True Scary Stories Told to the Sound of Rain | Relax and Fall Asleep Quickly Vol. 131 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 it started on a Tuesday night close to midnight I was sitting in my living room staring at the TV feeling bored and a bit Restless I remember the sound of the knocking on my front door it was three knocks not too loud not too soft just clear and

direct I got up right away walked to the door and looked through the peephole there was nobody there I opened the door and looked outside the porch light was on and I could see my front yard and The Empty Street there was nothing unusual I stood there a few seconds stepped out to check around but I didn't see anything I went back inside locked the door and sat down I told myself it was probably probably some random noise the next night around the same time I heard the knocking again three knocks very similar I paused

the movie I was watching and rushed to the door I checked through the peephole first no one I opened the door and looked out same situation porch light on Street empty no movement no sounds just Stillness I felt confused I wasn't scared yet I was just annoyed and a bit puzzled I thought maybe it was some prank I stood outside for a while hoping to catch someone hiding behind a bush or a car but I didn't see anyone the air felt heavy but that was just my nerves I went back inside and locked up the

third night I was ready I stayed in the hallway near the front door waiting watching the time it was just before midnight when I heard the knocks again three knocks same pattern I threw the door open immediately the outside light was on nothing moved I tried to catch someone running away but there was no one there I stepped out and looked left and right nobody on the sidewalk nobody in the yard nobody in the street the houses around me were quiet and dark I listened carefully nothing I walked around the front of my house looked

at the sides just grass in the neighbor's fence no Footprints no broken branches nothing out of place I felt something inside my stomach twist a little my chest felt tight I realized this wasn't normal but I tried to stay calm I went back inside and locked the door I didn't sleep well that night I kept waking up checking the door looking out the window no more knocks came on the fourth night it happened again three knocks right before midnight by this time I was feeling more tense my breathing got faster when I heard it my

Palms felt sweaty I was getting irritated and a little bit scared I rushed to the door again checked the pee pole opened it again not a single sign of anyone the street was empty the houses were quiet I stood outside and said who's there I said it in a normal voice at first then louder I felt stupid talking to the empty air no one answered a breeze came by and I felt cold I went back in heart beating hard and locked up I thought about call calling the police but what would I say someone knocks

and disappears every night it sounded ridiculous besides no one threatened me no one broke anything it was just knocking after a week of this I decided I needed proof If I could record someone doing it I could show it to the cops or at least figure out who was messing with me I bought a small camera that connected to my WiFi and had night vision I installed it above my door facing the entrance and made sure it cover Ed a good portion of the front yard and the walkway I tested it during the day the

image was clear I could see everything I synced it with my phone so I could watch live if I wanted I thought this was going to solve everything that night I sat in my living room with my phone in hand a few minutes before midnight I turned the TV off I listened closely my heartbeat was steady I was determined to catch whoever it was right on schedu three knocks I jumped up and opened the app the feed was there but it looked strange the image seemed a bit distorted I could see my porch light and

part of the walkway but the rest looked fuzzy the connection was strong so that wasn't normal I ran to the door and opened it no one was there I checked the camera's live feed again the Distortion was worse it looked like static a kind of interference after a few seconds the image stabilized the walkway looked empty I replayed the footage and saw something weird right before the knock there was a dark shape moving toward my door it looked like a faint Shadow hard to Define as soon as the shape got close the video started to

glitch then after a moment the shape was gone and the image was clear again I watched this replay over and over trying to make sense of it my eyes got tired from staring at the screen I felt my neck tense up and my head started to hurt I didn't understand what I was seeing it didn't look like a person it looked like a vague outline like a shadow that wasn't attached to anything I know I'm not supposed to use any weird descriptions but I can't find a better way to say it it was just a

dark shape unclear and hard to describe moving in a straight line toward my door there was no Detail no face no clothing just darkness and once it reached my door the camera went crazy like it couldn't focus or couldn't could process what it was seeing the next night I positioned myself near the front window I turned off all the lights inside hoping to see something outside before it knocked I placed my phone on the coffee table with the live feed open so I could check both outside with my eyes and on the screen I waited

my breathing was shallow my hands were shaky I felt my heart pounding in my chest as it got close to midnight when I heard the first knock I tried to look through the window quietly but I didn't see anything it was just the front yard and the light shining down I checked my phone and again the camera feed was messed up the static and Distortion were there like last time I tried to open the door fast but again nothing outside the night was silent the street empty I felt a strong urge to leave my house

and not come back I didn't know what I was dealing with my stomach felt sick my mouth was dry I paced around the living room trying to calm down I told myself I would try a different approach the knocking always happened at the same time always three knocks whatever it was it didn't cause physical damage It just knocked I tried to imagine it was some sort of weird mechanical glitch something with the pipes or the door frame but the camera footage showed otherwise there was something approaching something that made the camera malfunction the night after

that I decided to stay awake outside in my car parked across the street I wanted to see my house from a distance if someone came to my door I could see them I left all the lights on inside the house I set the camera to record I sat in my car engine off Windows slightly cracked for air it was dark and quiet I could see my front door clearly around midnight I heard the knocks but I heard them faintly because I was in the car I focused on the door I didn't see anyone standing there

I saw the light on my porch the doorway the walkway it all looked normal yet I heard three knocks clear as day even from where I sat no one was there I felt sweat on my forehead my back felt Cold against the car seat my heart beat faster I turned my phone on and checked the camera again the camera feed was static and fuzzy at the knocking moment I felt a wave of panic in my chest I got out of the car and walked slowly to my house my legs felt weak like they might give

out at any second my hands were shaking I opened the door and looked around my living room everything was the way I left it I went to the camera's recorded footage and watched it same thing a dark shape moved toward my door the image went crazy then cleared up and the shape was gone on there were no footsteps no sound other than the knocks it was always three knocks the shape had no clear form it just moved in a straight line and vanished I decided to call the police the next day I told them someone

was knocking at my door late at night and running away they sent a patrol car after dark two officers stayed in their car at the end of the block watching my house they kept radio contact with me the time came I heard the knocks again I called them right away they said they saw nothing no one approached my house they got out of their car and walked around they found nothing when I reviewed the camera footage I saw the same shape again the same Distortion I told the cops about the video they looked at it

on my phone Shrugged and said it must be some glare or a camera malfunction they seemed frustrated that I was calling them for nothing concrete I could see they were annoyed I didn't blame them I had no explanation that night after they left I felt more alone I had no help I considered staying at a friend's place but I didn't want to explain this to anyone it sounded crazy I tried to come up with a plan I thought about turning off the porch light to see if that changed anything I thought about placing more than

one camera so I went and bought two extra cameras the next morning I installed one on the side of my house covering the walkway from a different angle and one inside the front window pointing out I tested them all day and they worked perfectly the images were clear and stable no issues when night came I turned off the porch light and relied only on the camera's night vision I sat in my living room with a baseball bat in my hands I don't know what I planed to do with it but holding it made me feel

a bit safer my throat was dry and I felt a slight headache creeping in the time passed slowly the house was quiet then close to midnight I heard the knocks three knocks the same pattern but this time the sound was softer I checked the cameras live all three showed static and Distortion I couldn't see anything clearly I got up opened the door fast and stepped outside I swung the bat in the air expecting someone to be there nothing no one just the quiet street I felt the cool air on my skin I didn't see anything

move just Stillness I went back inside and locked the door I checked the recorded footage from all three cameras each camera showed the same thing a dark shape approaching the image going bad and then the shape was gone from the side angle I noticed that the shape had no height I could measure it just moved in a straight line from the front window angle I saw the Distortion start before the shape was fully visible like the camera sensed it before it came into view the inside camera just showed static and then cleared up none of

the cameras showed a person no face no body no clothing nothing recognizable I tried cleaning the cameras resetting them changing their positions every night the same knocking the same Distortion I started to feel weaker every time it happened my chest felt tight and I had trouble sleeping during the day I was jumpy and alert checking the windows and doors for anything strange at night I felt dread build up in my stomach as midnight approached I drank water paced around tried to calm myself The Knocks always came three times I considered leaving my house for good

but it was my home and I didn't want to run away without understanding what was happening one night I decided not to open the door at all I sat in the dark and listened The Knocks came I stayed still holding my breath my heart pounded I watched the camera feeds on my phone all three showed the same static I didn't open the door after a few seconds the knocking stopped the static ended the shape vanished it never tried to break in it never tried to open the door it only knocked I realized that I had

no idea why this was happening but it seemed to follow a pattern I tried ignoring it the next night same thing KNX static then gone every time at the same hour always three knocks after a few days of this I became numb to it I still felt fear but I tried to hide it I prepared each night by turning off the TV turning off most lights and watching the camera feeds the knocks came I didn't answer the shape arrived on the camera feed Distortion followed then it left I never found any physical evidence outside no

Footprints no scratches on the door no sign that anyone had been there now I don't know how to end this story because it never ended for me it still happens every night three knocks a dark shape on the camera a few seconds of static then nothing I sleep badly wake up tired and go to work feeling anxious I don't have a solution and I don't have proof that would make sense to anyone I have strange videos and my own Memories the cops don't care neighbors don't notice anything I don't tell friends because I don't want

them to think I've lost my mind I just deal with it it's been going on for weeks now and it's always the same no escalation no final confrontation I don't know what it is I only know that every night right before midnight I hear three knocks on my door and when I check the camera I see a dark shape that makes the video feed go bad then it disappears without a trace it doesn't matter what I do it keeps happening I'm stuck with this routine I feel tense all the time and my chest hurts from

holding my breath whenever I expect the knocks to come that's all there is to say it's happening I can't stop it and I can't explain it that's my story when I stepped into my building's elevator that evening I immediately noticed something felt off there was a man already inside he stood near the back facing the doors not looking at me not pressing any button the doors slid shut behind me and I reached out to select my floor my hand paused in midair because he hadn't chosen any floor at all it was strange people normally pressed

something right away or at least moved he did nothing I picked my floor number and waited feeling a tightness in my chest the elevator began moving up and the man stood there still and Silent as if waiting for something I couldn't see I tried not to stare at him but I kept him in my peripheral vision he wore a dark jacket with the zipper halfway up and dark jeans his hair was short and neat I didn't re recognize him his body was still and he kept his gaze fixed straight ahead I shifted my weight from

one foot to the other I tried to act normal I looked at my phone screen unlocked it locked it again and cleared my throat he didn't reacted the floors went by the numbers on the small digital panel above the door lit up one by one I heard the soft hum of the elevator's motor and the slight Clank when it passed each level when we reached my floor I stepped forward I didn't look back at him I just moved through the open doors and into the hallway after a few steps I heard a second set of

footsteps they matched my Pace I turned my head slightly and saw him coming out behind me he was walking about the same speed as me the hallway on my floor is simple and well lit just a long Corridor with identical doors cream colored walls and a dull gray carpet my apartment was near the end on the right he was behind me about 10 steps back my heart beat a little faster I didn't know why he would get off on my floor if he hadn't pressed a button maybe he lived here I tried to stay calm

I kept walking the hallway was quiet no one else was around the only sounds were our footsteps mine then his always in sync I reached into my pocket feeling for my keys making sure I had them ready I glanced back again he was still still there walking keeping the same distance not looking at any door not slowing down I didn't say anything I just wanted to reach my door and lock it behind me when I got to my apartment door I stopped and turned fully around to face him for a split second I was ready

to ask him if he needed help or if he lived here but there was nothing he wasn't there I stared down the hallway saw nothing but the closed doors and the empty Corridor no sound of footsteps now no movement the hallway felt still and Silent as if he had never been there I felt the back of my neck prickle the overhead lights flickered for a second just once and then stayed steady I took a breath and listened there were no voices no steps no doors closing I felt my stomach tighten and my pulse was loud

in my ears I put my key into the lock and opened my door I went inside and locked it right away I stood there and my small entry was holding the door knob my apartment felt normal the living room lights were off but a little glow came from the kitchen where I'd left a small light on everything looked the same as when I left that morning I took off my shoes and placed them on the mat by the door I walked through the living room turned on a lamp and checked the windows they were all

closed I leaned against the kitchen counter for a moment and tried to shake off the weird feeling maybe I was just tired maybe he went into one of the Apartments quickly so I didn't see him that must have been it I told myself not to overthink it I heated some leftovers in the microwave and ate standing in the kitchen the food tasted Bland or maybe I just wasn't paying attention to the taste I turned on the TV in the living room and flipped through channels I found nothing interesting just random shows and commercials I turned

it off again I wasn't in the mood to watch anything I tried to focus on regular things I checked my emails I looked at my messages nothing unusual after a while I got ready for bed I brushed my teeth washed my face and got into bed the feeling of the sheets was familiar and soft I turned off the lamp on the night stand and closed my eyes I must have fallen asleep quickly because the next thing I remember was waking up Suddenly in the dark my digital clock read 3 cor a.m. I didn't know what

had woken me at first but then I heard it again a knock at my door three quick dull thuds I sat up my heart thumping I turned on the bedside lamp the knock came again it was a bit louder this time I reached for my phone I checked the time again it was still just after 3:00 in the morning there was no reason for anyone to knock on my door at this hour I stayed still and listened no voices no footsteps just silence then the knock came again I got out of bed moved to the

the door as quietly as I could I stood by it and waited another knock softer this time but steady I leaned my eye against the peephole I saw nothing the hallway light was on but I didn't see anyone standing there just the empty hallway I looked carefully no Shadows no shapes nothing my stomach tightened again I stepped back and considered calling someone maybe the building's security desk but I had never spoken to them at this hour and I wasn't sure if they were always there my building did have a small lobby area with a desk

