

and saw that the counter was empty my boxes of kitchen supplies were piled in a corner I rummaged around for a minute and found the bag in one of the boxes near the sink my skin felt cold like a draft had swept through the house even though no windows were open I told myself I was going to call the police but what would I say that I got two letters from a stranger who seemed to know personal details about me there was no direct threat there was just this sense that someone was sneaking around my

house at night or maybe watching me through the windows I still felt jumpy I brewed coffee but my hand shook when I tried to pour it I spilled a bit on the counter cursed to myself and wiped it up with an Old Rag the day stretched out in front of me and I felt too uneasy to focus on anything I paced around checking the closets in the basement I found more boxes labeled with the name m Hughes which I assumed belonged to the old resident inside some of those boxes I saw Dusty clothes old old

letters and random knickknacks but there was one box that held a stack of envelopes all addressed to me none had stamps none had been opened none looked new I slid the stack onto a nearby table and sorted through them every single one had my name typed on it some were dated last year some had no date I opened the one on top it said something about a trip I took to the mountain 6 months ago it mentioned how I got lost for 2 hours and never told anyone because I was embarrassed my hand started sweating

I couldn't breathe normally whoever wrote this knew something only I knew I ran my fingers over the words feeling the slight indentations from the typewriter or printer that produced it this wasn't some casual guess or bit of Gossip it was a precise account of what happened and these letters had been inside a box in this house long before I'd arrived I read through a few more and each letter described events that happened at some point in my life things I never shared one letter talked about the time I chipped a tooth while opening a beer

bottle with my teeth I was in college then and I never told anyone the truth about how it happened another letter referenced that brief stint I had working in a warehouse I only told my close friend about that job how did these letters exist here in a place I'd never been I felt nauseous my chest tightened and I realized I needed air I ran outside stood on the porch and tried to steady my breathing the morning sun felt too bright I glanced at the house next door but it looked empty the yard was full of

overgrown weeds I heard a distant car passing by but otherwise the street was quiet my heart thumped against my rib cage I wondered if someone was watching me from one of the upstairs Windows the thought made me Shiver I stepped back inside and locked the door behind me for the rest of that day I tried to ignore the letters I moved Furniture tried to organize my possessions set up my TV and made a half-hearted attempt to tidy up the living room I kept glancing at the front door waiting for another envelope to appear my head

felt cloudy my eyes drifted to the old boxes that the previous owner left part of me wanted to tear through every single one and see what other surprises were hidden Another Part Of Me wanted to set them all on fire I I resisted both impulses and kept pacing around by late afternoon I heard the mailman drop something into the mailbox outside I went out and checked there was only a takeout menu no sign of the letters I felt equal parts relief and disappointment when the sun began to set I decided to fix something simple for

dinner I still had some bread some cold cuts and mustard in a cooler I made a sandwich and ate standing up in the kitchen the quiet in the house made my ears ring the smell of old wood and damp cardboard reminded me I wasn't comfortable here yet my eyes darted to the living room entrance expecting to see another envelope on the floor it came after dinner I walked into the living room and nearly jumped when I saw that white envelope by the door my chest felt heavy I approached it like it might explode I bent

down my knees tight and picked it up I opened it there on the spot you didn't find everything in those boxes it said check the attic again far corner under the loose floorboard I'll be watching my hand Shook and I felt a cold sweat on my forehead I swallowed hard and looked up at the ceiling I didn't want to go back to the attic it was cramped Dusty and full of junk but I needed to know what was under that floorboard I climbed the stairs slowly every step creaked the door to the attic stuck a

bit and I had to shove it open with my shoulder the smell of dust filled my nose I used the flashlight on my phone I made my way past the piles of boxes old furniture and a broken mirror leaning against the far wall my heart thumped so loud I could hear the rush of blood in my ears I reached the Far corner and saw a small rug I kicked it aside and found a section of floorboard that was slightly raised I wedged my fingers underneath and PRI it up it made a splintering sound and dirt

and debris crumbled into the gap inside I saw a small wooden box with a latch I lifted it out carefully set it on a Dusty trunk and flipped open the latch inside there were more envelopes my name was on all of them one envelope was thicker sealed with a bit of old wax I opened it and saw pages of text describing my next few days I skimmed through it feeling my stomach twist it said that tomorrow I would try to call the police but then hang up before the call went through it said I'd consider

leaving the house but would decide to stay it outlined a plan I hadn't even formed yet describing how I'd start searching the neighborhood for Clues my chest tightened my mind raced the words were on the page typed out in Black Ink every next move I might make every thought I might consider it felt like I was reading a script that someone had already written for me I slammed the Box shut and stood up too fast my vision blurred for a second and I stumbled backward kicking up a cloud of dust I coughed and staggered away

I left the Box behind and got out of the attic as quickly as I could once I was back in the hallway I locked the attic door behind me my heart pounded my hands were clammy I took a moment to calm down but it didn't help much I spent the next few hours in the living room lights blazing I sat on the couch scanning the windows and listening for any sound outside my phone said it was close to midnight I had a headache and my shoulders felt tight my legs bounced nervously I stared at the

front door wondering if another letter might slide under it I checked all the locks twice then sat back down I thought about calling someone but who would believe me if I called a friend they might think I was losing it if I called the cops I'd have to show them the letters they'd probably dismiss it as a prank or ask me if I was sure I didn't have a stalker the house was was quiet except for the faint hum of the refrigerator eventually I went upstairs and tried to sleep it took me hours to drift

off I lay there fully dressed on top of the blankets my mind replayed the words from that thick envelope I kept imagining a pair of eyes watching from the window or peering through a crack in the door my jaw was tense and I kept clenching my teeth when I finally slept I dreamed of footsteps creaking down the the hallway I shot awake around Dawn my throat was dry and my neck was sore I listened hard for any movement but the house seemed still I got up walked downstairs and found exactly what I expected on the

floor another envelope I braced myself before opening it my fingers felt stiff the note said you're going to open the box again tonight you'll learn something you wish you hadn't I'll be waiting that was all I crumpled the paper in my hand and felt a surge of anger I wanted to tear the house apart to shout at this Intruder to show themselves but I just threw the crumpled note on the floor and kicked it aside my stomach felt like it was churning I got dressed in a hurry I grabbed my wallet phone and keys and

rushed outside the morning air was chilly and my breath came out in clouds I locked the front door and walked down the porch steps I needed to clear my head I strolled around the the neighborhood noticing how abandoned most of these houses looked peeling paint boarded up Windows untended Lawns I didn't see a single person every few minutes I glanced over my shoulder paranoid that someone might be following me my heart raced whenever I heard a rustle of leaves or a distant car engine I must have walked for close to an hour by the time

I got back I was shivering I climbed the porch steps unlocked the front door and stepped inside the living room was the same as I left it except for the fact that the crumpled envelope was gone the floor looked bare my eyes darted around checking corners and shadows but I saw no one my throat fell tight I closed the door behind me and locked it my chest Rose and fell with shaky breaths someone was coming in and out of my house leaving no Trace except these letters they knew things about me that nobody else could

possibly know that's when I heard a sound from upstairs it was like a muffled thump maybe something dropped on the floor I froze hardly breathing my pulse pounded so loud I thought my eardrums might burst I stood in the living room for a solid minute trying to decide what to do then I took a step forward ready to call out but I couldn't form the words the house felt alive Watching Me I checked the stairs saw nothing and stepped onto the bottom step I tested each stair with my foot te terrified that it would Creak

my body tingled with adrenaline my hands were clammmy about halfway up I heard another noise like something scraping against the floor I stopped leaning against the banister struggling to keep my breath quiet then there was silence I swallowed hard continued up and reached the top the hallway was empty the attic door was still locked the bedroom doors were closed I felt along the wall for the light switch the over head light flickered a bit before it settled everything looked normal except for the tension in my gut I stepped toward my bedroom the door was open

an inch I remembered closing it when I left a chill ran through my body I pushed the door open nobody was there the bed was rumpled from where I'd slept and my pillows were on the floor I scanned the corners the closet under the bed nothing I stood in the silence feeling the floorboards under my feet then I heard the sound of an envelope sliding under the front door downstairs my heart skipped a beat my hands shook I backed away from the bedroom moved into the hallway and stared at the attic door should I check

inside there again my mouth felt dry as sand I decided to go back downstairs my hands trembled as I gripped the railing that last sound the envelope hitting the floor still echo in my mind I reached the living room and found like every other time a white envelope I picked it up opened it and read one short sentence I told you I'd be watching I felt sweat trickle down my temples I stuffed the note into my pocket and stared at the door I had no idea who was behind it I didn't know how they knew

so much about my life I didn't even know if it was a single person or something else entirely but I knew this wouldn't stop I could feel eyes on me every second I stood there and that was enough to make me dread what might happen next I arrived at the house on a cloudy afternoon the sky looked gray and the breeze felt thick against my skin the driveway was cracked and weeds grew in every Gap I stepped out of my car and stood there for a moment looking at the old place I had just inherited

this house from a distant relative nobody else wanted it I figured I'd check it out see if it was worth keeping I walked up the steps the front porch sagged under my weight the railing felt loose when I touched it the door was heavy and it stuck for a second before I managed to push it open inside the air smelled stale like a room closed for too long dust floated in the light that came through the windows and the floor creaked with every step I felt felt a chill crawl up my arms but I tried

to ignore it I spent most of that first day walking around opening cabinets checking closets flipping switches some lights worked some didn't the wallpaper in the living room peeled in a few spots revealing old plaster underneath I listened to the silence it was strange no buzz of a fridge no hum of an air conditioner just a quiet emptiness I found a few old photographs on a small table in the hallway but they were nothing special they showed blurred faces of people I couldn't recognize I made a note to look at them later then I wandered

upstairs the second floor had three bedrooms one bathroom and a small door at the end of the hallway I tried that small door but it was locked I twisted the knob a few times and pushed my shoulder against it but it didn't budge I checked my pockets for any old key I'd found downstairs but I hadn't come across one it was just a locked door in an old hallway I felt a little uneasy about it mostly because it was the only door I couldn't open that night I slept in the least Dusty bedroom there was

an old bed frame with a mattress that smelled a bit musty but it was better than the floor I lay awake for a long time staring at the ceiling listening to the quiet when I finally fell asleep I dreamed about dark corridors and locked doors but I couldn't remember many details when I woke up the next morning I made it my mission to figure out how to open that door I searched the entire house for a key I opened every drawer checked behind bookshelves felt around under rugs and behind picture frames after a few hours

I found a small Metal Key taped under a kitchen sink it was tarnished and looked like it might fit a simple lock I took it upstairs and tried it the door clicked and the knob turned the room was smaller than I expected no windows a single overhead light bulb hung from the the ceiling I flipped the switch and it flickered weakly casting a dull glow all I saw at first was a stack of picture frames leaned against the far wall there must have been at least 20 of them all different sizes the frames were ornate

with carved borders that looked expensive each had a brass plate at the bottom the plates had names etched into them with dates next to each name I recognized a few of the last names from the old photographs downstairs so I figured they belonged to relatives who once lived here but the strangest thing was that every frame was empty no paintings no photos no sketches just blank canvases the surfaces looked clean like they'd never been painted on at all I could still smell old varnish and the faint scent of turpentine it felt Eerie seeing all those

frames lined up against the wall each with a name but no face I picked one up the brass plate read Jonathan 18 1983 the date meant nothing to me but I felt curious about it the canvas was smooth with no sign of age or wear I propped it against the wall I took another one Eliza 1910 same situation blank canvas ornate frame a little metal plate it felt wrong somehow I set it down again and left the room I locked the door behind me and kept the key in my pocket later that afternoon I decided

to hang one of those frames in the hallway I picked a random one not too big the plate had my own last name but a first name I didn't recognize it felt like it belonged to the house so I wanted to see if it would look nice on a wall I hung it on a nail by the staircase adjusted it and stepped back it looked plain just an empty white space inside a decorative gold border I Shrugged and went about my day that night I lay in bed trying to read an old newspaper I found

in the living room the words felt faded the paper smelled musty I heard creaking on the stairs at one point but I figured it was just the house settling when I finally slept I had strange dreams again I saw the hallway in my mind and that blank frame on the wall something moved inside it a shadow or shape I woke up sweating but the room was cold in the morning I stepped into the hallway and glanced at the frame at first I thought I was imagining things there was a faint outline in the center of

the canvas it was a smudge almost like a blur of charcoal I leaned in feeling my heartbeat speed up it looked like the start of a figure it had a vague shape like a torso and shoulders but no clear features I stood there staring my hands felt clammy I tried wiping the frame surface thinking maybe dust had settled in a pattern but my fingertips came away clean I stepped back and took a deep breath then I went to the kitchen made myself some coffee and tried to push it out of my head throughout the day

I caught myself looking at the frame again and again by late afternoon the faint outline seemed more defined I could see a rough suggestion of a face Maybe eyes and a mouth my own face felt hot when I realized that the shape looked a bit like me the hair the posture I got a shaky feeling in my chest and my stomach tightened I rubbed my eyes then looked again the figure remained it didn't move in front of me but every time I turned my gaze away and looked back it seemed a bit clearer that evening

I decided to check the locked room again I still had the key inside those frames stood exactly as before all blank I felt jumpy so I carried one of them downstairs to examine it I placed it on the dining table and stared at it under the overhead light it showed nothing but the brass plate said Henry 1932 I felt no connection to the name but I couldn't shake the feeling that something about these frames was alive I hung this second frame on the opposite wall of the hallway I wanted to see if the same thing

would happen the next morning I woke up early and checked it sure enough there was a faint Shadow it looked different maybe taller or thinner and it stood in a different spot on the canvas my pulse kicked up again it was like having two strange incomplete mirrors in my house over the next few days I noticed more changes the first frame showed a clearer image of me I recognized my jawline my eyebrows even the way my hair sat it wasn't fully colored in but I could see my own likeness in that shape I tried to

tell myself it was some odd coincidence maybe my brain was seeing patterns where none existed but every time I walked by I felt my heart pound sometimes I swore the figure shifted a bit but I could never catch it moving when I looked directly at it the second frame started showing something else it looked like a person with long arms and a narrower face I didn't recognize it as me I couldn't Place who it was but it seemed to follow me with its eyes even though I couldn't see pupils or details it was more like

the suggestion of a gaze I found myself hurrying past that spot in the hallway my Palms felt sweaty and my breath caught in my throat soon I heard faint Creeks during the night I'd get up and walk around with a flashlight but I never found anything out of place however the frames continued to fill in by the end of the first week both frames had distinct Silhouettes the first one looked like a near perfect version of me though a bit pale and lifeless the second frame had a figure that seemed more shadowy and elongated I

couldn't take it anymore so I went back to the locked room hoping to find answers I noticed that the stack of frames looked smaller than before I counted them and a few were missing but I hadn't removed them I checked every corner of the house searching for those missing frames but I couldn't find them my nerves were on edge I felt tightness in my chest and tension in my shoulders I started sleeping with the bedroom door locked I felt my pulse race every time I heard a noise in the hallway a few days later I

found another frame in the living room it sat leaning against the couch blank and waiting I didn't remember bringing it down its brass plate read Michael 1954 I backed away from it feeling my hand shake then I carried it back to the locked room placed it inside and shut the door I stuffed a chair under the door knob hoping to keep it closed but at night I heard movement again the next morning I checked the corridor now three frames hung on the walls the new one showed a vague shape like a person standing with its

head tilted my breath caught in my throat I reached out and touched the canvas it felt cold almost damp I backed away feeling my skin break out in Goosebumps I took down all three frames stacked them in the living room and draped sheets over them then I tried to focus on cleaning up the house thinking maybe I was just letting my imagination run wild but the atmosphere never changed I still felt that pressure in the air like being watched every time I turned around I expected to see one of those frames behind me I avoided

going upstairs for a while I tried to sleep on the couch but I kept waking up to faint scraping sounds like a frame being dragged across the floor when I got up to check everything seemed normal yet I couldn't shake that uneasy feeling 2 days later I walked into the hallway and saw the frames back on the walls I don't know how they got there I hadn't moved them each image looked more Vivid than ever my own face stared back at me from the first one it seemed to have more color almost flesh toned the

second silhouette was sharper and I could make out details in the hair and clothing the third one looked like a person with dark eyes and a Stern expression I felt a chill across my neck I tried to ignore them but I could feel their presence when I moved I sensed the pictures behind me my muscles felt tense and my stomach churned with anxiety I paced through the house trying to distract myself I opened Windows to let fresh air in but the stale smell lingered I turned on every light but the corners still felt dark I

caught my reflection in a mirror and noticed how tired I looked my hair was messy my eyes were bloodshot and my shirt clung to my sweaty chest I reached a point where I couldn't stand it anymore I stormed up to each frame and tore it Off the Wall my hands trembled as I ripped the canvases from the frames but the surfaces refused to tear it felt like trying to rip thick plastic I managed to separate one corner but that Blank Spot beneath it just looked the same the figure on the canvas stared back at me

motionless but present I threw the frames to the floor stomped on them but it was like stepping on solid wood I only managed to Dent one of the frames slightly frustrated I gathered them up and ran outside to my car I threw them in the trunk slammed it shut and plan to drive away but I realized I was in my pajamas and didn't have my wallet I rushed back inside to collect a few things just to get away for a while and think when I returned to the car the trunk was empty my chest tightened

I looked around but no one was there my mind raced it felt like I was trapped in a place where nothing made sense I went back inside and that's when I saw all the frames lined up against the hallway wall again as if waiting my vision blurred for a second and I felt dizzy I leaned against the banister trying to steady myself my heart pounded so hard I thought I'd pass out I heard a soft scraping sound and I glanced at the frames one of them seemed to shift an inch to the side I jumped

back my muscles tensed and I started sweating all over I thought about running out of the house but my legs felt weak my hands were damp and my mouth felt dry I looked at the frames once more and noticed that my own image seemed to be turning its head the shoulders had rotated slightly and the jaw was angled toward me I felt my pulse in my ears I turned away walked toward the front door and tried to keep calm every step felt heavier now as I stand here I can see them out of the corner

of my eye they're on the wall behind me I sense their gaze like a weight pressing against my back my hands are shaking as I tell this I feel short of breath the hallway seems narrower and the floor creaks with every shift of my feet I hear faint rustling but there's no wind when I look at the frames directly nothing moves but I know they're changing When I'm Not Looking every time I blink I imagine them adjusting their poses inching closer filling in more details I don't know what they want I don't know why these

canvases keep taking shape I only know that they're here and they're why watching and every day their figures become clearer my face is on that first one and I can't do anything to erase it I can't destroy the frames I can't even get them out of the house I'm stuck here with them and I feel them following me wherever I go that's all there is I'm in a constant state of tension waiting for the next small change the next shift in their positions I don't feel safe anymore even during the day the house is quiet