but I had seen the security guard mostly during the day I didn't know if anyone was there now the knocking stopped I held my breath and waited silence I felt my heart slowing down a bit I hoped it was just some drunk neighbor knocking on the wrong door and then wandering off I looked again through the peephole still nothing I turned and moved away from the door heading back toward my bedroom I reached my bed and sat down on the edge I listened nothing no sounds except the hum of my fridge in the kitchen I

turned off the bedside lamp and tried to lie down again I couldn't sleep right away my eyes were open staring at the dark ceiling I waited for any noise any sign that something wasn't right after a few minutes I started feeling my eyelids getting heavy just as I began to drift off I heard the knock again it was the same three dull knocks no variation in Rhythm I sat up straight my body felt rigid I stood up and marched back to the door trying to keep my breathing quiet I switched on the hallway light inside

my apartment unlocked the door and opened it just a crack I kept the chain on I looked out through the small opening no one the corridor was completely empty the overhead lights were bright I saw the doors of the other apartments all closed no movement hello I said quietly I got no response my voice sounded small and shaky I closed the door again and locked it my hands felt sweaty I wiped them on my pajama pants I stood there for a moment pressing my ear to the door listening nothing just the buzz of the hallway

lights I took a few steps back I tried to stay calm maybe it was a prank maybe someone was messing with me I walked to the window in my living room that overlooked the street I pushed the curtain aside and looked down the street was empty except for a few parked cars no one was out there it was quiet a few lamps lit the sidewalk but I didn't see anyone moving around I stood there for a while waiting to see if I could catch someone leaving the building nothing I thought about the stranger in the

elevator I remembered how he followed me down the hallway and then vanished I wondered if he had something to do with this I didn't understand how he could disappear so fast there was no place to hide the hallway is straight no turns no extra doors other than the apartments if he lived here he would have needed a key and I would have heard a door open but I didn't I didn't want to think about that now I just wanted to get through the night I went back to my bedroom and turned on the light there

I pulled a chair from the desk and placed it near the door of my bedroom facing the apartment's front door I sat there arms folded trying to stay awake I listened to the quiet apartment the walls were thin enough that I might hear neighbors if they were talking or playing music but it was silent I could only hear my own breathing time passed slowly I checked my phone it was around 3:30 a. I kept waiting expecting another knock my muscles felt tense my mouth was dry I got up once to get a glass of water

from the kitchen I returned with the water and sipped it quietly nothing happened eventually around 4 and a.m. I decided to try to sleep again I got into bed leaving the bedroom light on I felt safer with it on I closed my eyes but every few seconds I opened them to listen I forced myself to relax to focus on my breathing after some time I drifted off I slept lightly without any real rest when I woke up it was 8: a.m. the sun came in through the window I rubbed my face and stood up my

neck was stiff I walked to the front door and looked through the peephole again the hallway looked normal in the Morning Light I unlocked and opened the door stepping out to check if there was anything on the ground nothing the hallway smelled like cleaning products I saw one of my neighbors leaving for work he nodded at me and said good morning I nodded back and didn't mention anything I got dressed and went down to the lobby the elevator ride felt tense but I was alone this time when I reached the lobby I saw the guard

at the front desk he was an older man I had spoken to once or twice I approached him and asked if someone had come in late last night if anyone reported strange knocks or noises he shook his head and said it had been quiet I described the man in the elevator he said he hadn't seen anyone like that on his shift he looked at me as if I were a bit paranoid I didn't press the issue I decided to check the mail room before heading out I had a package waiting I picked it up and

went outside the morning air felt cool I walked up the block to get coffee I thought about what happened I tried to push it out of my mind but it kept nagging at me I knew what I saw and heard that man was definitely in the elevator he definitely got off on my floor he followed me then he vanished and then there were those knocks at my door at 3 hour a.m. without anyone there I took my coffee back upstairs and sat in my living room I looked around everything seemed normal in daylight the furniture

the walls my TV my kitchen nothing was out of place I tried the door's peephole again just to see if the perspective somehow tricked me at night I looked through it saw the hallway everything looked clear and bright no distortions I spent most of that day in my apartment working from home trying to focus on my tasks I answered emails did some online research made a few phone calls I didn't mention the incident to anyone by lunchtime I had calmed down but every now and then I glanced at the door expecting a knock no knock

came I listened for Footsteps in the hallway I heard normal sounds Neighbors coming and going doors opening and closing muffled voices in the evening I thought about the elevator ride again I tried to remember details about the stranger I remembered his jacket his jeans his hair the way he stood quietly I remembered the exact spot in the elevator where he stood I remembered that he never looked at me I remembered how he followed me at the same Pace almost like a mirror and I remembered how he was gone in an instant before going to bed

that night I checked the doors locked twice I checked the windows I left a hallway light on I took a shower and got into bed I was still worried something might happen again but that night nothing did no knocks no footsteps no strange visitors the next morning I felt more rested I got up made cof coffee and left for work at my usual time I tried to put it behind me over the next few days I kept my guard up looking around checking who got into the elevator with me but I never saw that man

again the hallway remained calm and ordinary no strange knocking at 3: a.m. still I didn't forget how it felt I remembered standing in that elevator watching him not press any button I remembered walking down the hallway listening to him match my steps and then seeing him vanish I remembered the knocks and how I never saw anyone through the peephole these were facts I saw and heard them no matter how normal things looked afterward that feeling of confusion and tension stayed in my mind even though I moved on with my life I kept the memory of

that night clear I had no explanation for it I didn't dwell on deeper meanings or strange theories I just knew it happened I knew what I heard and what I saw and I knew I never wanted to experience it again I remember that night because I was tired a little hungry and I just wanted to get home I had worked late my shift ended around 9:00 and I had walked a few blocks in the wrong direction because of some construction I wanted to save some time I decided to cut through an alley I usually avoided

it wasn't pitch dark but the light was dim there was a single street light near the entrance and the rest of the alley stretched out with only a bit of light coming from the windows of the buildings on either side I could see old trash cans a few cardboard boxes some scattered plastic bags and dirty Puddles the place smelled like stale beer and old garbage I remember the sound of distant traffic behind me but inside the alley it was mostly quiet I stepped in trying to keep my feet away from the wet spots on the

ground I tried to move quickly the alley ran straight for a while and then turned right which I knew would bring me closer to my apartment building as I walked I heard a soft sound like someone shifting their weight on a loose piece of pavement but when I turned I saw nothing I Shrugged it off sometimes there were rats or maybe a cat I tried not to think too much about it I was about halfway through when I heard my name at first I I thought I imagined it it was barely louder than a whisper

I froze and looked behind me there was no one there I looked to my left then my right the alley was empty I could see the rough brick walls on either side a few old posters were peeling off one of the trash cans had its lid half open and there was some shredded plastic sticking out I saw nothing else I waited a moment listening all I heard was the distant hum of traffic and maybe a dripping pipe somewhere I turned forward again and walked now feeling a bit uneasy my heart thumped a little harder my

skin felt warm around my neck I tried to act calm but I looked behind me once more still nothing that's when I heard it again my name it was clearer this time and it sounded closer someone said it quietly like they were standing just a few steps away I spun around the alley was still empty I said who's there out loud my voice sounded too loud in that quiet place no response I looked carefully I could see the details of the walls the ground even some small cracks I saw no place where a person could

hide there were no doors nearby no recessed doorways no large piles of trash tall enough to hide a person behind them only a few small boxes and cans nothing big the alley was was maybe 8 or 9 ft wide and I could see from one wall to the other there was nowhere for someone to stand without me noticing I took a deep breath I felt a heaviness in my stomach something was off I said my own name out loud to see if my mind was playing tricks on me it sounded different from what I heard

the voice calling me sounded softer and slightly deeper than my own it definitely wasn't an echo I tried to ignore it and kept walking but a few steps later I heard it again this time from ahead of me I stared forward I could see the corner where the alley turned I strained my eyes but there was no one the light was weak the street light behind me didn't reach that far the only illumination came from a small window on the second floor of the building to my left and it was too faint to show more

than shapes I walked forward slowly trying not to make noise my shoes scraped a bit on the concrete I tried to keep my breathing steady I knew something was wrong it wasn't just hearing my name it was the feeling that someone was right there close to me watching me my neck felt tense and my shoulders were tight my Palms were getting sweaty and my throat felt dry I wanted to get out of that alley as fast as possible but I also didn't want to walk straight into whoever was playing this game I reached into my

jacket pocket for my phone I gripped it tight I considered calling someone the thought that I might seem paranoid stopped me I decided to just keep moving I took a few more steps and then I heard my name again right behind me this time I spun around so fast that I almost slipped on a wet patch still no one my heart was beating harder I could feel my pulse in my ears I looked up at the fire escapes overhead but they were empty metal structures no one stood on them there were no Shadows up there

I Stood Still for at least 20 seconds turning my head from side to side trying to catch any movement nothing just the dim light the smell of trash the quiet drip of water I could hear my own breathing now fast and shallow I wanted to run but I didn't want to run blindly and fall or get cornered instead I walked backward for a few steps keeping my eyes in front of me and then behind me alternating every few seconds that made me dizzy so I stopped and F faced forward again if someone was there they

were hiding too well but how could they hide in a place like this I reached the turn in the alley I stepped around the corner pressing my back against the wall before looking ahead the next stretch of alley was even darker there was a dim light at the far end probably from a distant Street Lamp I could see broken concrete and a large dumpster on the left side the dumpster's lid was closed there was a small stack of C crates near it they were wooden probably empty I could see a patch of moss or mold

on the ground and a slight incline leading toward the main street at the far end I knew my building was just a short walk after I got out of here I took a step forward and as soon as I moved I heard my name again this time it seemed to come from my right side I looked right there was nothing but a wall no doors no windows at eye level I noticed a small ventilation window near the top but it was too high for anyone to reach I listened carefully nothing now I licked my lips

and tasted salt from my sweat my heart was still racing I said I know you're there what do you want I tried to keep my voice steady but it cracked slightly no answer I walked closer to the dumpster thinking maybe someone was crouching behind it I approached it slowly one hand gripping my phone in my pocket my other hand was free I felt the urge to clench my fists as I got near I smelled something rotten probably old food I reached the edge of the dumpster and leaned forward trying to peek behind it it was

empty space no one there I kicked the crates with my foot they were light and slid a bit but nothing was behind them suddenly my name again this time it was so close I jumped it sounded right next to my ear I turned around almost losing my balance the alley behind me was empty just as before my chest felt tight and I wanted to leave this place I walked faster now almost jogging but careful not to slip my shoes made a damp sound on the ground every few steps I glanced behind me still nothing the

alley felt longer than before I noticed details I hadn't before a small pipe with water dripping a torn piece of fabric stuck to a na on the wall a flattened soda can near a drain I heard my name again this time from ahead of me softer but still there I stopped and held my breath I thought maybe I could lure whoever it was into making a sound so I could spot them I waited 5 10 seconds holding my breath until my chest started to burn then I let out the air and said show yourself nothing

just silence I kept walking my legs felt weak and my stomach kept twisting I tried to focus on getting out my apartment was just a short walk once I reached the main street I passed another stack of trash bags they looked wet and sagged against the wall I nudged one with my foot trying to see if someone could be hiding behind it it was soft and Squishy just trash I moved past it halfway down this second stretch my phone vibrated in my pocket I jumped at the sensation I pulled it out and checked it it

was just a message from a coworker asking if I had made it home I typed back quickly almost on my way I didn't mention anything about what was happening I didn't know how to explain it it sounded crazy I put the phone back in my pocket and looked around again I could see the end of the alley now maybe 20 yards ahead Beyond it was a more well-lit Street I could see parts of parked cars the edge of a sidewalk and a bit of a storefront sign if I could get there I'd feel safer I

moved forward 10 yard left I felt a breeze coming from the street it carried the smell of exhaust fumes and fried food from a nearby Diner I wanted to run but I forced myself not to if I ran and tripped I'd be stuck here I took steady steps with every step I glanced to the sides behind me above me there was nothing just the same empty alley but the voice wouldn't leave my mind I kept hearing it in my head now even when it wasn't sounding in the air it made me tense made me question

my own senses 5 yards left then I heard it again but this time it didn't say my name it just made a soft sound like a quiet exhale I stopped and listened the sound came from behind me I turned the alley behind me looked exactly the same dark empty quiet I listened harder nothing just my own breathing and the distant City sounds I said I can hear you I felt stupid saying it no answer I turned back toward the street and took those last steps when I reached the end of the alley I stood there

half in darkness half in the glow of the street lights I looked back into the alley one last time I wanted to see if something would move now that I was leaving the alley was still empty just wet pavement trash and dim walls I waited a few seconds listening expecting to hear my name again it didn't come I stepped out onto the sidewalk the street was calm one car passed slowly I saw a man leaning against a wall about half a block away smoking he didn't look at me I saw a couple walking on the

opposite side of the street holding shopping bags they didn't looked my way everything looked normal everything sounded normal my heart rate was still high my shirt felt damp with sweat I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand my mouth was dry I swallowed a few times I turned in the direction of my apartment it was only two blocks away I walked fast trying to get some distance from that alley my mind was racing but I tried to focus on what was right in front of me I passed a closed bookstore a barber shop

with its lights off a couple of old benches on the sidewalk after a few minutes I reached my building it was a three-story structure with a small Lobby I had to use my key to enter my hand shook a bit as I unlocked the door once inside I walked straight up the stairs to my apartment on the second floor the hallway smelled like cleaning products the light was bright I fumbled with my keys unlocked my door and entered my apartment locking the door behind IND me my place was quiet just my old couch my small