quiet but that silence feels worse than any noise every time I hear a creek I freeze my pulse spikes and I look around expecting to see one of those Silhouettes in the doorway this isn't a nightmare it's real I'm awake and I can't escape these blank canvases that keep filling themselves with images I never asked for I wasn't planning on seeing anything strange when I left my cabin that morning I just wanted to walk a trail I'd heard about from a ranger weeks earlier the ranger mentioned that it wasn't official but it led through some

remote areas where old Farmland used to be he said people sometimes found arroe heads or broken tools that interested me enough to ignore the usual tourist paths I drove out before sunrise and parked my truck on the side of a dirt road the day started cold so I wore a light jacket and made sure I had enough water and snacks I felt a little excitement the kind that comes with exploring somewhere off the map I followed a narrow track that cut through tall grass and loose rocks I noticed the lack of footprints which told me

not many people took that route the trees were mostly Pines and Oaks spaced far apart I heard Birds calling in the distance some crows circling overhead the ground smelled of damp Earth the air was cool and carried a faint hint of pine resin at times I heard squirrels chattering apart from that it was quiet as the sun got higher I kept looking for signs of old Farmland maybe a collapsed fence or a patch of turned over dirt that didn't match the rest after a couple of hours I saw broken wooden posts leaning at odd angles

the wood was rotten but the shape suggested these posts had once been part of a gate or fence grass grew around them tall and dry nearby I noticed tire tracks but they looked old barely visible they might have been from a tractor or maybe an old car they ended abruptly near a cluster of rocks I pushed forward my legs felt strong I knew I had energy to hike all day if I needed I stopped to drink some water and ate a granola bar leaning against a tree the taste of peanut butter felt good after the

Bland water I heard a breeze rustle the leaves my mouth felt dry and I reminded myself to conserve my water there was no clear stream around just some dried creek beds further back after a while I spotted something unusual a small mound of debris that looked like it might have been part of a building I walked toward it the ground was uneven with holes where some animals had dug I saw bits of rusted metal a few shattered glass pieces and rotted beams collapsed into a heap it took me a moment but I realized this might

have been a barn or storage shed the beams were thi thick and the broken metal could have been pieces of farm equipment I stepped around carefully not wanting to cut myself or break an ankle in a hidden ditch the place was silent except for the occasional Breeze then I noticed something farther ahead a larger structure with a partially collapsed roof I couldn't see it fully from Where I Stood I walked on minding my footing the building came into view it looked like a farmhouse old and ruined part of the roof was caved in most of

the windows had no glass the door was hanging off its hinges leaning inward the walls had peeled paint and large cracks I walked around it looking for anything recognizable the front porch was sagging a torn screen door lay flat on the Warped boards the place felt forgotten like nobody had touched it in decades I wondered who had owned it why they left and how long it had been sitting here I didn't see any clear path for vehicles just that faint fence line from earlier and the scattered debris I stepped onto the porch testing each board

before shifting my weight the wood creaked under me my heart sped up a little because I wasn't sure if the porch would hold me inside the air smelled stale and Dusty the floor was covered in debris Fallen plaster broken furniture and Dead Leaves a shattered table leaned against a wall with stains that looked like mold I saw a few holes in the walls possibly from animals a ripped curtain hung from a bent Rod near a window that faced the fields no light fixtures worked the only illumination was the daylight seeping through holes in the roof

and cracks in the walls I took a few steps inside and felt my pulse Quicken something about standing in that ruined house gave me a jolt of adrenaline it wasn't fear exactly more like unease my ears picked up every small sound my boots scraping against the grid the rustle of my jacket the slight whistle of the wind I wanted to see if there was any sign of old photos letters or something that might give me a clue about the people who once lived here but everything looked stripped and damaged if there had been anything personal

it was long gone I walked into what I assumed was the living room a moldy sofa sat there cushions torn open stuffing spilling out the floor felt unstable near the center of the room so I stuck close to the wall walls I glanced up and saw the rafters some were broken letting beams of light shine in from the roof dust Moes floated in the air I coughed once the dust feeling rough in my throat after a few minutes of exploring I heard a faint noise outside it sounded like footsteps on dry grass my neck tensed

I turned and looked out a window at first I didn't see anything then I spotted movement on the hill beyond the property it looked like a person maybe more than one but they were too far away to see clearly I felt a spike of concern wondering if they were hikers locals or something else I left the house through the front door stepping carefully off the porch I walked around the side of the building hoping to get a better view of whoever I saw when I reached the corner I looked back toward the hills I saw

two figures standing still they were wearing dark jackets or coats I couldn't make out faces they stood there not moving watching me I felt the hair on the back of my neck rise something about their Stillness got under my skin my heart thumped harder I lifted my hand in a small wave trying to appear friendly they didn't wave back I considered calling out to them but my throat felt tight I waited feeling uncertain I decided to walk in their Direction at least to show I wasn't scared but the moment I started moving moving they turned

and walked behind the ridge it only took a few seconds for them to disappear I felt my mouth go dry I thought maybe they didn't want contact maybe they were shy or worried I might be trouble or maybe they were just curious still it felt weird I hadn't seen another Soul all morning this was a remote area I considered leaving but something inside me wanted to check that Ridge I wanted to see if they were just curious locals I also worried they might be squatters protecting territory my stomach nodded up at that thought I didn't

want any conflict but my curiosity was stronger than my caution I decided to head up the hill I tucked my jacket closer adjusted my backpack and walked through the Tall Grass the ground sloped and I had to pick my steps carefully small rocks slid under my boots the wind felt stronger up here it whipped through the grass making a shushing sound my heartbeat pounded in my ears my mind kept replaying the image of those figures standing so still just watching when I reached the top of the ridge I found no one I looked around expecting

to see them heading off in the distance but there was nothing but Rolling Hills and patches of trees I tried to spot Footprints the grass was tall so it was hard to see anything I paused turning in all directions nobody was there my arms tingled with nervous energy that feeling of being watched crept up on me I scanned the area one more time still nothing I decided to head back to The Farmhouse I didn't want to wander too far without knowing who these people were or what their intentions might be as I walked back down

I kept checking over my shoulder The Farmhouse came into view looking even more rundown from this Vantage I noticed the collapsed roof section more clearly the sun was higher now the temperature had warmed up but I still felt a chill under my skin back at The Farmhouse I circled around to the backyard there were remnants of a small vegetable garden rows of dried out soil and a few broken stakes in the ground a rusted watering can lay on its side behind that I noticed another building smaller possibly a tool shed it was missing a door

and the walls were partially caved in inside I saw a a few rusted tools a broken ladder and a spiderweb of cracks in the wooden walls the sky was clear bright blue I heard a faint buzzing of insects otherwise it felt too still my senses were on high alert my skin felt prickly my stomach twisted and I kept swallowing the dryness in my mouth I decided I wanted to check the Farmhouse a bit more maybe go upstairs if it was possible if I found nothing else of Interest I'd head back to my truck I re-entered

the house through the side door which was missing most of its lower panel the hinges screeched as I nudged it the interior hallway was dark I used the light from the open door behind me to guide my steps the floor was littered with debris broken plaster rotted wood and pieces of old wallpaper I kept one hand on the wall to steady myself the wall felt damp and cold toward the end of the hall I saw stairs leading up the banister was broken in places each step creaked loudly I tested them carefully with my foot before

placing my weight my breath quickened and I felt sweat forming on my forehead even though it wasn't that warm inside I made my way up slowly the second floor was smaller than I expected maybe just two bedrooms and a tiny bathroom the hallway upstairs had a small window with cracked glass light came in at a sharp angle the first door on my left led to a bed bedroom with a collapsed ceiling part of the roof had caved in letting in a lot of light and some scattered debris I saw a rusted bed frame with no

mattress the floor around it was covered in Old leaves twigs and bits of broken shingles there was a stale odor of mold and damp wood as I stepped in I looked around for anything interesting maybe an old trunk or a closet I found a closet door hanging crooked on its hinges it was empty inside just more debris the second bedroom was in better shape though still trashed the walls had large cracks and the floor was covered in dust a broken dresser stood against one wall its drawers missing the window here overlooked the backyard I went

over to the window to see if I could spot anything I was curious about those figures the backyard looked the same quiet nothing unusual I decided to check the bathroom the door was jammed but I managed to push it open the fixtures were rusted the tub was stained and chipped there was no running water of course the smell of mildew was strong I stepped back out feeling a growing sense of unease I realized I was alone in this broken house with no idea if those strangers would return I heard a noise outside again that same

faint crunch of grass my body tensed I rushed to the window in the second bedroom and looked toward the hills I caught a quick glimpse of movement a figure darting behind a large Boulder my heart pounded it felt like a jolt of electricity through my chest my Palms were sweaty I wiped them on my pants trying to calm my breathing I weighed my options I could leave right away put distance between me and whatever was out there or I could try to confront whoever it was I didn't like the idea of them following me if