TV my kitchen table everything looked normal I sat down at the table and just breathed in and out until my heart slowed down I could still feel the tension in my shoulders and neck I didn't know what to think I heard my name whispered several times and I saw no one the alley was empty I had no explanation my body still felt tired my my legs a bit shaky I grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it with tap water I drank it in a few big gulps I felt a slight ache in my

stomach probably from all the nervous energy I took another minute to calm down then I walked to my living room window and looked outside I could see the street the lights and the distant corner where I knew that alley entrance was located I couldn't see the alley itself from this angle I stood there for a long moment just just looking at the normal scene outside a car parked a man crossed the street someone rode by on a bike no strange voices no Whispers just normal City sounds eventually I pulled the curtains closed I decided I

would avoid that alley from now on no matter how inconvenient I felt safer in my apartment it was quiet well lit and everything made sense here I stayed up for a while that night drinking water pacing a bit trying to shake off the feeling that something had been there calling me messing with me I knew I wouldn't find any answers I just knew I didn't want to go through that alley again when I finally turned off the lights and lay down in bed I could still remember the exact sound of my name spoken softly in

that empty space I tried not to think about it too much I was just glad to be inside with a locked door and a clear sense that I had gotten away from something I couldn't understand I remember that night clearly it was late probably past midnight the streets were almost empty and the air felt colder than usual I was tired but still focused on my job I was working as a driver for a ride service I had been on the road for several hours picking up passengers in different parts of the city most were normal

trips people going home from bars a couple going to a hotel a man rushing to catch a late night train nothing unusual then I got this request the pickup point was at the edge of a residential area not too far from the center I accepted it without a second thought like any other ride I pulled up at the address the app had given me it was a street with dim lighting a couple of old houses a few small parked cars and not much else I waited about a minute the passenger approached from the sidewalk on

my right he was a man probably in his mid 40s he wore a jacket jeans and sneakers he walked slowly and didn't seem drunk or high he opened the rear door and got inside without saying much he closed the door and gave me a location I glanced at the destination pin on my phone it was outside the city close to a rural area about 30 minutes away I thought it was a little odd but it wasn't my first time driving someone out of town sometimes people had family in isolated places or they wanted to get

away from the city for some reason I pressed the start button on the app and began driving the streets were quiet as I followed the directions the man sat in the back seat he kept his gaze somewhere in the darkness outside he didn't talk at first after about 10 minutes I asked if he was comfortable with the rout he just said keep going going in a calm voice I didn't push I kept driving the GPS showed a route that would take a main road then turn onto smaller roads there weren't many lights in that direction

but I knew some rural areas had very few Street lamps I tried not to think too hard about it the passenger didn't show any emotion he wasn't smiling he wasn't frowning he looked calm his voice when he spoke was steady and quiet we left the main part of town and entered a smaller road with fewer signs there were patches of trees and bushes on both sides the headlights of my car illuminated a narrow strip of asphalt ahead the sky was dark with no stars visible the passenger suddenly said take a right turn up ahead I

checked my GPS but it said to go straight I hesitated for a second then slowed down the man repeated take the right turn his voice was louder now I felt a slight tension in my ch test it wasn't panic yet but I was aware that something was off I asked are you sure the GPS suggests going straight he said yes right turn don't worry about the app I turned right onto a smaller Road it was even darker here the asphalt gave way to a rough surface with dirt and gravel I heard small rocks rattling under

my tires I clenched the wheel and tried to focus on the path ahead my headlight were the only source of light the passenger leaned forward slightly but I couldn't see his face clearly in the rearview mirror his figure was a dark shape against the seat after a few minutes the road split again the GPS was useless now trying to reroute in confusion the passenger told me to turn left I did we went deeper into this area with no signs and no buildings my heart rate increased the interior of the car felt warm even though it

was cold outside I noticed my breathing was getting faster I asked is this place safe it's really dark out here he answered quietly yes keep going I didn't argue I just drove we passed a small clearing where I could see a fence and some overgrown grass there were no animals around no other cars not even the distant hum of traffic just the sound of my engine and the gravel after another turn the passenger said stop here I slowed down and brought the car to a halt I looked around but I couldn't see anything except the

vague outline of trees and a patch of ground covered in Weeds the headlights illuminated a short stretch ahead but it ended in darkness there were no lights on any distant houses no porch lamps nothing the passenger opened the door and stepped out he didn't say anything about payment the ride was prepaid through the app so I guessed he was done he stood outside for a moment I rolled down my window slightly and said is everything all right he didn't answer he just moved away from the car and disappeared into the darkness ahead I couldn't see

where he went he didn't use a flashlight or his phone screen it was like he knew exactly where to go I felt uneasy my mouth was dry and my hands were clammy on the steering wheel I decided I should probably leave there was nothing else for me to do here I shifted into reverse and checked my mirrors that's when I saw something that made my stomach tighten in the rear view mirror I noticed two shapes in the darkness behind the car they were a distance away maybe 20 or 30 ft back I couldn't see their

faces but I could make out two human figures they stood side by side not moving much my first thought was to stay calm I wanted to get out of there I looked forward again trying to see if the passenger was still in front of the car I saw nothing just the silent Darkness I turned on my high beams for a moment hoping to see something that would put me at ease but all I got was a better look at empty ground and some bushes I turned the high beams off again I didn't want to attract

too much attention in the mirror the two figures were still there I couldn't tell if they were looking at me my heart was pounding I considered rolling down the window and calling out but I decided against it it I didn't know who they were I didn't know if they were armed or if they meant any harm my chest felt tight and I could feel sweat on my neck the silence made everything worse there was no wind no cars no voices just me in that car with two strangers standing behind it and my passenger gone somewhere

ahead I started to back up slowly moving in Reverse hoping to put some distance between me and the figures as I reversed I kept my eyes on them they didn't run toward me they stayed where they were when my brake lights lit the area behind the car I saw them more clearly they were definitely two people both wearing dark clothing I couldn't see their faces their heads were slightly bent forward or maybe they were just looking straight at me my chest felt even tighter now I swallowed hard I stopped the car again and thought about

what to do the passenger had told me to come here had made me leave the known route now I was stuck in a remote spot with no street lights I had one bar of cell service maybe enough to get back on the map I glanced at my phone the app was still running the screen showed my location as a deadend road in a rural Zone I had no idea where I was exactly I locked the doors I heard the click of the locks and hoped that would be enough if they tried something they still didn't

move they just stood there I wondered if they were waiting for something or if they were just curious I looked around for another way out the road was narrow to my left and right there were bushes and small trees I didn't want to drive off the road and get stuck I needed to stay calm and not do anything stupid I took a deep breath and decided to drive forward a bit and then try to turn around I put the car and drive and eased It Forward the road was rough and I felt every bump the

headlight showed nothing but empty space and weeds I drove maybe 40 or 50 ft ahead I didn't see any sign of the passenger I decided to try a three-point turn I backed up a little then turned the wheel and moved forward again the angle was awkward because of the uneven ground but after a few tries I managed to face the car back toward the way I came I checked the rear view mirror again the two figures were still there standing at the spot where I had stopped before they hadn't followed me I felt slightly less

trapped but still on edge my heart was still racing and my throat felt dry I didn't see anyone else around I didn't hear any voices I rolled the window down just a bit to listen nothing absolute silence I thought about calling someone maybe reporting something to the police but I had nothing concrete to say no crime had been committed that I knew of my passenger had simply left the car on his own these two people people were just standing there maybe they were local residents or people who lived out here it didn't make sense but

I didn't have time to analyze I just wanted to get out of there I decided to leave I pressed the gas pedal gently and started to move back the way I came the dirt and gravel crunched under the tires I kept looking in the mirror the figures got smaller as I drove away they still didn't move when I reached the first turn I slowed down and tried to remember which way we had come the GPS tried to re-root me to the main road I followed the route on the screen the feeling in my chest eased

a bit once I saw a more recognizable road sign I passed it and saw a faint light in the distance probably from a farmhouse I didn't know what to think I felt sweaty and tired my hands were shaking a little so I gripped the wheel harder I just wanted to get back to the city after a few more turns I reached a paved road with a single Street Lamp at the corner I slowed Down Under the lamp glanced at my phone and took a second to breathe I thought about the passenger he had seemed calm

but had led me out to that dark place why he never told me he never explained maybe he had friends waiting for him there maybe he was involved in something I didn't understand but I didn't see him meet anyone I only saw those two figures after he left I kept driving until I found my way back onto a familiar Road I passed a gas station that was closed for the night the neon sign was off and there were no cars around I didn't stop I wanted to get back to the main part of the city

after another 15 minutes I saw the distant glow of street lights I turned onto a busier Street and felt some relief a few cars passed by the normal sounds of civilization surrounded me again I felt safer I didn't know who those people were or why they were out there I didn't know what my passenger purpose was but I was back in a place with lights and people I ended the ride on the app it showed that the trip had been completed successfully payment processed there was no comment from the passenger no rating left I sat

there for a moment engine idling at a red light and tried to calm down my throat was still dry I noticed my shirt was damp under the arms I looked at my reflection in the mirror my eyes looked tired I pressed my lips together then took a sip of water from the bottle I keep in the cup holder the water was lukewarm but it helped I decided I wouldn't tell anyone about this ride right away I didn't even know how to describe it just a strange trip to a dark place the passenger disappeared and I

saw two people in the dark no one attacked me no one demanded anything nothing was stolen it was just odd and unsettling I gripped the wheel and continued driving heading back toward more familiar neighborhoods I picked up another passenger an hour later a normal guy going to a hotel that trip went fine but I didn't shake the feeling that something had been off that night even now I remember those two figures standing in the darkness not moving not speaking just watching I remember the chill in my chest my heart pounding and the absolute silence around

us I remember remember the passenger's calm voice telling me to turn off the main route I remember the absence of any normal signs of life I never found out what it meant and I guess I never will I was sitting on a wooden bench near the center of a public park it was late probably close to midnight but I didn't check the time I had gone out for a run because I couldn't sleep the weather was mild the air still the park had a jogging path that looped around a pond and some trees there were

a few lamp posts but most of the path was dark i' had been running for about 20 minutes when I decided to rest I stopped near a bench under a dim lamp the area around me was quiet no wind no voices no distant cars the ground was a mix of dirt and gravel it crunched a little under my shoes when I approached the bench I sat down and leaned forward to catch my breath I felt sweat on my forehead and back my legs were warm and a little tired I didn't hear anyone else around I

glanced left and right to my right was a small patch of tall bushes to my left about 20 ft away there was another bench under a weaker light at first I didn't notice anyone there then I turned my head again and saw a figure sitting very still it was a person dressed in dark clothing I couldn't see any details there was no movement this person was sitting on the bench in a rigid posture and seemed to be looking straight at me I squinted and tried to see more clearly the light was not good the figure

had a hood pulled up over its head I couldn't see a face I thought maybe they were wearing a ski mask or something similar they didn't move at all I felt a sudden tension in my shoulders there was something off about how still they were I waited a few seconds expecting them to turn away or get up or do something they remained completely still I decided it was time to get moving I didn't want to hang around something about the figure made me nervous it could have been just another runner taking a break but I

didn't see any sign of normal behavior most people would look around cough stretch or adjust their position this person did none of that I stood up and stretched my arms I looked looked away from the figure trying to appear casual then I turned and started walking back toward the path as I took my first steps I glanced over my shoulder the figure stood up too I didn't like that my legs felt heavy and I noticed my heart rate speeding up again I tried to think logically maybe it was just coincidence maybe they were leaving at

the same time I decided not to panic I just wanted to keep a good distance I began to walk along the path the gravel made a slight crunch under my running shoes I checked behind me after a few steps the figure was following me not running just walking at first but following I picked up my Pace my thighs and calves were already warm from the previous run so I could run again if I needed to I didn't want to Sprint yet I wanted to be sure I wasn't imagining this maybe this was some stranger taking

the same route out of the park still I felt uneasy there was no one else around the park was usually empty this late I turned my head again the figure was still behind me closer now moving faster than before that was enough I started jogging I heard my own breathing become more forceful my ears caught a soft sound behind me like shoes hitting the dirt and gravel I glanced back quickly the figure was now running I could see arms pumping slightly legs moving in quick strides the hood covered the head completely the face area looked

smooth and blank in the dim light there were no features it looked like a person without a face just a patch of dark nothing I felt a surge of panic shoot through my chest my muscles tensed and I ran faster I didn't know what to do the path went around the park the nearest exit gate was on the far side maybe a/4 mile away the figure was gaining on me or at least keeping up I listened to the sound of my own footsteps I heard the footsteps behind me too slightly offbeat getting louder I tried

to focus on the path my eyes scanned for possible Escape Routes there was a large patch of trees and shrubs to my left if I ran into them I might lose the figure but I could also trip or get stuck on the right was a chain link fence separating the park from a quiet street the fence was too high to climb easily I ran harder my chest tightened my breathing grew louder my arms pumped back and forth I tried to keep my balance and maintain speed I tried to think if I had any way to