I left I decided to step outside and call out sometimes direct communication is the best of approach I wasn't armed but I had a decent pocket knife in my backpack I didn't want to escalate anything though I carefully made my way downstairs stepping over the creaky spots I returned to the front yard my legs felt stiff the sun was bright and I had to squint I took a deep breath to steady my nerves then I yelled out hello anybody out there my voice sounded strange in the open air I waited listening nothing not a single

reply the only sound was the faint Breeze I walked around to the back of the house scanning the hills I saw no one I moved to the sidey yard where some debris was piled I checked behind a tall Bush but there was nothing except an old rusted bucket every step I took made me more alert my heart felt like it was beating in my throat the tension was building in my shoulders the silence pressed on me I kept glancing around expecting to see someone pop up after 5 or 10 minutes of searching I gave up

whoever it was they didn't want to talk I felt the weight of the situation I didn't know these Hills well and I didn't know if these people were hostile the smart move seemed to be leaving I gathered my courage walked back to the front of the house and headed toward the spot where I initially entered the property as I crossed the field I felt like I was being watched I glanced over my shoulder every few seconds my breathing was shallow and my mouth felt dry the grass rustled around me and I listened for any sign

of footsteps nothing just my own movement my nerves were on edge and my muscles felt tense but no one appeared that gave me a bit of relief though I still had that tight feeling in my gut when I got near the gate posts I paused for one last look at The Farmhouse that's when I saw a lone figure standing on the porch my heart jumped the figure looked tall dressed in dark clothing they stood facing me the distance was too great for me to see their face or any details I froze my hands twitched at

my sides I couldn't decide if I should call out or run I took one step forward and the figure moved inside disappearing into the Shadows of the house I felt a burst of cold sweat on my brow I didn't know how many people were in there now I decided I wasn't going back I took a few more steps toward the posts then forced myself to turn away I hurried off retracing my path along the narrow Trail I came in on as I walked I kept checking behind me I expected to see someone following but there

was only the open grass my Pace got faster and my breathing stayed shallow I forced myself to slow down whenever I stumbled on loose Stones I didn't want to twist an ankle in my Rush my body felt wired like every nerve was on alert my hands felt clammy the crunch of my boots on gravel sounded too loud eventually I reached the area where my truck was parked the sight of it gave me a flood of relief I looked around carefully making sure no one was lurking in the bushes or behind the trees I still saw

nothing the day was quiet again almost too peaceful for what I had just experienced I got into my truck locked the doors and took a moment to calm myself my thoughts raced replaying the images the two figures on the hill the person on the porch the sense of being followed my chest felt tight I started the engine my hands trembling slightly on the steering wheel the truck rumbled to life and I pulled onto the dirt road heading away from that place I glanced in the rear view mirror several times half expecting to see a dark

shape behind me all I saw was dust in the empty road I drove for a while in silence trying to let go of the tension in my shoulders I passed the spot where the official hiking trails began where I had once considered taking a different route part of me wished I had stuck to the well-traveled paths yet another part of me felt drawn to find out more though I wasn't about to turn back once I was far enough away I pulled over to the side of the road took a long drink of water and tried

to compose myself my hands were still unsteady my forehead felt damp the air smelled of dust and dry grass but I was away from that remote Farmland I told myself I'd done the right thing by leaving I didn't have a good reason to stick around and risk a confrontation if those people wanted their privacy they had it I considered the possibility of coming back with another person or letting the ranger know what I found but in that moment I just wanted to get home the memory of those silent figures gave me an uneasy feeling I

had no proof they meant any harm they never attacked me or even approached me but their behavior was so strange and that silent watching was enough to Rattle me I continued driving focusing on the road once I reached a paved highway I could finally breathe a bit more easily the rest of the trip was quiet I replayed everything in my head from finding The Farmhouse to seeing those silhouettes on the hill I wondered who they were and why they disappeared whenever I tried to get close maybe they lived around there squatting in that old building

or maybe they were just Drifters either way I didn't like how it all felt by the time I got back to my cabin it was late afternoon I parked my truck and sat there for a while engine off windows down feeling the breeze against my face my heart rate was almost normal my shirt clung to my back with sweat I went ins side locked the door and let my pack drop to the floor my body felt heavy I splashed water on my face and stared at myself in the bathroom mirror checking for any sign of

scratches or bruises I saw nothing except my own weary expression that night I tried to distract myself by making a simple dinner I grilled a small piece of chicken and ate some canned vegetables the food tasted Bland but it settled my stomach I tried to watch some TV but I couldn't couldn't focus my mind kept drifting back to that deserted Farmhouse and those silent onlookers in the distance each time I thought about it my heart rate ticked up I went to bed early but sleep didn't come easily I lay there eyes open listening to the

sounds of the cabin settling my mind wouldn't let go of the day's events I felt a mix of relief at being safe and an odd pull to find out more but I knew I wasn't going back anytime soon eventually I drifted off into a Restless sleep since then I haven't returned to that trail part of me wants to forget it all together pretend it was a bizarre fluke or my imagination but I can't deny that I saw those people and I can't ignore how real my fear felt when they vanished I still wonder who they

were and what they were doing in that ruined Farmhouse I have no answers just the uneasy memory of a silent standoff in the Hills for now I've chosen to stick to the more familiar Trails I haven't mentioned this to many people just a couple of friends who Shrugged it off they told me maybe it was just other explorers or maybe I got spooked by nothing I doubt that though I know what I felt out there I've never quite shaken the Sensation that there was something off about that place but life goes on I keep telling

myself I was lucky there was no confrontation no one got hurt nothing happened really except that I saw people who didn't want to be seen that's the whole story I found a farmhouse in Ruins saw figures on the Hills tried to approach and they disappeared it still gets under my skin I can't put my finger on why but it does sometimes I think about going back with a friend just to prove to myself there's nothing weird about it then I remember that moment I saw the figure on the porch my chest tightens every time so

for now I'm content to leave it alone maybe one day I'll work up the nerve to return but it won't be anytime soon until then that forgotten Place stays in my mind a memory of Silent Watchers and a ruined farm that I can't quite Shake I noticed something strange the moment I set foot inside that cabin the door squeaked in a way that felt off like it hadn't been opened in weeks the air inside was stale and slightly musty and there was a faint odor that I couldn't pin down at first I thought it might

just be mold or dust I dropped my duffel bag on the floor tried the lights and saw them flicker for a second before they settled into a weak glow I had rented this cabin for a few days in the National Park I wanted quiet my job had been stressful and I needed a break from everything my phone the traffic the noise of the city the f photos of this place looked cozy enough a small kitchen a living area a tiny bedroom in the back and a porch overlooking Tall Pines no internet limited cell signal and

lots of trees that was the plan right away something about the living room felt unwelcoming the furniture was old the coffee table had rings from drinks left on it and the sofa cushions were thread be at the edges I ran my hand over the top of the sofa and felt a slight dampness I guessed it was from the humidity I remember sighing and telling myself I'd just open a window to air it out when I walked around I noticed a small wooden desk in the corner its top was scratched and Dusty the desk had a

single drawer with a rusty handle I tried to open it but it stuck I gave it a harder pull and it slid open that's when I saw the diary it was an old spiral notebook the kind you might buy in a convenience store the cover was half torn with a few scribbles on it I couldn't make out the name it looked like part of a name that had been scratched out the edges were smudged with some kind of dirt I was curious but I didn't want to stand there and read it right away I set

it aside brushed off the desk and decided I'd deal with it later I wanted to unpack and settle in first the bedroom was smaller than I expected the bed squeaked when I pressed down on the mattress the sheets looked clean though which was good enough for me there was a wooden dresser under the single window outside that window I could see Tall Pines swaying a bit in the breeze the sky was cloudy and it looked like it might rain soon I remember feeling a chill in the air so I put on a thin jacket before

I walked back to the desk I sat down in the old chair and took a closer look at the diary the first page had a date from a few months back the handwriting was sloppy but I I could read most of it it said something like I can't sleep again I keep hearing something outside I thought it was raccoons but it sounds bigger last night I heard footsteps on the porch that was all for the first entry I flipped a few pages the next entries were short describing nights of hearing sounds in the woods branches

snapping leaves rustling things like that then it got weirder one entry mentioned scratching noises on the outside side walls another entry described seeing movement in the trees around dusk there were fewer details than I would have liked but it sounded like the writer was scared I felt uneasy reading this I chocked it up to an overactive imagination or maybe someone who was freaked out by Wildlife but the more I read the more I got this knot in my stomach the writer said they woke up one night and saw a shadow pass by the bedroom window

they claimed it moved like a person but it didn't have any distinct shape I remember looking over my shoulder after reading that the cabin felt quiet my ears rang a bit from the silence I knew it was just me psyching myself out so I shut the diary and decided I'd make something to eat there was a small kitchen area with a mini fridge and an old microwave the fridge made a buzzing sound which was strangely comforting because it reminded me of normal life I heated a cup of instant noodles and sat at the small table

in the kitchen there was only one chair which felt lonely as I ate the wind outside picked up and I could hear the branches tapping against the roof at first it sounded like a gentle patter but then it got louder almost like someone was drumming their fingertips on the ceiling it made me look up but I saw nothing just a plain ceiling with a single exposed bulb after dinner I cleaned up and returned to the living room the only source of entertainment was a small TV that looked like it was from the early 90s I

I tried turning it on but nothing happened no signal no static it was just a blank screen so I had no choice but to either read a book I brought or flip through the diary I decided to keep reading the diary entries became more frantic the writer talked about hearing whispers outside they claimed they saw a figure near the tree line wearing dark clothing moving slowly through the woods one entry said I know I'm not alone here I see it every night night sometimes it stands near the window and looks at me that made my

skin crawl I felt my heart pound a bit harder and I kept glancing at the front windows by the time I finished half the diary it was getting late I was tired and I didn't want to freak myself out more I went to the bedroom changed into more comfortable clothes and got under the covers the bed still squeaked with every movement which was annoying I turned off the small lamp and tried to sleep I couldn't I heard the branches scraping the cabin outside the wind was howling a bit my mind raced with thoughts of the