defend myself I didn't carry anything with me I had no phone no keys nothing in my pockets except a packet of tissues I glanced back again the figure was just a few steps behind I couldn't see any face at all only Darkness under the hood the way the head moved suggested a human human shape but the lack of a face made no sense it was like a blank mask I saw shoulders and arms legs and long pants running shoes the running form looked natural enough but completely silent except for the footfalls I pushed my legs

harder I passed another bench this one empty the lamps were few and far between my eyes tried to pick out a better lit area ahead I knew there was a small fountain near the park Center if I could get there maybe I could find something to use as a weapon or maybe I would see another person passing by anything would help I changed Direction and cut through a patch of grass hoping to throw the figure off my shoes sank into the soft ground it slowed me down I heard the footsteps behind me also move onto

the grass I tried to accelerate but my legs were starting to ache my lungs burned I hadn't planned on running this hard tonight I reached a small clearing with a single lamp under that lamp was a garbage can and a broken bench I grabbed the edge of the garbage can and tried to push it behind me as I ran past it was heavier than I expected just barely budging I wasted a second or two on that I looked back and saw the figure closing in I heard the footsteps get louder my heart pounded so hard

it hurt I had to do something else I noticed a narrow path leading off to one side died toward a maintenance shed I'd seen before maybe it was locked but maybe not I veered onto that path it was darker here my eyes struggled to adjust I stumbled over a small route I caught myself but lost a second the footsteps sounded closer I felt real fear it was a physical sensation like a cramp in my stomach and chest my hands felt cold and damp I tried not to to fall I reached the maintenance shed it had

a padlock on the door the walls were made of wood and metal there was a stack of wooden pallets next to it I grabbed one and tried to lift it it was awkward and heavy I heard the footsteps right behind me I turned around quickly the figure was about 6 or 7 ft away standing still under no light so I only saw a shape I raised the pallet and swung it stepping forward to try to hit the figure I felt a jolt when the pallet struck something it connected with a shoulder or arm the figure

stumbled back a step but made no sound I dropped the pallet and ran again before it could recover my legs felt weaker now I breathed through my mouth sucking in air that smelled like damp grass and soil the path ahead split in two directions one way LED back to the main Loop another headed toward a small bridge over a creek I went toward the bridge it was a simple wooden foot Bridge maybe 10 ft long on the other side was a cluster of bushes and then a slope leading up to the main gate I remembered

that from daylight visits I dashed onto the bridge my footsteps on the wood sounded Hollow and Loud halfway across I looked back the figure was on the other end of the bridge just standing there not advancing I took a second to watch panting my chest heaving the figure stood completely still just like before facing me I couldn't see a face just Darkness where a face should be I noticed the figure's hands hanging at the sides they looked pale under the Hood's Shadow but I couldn't be sure I wiped sweat from my forehead with the back

of my hand I didn't want to wait there any longer I ran off the bridge and into the bushes the branches scratched at my arms and legs I pushed through feeling leaves hit my face I emerged onto the slope the dirt here was loose and I had to lean forward to climb my shoes slipped a bit I grabbed at some exposed roots for balance I looked back again the figure was moving slowly across the bridge now no hurry just a steady walk I gritted my teeth and pushed up the slope my calf muscles were screaming

at the top I could see the Park's main gate about 50 yards away it was a simple Iron Gate usually closed at night but not locked I had come through it earlier outside was a sidewalk in a quiet street maybe I could find a car passing pass ing by or at least get away from this isolated area I ran toward the gate my steps were uneven now I felt a sharp pain in my side I forced myself forward anyway I needed to get out of here I could hear nothing behind me now I glanced back

and saw nothing the figure might still be coming but I had put some distance between us the gate got closer my hands shook as I approached it I grabbed the gate's handle and pulled it opened with a creek I slipped through and slammed it shut behind me it didn't lock but it at least might slow the figure down I stood on the sidewalk for a moment breathing hard trying to calm myself there was a single street light on this corner the street was empty I didn't see cars or pedestrians I turned around and looked through

the gaps in the gate the park was dark the path the trees the bushes all looked like shapes of black and gray I didn't see the figure here I tried to listen the only sounds were my breathing and a distant humming noise maybe from a nearby utility box my heart was still racing my legs felt unsteady my clothes stuck to my skin I took a few steps along the sidewalk glancing back at the gate every few seconds after maybe 10 or 15 seconds I saw a movement in the darkness behind the gate the figure's hooded

head appeared between two bars of the gate about 20 ft away inside the park I stepped back away from the gate I didn't want to run anymore I was on public property now outside the park I could shout if I needed to I looked around no one was there the figure stood inside the park just on the other side of the gate the gate was still open a crack I had not been able to close it fully the figure stepped closer I thought about running down the street if I kept going I would reach a

main road eventually there would be lights maybe a store still open maybe a security guard somewhere I turned and started to jog down the sidewalk heading away from the park I listened for footsteps behind me but the sidewalk was harder and my own breathing was too loud to let me hear well I took the first corner I found turned right and moved along a row of bushes lining someone's property the street here had fewer lights I looked back I saw the figure about half a block Lo behind me it was now on the sidewalk under

a street light the hood was still up the face area was still dark the figure had followed me out of the park my throat felt dry I swallowed and tried to think clearly I needed to lose this person or whatever it was I picked up the pace again my lungs felt raw I looked ahead and saw a small parking lot behind a building it was empty maybe I could hide there I ran into the parking lot it was about 20 yard deep and walled on three sides by fences and a loading dock there was only

one way in and out that might not be good if the figure followed me in I'd be trapped I realized that too late I turned to see if the figure was following at the edge of the parking lot the figure Stood Still just outside the entrance the hooded head tilted slightly I felt a wave of panic I backed away the figure stepped forward slowly I felt the urge to speak to say something but I stayed silent my voice would probably Shake anyway the figure took another step I looked around for a weapon there was a

loose piece of wood lying near a dumpster I grabbed it with my right hand it felt rough I held it up ready to swing my arm shook the figure took another step coming into the parking lots Pale Light I could now see the shape more clearly the figure wore a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants the shoes looked like normal running shoes the figure's face area looked like smooth skin without eyes nose or mouth I saw a hint of pale color but no features it was like looking at a blank human head covered in skin

I felt my stomach tighten and my knees weaken I didn't understand what I was seeing I gripped the wood tighter my breathing came in short fast bursts the figure stopped about 10 ft away I held the wood out in front of me my arms achd I didn't speak I waited the figure Stood Still head slightly tilted the tension felt like it was pressing on my chest I wanted to run but I couldn't look away I took one step back the figure didn't move I took another step back the figure remained where it was I turned

and bolted toward the exit of the parking lot I ran past the figure giving it as wide a birth as possible it didn't reach out it didn't move I rushed onto the sidewalk stumbling I looked back the figure still stood inside the parking lot in the same spot I didn't know what that meant I didn't wait to find out I ran down the street my legs protesting every step I kept going I followed the sidewalk until I reached a better lit intersection I paused under a bright Street street light my heart still raced my tongue

tasted bitter I glanced behind me again there was no sign of the figure on the street everything looked quiet after a while I forced myself to walk not run I kept checking behind me nothing appeared I listened for footsteps only my own shoes on the concrete I passed a few closed shops I saw a couple of parked cars no movement in the windows no one else around I walked all the way home never seeing the figure again I kept looking over my shoulder every few seconds expecting to see that hooded shape that blank face those

steady silent footsteps I didn't see it again by the time I reached my door my clothes were soaked with sweat and my legs felt like lead I opened my door and locked it behind me my hands were still shaking I pressed my ear against the door and listened I heard nothing I spent the rest of that night pacing inside my apartment checking the window every few minutes making sure the figure wasn't waiting outside I never saw it again but I couldn't relax for hours every small sound made me jump I kept remembering that blank face

and the silent Chase through the park I had no explanation I felt only relief that I got away I was sore for 2 days afterward I never went back to that park at night again I remember that night very clearly it was past midnight I was on my bike heading home along that narrow Country Road the air was dry and the pavement felt rough under my tires I had no music playing I had no company just the sound of the chain turning whenever I moved my legs I wanted to get home lock the door and

fall asleep there were no other cars no lights from houses and no reason to stop for anything I was focused on keeping a steady pace and not thinking about how dark it was outside my small headlamps reach I saw the car's headlights up ahead they were on the right side of the road the lights were not steady they seemed to flicker on and off at first I thought it was just some roadside assistance vehicle or maybe someone trying to fix a flat tire the car was not running its engine was off off I could only

see the faint glow of its front and rear lights blinking I slowed down because it was the only thing that stood out in that quiet stretch I did not see anyone around I did not hear any voices the car's four-way flashers were on but no one waved for help I approached it carefully I break when I was a few feet away I kept one foot on the ground and one on the pedal I said hello is anyone there I expected to hear some reply maybe someone would say they had engine trouble or needed a spare

tire instead I heard nothing the car doors were closed the trunk was closed the windows were up I looked inside empty seats no bags no keys in the ignition just a dark interior everything was still except for the blinking lights outside I felt uneasy standing there I knew it was not normal to find a car like that lights on and no one around in the middle of the night I looked up and down the road nothing no headlights in the distance no sounds of an approaching engine no footsteps just the faint hum of insects and

the soft rustling of leaves along the ditch I noticed movement in the bushes about 20 ft away at first I thought it might be a stray dog or some small animal but the way the bushes shook made it seem bigger than that I whispered to myself what is that I did not want to shout I did not want to attract attention if it was something that could harm me I leaned forward on my bike I wanted to see if something would step out I listened closely I heard breathing but it was not my own it

was low and uneven like someone struggling to keep quiet I kept my eyes on the bushes my heart felt heavier my breathing got faster I gripped my handlebars tighter I saw something move behind the leaves a shape dark and crouched pushing through the shrubs I could not identify it at first it was not tall but it was not small either its shape was uneven like a person hunched down I stayed still I watched as it moved again it slowly emerged from the side of the road stepping onto the asphalt the creature's posture was odd its

limbs looked long its head seemed too low it did not speak it did not growl it just stood there facing me about 15 ft away I could see it more clearly under my bike's headlamp and the car's flashing lights its skin looked rough maybe covered in coarse hair it had two arms and two legs but the way it positioned them seemed unnatural it stood on two legs but its spine was bent forward its arms hung almost to its knees I could not see the details of its face I could not tell if it was a

person with some deformity or an animal that I had never seen before I did not smell anything strange but I felt dread my shoulders tensed my stomach sank I wanted to leave but I stood there trying to understand what I was looking at then it took a step toward me just one step it made no sound but I saw the movement my breath caught in my throat I stepped back I felt my heel hit the pedal my heart pounded I said it in a low voice hey I don't want any trouble the creature did not

respond it took another step now it was about 10 ft away I could see its chest moving up and down it was breathing heavily it seemed focused on me I decided to leave I did not want to figure out what it wanted I pushed down on the pedal easing my bike forward the creature stepped forward again it matched my Pace I tried to move move slowly at first hoping it would lose interest it did not as I gained speed it quickened its steps I saw it Lean Forward arms swinging slightly legs moving with a steady

gate it was following me and it was not losing ground I pedal harder I felt my legs ache the road was flat which helped but I could not rely on speed alone if this thing could run as fast as I suspected I decided not to look back for a while I focused on the road ahead my headlamp lit a small circle of asphalt my breathing got louder I could hear the chain and the tires I felt sweat forming under my shirt I forced myself to keep a steady Pace but I had to know if it

was still there I glanced over my shoulder the creature was behind me about the same distance as before maybe 10 ft it was running now its arms pumping I could see that it moved smoothly no stumbling no hesitation I faced forward again I gritted my teeth I whispered curses under my breath I had no weapon I had nothing but my bike and a small toolkit in the bag strapped to the frame my phone was in my pocket but I had no signal out here and even if I did I could not imagine explaining this to

anyone I just wanted to get away I tried to increase my speed my thighs started to burn the wind passed my ears the quiet night was gone now it was just the rush of air in my own heartbeat I I checked over my shoulder again the creature was keeping up its body low to the ground legs pushing off with Force I saw its shadow stretch in the faint light of my lamp it reached out an arm I saw its hand open and close as if trying to grab something in front of it I faced forward

and pushed harder I passed a small barn on the right side of the road it was dark and locked up I thought about stopping and hiding inside but I saw No Easy Way in I kept moving the creature stayed right behind me I felt Panic rise in my chest my mouth was dry my Palms were sweaty I tried to think of a way out the road went straight for a while then turned left near a row of trees if I reached those trees maybe I could lose it by leaving the road but then I would

be in the dark with no idea where to go I decided to stay on the road for now as I approached the curve I tried to Swerve suddenly to the left to see if I could break its Rhythm I pulled the handlebars and leaned in the bike responded quickly I almost lost my balance but corrected myself in time I glanced back the creature followed the turn without slowing down it did not slip it did not hesitate it was on my trail like a trained Predator my chest tightened I swallowed hard I tried to keep my

focus on the pavement on my breathing on the movement of my legs ahead I saw a small wooden bridge that crossed a narrow Creek the Creek's water was low that time of year the bridge had no lights it was just a few planks of wood with some rails I thought about stopping in the middle of the bridge and kicking at the Creature if it tried to reach me but if it was strong I would not stand a chance I had no idea how strong it was I had no idea what it wanted I decided not

to stop I crossed the bridge the boards creaked under my wheels I heard nothing behind me but the sound of the creature steps I kept going after the bridge I saw a faint light in the distance it might have been a farmhouse porch light if I could get closer to it maybe I could find someone to help me maybe the creature would back off if there were more people around I tried to increase my speed again my legs achd my lungs hurt I felt a cramp building in my side I fought against it I forced