Diary entries I reminded myself that it was just a story in a notebook left behind by some nervous person but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off the darkness in that bedroom felt thick and every time I moved the bed spring squealed I eventually drifted off but I woke up a few hours later I lay there eyes open heart thuing I listened it was quiet for a few seconds then I heard a faint Creek on the wooden porch outside it sounded exactly like someone stepping on an old board I froze I could feel

my pulse in my temples the wind had died down so it wasn't the breeze I waited barely breathing listening for more footsteps nothing I sat up slowly turned on the lamp and looked around the small room the window showed only Blackness outside I didn't see anything my heart was beating so fast it made my chest feel tight I decided not to check the porch I told myself it was probably just the cabin settling but part of me knew it sounded like footsteps I tried to sleep again and after a while my mind calmed down the

next morning the sun came through the window and everything seemed more normal I felt a bit silly for getting scared I made some coffee in the tiny kitchen then stood stood on the porch to sip it the trees looked the same as any other morning in a forest the ground was damp from last night's rain and the air felt cool I breathed it in and tried to relax I decided I'd explore the nearby Trails I grabbed a bottle of water my phone and locked up the cabin as I walked along the trail I noticed how

dense the trees were the path was wellmaintained though and I saw a few squirrels darting around the Sun was High and the forest smelled of wet leaves and pine it felt good to get moving and clear my head I returned to the cabin in the late afternoon my shoulders and legs were tired from hiking and I felt hungry inside the cabin air smelled stale again like it never fully cleared out I tried opening more windows that's when I noticed the desk drawer was pulled open and the diary was lying on top of the desk flipped

to a page in the middle I was sure I had closed the drawer and left the diary rest stacked neatly with some other stuff I'd brought but it was wide open and the page had new wrinkles in it as if someone had pressed down on it my stomach churned I walked closer and read the page it was open to it mentioned strange marks on the Windows almost like smudges or handprints it also said the writer heard a voice calling their name I felt a chill crawl up my back I glanced at the windows in the

living room they were dusty but I didn't see any fresh marks I checked checked each one nothing still I couldn't explain why the diary was open I stood there my mind racing then I remembered I might have just left it that way maybe I forgot to close the drawer I told myself I was just on edge I spent the evening inside trying to stay calm I read a bit ate a sandwich and listened to the wind pick up again by Nightfall it got colder I tried the cabin's heater but it made a rattling noise that

worried me so I turned it off the forecast said it wouldn't be too cold to sleep without it so I put on another layer of clothing around 10 p.m. the lights flickered once and then stabilized I had a flashlight next to me just in case the power went out I sat in the living room reading more of the Diary the writer described hearing tapping on the walls late at night like someone wrapping their Knuckles on the wood the writer also mentioned faint knocking sounds on the front door my heart jumped when I read that it

reminded me of the noise I heard on the porch the night before I forced myself to keep reading the next entry said the riter confronted whatever was outside they flung the door open but saw nothing then they heard footsteps circling the cabin moving quickly and the writer locked themselves inside I was gripping the diary so hard my knuckles were white I felt sweat on my forehead I decided that was enough reading for the night I I wanted to distract myself so I started rummaging through the small cabinet in the kitchen I found some old matches

a candle and a half-used box of crackers no interesting supplies for entertainment I shut off the living room light and walked to the bedroom as I passed the window near the front door I thought I saw movement outside I stopped the porch light was on casting a small dim glow over the steps for a second I could swear I saw a shadow move past the edge of the porch my pulse sped up and my hands felt clammy I took a deep breath and leaned closer to the window nothing was there the trees were still the

yard was dark no sign of anything I hurried to the bedroom and shut the door behind me even though that door had no lock I clicked on the small lamp and tried to keep my eyes away from the window my mind was racing I started to panic about what I'd do if I heard something again the diary's words kept echoing in my head I reminded myself that there was no mention of actual harm happening it was more about the terror of not knowing what was out there I got under the covers but I couldn't sleep

my thoughts kept jumping to every noise then I heard a creek outside like the one from the night before my heart hammered I stared at the bedroom door waiting another Creek it sounded closer I told myself to ignore it but my body felt tense and I was breathing faster I reached for my phone to check if I had a signal barely one bar I felt a sudden urge to call someone but I knew it wouldn't go through reliably plus what would I say I'm hearing noises in the woods that didn't seem like an emergency I

stayed there eyes on the door listening the noise stopped I waited for another few minutes but it didn't continue finally I turned off the light sank back into the pillow and waited for sleep after a long while I guess I drifted off I woke up early sunlight was coming through the curtains I felt relieved I hopped out of bed pulled on my boots and stepped outside to check the porch the old boards creaked under my weight I saw nothing unusual just damp leaves and some pine needles no Footprints no marks no signs of anyone else

I decided to spend most of the day out of the cabin I drove into the nearest town to buy some food and clear my head in the car I felt safer the road was empty winding around dense forest by the time I got to the small grocery store the sky was clear and bright I bought enough supplies for the rest of my stay thinking I'd tough it out when I came back to the cabin it was late afternoon I parked walked up the porch and noticed the door was slightly a jar I always locked it

my stomach flipped I pushed the door open the living room looked the same at first glance but the desk drawer was pulled out again and the diary was on the floor it was open pages bent against the floorboards my hands shook as I picked it up I saw a new writing scrolled on the margin of one page it said stop reading it wasn't there before the handwriting was the same style as the rest of the Diary my heart pounded so hard I felt lightheaded I knew I didn't write that nobody else should have been here

I set the diary on the desk took a few steps back and scanned the room everything else seemed untouched my bag was still in the corner the small kitchen looked the same minus a slight shift in the position of the single chair I started Breathing heavily trying to think of a rational explanation maybe the caretaker came by and left a note but why use the diary and why said stop reading I considered leaving right then but part of me felt like I needed to stick it out maybe confront whatever was happening I was also curious

so I put my groceries away double checked the windows and locked the door again I even dragged a small chair under the door knob to block it in case someone tried to push it open the evening wore on and I kept glancing at the diary I was afraid to read more that note kept echoing in my mind I tried to watch the sunset from the porch thinking maybe the fresh air would calm me down the forest got dark slowly the orange light fading between the trees eventually I went back inside I sat at the desk

turned on the lamp and opened the diary again I skimmed through the next Pages the writer described hearing heavy breathing right outside the bedroom window at night they said they felt like they were being watched constantly one of the last entries said I can't leave it won't let me it's here night after night it knows I'm afraid my entire body tensed the hair on my arm stood up that was the last written entry but there was one blank page after it then a final page with those three words stop reading I shut the diary feeling

a wave of dread then I heard it a knock on the front door three slow heavy knocks my heart slammed against my chest I stood up so fast I almost knocked over the desk chair the room was quiet again I stared at the door my hands were shaking another knock my throat went dry I couldn't speak I just stared at the door half expecting it to burst open but it stayed closed I moved closer one step at a time my feet feeling like bricks The Knocks came again slow and steady I flicked on the porch

light from the switch by the door through the small window in the door I saw nothing but the porch no figure no Shadow I told myself to stay calm but I was breathing hard I decided to speak hello who's there my voice sounded shaky silence I took a moment then carefully unblocked the door by moving the chair I had no weapon but I felt I had to see what was out there when I opened the door the porch was empty the forest Beyond was dark the Wind made the branches sway creating faint rustling sounds I

stepped onto the porch my heart pounding in my ears I looked around nobody stood on the porch or near the stairs no movement except the trees I backed inside and shut the door I locked it again then leaned against it trying to steady my breathing my body felt tense and my mind was racing I had no explanation for what was happening I thought about the diary's warnings I thought about leaving right away but I was too shaken to drive at night on those winding roads I also felt like if I ran I'd just be giving

in to whatever was messing with me I turned off the lamp in the living room and sat in the dark for a while listening for more sounds the only things I heard were my own breathing and the occasional crack of the wood as the cabin settled eventually I went to the bedroom leaving the lights on in the hallway I locked the bedroom door even though I knew that wouldn't help much if someone really wanted it in I stayed awake sitting on the bed staring at the door the cabin was silent except for the faint hum

of the refrigerator in the kitchen my thoughts were scattered I pictured the previous occupant writing those entries hearing the same noises seeing the same weird signs I wondered if they ever left there was no mention of them leaving or anything else just that last warning to stop reading at some point in the early morning I must have dozed off when I opened my eyes it was Dawn I felt stiff from sitting against the headboard all night I walked into the living room and saw the diary lying on the desk it was closed with no new

messages the front door was still locked no sign of forced entry I packed my things as fast as I could I was done my body felt shaky and my nerves were frayed I left the diary right where I found it on the desk in the same drawer I didn't want to take it or desty destroy it I just wanted to get away from that place before leaving I stood on the porch for a moment taking in the Stillness of the morning the forest looked calm as if none of those events had happened but I felt

that lingering sense of being watched I walked to my car threw my bag in the back seat started the engine and drove off I didn't look back that's everything that happened I still can't explain it I tried to convince myself it was just my imagination or maybe be a prank but the diary the knocks on the door the Open Drawer and that warning scrawled in the margin those things keep me up at night I still feel like whatever was in those woods followed the same pattern described on those pages and for the few nights I

stayed there those entries became my reality I never saw a face never found a person and nothing physically harmed me but the fear was real and it sticks with me even now I have no plans to go back I froze the instant I saw the first masked figure I was out on my usual night run cutting through a narrow dirt trail behind my neighborhood I liked running after dinner because the sidewalks were empty and the air felt cooler that night the temperature was fine and the wind was calm the moon was out but not too