my legs to keep pumping I listened to the chain clicking the wheels spinning the air rushing I looked back the creature was there but now it seemed a few feet further away I might have gained some distance this encouraged me I leaned forward placing more weight on the handlebars and pedal harder I ignored the cramp I focused on that light ahead I wanted to reach it I wanted to feel safer I wanted to get away from this thing on my heels as I got closer to the light I could see see that it was not

a porch it was just an old Street Lamp near an abandoned gas station the building had broken windows and boarded up doors there would be no help there still I had some light I passed under the lamp and could see my surroundings better tall grass on both sides of the road the gas station's cracked asphalt lot empty fuel pumps the creature passed through the light too I caught a glimpse of its face for the first time its eyes were dark and set deep in its head its mouth was slightly open I could see what looked

like sharp uneven teeth it made no sound its skin looked tough and dirty I felt a wave of fear pushed through my chest I breathed faster I did not stop I continued on I was surprised that it had not made any noise or tried a different tactic it just followed me like it knew I would Tire eventually I tried not to think about that I tried to stay focused on pedaling ahead the road Rose slightly an incline not a big hill but enough to slow me down I had no choice I had to go over

it I started climbing standing up on the pedals using my body weight to push down harder my bike slowed I could not maintain the same speed going uphill my lungs burned sweat dripped into my eyes making them sting I blinked to clear my vision I felt my heart thumping I looked back the creature was gaining it closed the Gap by a few feet it reached out with its arms again grabbing at the air I could hear its breathing now heavy and strained it sounded eager I panicked I pushed my legs until they felt like they

would give out the bike crept up the incline inch by inch my mouth was open wide sucking in air I thought about dropping something behind me to slow it down I reached back with one hand and fumbled with the small bag attached to my bike frame I could not afford to lose balance I tried to unzip it while riding my hand shook I gave up it was too risky I kept both hands on the bars and focused on the climb when I reached the top of the incline I forced the bike forward the road flattened

out and then dipped slightly a small downhill stretch this was my chance if I could gain enough speed going down maybe I could create a larger Gap I leaned forward and let gravity help me the tires word the air rushed past my ears my shirt flapped against my body the bike picked up speed I risked one quick look back the creature was following but seemed to struggle keeping up on the downhill it was on foot after all its legs had to keep Pace I pushed as hard as I could even though my legs screamed for

rest the Gap grew I saw it fall behind by a few more feet then a few more I tried not to get hopeful too soon I knew it might still catch up but for now I had an advantage I saw another turn in the road ahead more trees Less open space if I could keep the distance maybe I could slip out of its view maybe I could hide somewhere if I got far enough ahead I would try that as I reached the turn I decided to go off the road I spotted a narrow path into

the trees it looked like a dirt Trail I turned off my headlamp for a moment to avoid drawing attention but that meant I could barely see anything I slowed down careful not to crash into a tree my bike rattled over rots and rocks I moved about 20 yards into the woods and St stopped behind a thick trunk I kept my bike close I listened the air smelled like damp leaves and dirt I could hear my own breath I tried to calm down and breathe through my nose I tried not to cough or make any noise

I waited my legs were shaking my arms were tense I looked back toward the road I could see the faint glow of the night sky through the branches no footsteps no breathing nothing after a few seconds seconds I heard a rustling sound I tensed up I gripped my handlebars I could not see the creature I stayed still the rustling continued for a moment and then stopped I waited longer nothing maybe it had passed me by maybe it was still looking I felt sweat dry on my neck my shirt stuck to my back I decided to

wait a full minute counting in my head I breathed slowly when I reached reached 60 I quietly turned my headlamp back on shielding it with my hand to keep the beam low I saw the dirt path ahead I turned the bike around carefully and started to push it back the way I had come I moved slowly avoiding branches when I reached the edge of the trees I looked out at the road it was empty no movement the creature was gone I got back on my bike and pedal quietly along the shoulder of the road I

kept my headlamp on low I listened for footsteps or breathing nothing I forced myself to stay calm I kept going until I reached an intersection with a better lit Road I could see some distant headlights and a sign for a gas station that might still be open I headed that way staying alert glancing back every few seconds I did not see the creature again that night I did not know what it was or why it followed me I just wanted to get home and lock my door door I kept riding until I reached a more

familiar part of town I stopped outside a closed store to catch my breath my legs hurt my throat felt raw and my heart was still beating fast but I was away from that thing I rested for a moment then got back on my bike and continued home I did not look back again I did not hear any strange sounds I kept going until I reached my driveway got off my bike and went inside I locked the door and sat on the floor trying to breathe normally I stayed awake for hours listening for anything outside I

heard nothing it was quiet now just me inside my home safe for the moment it started on the third night after I moved into that rented house I was lying in bed staring up at the ceiling trying to settle in it was around midnight I heard something above my head it sounded like steps moving slowly across the attic floor it didn't sound like an animal or the wind it sounded heavier more deliberate I stayed still breathing through my nose listening the sound stopped I lay awake for a long time the next morning I tried to

forget about it maybe it was just the old wood expanding or something simple I unpacked more boxes I tried to focus on work and on finding my routine in the new place but something about the sound from the night before sat in my mind all day my name's Mark I'm just a regular guy renting this one-story house with an attic space that the landlord said was mostly empty I remember asking if I could store a few things up there and the landlord nodded and said sure but it was Dusty and small he never mentioned anyone

else having trouble here the house looked normal enough it had old wooden floors a cramped kitchen a small living room the bathroom had old tiles but was clean everything seemed fine I had moved here for a new job I didn't know anybody in this town the neighbors kept to themselves so I didn't know who to ask about noises in the attic and I didn't want to sound paranoid the next night I lay in bed and tried to sleep after a few hours of tossing and turning I heard it again a kind of scraping sound then

something like a light footstep I got up quietly turned on the hall light and stared at the attic door in the hallway ceiling I could see that it was slightly a jar I remembered checking it after I moved in I was sure it was closed I stood there for a minute breathing slowly trying not to make noise I didn't feel right going up there in the middle of the night so I made a note in my mind in the morning I I would check it out the next day around noon I got the ladder I

had stored in the garage and climbed up to the attic the attic door was one of those that you push up I pushed it all the way open and stuck my head inside Dusty air filled my nose it smelled like old insulation and drywood there wasn't much light just a small window on the far side the space was mostly empty there was some old chair in a corner and a few boxes that the landlord had left I didn't see any Footprints I didn't see any animals I didn't see anyone the floorboards looked stable and I

tried stepping inside to check more carefully I found nothing unusual I closed the attic door tight I made sure it fits snugly that night I still felt uneasy I couldn't stop thinking about the door being a jar I sat in front of the TV ate a sandwich tried to distract myself around 11: I turned off the lights and went to bed I woke up around 2:00 in the morning to a thumping sound in the living room it sounded like something fell I got up my heart was beating hard and my hands felt damp I walked

down the short hallway to the living room and turned on the floor lamp a small framed photo I had placed on a shelf lay face down on the floor it looked like it had been knocked off but I had no pets no wind no vibration I picked it up and checked the Shelf everything else was in place I put it back I stood there listening listening I tried to hear if anyone was breathing or moving around nothing I went back to bed over the next few days I started feeling watched during the day I tried

to ignore it I worked from home sitting at my desk near the living room window sometimes while typing I felt a pressure on my back like eyes on me I would turn around fast nothing I would check the front door it was locked the windows were locked everything was normal but I could sense something at night it got worse little noises in the kitchen the cabinet door would be slightly open in the morning even though I remembered closing it my toothbrush would be on the sink counter facing the opposite direction I had left it I

started doubting myself maybe I was just misremembering but it felt too strange another night I woke up to the sound of the TV turning on by itself self the glow of the screen lit up the hallway I rushed out of bed and found the TV on some random late night show playing I grabbed the remote and turned it off I was shaking I stood there in my underwear looking around trying to see if someone had broken in I walked through every room checking closets under the bed behind the couch there was no one I didn't

sleep well that night my chest felt tight and every little sound made me jump a few nights later I heard a loud clattering noise in the kitchen I ran there and turned on the light a pot and a pan had fallen to the floor I remembered stacking them carefully after washing the dishes they weren't balanced precariously I couldn't understand how they ended up on the ground I picked them up the kitchen felt colder than the rest of the house I checked the windows in the back door everything was locked I started feeling a constant tension

in my stomach I tried talking to the landlord I told him I heard noises in the attic and strange occurrences he sounded tired on the phone and said he never had problems before he didn't dismiss me but he said maybe I should set some traps in the Attic or call a pest control company I tried that I called a pest guy he came in the afternoon climbed up into the attic said he saw no droppings no signs of rodents he left me a card and told me to call if I heard anything else I felt

foolish and alone with this problem at night the feeling of being watched got stronger I sat in the living room the TV on mute I didn't want to draw attention but I also didn't want Total silence I stared at the attic door in the hallway it was closed I got up slowly and pulled on the string to open it I climbed the ladder with a flashlight I scanned the attic nothing just dust and silence I left it open that night just to see if something would move I lay in bed staring at the ceiling waiting

around 2: in the morning I heard a muffled bang I got up and checked the attic the door was still open and nothing had changed I turned around and saw that my bedroom door which I had left half open was now fully closed the window was shut so no draft I felt my throat tighten I opened the bedroom door looked around nothing I decided to buy a small camera and set it up in the living room to record at night I figured I could at least see if something was happening while I slept I set

it on a shelf opposite the couch and aimed it at the hallway that led to the attic door in the bedroom that night I woke up again to a noise in the kitchen I rushed to the living room first grabbed the camera and checked that it was still recording it was then I went to the kitchen and found that a chair air had fallen over it was an old wooden chair and I never leave it off balance it was just lying there I stood it up and went back to bed feeling sweat on my forehead

my chest heavy in the morning I connected the camera to my laptop and reviewed the footage for the first hour or so nothing just me turning off the lights and going to bed then around 1:30 a.m. the camera's view caught a flicker in the hallway the attic door was visible at the edge of the frame frame I saw it the door seemed to move slightly as if something pushed it from inside but it didn't open all the way then the camera froze for a second or maybe it was just a glitch after a moment I

saw the attic door again but it looked still then I saw the bedroom door which I had left half open it closed slowly very quietly as if someone was pushing it I couldn't see anyone there was no shap figure just the door closing on its own then the camera shook a bit like something touched it and the footage ended abruptly it was corrupted after that I sat there looking at the partial video my hands sweating on the keyboard I decided to leave the house for a few hours I went to a coffee shop stared at

my phone and tried to think of a solution I considered calling the police but what would I say that doors were moving on their own that I heard noises in the Attic they would think I was messing around I decided to buy some strong locks for the attic door and for the bedroom door I also bought a motion sensor light and placed it in the hallway I wanted to see if it would turn on during the night that evening I installed the locks on the attic door I screwed in a latch that would make it

harder to open from the inside I tested it a few times pulling on the door it was Secure I also placed the motion sensor light near the hallway ceiling and tested Ed it just passing by made it light up I went to bed feeling a bit more in control I left the camera recording in the living room again I kept my phone near me around midnight I heard the motion sensor light turn on in the hallway I saw the faint glow under my bedroom door I got up quietly and pressed my ear against the door

I didn't hear footsteps I opened the door slowly and saw the hallway lit by the motion sensor the attic door latch was still in place the living room was dark but I could see the camera's small red light I walked toward the attic door checking everything I saw nothing move the light stayed on for about a minute then turned off I went back to bed 2 hours later I woke to the sound of the TV turning on again this time it was louder some static noise blasting through the night I jumped out of bed ran

to the living room grabbed the remote and turned it off I checked the camera still recording I looked at the attic door again in still locked I stood there breathing hard the next day I reviewed the footage the camera showed the hallway light up around midnight then a shadow passed along the wall it was like a human shape but I couldn't make out any details it moved from the attic area toward the bedroom area then it vanished the motion sensor light turned off a couple hours later the camera caught a flicker of static from the