bright my legs felt strong and my breathing was steady I expected a normal run I had no idea what I was about to see I started at the corner of my street and followed the path that led past a few quiet houses then curved into a patch of trees I could hear my own footsteps on the pavement before I reached the dirt there were a few street lights at the entrance to the trail but once I was in deeper I relied on a small flashlight I carry for late night runs I don't like stumbling over

roots or rocks so I kept the light on and aimed at the ground ground ahead of me after about 10 minutes I heard a rustling sound in the brush I assumed it was a raccoon or a stray cat so I didn't slow down but then I heard another noise it sounded like branches snapping under someone's foot I glanced to my left thinking maybe someone else was out for a walk I saw nothing I kept running I moved farther down the path feeling my heart rate climb not from exhaustion but from nerves the trail isn't usually

busy at night and I began to feel uneasy my flashlight beam caught something on a tree trunk it looked like a strange Mark a symbol maybe it wasn't just a random scratch or a piece of graffiti it looked deliberate I took a quick look while I kept moving it was shaped like two concentric circles with a single line Crossing them carved deep into the bark my stomach tightened and I felt the hairs on my arms rise I tried to ignore it and kept going a few seconds later I saw another mark on a tree on

my right same symbol same careful carving my mouth went dry I wasn't sure why it bothered me so much but it gave me a bad feeling I kept jogging telling myself these were just teenagers messing around but then I felt like I was being watched I can't explain it in detail it was just a heavy sense that eyes were on me I pointed my flashlight to the side again scanning the trees that's when I saw the first masked figure he was standing by a thick tree trunk maybe 20 ft away he was tall wearing some

kind of dark hood or cloak I couldn't see his face the mask looked pale in the flashlight beam it wasn't a mask with a design it just looked like a blank white face Maybe plastic or porcelain he didn't move he just watched me I stumbled over my own feet and almost fell my pulse raced and my chest felt tight I slowed down out of pure shock but I didn't stop my thoughts jumbled I wanted to say something but my throat closed up instead I just kept running picking up speed my mind was screaming telling me

to get out of there as I rounded a Bend I caught sight of another symbol carved into a tree and then I saw another masked figure this one was on the opposite side of the path half hidden behind a cluster of bushes I just saw the mask that pale oval shape staring in my direction my legs felt weak but I pushed harder I kept going flashlight bobbing my breath came out fast and shallow the sound of my running shoes hitting the dirt got louder in my own ears like my body was on high alert I

didn't hear any Chase no footsteps behind me no frantic movement in the bushes but I saw more of those symbols they appeared on three more tree trunks spaced out along the path each time I spotted one I saw a figure nearby partially hidden with that same pale mask they never approached me they never called out they just stood there watching by the time I reached the end of the trail my shirt was damp with sweat and my breathing was ragged there's a short slope that leads back up to the Suburban street right at the edge

of our neighborhood when I got there I paused for half a second and glanced back my flashlight swept across the trees I didn't see anyone but my stomach churned like I was going to be sick I turned off the flashlight because the street lights in the neighborhood gave me enough light I kept jogging until I reached my block my house is in the middle of the street a small one-story place with a simple porch and a single car driveway I sprinted the last stretch feeling relief as I saw the glow of my porch light I

ran up the steps unlocked the door and got inside as fast as possible my lungs burned and my chest felt heavy my hands shook I locked the door right away sliding the dead bolt in the chain then I stood there in the entryway panting listening expecting something to happen the house was quiet the clock in the living room ticked I tried to calm down leaning against the wall wiping my forehead with the back of my hand hand my mouth was still dry and my legs felt weak I kept replaying the sight of those masks in

my head those eyes behind them that motionless stance my heart pounded so hard it made my chest hurt I stepped into the living room and looked out the front window parting the curtains a little my porch light illuminated the front yard the sidewalk and part of the street at first I saw nothing then I noticed a figure standing across the the street near a large tree on my neighbor's lawn another mask it looked exactly the same as the ones in the woods my gut Twisted I tried to swallow but my throat felt tight the figure

stood there for a few seconds then it seemed to move back into the darkness I let the curtain drop my hands were trembling I didn't know if I should call the police I wasn't sure what I'd say I saw masked people in the woods and one might be on my street it felt like I was losing my mind but I knew I had seen something real my heart wouldn't slow down I decided to check the back door I went through the kitchen making sure it was locked I looked out the small window over the sink

nothing just the fence in the neighbor's yard behind my place I turned off most of the lights inside keeping only a lamp on in the living room I didn't want to stand out as a clear Target Through the Windows then I stood in the dark of my hallway listening every tiny noise made me jump the refrigerator humming the ice machine clicking the pipes creaking my mind was an overdrive eventually I forced myself to sit on the couch I tried to think if I'd offended anyone or if I'd done something that would cause a group of

people to harass me like this but nothing came to mind my life is pretty ordinary I go to work come home run in the evenings watch TV and repeat I don't have enemies I don't have some big secret so who the hell were these people I got up and peaked out the window again this time I didn't see anyone the street was empty my neighbor's house had their porch light on but there was no movement anywhere I caught my reflection in the glass sweaty hair pale face eyes wide I felt a jolt of anxiety again

but I tried to breathe through it I considered calling a friend but it was late and I wasn't sure what to say I double checked that both doors were locked then I went to my bedroom and locked that door too just in case I kept a baseball bat under my bed I took it out and leaned it against my nightstand my heart was still pounding and I wasn't sure if I'd be able to sleep but I stripped off my sweaty running clothes and put on shorts and a t-shirt I grabbed my phone and laid in

bed scrolling aimlessly to distract myself myself a couple of hours passed I couldn't relax enough to sleep my mind kept going back to those masked figures and the strange symbols my body was still on edge each time I thought I heard something I tensed up finally at around 1:00 in the morning I felt my eyelids getting heavy I set my phone aside and forced myself to close my eyes sometime later I woke up to a noise outside it sounded like footsteps on my driveway my heart started pounding again I grabbed my phone and noticed it

was close to 3:00 in the morning I could feel my muscles tighten as I listened the footsteps were slow it wasn't the sound of someone just passing by on the sidewalk I gripped my bat and got out of bed my mouth was so dry that my tongue felt thick the rest of my house was dark the temperature felt a few degrees cooler and I had a slight Shiver I crept to the front window in the living room moving as quietly as possible my blinds were closed so I eased one slat open with my finger I

peered out my driveway was dimly lit by the street light across the road at first I didn't see anything then I noticed movement on the sidewalk near my mailbox another masked figure this one wore a hood just like the first one I saw in the woods the white mask glowed faintly under the street light he was looking at my house I felt the urge to flick on the porch light and yell but something told me that might not help I stayed quiet breath shallow my forehead felt slick with cold sweat he took a step forward

then stopped he lifted his head slightly like he was scanning the front of my house my heart hammered so loud that I thought he might hear it after a few seconds he backed away and vanished into the Shadows beyond the street light's reach my knees felt weak and I almost dropped the bat I forced myself to stand still for another moment I didn't want to open the door or chase him off that seemed stupid what if there were more of them my mind raced with questions I felt a wave of nausea then I realized I

couldn't just stand there I had to do something I reached for my phone thinking maybe I should call the cops but then I hesitated I wasn't sure if they would believe me I could only say I saw suspicious people in masks is that enough what if they're gone by the time a patrol car comes I paced around my living room gripping the bat my hands felt clammy on the handle my stomach was in knots every few minutes I'd go back to the window lift a slat and check outside I didn't see anyone anymore but that

didn't make me feel better I felt watched around 4 in the morning I heard another noise this one came from the backyard the fence squeaked a little when someone pushed on it I froze breathing hard I turned off the lamp so I was in total darkness I crept to the kitchen and peered out the window over the sink I could barely see anything just the outline of the fence and the dark shape of my neighbor's shed I caught a slight motion near the fence line but I couldn't be sure I waited my eyes straining suddenly

a face and a white mask appeared right in my line of sight it was so close to the window that I jumped back and almost knocked over a chair my heart hammered I bit down on my lip to keep from screaming the figure stood there on the other side of the glass looking in I couldn't see any eyes or details behind that pale mask it was like a blank face pressed against the window I didn't move and I could feel my muscles shaking the figure tilted its head slightly then it drew back and vanished into

the darkness I stayed in that position for at least 30 seconds bat in one hand phone in the other my mind was filled with panic I didn't know how many of them were out there I rushed to my bedroom locked the door again and stood against it my hands were trembling so much I could hardly type but I forced myself to dial 911 the operator's voice was calm I tried to explain what was happening without sounding crazy I said there were people in masks lurking around my property looking in my windows she told me to

stay on the line keep my doors locked and wait for officers to arrive I told her my address and she said someone was on the way I thanked her hung up and gripped my bat I waited in the dark leaning against my bedroom door listening for Sirens I felt like time had slowed down my heart was racing my Palms were slick with sweat every few seconds I looked at my window half expecting to see a mask peering in but all I could see was the faint outline of of the houses across the street my ears

were tuned to every Creek of the house every shift of the wind outside made me Flinch about 10 minutes later I saw the red and blue lights flashing against my walls the police had arrived I heard car doors slam then footsteps on my porch I walked to my front door still gripping the bat and called out to identify myself an officer told me to open the door slowly I did two offic offers stood there shining flashlights around my living room their presence made me feel some relief they asked me to explain again I told them

everything from the weird symbols in the woods to the masked figures outside my house I showed them the window where one of them had appeared they checked my backyard first they Shone their flashlights over the fence around the bushes and along the perimeter of my house then they walked around the front yard and up and down the sidewalk they didn't find anyone they didn't see any fresh Footprints or obvious signs of forced entry one officer suggested maybe it was a prank or maybe I was mistaken but I could tell they believed I was scared they

took my statement told me they'd have a patrol car swing by a few times during the rest of the night after they left I was still on edge but having the police come out at least gave me some sense that I wasn't alone I locked everything again I sat in my living room until morning too wired to sleep I kept checking outside the window every few minutes I didn't see anything else no more movement no more masked faces but every noise made my heart jump when Dawn broke I got dressed and went outside to look

around in the daylight the air felt cool and the sky was getting brighter I checked the sidewalk near my mailbox I didn't see any Footprints or dropped items I walked to the side of my house where the backyard gate is located it was shut but not locked I opened it and stepped into the yard I noticed a few scuff marks in the dirt near the fence like maybe someone had stood there or tried to climb it there was no other sign of anything I kept my guard up feeling exposed out in the open I thought

about those symbols I'd seen on the trees in the woods part of me wanted to go back there in daylight and check them out but the idea also made my stomach churn I couldn't shake the image of those masked figures figures just standing there silent watching I decided to wait I went back inside locked up and brewed a pot of coffee I sat in my kitchen sipping coffee and staring at the backyard window my hands were still shaky and I didn't have much appetite the rest of the day was a blur I felt jumpy and

exhausted I tried to watch some random TV shows but I couldn't focus every so often I'd check outside the front window or peek into the backyard I didn't see anyone I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary the hours dragged my phone rang a couple times but it was just Spam calls I thought about telling a friend what happened but I knew they'd think I was nuts or paranoid that evening I sat in my living room and kept the lights on I tried to eat a sandwich but my stomach kept fluttering so I barely finished

half when it got dark I felt my anxiety Spike again I decided I wasn't going to run that night no way I locked the doors and closed all the blinds I made sure every window had a curtain drawn then I sat on my couch with the TV on low volume just enough to distract me I kept my bat by my side I was afraid to look at the clock because I didn't want to see how slowly time was passing every minute felt like an hour my legs twitched with leftover adrenaline around midnight I heard a

car drive by but otherwise the street was quiet no knocks on the door no footsteps on the driveway no glimpses of pale masks in the darkness I told myself that maybe whoever it was had moved on I tried to sleep on the couch but it was uncomfortable I shifted around for a while then got up to grab a bottle of water from the kitchen my mouth felt like sandpaper I flicked on the kitchen light took a drink and leaned against the counter my ears were tuned to every little noise the dishwasher clicked the fridge hung

Med I heard the wind pick up outside I walked to the small window again feeling my heart race when I pulled the curtain aside the yard was empty I saw only the fence the neighbors shed in the distance and a few Shadows cast by the porch light nothing else I let the curtain drop and returned to the living room after a while I managed to doze off gripping the bat in my right hand that was the first night since then I haven't gone back to that trail after dark I've been checking my windows obsessively especially

at night sometimes I think I see a shape in the distance but it might just be my nerves the police have driven by a couple of times but I don't have new evidence to give them I don't know who those people were or what those symbols mean all I know is that I'll never forget those blank white masks staring at me from the darkness and I have no idea if they plan to return for now I'm keeping my doors locked and my eyes open I'm not taking any chances I pulled into the empty parking lot

around 101 p.m. because the entire Mall had just closed the lot was huge and most of the flood lights were still on but the place felt deserted my plan was simple grab a quick item from one of those 24-hour stores attached to the mall entrance and then drive home I had worked late and needed to pick up a replacement charging cable for my phone I didn't expect anything weird I thought I'd walk in buy the cable and head out but from the moment I stepped out of my car I knew something felt off I looked

around all the other parking spaces were empty except for a few scattered vehicles on the far side of the lot the warm night air clung to my skin and there was a faint smell of concrete dust the tall parking lot lamps buzzed Softly usually I don't pay much attention to my surroundings but I noticed how still it was there were no people chatting no footsteps echoing off the pavement no security guard passing by just the quiet hum of electricity and my own breathing I walked toward the mall entrance a glass door was propped open but

the fluorescent lights inside were dim I slipped in bought my cable from a small electronics kiosk near the entrance and left I was in there for maybe 10 minutes nothing strange happened while I was inside the cashier was half asleep and the few people wandering around looked like they were only there for quick errands no one talked much I liked that because I was tired I just wanted to go home and crash on my couch when I came out I noticed my shadow under the fluorescent lights near the doorway it trailed behind me on the

polished floor I didn't think anything of it then I just walked outside I saw my car across the lot standing under a row of overhead lamps the corner of the lot was darker because some of those lamps were burnt out everything was bathed in yellowish light except for that shadowy area near the edge as I approached my car I caught sight of my own shadow stretching out in front of me on the pavement it looked normal at first then I moved my right arm to scratch the back of my neck but my Shadow's arm didn't

move in syn I stopped walking my breath caught in my throat I thought maybe I was tired or maybe the light angle was playing tricks I lifted my foot off the ground just a small motion but the shadow didn't lift its foot at the same time it lifted it a second later like it was copying me with a slight delay that was enough to make my hands Shake I turned in a slow Circle trying to see if another Shadow or another light source might be interfering but there was only one strong Beam on me from

overhead my shadow was the only one visible on the ground my head felt hot and I could feel sweat collecting along my hairline I put the shopping bag on the hood of my car and watched The Shadow carefully it stood there on the pavement shaped exactly like me but it didn't mirror my motions at the right time I decided to test it again I bent my knees and I counted one two then the shadow bent its knees I raised my hands one two then it raised its hands I felt a surge of panic I'm not

the type to believe in ghosts or anything Supernatural but I had no other explanation I muttered to myself this can't be happening my heart pounded in my chest and my arms felt cold despite the warm night air I needed to get into my car and leave that was my only thought I grabbed the door handle on the driver side but the car was locked my shadow stood on the pavement like a weird reflection that didn't want to cooperate I pulled my keys from my pocket my hand Shook and I almost dropped them I hit the

unlock button on the key fob the car lights flashed I looked down the shadow was still there a few feet in front of me it hadn't moved closer but it wasn't matching my stance I was standing straight but it still looked slightly crouched like it was lagging behind in a different position I breathed in and out then I opened the car door the interior lights came on Illuminating the driver's seat I climbed in and pulled the door shut my pulse was racing so fast that I could hear a faint whoosh in my ears my mouth

felt dry I stuck the key in the ignition Twisted it and the engine turned over the dashboard lit up and the radio kicked on at a low volume I pressed the door lock button all I could think was get out of here go don't look back as I shifted into reverse I glanced at the side mirror I saw something dark flicker I slammed on the brake and turned around to look through the rear window my shadow was on the ground behind the car the overhead lamp cast it there but it seemed closer than before I

had no idea how that made sense the angle of the light shouldn't have changed in that way I felt my chest tighten and I could feel my heart beating against my ribs I shifted again and started to back out slowly expecting the wheels to bump over the curb or something but the car rolled smoothly I kept looking at the mirror the shadow moved too but the motion still had that delay like it was separate each time I inched the car in Reverse The Shadow seemed to move a moment later as if it had its own

timing I needed more distance I pressed the gas a bit harder I got to the exit Lane of the parking lot I looked to the left and right at this hour there was barely any traffic I turned onto the main road that looped around the mall for a moment I felt some relief the bright street lights overhead lined the road I was moving away from that weird situation I told myself everything would be fine if I just kept going but after maybe 2 minutes I noticed a flickering movement in the corner of my eye I

looked at the road behind me in the rearview mirror it was hard to see any anything except Darkness still I felt uneasy I slowed down then I glanced to my left side mirror under one of the street lights I saw my shadow on the road's surface but I could swear it was stretched out in an odd shape it was as if it had followed me I gripped the steering wheel so tight that my Knuckles popped I didn't want to stop but I felt a need to make sure I wasn't just imagining things I pulled over

to the side of the road near a small loading dock area behind the mall the place was deserted except for a few big trash containers and a row of delivery truck Bays I turned off my engine left the lights on and stepped out of the car to check the situation the overhead street light cast my shadow onto the pavement again I forced myself to watch it as I took two steps forward the shadow took one step forward then another it didn't mirror my steps in real time it had a weird pattern my stomach felt heavy

heavy and my legs were tense I started to walk in a small circle just testing it the shadow followed but always with that lag or sometimes it moved a bit faster to catch up I could almost feel my nerves tightening with each second the back of my neck prickled like someone was standing right behind me my breathing became short and shallow I whispered what is this I had never felt so helpless it's just a shadow right but it wasn't behaving like one I decided to get back in my car and drive home that was my

plan just get home and lock the doors I didn't care if I had to call someone to spend the night at my place I didn't care if I had to drive an hour out of town I wanted to be somewhere safe I opened the driver's door again that's when I noticed something in the reflection of the glass the shadow was right behind me it looked closer than before as if it had closed the Gap I felt a jolt of fear in my gut I slammed the door shut without getting in spun around and stepped away

from the car the shadow was near my feet but it wasn't shaped exactly like me at that moment it seemed to be turning its head slightly even though I wasn't turning mine I froze my legs started trembling I couldn't just stand there so I ran back to the driver's side yanked the door open jumped in and locked the doors again my breathing was rough I started the engine and backed out of that spot so fast the tires squealed on the pavement I flicked on my high beams even though it was a street with overhead lights