TV before it turned on fully right before the TV turned on the camera image shook again the footage ended in static this time when I tried to fast forward the file was corrupted I had only a short segment saved I felt weak and nervous my stomach was tight I started talking out loud in the house saying things like I know you're here I don't know what you want but leave me alone I didn't get a response at night I tried sleeping in the living room I put a small lamp on so it wasn't complet complely

dark I wanted to see if anything happened while I was awake around 2 a.m. I felt a sudden chill I stood up the lamp flickered and went off I reached for the switch it wouldn't turn back on I tried another lamp nothing I tried the light switch on the wall it didn't work the whole house was dark I pulled up my phone and turned on its flashlight I looked at the attic door still locked the silence pressed on my ears suddenly I heard a low thump on the floor behind me I spun around and saw

that the remote control was on the floor I had left it on the coffee table it was as if someone had thrown it I felt my heart pounding I whispered stop even though I didn't know who or what I was talking to I backed toward the bedroom using my phone's light to guide me I closed the bedroom door locked it and sat on the floor with my back to the wall I stayed like that until dawn on dozing off a few times jumping at every Creek of the wood when the sun came up I tested

the lights again they worked fine I went outside got some fresh air and sat on the porch steps I didn't want to stay in that house I thought about breaking the lease and leaving I didn't have solid proof of anything just strange recordings and personal experiences but I knew I wasn't imagining it I couldn't ignore the doors closing the TV turning on the objects moving on their own something was wrong with that attic that hallway that entire place I went back inside packed some clothes and decided to sleep at a motel for a few nights

before leaving I checked the attic one last time I climbed the ladder pointed a flashlight around still empty Dusty quiet I closed it locked it and left the house I didn't care about the rent or my belongings anymore I just wanted to get away from that feeling of eyes on my back and that constant noise at night at the motel I finally relaxed it was quiet no strange sounds I slept through the night without interruption in the morning I checked my phone no messages from the landlord I thought about calling him again telling him I

couldn't stay there anymore I decided to do just that he sighed and said he understood he said he would come by and check the attic himself I wished him luck and told him I'd come back for my stuff in a few days he said that was fine I hung up and just sat there feeling the tension slowly leave my shoulders I didn't know what was in that house but I knew I wasn't going back to live in it I could handle finding a new place I didn't need proof or an explanation I just needed to

feel safe again I knew I would never forget the nights in that house the feeling of being watched the doors closing by themselves and the way the attic door had been opened that first time that was enough for me I still remember the night I noticed the light it was around 11: and I had just turned off my TV I was sitting in my small living room drinking tap water out of a chipped glass across the street was that old apartment building no one lived there I had never seen anyone enter or leave the windows

were always dark even during the day I had assumed the place was completely abandoned that night though I saw a sudden glow behind one of the windows on the third floor it was faint but I knew it wasn't my imagination at first I thought maybe it was just a street light reflecting off something I got closer to my own window and looked carefully the light was inside that apartment behind the Dirty Glass I stood there for a minute trying to figure out what was causing it the next night I looked again I was curious the

building was directly across from my window maybe 20 yards away my apartment was on the second floor that old place looked like it hadn't been maintained for years the paint on the facade was peeling the window frames were cracked some windows were covered with cardboard or plywood nobody had bothered to renovate it I hadn't cared much before but after seeing that light I started paying attention that second night I saw nothing unusual it was just dark and quiet the street was empty except for a few parked cars and a dim street light near the corner

on the third night I noticed something new there was a slight flicker behind a different window on the same floor it turned on and off a few times I walked from my living room window to my bedroom window trying to get a better angle the room was small and my curtains were cheap and thin I pressed my forehead against the glass I could see a faint glow behind the dusty window across the street I waited I was calm but also confused who would be in there everyone knew that building was empty it had been marked

for demolition for a long time but the city never got around to it I had asked a neighbor once and he said it was some kind of bureaucratic limbo a few days passed each night I checked again the pattern was unpredictable sometimes there was a light in one window other times there was nothing one night I decided to watch for longer I turned off the lights in my own place I sat down on a wooden chair in front of the window the chair creaked under my weight I made sure not to make any noise I

tried not to move much just to observe about an hour passed I was about to give up when I saw a clear steady light in the same window as the first time it stayed on for maybe a minute then as I stared I saw a figure appear it looked like a person standing near the window back lit by that soft glow I couldn't see any features just a dark shape my heart started pounding I felt a slight pressure in my chest my hands gripped the sides of the chair I didn't know what to do I

just kept looking squinting to see if the figure would move suddenly it raised an arm it waved it was a clear gesture a wave directed toward me as if it knew I was watching my stomach tightened I felt a chill on my neck I leaned back not sure if I should stay or duck down but I didn't want to lose sight of it I stayed there watching and the figure stayed too arm raised fingers spread out at least I assumed there were fingers it looked like a human silhouette I couldn't see any face after a

few seconds the light flickered and turned off the figure disappeared Into Darkness I was left staring at a blank window again I couldn't sleep well that night I lay in bed thinking about what I had seen I tried to tell myself it was some squatter or a homeless person who got in maybe someone looking for a place to hide but why would they wave at me and how did they know I was watching my window wasn't that obvious I decided the next day I would try to find some information I asked the building manager of

my own place if he knew anything about that old structure he just Shrugged and said nobody was allowed inside he told me it was sealed off I thought about calling the police but what would I say I saw a light and someone waved at me in an abandoned building they would probably think I was drunk or bored that evening I stood at my window again I turned off my lamp to make myself less visible I looked across the street and waited I heard a distant Car Alarm somewhere in the neighborhood a couple of people passed

by on the sidewalk below but otherwise it was quiet about an hour into my watching I saw a faint glow again this time I decided to try something I raised my own arm and waved I felt stupid doing it but I wanted to see what would happen the light stayed on and after a moment the figure appeared again it stepped closer to the window it raised its arm and waved back at me my heart was beating faster I could feel my pulse in my neck the hair on my arms stood up I stood there with

my arm raised not knowing what else to do I lowered my arm and took a a step back the figure remained at the window for a few more seconds then moved away the light flickered and went off again I stood there Breathing heavily my apartment felt cold even though the heater was on I checked the lock on my door just to be sure I sat on my couch and tried to understand this if someone was inside that abandoned building how did they get power for a light maybe they had a battery powered lamp maybe they

snuck in through a side door I decided to check the building from the street level the next day I needed to see if there was any sign of forced entry the next day I woke up early had some coffee and walked across the street I stood on the sidewalk and looked up at the windows it was daytime so everything looked normal just dirty windows and peeling paint I walked around the corner and looked for any open doors or Windows on the ground floor I found nothing the entrance looked boarded up the door was locked loed

with a thick chain the ground level Windows had plywood nailed over them I didn't see any Footprints or anything that suggested recent entry everything was Dusty and covered in Old leaves I shook the chain just to test it it was solid that night I decided to see if the figure would appear again around midnight I saw the light for a brief moment I watched carefully the figure didn't show up immediately I waited leaning on the window sill after about 20 minutes the light appeared in a different window on the same floor it was dim like

a small lamp I saw the silhouette pass by slowly it paused and then moved out of sight I felt a tightness in my chest again I knew I had to try something else I couldn't just watch forever I needed to understand what was going on I put on a jacket and shoes I went outside and crossed the street I stood in front of the building the street was quiet I could hear my own breathing I pulled on the Chain door nothing I went around the back stepping through an alley that smelled like garbage and old

rainwater the back door was also boarded up I kicked at a loose piece of wood it didn't budge I climbed on a crate and tried to see through a high basement window it was too dark I couldn't see anything I returned to my apartment feeling frustrated and uneasy as soon as I stepped back in I looked out my window again the light was now off I thought about calling the police I picked up my phone and dialed the non-emergency number I told them I thought I saw someone inside an abandoned building they said they would

send a patrol car when they had a unit free I waited about an hour later I saw a police car drive by slowly it shined a spotlight on the building and then moved on the next morning I saw nothing had changed the chain was still on the door there was no sign that anyone had gotten inside over the next few nights the pattern continued sometimes there was a light sometimes the figure appeared and waved once I tried signaling with a small flashlight turning it on and off a couple of times the figure didn't respond to

that it just stood there I felt a constant tension in my body my hands were sweaty my shoulders felt stiff I started sleeping less I would wake up in the the middle of the night and checked the window I was always a bit afraid I'd see that figure staring directly at me eventually I decided I had to get inside that building I'm not proud of it but I couldn't take the uncertainty anymore I found a pry bar at a local hardware store one night around 2: a.m. I dressed in dark clothes and walked across the

street my heart was pounding I kept looking around making sure no one was watching me I went to the back door the one with the boards I wedged the pry bar under the edge of a loose board and pulled slowly the wood cracked a bit I froze listening for any sound the street was quiet I tried again pulling harder the board came loose enough for me to slip inside I pushed myself through the Gap and found myself in a dark hallway the air inside the building was stale it smelled like dust and mold my steps

echoed on a bare floor I took out my phone and used its flashlight the hallway led to a set of stairs going up I moved slowly trying not to make any noise my throat was dry I kept swallowing trying to keep calm on the second floor I saw old doors lining a corridor they were all closed the paint was chipping some door handles were missing I heard a faint creaking sound above me I froze and looked up the ceiling was dark I couldn't see anything I continued up to the third floor when I reached the

third floor Landing my heart was beating hard I felt sweat on my back the hallway looked similar to the one below I counted the doors I tried to figure out which apartment faced my own apartment Window the building layout was simple and I guessed it was the second door from the left I walked up to it the door was slightly ajar I could see a tiny bit of light coming from inside I pushed the door gently holding my phone with my other hand inside was a small empty living room there was a single wooden chair

in front of the window a small battery powered lamp sat on the floor beside the chair the lamp was on casting a weak yellow light I looked around the room the walls were bare the floor had dust and some scattered debris there was no furniture except that chair and the lamp I approached the window and looked out I could could see my own apartment building across the street my window blinds were up I could see my room clearly from here my apartment looked empty and quiet I turned around there was no one in the room

I checked a small closet nothing I listened carefully I heard a faint scraping sound in the hallway I rushed out shining my phone's light down the corridor I saw a shape at the far end it moved around the corner I followed it my shoes kicked up dust I tried to be quiet but my breathing was loud I reached the corner and looked around there was nothing but another hallway with closed doors I tried one door it was locked I tried another it opened into a bare room with nothing inside I stepped back into the hallway

then I heard a footstep behind me I spun around I saw a figure at the other end near the staircase it was dark just just a silhouette I could hear my own breathing fast and shallow I didn't say anything I didn't know what to say the figure stepped back around the corner and out of sight I wanted to call out but I couldn't bring myself to speak I walked towards the staircase shining my light ahead when I turned the corner the staircase was empty I stood there feeling my heart pound I didn't know who was

in here with me and I didn't know what they wanted I just wanted to leave I backed away slowly heading towards the apartment with the lamp when I looked inside again the lamp was off now I hadn't heard anyone enter I couldn't see where they might have gone the chair was still there facing my building I left the apartment and moved quickly down the stairs I kept checking behind me I heard no one following when I reached the ground floor I slipped back out through the Gap I made in the boards I stood in the

alley for a minute breathing hard my heart still racing then I hurried back to my apartment I locked my door and didn't turn on any lights I went straight to the window and looked across the street the building was dark no light showed no silhouette in the window I watched for a long time maybe an hour nothing changed eventually I closed my blinds I sat on my couch and tried to calm down I wiped sweat from my forehead with my sleeve I still didn't know what was going on over there someone had been inside that

building but I didn't see a face didn't hear a voice I just saw that figure in that lamp they knew I was watching they waved at me they set up a lamp and a chair to face my apartment it made no sense in the following days I kept checking the windows at night but I saw no more lights the building stayed dark I never saw the figure again I thought about about calling the police again but what would I tell them now that I broke in and saw someone who disappeared I decided to let it

go I started closing my blinds early in the evening I stopped staring out my window at night I tried not to think about that place anymore I never found out who it was or what they wanted the building is still there empty and boarded up I don't look at it much it's easier that way but sometimes when I'm about to fall asleep sleep I think about that night I can still feel the tension in my arms and chest I can still see the shape waving at me I can still smell the dust and mold inside

those Halls I'm just glad I got out of there without any trouble I keep my distance now that's all I can do I was passing under that old concrete Viaduct late at night the area smelled like damp stones in stale air the walls were covered with chipped paint and random graffiti there was a faint hum of distant traffic the light was poor a few weak bulbs spaced far apart cast uneven Shadows across the ground the pavement felt slightly gritty under my shoes like tiny bits of glass or sand the air was still my jacket felt

heavy on my shoulders and my bag strap pulled at my neck I was just trying trying to get home I wanted to cross that Viaduct and reach a better lit Street a few blocks away as I walked I heard footsteps behind me they weren't loud just soft impacts on the concrete floor I turned my head a bit to see if anyone was following me but the angle was awkward and the light behind me was poor I couldn't make out anything definite I tried to pretend I didn't notice I picked up my Pace a little letting

my footsteps fall harder hoping that whoever was behind me would stay back or maybe give some indication of who they were the footsteps behind me also seemed to speed up it was like some strange Echo except I knew it wasn't an echo it sounded like actual footsteps belonging to someone who matched my rhythm I felt my chest getting tight my breathing turned shallow I didn't want to start running I had no reason to panic yet plenty of people use that Viaduct as a short cut maybe it was just someone who happened to be going the

same way but it felt wrong I risked a glance over my shoulder in the weak light I thought I saw a figure tall maybe wearing dark clothes not moving close enough for me to see any details just a shape at the edge of the darkness I decided to move faster not a Sprint but a quick walk my legs felt stiff my back felt tense I could hear my own breathing louder in my my ears the footsteps behind me sped up as well they stayed at a constant distance not too far behind not closing in too

fast just maintaining the Gap I tried to stay calm I focused on the end of the viaduct I could see the lighter area outside a pale glow from a street light beyond the exit I thought if I could just reach the open space this person might back off or at least I could see them clearly my arm holding the bag strap start Ed to ache my teeth were clenched I felt a faint trembling in my hands the sound of those footsteps didn't stop they matched me step for step every time I increased my speed they

did the same I started sweating even though the air was cool the smell of the place that damp concrete smell seemed stronger I tried to ignore it and pressed forward when I was about 10 or 15 ft from the exit I made a decision I thought about turning around and Fa facing whoever it was but I was too nervous I wanted to be in the open before I tried anything like that I moved faster almost jogging now my shoes scuffed against the ground I could feel a slight sting in my right knee probably from the

uneven ground or the way I was rushing I saw the outside space grow wider and brighter then I burst out into the open the street outside had a dim street light the road surface was uneven with small cracks and a few puddles near the edges the sky was clear but it was late and I only saw a few Windows lit in the buildings around I looked around quickly a couple of cars were parked along the curb but no one sat inside a few trees stood on the sidewalk their leaves rustling a bit in a mild

Breeze there were no other pedestrians around no immediate sign of help I turned around to check behind me the footsteps had stopped the sound was gone it was suddenly silent except for a distant car engine somewhere far away that silence made the hair on my neck stand up inside the tunnel under that Viaduct stood a figure I could see it now more clearly because the street light behind me and maybe some Reflection from a nearby window gave a better outline the figure stood at the entrance of the viaduct right where I had come out just

a few feet inside the darkness he didn't move he was facing me I couldn't see his features he had some kind of hood or maybe a cap that shaded his face he looked tall with a broad frame his arms hung at his sides not raised not fidgeting he just stood there and stared or at least I assumed he was staring I couldn't see his eyes I felt my heart pounding hard my legs felt weak and my stomach felt tight my throat was dry I wanted to say something but my voice felt trapped I raised my

hand slightly not waving just lifting it a bit as if I was about to speak the figure didn't respond he stayed perfectly still I heard no breathing no movement nothing behind him the viaduct looked darker than before like a long black Corridor that led nowhere I stepped backward a few steps keeping my eyes on him I stood near the street light now my shadow stretching behind me on the pavement my foot hit a small rock or piece of debris and I flinched at the noise the figure still didn't move he just stood there as if

waiting I thought about calling out maybe asking what he wanted but I was afraid of provoking him I wondered if he had followed me just to scare me or if he wanted something more I thought about my wallet and my phone in my pocket I had a few bills nothing much I wasn't carrying anything valuable except maybe my phone I considered if he might be a Mugger but why just stand there now not making a move I backed away another few steps until I reached the curb I looked left and right the street was empty

a few street lights were on but there were large gaps of Darkness I saw an intersection about 100 yds away maybe if I started walking that way he wouldn't follow or maybe he would I looked back toward the figure he hadn't moved at all that Stillness made me uneasy a normal person would say something do something maybe act annoyed or walk away but he did nothing my arms felt heavy and a little numb my fingers tingled I tried to steady my breathing I took a step to the side moving out of the direct line of

the viaduct the figure shifted slightly I saw him tilt his head just a bit as if to keep me in sight it confirmed that he was watching me not just standing randomly I swallowed and took another step he took a small step forward staying right at the threshold between Darkness and Light I saw a bit of the side of his face now but it was still too dark to see details he didn't look like he was smiling or scowling just observing I felt a sudden urge to call out I thought if I talked maybe he

would talk back hey I said my voice sounded flat and Hollow no Echo out here he didn't respond he didn't even move do you need something I asked nothing he stood there like a statue except I knew he could move because he had followed me I didn't know if he had a weapon I didn't want to find out I looked down the street again still no one around no approaching headlights no open stores just closed doors in the distant hum of the city I decided to leave I turned away and started walking down the street

at a at a normal Pace I expected to hear footsteps again but for a few seconds I heard nothing I glanced back over my shoulder after about 20 steps he was still at the entrance of the viaduct but now he stood slightly more forward as if testing how far I would go the moment I turned my head forward again I heard a scuffing sound behind me I looked back quickly he had taken a few more steps out into the open now he stood under the street light and I could see him more clearly he wor

wor a dark jacket with the hood up he had short hair that I could see poking out from under the hood his face was pale and thin he looked older than me maybe by 10 years but I wasn't sure no beard just a clean face a sharp nose and narrow eyes he stared at me with a blank expression his hands remained at his sides he didn't say anything I turned fully around facing him I wondered if he wanted me to run if I ran would he chase me my legs felt stiff I Stood Still and

we watched each other for a long moment a slight breeze blew a piece of trash across the pavement between us he tilted his head again like he was curious I felt my chest tighten again my tongue felt thick I tried again what do you want I said trying to keep my voice steady he parted his lips slightly as if about to speak but no words came out instead he took another step toward me now he was about 15 ft away I smelled something faint on the breeze maybe sweat or dirty fabric I took a step

back he took another step forward I kept moving backward my shoulder brushed a parked car I looked at it it was empty the doors were locked I didn't want to break into anything or cause a scene I just wanted to get out of there but he was controlling the space now every time I stepped back he stepped forward I noticed his boots were worn with frayed laces he looked like someone who'd been wandering around all night my mind raced I had to do something I considered running the intersection was ahead if I sprinted maybe I

could reach a better lit area maybe there would be someone out walking a dog or a late commuter heading home or at least I could get out of his sight I glanced down at his hand they were empty no gun no knife that I could see but that didn't mean he wasn't dangerous I took a deep breath and then started walking fast toward the intersection I tried not to run outright but I moved quickly my shoes slapping the ground I heard him behind me now his footsteps were back matching my Pace again I looked over

my shoulder he was following me keeping the same distance as before about 15 ft his face still held that blank look it was like he had no expression at all just staring straight at me as if I were some object of Interest I thought about shouting for help but I doubted anyone would hear most windows were dark I saw no pedestrians the only sound was our footsteps and a distant siren that was too far away to matter the wind picked up slightly making a low rustling sound in the trees I gritted my teeth and kept

moving forward as I reached the intersection I saw a street that looked a bit wider there were more street lights a few shops with their lights off and a bus stop bench I saw no bus coming and the schedule posted on the sign wouldn't help me now I turned right and walked toward a building with a few cars parked out front maybe it was an apartment building if I could just reach a door maybe I could Buzz someone or pretend I live there and slip inside I heard his footsteps following I risked another quick glance

he was still behind me same distance same silent stare I said back off in a louder voice this time he didn't react he just kept following my throat burned my lower back started to ache from the tension I felt sweat trickling down my sides I reached a building with a small Lobby the front door was locked of course it had a buzzer panel I ran up to it and pressed a random button I waited Breathing heavily my ear ear close to the speaker nothing but silence I pressed another one still nothing I pressed several buttons

in a row no response he stood about 15 ft away on the sidewalk watching me not speaking I turned around keeping my back against the door he took a step forward I swallowed hard and said look I don't know what you want just leave me alone he stood there not moving I realized he could close that distance anytime he wanted I realized I had no plan I couldn't stay trapped here I looked to my left and right there was a small alley beside the building if I tried that would he follow me in there I

didn't like the idea of going into a smaller space with him behind me I looked across the street there was a fence and beyond that a parking lot with a few cars no one around no sound of voices no sound of help I decided to keep moving I left the building's door and continued along the sidewalk he followed always the same distance I wondered if he would ever speak or if I would ever get rid of him my heart was still pounding I tried to keep my breathing steady I passed under another street light I

noticed that his shadow stretched on the ground behind him he was definitely real definitely a person not some trick of the light his boots scraped the pavement as he walked after several blocks we reached a corner with a convenience store the store's lights were off but there might be a back entrance or something I approached it the door was locked I pulled on it anyway rattling it hoping maybe someone inside would hear nothing I looked back he stood a few steps away not getting any closer than before just waiting I felt my legs shaking my

mouth was dry I considered speaking again but it felt pointless he hadn't responded before I walked around the building sticking close to the wall he followed on the other side of the building I found a narrow walkway leading to another Street this one had slightly better lighting I saw a sign for a laundromat about half a block away if the laundromat was open maybe I could find people inside I hurried toward it the footsteps behind me continued at the same Pace as I approached the laundromat I saw the lights were on I saw movement inside

through the big glass windows my chest loosened a bit I reached the door and pulled it open warm air hit my face I smelled detergent and fabric softener a couple of people were inside doing laundry folding clothes minding their own business I stepped inside letting the door close behind me I took a quick look outside through the glass the figure stopped outside on the sidewalk just beyond the glow of the laundromats fluorescent lights he didn't come inside he stood there looking at me through the glass for a moment I stayed near the door Breathing heavily

trying to calm down he stared for a few seconds then he stepped back into the darkness I watched him go until I couldn't see him anymore I waited heart still pounding until I felt safe enough to move away from the door I didn't know where he went I just knew he wasn't there right now I stayed in that laundromat for a while sitting on a plastic chair catching my breath my hands still shaking a bit I felt sweat drying on my forehead the people inside barely glanced at me I didn't tell them what happened I

didn't know how to explain it without sounding strange after some time I thought about leaving maybe taking a different route home staying on Main Streets well lit areas anywhere but under a dark Viaduct I didn't know who that figure was or what he wanted but I felt relieved that I'd gotten away from him I stood up adjusted my bag strap and stepped outside again looking both ways before I moved he was gone I left work later than usual and decided to cut through the park on my my way home to save a few minutes it

was around 9: at night the sky was dark but the park had enough street lights so I could see the path ahead my apartment building was on the other side normally I would have walked around on the main streets where there were more people but I was tired and wanted to get home quickly the park wasn't completely empty I saw a couple in the distance near a bench and a man jogging with headphones near the entrance after that I didn't see anyone else close by the air smelled like wet grass because it had rained earlier

I heard the rustle of leaves under my shoes and the low hum of distant traffic nothing unusual about halfway through I heard quick footsteps behind me they sounded clear and a bit sharp like hard Souls hitting the asphalt path I turned around I expected to see someone walking or running the path behind me was lit by a street light about 20 ft back there was nobody there I thought maybe the sound came from somewhere else maybe it was just an echo of my own footsteps I listened carefully and started walking again after a few steps

I heard it again a rapid tapping sound behind me it felt like it matched the speed of my own steps I stopped moving and listened the steps stopped I looked over my shoulder again squinting and leaning forward a bit I still didn't see anyone the benches were empty the trees and bushes were still and the path behind me was clear I looked up thinking maybe there was a branch falling or some animal scurrying along the ground but I didn't see anything like that the footsteps sounded too human too distinct to be an animal I started

moving again a bit slower this time trying not to make much noise almost immediately I heard the same footsteps behind me they sounded like they were about the same distance away each time it was as if someone was following me but keeping a careful distance my heart started to pound in my chest I felt a sudden tightness in my stomach I tried to swallow but my throat felt dry I didn't want to run yet I thought maybe I was imagining it or maybe I had passed by someone who was now behind me but out of

my sight I decided to change direction instead of following the main path I took a left turn onto a smaller path that curved around a group of tall bushes as I turned I listened for those footsteps they changed Direction too the sound followed my turn now I was sure something was off I stopped again no footsteps I took a single step forward One Step sounded behind me I stopped the steps stopped I took two steps two steps sounded behind me I spun around quickly walking backward the path behind me was lit by a lamp and

I could see the ground and the space between the benches and trees nothing no one I felt my breathing get heavier I could feel a slight sweat forming on my forehead and on my Palms I wiped my hands on my pants and tried to calm down I decided to try something else I stepped onto the grass beside the path hoping the footsteps wouldn't follow on the grass if they were just an echo I took three steps on the grass moving slowly I heard three clear steps behind me still sounding like hard shoes on asphalt even

though I was no longer walking on the asphalt path I glanced down at my own shoes I was wearing sneakers with soft SES not hard shoes the sound didn't match my own footsteps at all I wasn't making that sound something else was my mind raced I considered calling out asking who was there but I didn't want to show Fear instead I pulled out my phone I tapped the screen to check my signal it was weak but I had one or two bars I thought about calling someone maybe a friend who lived nearby but I didn't

want to stand still the idea of standing still in the dark in the middle of the park made me feel vulnerable I kept walking turning left and right trying to confuse whoever was behind me the footsteps always matched my movement I walked faster the footsteps also sped up I slowed down and they slowed down I tried a sudden jump forward to catch whoever it was off guard I jumped forward three steps and spun around quickly hoping to see them move into the light there was no one the path was empty the grass was empty the

benches were empty I looked up at the trees the branches swayed a little from a light Breeze but there was no one hiding there I felt a chill run through my arms and up my neck my mouth felt dry I tried to clear my throat but it just made a raspy sound my legs felt tense I flexed my hands trying to control my breathing I took a deep breath and decided to do something more direct I spoke loudly hey I know you're there my voice sounded shaky to me I waited no response no footsteps at

that moment because I was standing still just silence the couple I had seen earlier was too far away by now the jogger was gone I didn't see anyone else else I tried to think of a reason for these noises maybe it was some kind of prank maybe there were hidden speakers maybe someone was messing with me but that idea didn't make sense the footsteps responded to my every movement if I stepped twice they stepped twice if I paused they paused whoever or whatever it was it was reacting instantly to me that kind of prank would

be complicated my hand hand holding the phone was shaking a bit I pressed the side of the phone against my leg to steady it I decided to leave the park as soon as possible the exit I usually took was straight ahead and then to the right it would take about 5 more minutes walking fast I walked forward again this time without stopping the footsteps followed they stayed behind me at the same distance every time I increased my Pace they matched it every time I slowed down they slowed down I tried to run a bit not

full Sprint just a quick jog I heard the footsteps jog behind me they weren't heavy or soft they were medium in volume like normal footsteps but I couldn't see anyone making them I felt my chest tighten again I looked to the sides for anyone who might be doing this maybe someone was mimicking my footsteps but staying hidden behind a tree or a bush but to remain hidden so well they would need to run from cover to cover I would have seen movement the park was not that dense there were open spaces between the trees and

the bushes weren't tall enough to hide a person running I reached a small wooden bridge that crossed over a narrow stream I stopped at the start of the bridge and turned around again nothing the path behind me was empty I listened carefully I stepped onto the wooden planks of the bridge the footsteps sounded right behind me also on wood I turned quickly empty Bridge empty path I looked down through the gaps in the bridge the stream was dark but I could see the reflection of the lamps no one was under the bridge I felt sweat