I just wanted more visibility I sped toward the main exit of the mall complex the roads leading out were mostly empty a couple of cars passed by but nobody seemed to notice my panic I reached a traffic light and had to stop I tapped my foot nervously on the brake pedal I was afraid to look in the mirrors I was worried I'd see the shadow behind the car again eventually the light turned green and I hit the gas I merged onto a larger road that led to the highway my plan was to take the next

on-ramp and head straight home my chest still felt tight my fingers tingled my shoulders were sore from gripping the wheel so hard I flicked my eyes from the windshield to the rearview mirror then to the side mirrors I saw normal Shadows cast by my car's headlights but I also noticed a shape under one of the street lamps behind me it seemed to move in short jerks as if it was trying to match my speed or keep me in sight I told myself I was just paranoid but I couldn't calm down I decided to pull into

a gas station that was still lit up and had a few vehicles around I figured being around other people might help I parked near one of the pumps and looked around there was no clerk visible outside but the station's store had its lights on I could see a tall guy paying for something inside and another person person was in there browsing at least it wasn't deserted I got out of my car feeling the cool night air against my sweaty skin I kept glancing around for any sign of that shadow I walked toward the store's entrance

the automatic doors opened with a hiss the overhead lights inside were bright and I heard music playing softly through the ceiling speakers there was a slight smell of cleaning solution I saw the tall guy leaving so I just nodded at him he walked by me without saying anything I grabbed a cold bottle of water from the fridge and approached the cashier he looked tired probably bored out of his mind I placed the bottle on the counter and tried to act normal but my voice shook when I said how's it going he answered with a shrug

I paid and told him to keep the change then I turned around and headed outside I paused right at the automatic doors letting them slide open then closed then open again because I was looking for my shadow it was on the pavement in front of me under the station's bright lights but it seemed the correct shape now I lifted my left arm and the shadow did the same thing without any delay I blinked confused my heart was still pounding but for that moment it appeared normal I walked a few steps forward watching The Shadow move

in perfect synchronization my shoulders relaxed a bit and I drank some water it was cold and tasted slightly metallic maybe the weird events were done maybe it was just a trick of the light back at the mall I felt some relief but I was still on edge I got back in my car started the engine and pulled out of the gas station I turned onto the highway ramp the road ahead was empty I merged into the right lane and accelerated the lights along the stretch were spaced out leaving patches of Darkness between them my headlights

C through the Gloom but the edges of the road were lost in Shadows after a few minutes I found myself checking the mirrors again I saw my shadow across the back seat just from the overhead Highway lights bleeding into the car it looked normal just like any driver's silhouette then a flicker of motion caught my eye in the rear view mirror it looked like a shape shifting in the back seat I twisted around in my seat to look directly there was nothing there just the empty back seat and the black windows my pulse spiked again

I turned forward and gripped the wheel calmed down I muttered to myself you're just scared I pressed the accelerator wanting to get home faster the sign for my exit appeared I put on my blinker turned onto the off-ramp and slowed as I approached the intersection a single street light was on the corner I waited for the red light to change I glanced out the driver's side window window that's when I saw my shadow on the ground next to the car as if it was standing outside not attached to me I could see it cast by

the street light but it didn't line up with my position inside the car my breath caught again I felt a rush of adrenaline surged through my body making me grip the steering wheel even harder the light turned green I accelerated and took a left turn my neighborhood wasn't far away it was quiet at this hour I passed dark houses in a few yards with chain link fences my house was at the end of a culdesac I pulled into my driveway cut the engine and sat there for a few seconds with the dome light on my

heart still pounded I kept looking around the yard the sidewalk the bushes along my front fence nothing moved I got out of the car carefully half expecting that strange Shadow to be waiting for me the moon was out but the main source of light was the Street Lamp near the corner of my lot I could see my shadow on the ground shaped like me and it was doing exactly what I did I moved my arm it moved its arm in sync I bent my knees it followed I felt a wave of relief but it was

mixed with lingering dread I didn't trust it to stay that way I walked to my front door unlocked it and slipped inside I locked the door behind me then turned on the hallway light my living room room was dark but it was my familiar space I took off my shoes and dropped my keys on the small wooden table by the door I stepped into the living room and switched on a lamp everything looked normal my couch my TV my kitchen counter in the back with a few unwashed cups the faint hum of the refrigerator sounded

comforting I decided to check my reflection in the living room window just to see if the shadow was acting strange again I saw my outline reflected against the dark yard outside it matched my movements perfectly I tried a few gestures it followed my heart rate finally started to slow down I felt exhausted my clothes clung to my body and my throat was parched again so I went to the kitchen for another drink of water I stood there leaning against the counter and chugged it straight from the bottle a dull ache lingered in my chest from

all the adrenaline my limbs felt weak I dried my mouth on the the back of my hand I decided to go to my bedroom and try to calm down maybe I'd watch something on TV or scroll through my phone until I fell asleep but a part of me was still thinking about that delayed motion it wasn't normal nothing about tonight was normal I walked toward my bedroom the hallway was dim lit by a small NightLight I keep plugged into the wall as I passed by the bathroom I saw my reflection in the bathroom mirror the

overhead light in the hallway cast my Silhouette into the mirror but it looked normal my reflection moved with me I kept walking my bedroom door was half open I reached for the light switch inside the room and flicked it on the overhead bulb blinked a few times then stayed steady I set my phone charging cable on the dresser I glanced at the walls the floor under the bed just a quick check to make sure everything was in its place then I noticed my shadow on the wall near the dress the bedroom lamp was behind me

so I could see my shape on the wall my arms were at my sides but the Shadows arm seemed slightly outstretched like it was reaching for something I took a step forward it took a step a fraction of a second later my stomach Twisted I wanted to run outside but I also felt too drained to keep running I stood there watching that shadow I moved my right hand up it matched me but with a half second lag my skin broke out in Goosebumps my eyes started to water because I wasn't blinking I forced myself to

inhale and exhale slowly I said out loud leave me alone my voice sounded shaky and a little silly but I couldn't control that the shadow stood on the wall it didn't respond I backed up and Switched Off the bedroom lamp Darkness flooded the room then I flicked on down the hallway light from inside my bedroom the angle changed now the shadow spread across the floor instead of the wall I watched it closely it seemed normal for a few seconds then it shifted as if it was off by a few inches I took two steps to

the left the shadow mimicked me but with that unsettling delay my breath quivered my Palms were sweaty I realized I had goosebumps all over my arms and neck this thing was following me everywhere and I couldn't and shake it off but it hadn't hurt me it just copied me in a delayed or strange way I decided to close my eyes and pretend it wasn't there I climbed into bed fully dressed and pulled the covers over my legs I could feel my heart pounding in my ears my head hurt from stress I took slow deep breaths

finally I reached over and turned off the hallway light plunging the entire house into darkness no more Shadow no more weird Reflections just me and my bed my eyes stayed open for a long time trying to spot any movement in the darkness but I saw nothing I heard only the hum of the fridge and the ticking of some pipes in the wall I lay there mind racing I wanted to believe that I'd wake up the next morning and find everything back to normal that my shadow would move in perfect Unison like it's supposed to I

rubbed my forehead and pressed my eyes shut my bed felt warm and I shuddered a little from the tension eventually my breathing slowed and my eyelids grew heavy I drifted into a light sleep half expecting to jerk awake at any sound I don't know how long I slept but sometime in the early morning I woke up in a cold sweat my t-shirt clung to my back and the sheets felt damp I didn't remember any dreams I fumbled for my phone to check the time it was almost 400 a.m. I lay there listening the house was

quiet I stared at the ceiling trying to decide if I had the courage to flick the light on and check my shadow again I stayed still for a few minutes just breathing eventually I sat up slid out of bed and turned on a small lamp I looked around my shadow was on the wall behind me exactly how it should be I lifted my arm it lifted its arm at the same time no delay I let out a slow breath of relief I lowered my arm it lowered its arm perfectly synchronized I felt tears of relief

well up in my eyes but I wiped them away quickly I didn't want to start crying I felt silly and drained I sat on the edge of my bed for a while just watching that shadow it stayed in place matching me perfectly after everything that happened I didn't trust it but at least it looked normal I got up and walked to the bathroom the bathroom mirror showed me exactly what I expected to see I looked tired eyes bloodshot hair messy the mirror reflected me in real time my shadow moved with me in the correct way

I splashed cold water on my face patted it dry with a towel and walked back to my bedroom I shut off the lamp got back into bed and pulled the covers around me my heart was still beating faster than normal but I forced myself to breathe slowly and deeply I concentrated on the softness of my pillow and the steady hum of the air conditioning vent I couldn't forget what happened at the mall though the delayed movements the sense that it was getting closer that memory sent a chill across my skin but as I lay there

in the dark I realized I felt safer in my house than I did out in that empty parking lot my chest muscles loosened a bit I stared into the darkness and reminded myself that right now everything looked normal I heard the faint of my phone on the nightstand probably a notification about some email or a random alert I ignored it my body was too tired to move slowly my eyelids grew heavy again and I started to drift off into sleep no more weird shadows at least for now at some point the exhaustion took over completely

and I slipped into a dreamless sleep I didn't want to think about the events of the night anymore I just needed rest and finally in the safety of my bed I felt like I might get it until morning when I'd have to test my shadow again but for now I closed my eyes listen to my heartbeat and let Darkness take me under for for for for for for for for for for for e for for