on my back my shirt was sticking to my skin I realized that standing around wasn't helping I pushed forward crossing the bridge and moving toward the exit of the park the footsteps never stopped I tried walking in a zigzag pattern on the path the footsteps matched my every turn I stepped off the path onto the grass and back onto the path the footsteps stayed right behind me always sounding like they were a few feet behind never closer never farther it was like they were attached to me I tried talking again this time louder what do

you want my voice echoed a bit among the trees I heard the distant noise of a passing car on a nearby Street no reply I considered calling the police but what would I say that I heard footsteps and nobody was there they might send someone but by the the time they arrived maybe the sound would be gone also I wasn't in immediate danger as far as I could tell the footsteps never tried to touch me or attack me but I didn't feel safe I passed a trash can and a lamp the park gate was not

far I could see the street lights outside the park I focused on reaching that gate I tightened my grip on my phone and walked faster the footsteps followed right behind my throat felt sore from the tension I kept my eyes forward forward because looking back did nothing every time I looked I saw nothing it was just empty space and the sound of steps that didn't belong to any visible person when I finally reached the park gate I stepped onto the sidewalk outside the park at that moment I noticed something strange the footsteps did not continue

on the concrete sidewalk outside the park I stood there for a moment watching the park behind me there was no one there I took a step on the sidewalk only my own step echoed I took another step just me there were no more mysterious footsteps I didn't relax right away I looked around the street outside had a few people in the distance a car passed by two men walked on the opposite sidewalk talking to each other they looked normal I heard their voices I heard their footsteps they matched their bodies and their shoes I looked

back back at the park gate the park looked empty behind me at least in the area where I came from the lamp posts lit the asphalt path the benches the trash cans and the small Bridge nothing else moved I felt the tension leaving my shoulders slowly but I was still on edge I took a deep breath and wiped sweat from my forehead I stood near a lamp on the sidewalk outside the park for a minute or two checking my surroundings no suspicion ious people no weird sounds my phone still had weak signal so I walked

a bit farther along the street until I got a better signal then I called a friend I kept my voice low I said I had a strange experience and just wanted to talk to someone until I got home I didn't give details I just said I felt creeped out in the park my friend asked if I wanted him to pick me up but I said I was fine just wanted to hear a familiar voice as I walked home along the sidewalk I kept glancing back over my shoulder I didn't hear those footsteps anymore I only

heard occasional cars distant voices and the normal sounds of the city at night when I finally reached my apartment building I felt relieved the lobby was quiet the elevator was empty in the hallway I didn't hear anything strange in my apartment I locked the door checked the windows and turned on some lights I stood in the middle of my living room and tried to understand what had happened I sat on the edge of my couch my legs felt a bit shaky I rubbed my eyes and leaned forward elbows on my knees I tried to replay

the events in my head but I couldn't find a rational explanation there were footsteps behind me that reacted to my movements and I never saw who made them I considered that maybe I had been tired maybe I had misheard something but I knew what I heard it was too clear it wasn't random noises it matched every step I took I decided to leave it alone for the night I took a shower trying not to think too much about it I focused on the hot water hitting my neck and back then I dried off put on

clean clothes and sat in the living room again I turned on the TV keeping the volume low I tried to watch something ordinary to calm myself down a News Channel with some late night report about traffic conditions was on I let the voices of the newscasters fill the room eventually I felt more relaxed but my mind kept jumping back to the memory of those footsteps I considered going back to the park the next day maybe during daylight to check if there was something unusual about the path or maybe a hidden speaker but it was late

and I didn't want to deal with that right now I just wanted to sleep to let my mind rest before going to bed I double checked the front door and windows everything was locked I turned off the lights and climbed into bed I stared at the ceiling for a while there were no strange sounds in my apartment just the hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen and the distant muffled sounds of the city through the walls I felt safe there still I couldn't completely shake off the memory of walking through that park with those invisible

footsteps behind me I knew I would think about it again tomorrow for now I just wanted to lie down and rest it had been a long day and I needed to sleep I closed my eyes taking slow breaths waiting for my body to relax completely over time my heartbeat slowed and the tight feeling in my chest eased I focused on The Quiet Sounds around me nothing strange just normal apartment noises I drifted off not sure what to make of what I experienced but at least I was home and safe that was enough for that night

I woke up on a Monday morning and saw three missed calls on my phone all of them came around 3:00 a.m. I had my phone on silent mode because I don't like being disturbed when I'm sleeping I remember sitting up in bed and staring at the screen my room was dark I had the curtain closed I could see a bit of light from the Street Lamp outside shining through a small Gap in the fabric I checked the colar ID but it said unknown number I tried calling back but there was no answer I felt a

slight irritation but I didn't think much of it it was just some spam call I told myself or maybe a wrong number I got out of bed took a quick shower and got dressed I prepared some coffee in the kitchen and drank it in silence my apartment was small and quiet I had a bedroom a living room connected to a tiny kitchen and a bathroom nothing special after my coffee I left for work I work in a small office in town handling data entry and some customer service stuff it's not an exciting job but it

pays the bills all day I didn't think about the call much when I came home that night I ate something simple watched some TV and went to bed around midnight the next morning Tuesday I woke up again to missed calls two missed calls at 3:00 a.m. again the same unknown number now I felt a little uneasy it was odd two nights in a row always at 3:00 a.m. I checked the time on my phone's log the calls were only a few seconds apart I tried calling back again but there was no answer there was no

voicemail either I tried to ignore it but during the day at work I kept thinking about it why would someone call me at 3:00 a.m. and not say anything I considered blocking unknown numbers but I also felt curious maybe someone I know got a new phone but who would do that in the middle of the night that night I made sure my phone's ringer was on but low I wanted to see if I would wake up during the call I went to bed around 11 my sleep was normal until I rolled over and checked my

phone in the morning once again I had a missed call at 3:00 a.m. just one this time my ringer was on but I slept right through it that bothered me I'm not a heavy sleeper usually if the phone rings I hear it but I didn't hear a thing the call history said the call lasted a few seconds before ending unknown number 3: or a.m. exactly on Thursday night I decided to stay awake until 3:00 a.m. I wanted to see what would happen if I picked up I drank coffee around midnight and turned on the TV

I sat on the couch with my phone next to me on the coffee table I watched some boring late night shows keeping the volume low around 2:50 a.m. I started feeling nervous I stared at my phone screen waiting for something to happen my heart was beating a bit faster than normal I didn't like the feeling it reminded me of waiting for a test result or waiting for someone you don't want to see then at 3: a.m. on the dot my phone rang the sound was louder than I expected even though I had left it on

a low volume I picked it up right away I pressed the answer button and brought the phone to my ear I didn't say anything at first I listened there was static the kind of static you hear when there's no clear signal under the static I heard something else a whisper I couldn't make out the words at first I said hello into the phone the whisper paused then I heard it more clearly I can see you it was a rough voice like someone speaking very softly through clenched teeth I froze and didn't say anything the line

went dead my mouth felt dry I stood up from the couch and looked around my apartment the lights were off except for the TV I rushed to the window and looked outside the street was empty there was no one at the bus stop across the street no cars parked nearby that looked suspicious I closed the curtain and made sure the door was locked I felt my heart pounding I tried to think logically maybe it was some kind of prank maybe a friend trying to scare me but I don't have many friends and none of them

would do this also the voice sounded unfamiliar it wasn't a recorded message it reacted to me when I said hello I tried to go to sleep but I kept thinking about the call in the morning I felt tired and shaky I considered ignoring it but I knew I wouldn't feel right until I did something at work I used my brake to call my phone carrier I asked if they could trace the call the operator said that was without an official request from the authorities they couldn't do much they recommended blocking unknown calls I hung up

feeling frustrated that evening I put my phone on silent and tried to sleep I wanted to forget about it but deep down I knew it wouldn't end at 3:00 a.m. I woke up in a panic my phone was vibrating on the bedside table I didn't pick it up this time I just stared at it until it stopped I waited a minute and then checked unknown number I breathed fast and wiped sweat off my forehead I tried to go back to sleep but I couldn't every time I closed my eyes I imagined someone standing outside my

window Whispering into a phone the next day I decided to do something else I tried changing my phone number I contacted the carrier and after some hassle got a new number I told myself that would fix it it's just a number if someone doesn't have it they can't call me right I went to bed relieved but at 3:00 a.m. I woke up to my phone ringing again unknown number I answered feeling anger in my chest who the hell is this I whispered into the phone static then the same whisper I can see you I cursed

and hung up I tried to call back nothing the number was hidden I stayed up until morning pacing around my apartment checking the locks peeking through the peephole looking through the blinds I saw saw nothing unusual the hallway was empty the street was quiet I started feeling nervous in my own home at night I turned on more lights I slept with the TV on for background noise I checked every corner of my apartment before going to bed I looked under the bed behind the couch inside the closet I found nothing strange still the calls kept

coming every night at 3:00 a.m. the same unknown number if I answered I heard static in the whisper saying I can see you if I didn't answer the call ended after a few rings after a week of this I felt exhausted my eyes had dark circles under them I jumped at small sounds like the refrigerator humming or the pipes creaking I tried calling the police they asked if I had received threats I told them about the calls they said since there was no direct threat besides I can see you and no sign of a crime

they couldn't do much they told me to block the number or get a new phone I told them I already changed my number they said maybe someone hacked my phone they didn't seem interested I bought a new phone A different brand a different carrier a different SIM card I gave the new number only to my boss and my mother I told no one else I did everything I could think of to ensure nobody had this new number I went to bed that night feeling a tiny bit hopeful Maybe the calls would stop but at 3:00

a.m. the phone rang I answered right away what do you want static then I can see you I felt a jolt in my chest I got up opened the door and stepped into the hallway of my apartment building the lights were dim and flickering I walked down the hall trying to listen for any sound my bare feet felt cold on the floor I put my ear against my neighbor door silence I went down the stairs and checked the building's entrance the door was locked I looked through the glass at The Empty Street outside no one

was there I went back to my apartment and pushed a chair against the door I checked every window they were locked I could see the glow of the Street Lamp through the blinds I stared at it for a while nothing moved outside I felt like I was going crazy who could be doing this how did they get my number again how did they know where I was or what I was doing the next night I decided to try something different I turned off all the lights and sat in front of the window at 2:50 a.m.

I didn't turn on the TV I didn't drink coffee I just sat there phone in my hand looking out through a small Gap in the curtain I wanted to see if someone was outside calling me at 3: a.m. the phone rang I answered it without taking my eyes off the street I can see you The Voice whispered I looked carefully at everything outside the sidewalk was empty no parked cars no movement at all I felt my hands shaking I gripped the phone tightly I said where are you silence then static the call ended I kept

watching nothing changed outside I waited for an hour just staring no one appeared I finally gave up and went to bed my head was pounding and my stomach felt uneasy the following night I tried recording the call I set up my old phone to record the audio through its microphone at 3:00 a.m. the call came I answered and placed it on speaker static then the whisper I can see you I stayed silent I tried to keep the call going by not hanging up I said what do you want no response The Whisper didn't repeat itself

the static continued for a few seconds then the call ended I stopped the recording and played it back the static was there The Whisper was there I couldn't identify the voice I tried showing it to a co-worker the next day asking if they recognized the voice they just said it sounded like someone messing with me that didn't help my apartment started to feel uncomfortable I put more locks on my door I sealed the windows with thick curtains I started sleeping with a kitchen knife on my bedside table I left the TV on all night for

noise the call still came at 3:00 a.m. I thought about going to a hotel but I realized it wouldn't help the caller had my number they would call wherever I went I tried turning my phone off before 3:00 a.m. when I turned it on in the morning I had no missed calls but the next night when I turned it off the same happened no missed calls I started sleeping with my phone off thinking maybe this would give me some peace but that only gave me temporary relief I knew the moment I turned it back on

the calls could start again after a couple of days I started leaving my phone off all night and turning it on late in the morning I tried to relax I tried to pretend nothing was happening but I noticed something strange one night around 2:30 a.m. I woke up to use the bathroom as I passed my living room window I thought I saw a shape outside on the sidewalk I stepped closer and looked through a tiny Gap in the curtain it was dark but I saw a figure standing near the lamp post I couldn't see any

details just the outline of a person I froze and watched the figure Stood Still for a minute then walked away down the street I waited a few minutes then went to check the street from another window it was empty again I tried to tell myself it was just a random person walking home late at night but it bothered me the next morning I turned on my phone no missed calls that night I turned my phone off again I couldn't bring myself to turn it on at 3:00 a.m. I was too scared I just lay in

bed listening for any sound outside I heard nothing unusual just the low hum of traffic in the distance on the following night I finally turned on my phone at 2:50 a.m. I wanted to face it again I sat in my living room all the lights off peeking through the curtain at 3:00 a.m. the phone rang I answered static then the whisper I can see you I looked outside and saw no one I said nothing I held my breath after a few seconds the static ended and the line went dead I lowered the phone and watched

the street after a few minutes a figure came into view Under the Street Lamp they stood there for about 30 seconds I couldn't see their face or clothing details it was too dark then they walked away disappearing into the Shadows I stayed up until sunrise staring at that spot nothing happened again that night when morning came I showered got dressed and left for work like usual at my desk I felt drained I didn't know what to do next I tried looking up similar cases online I found nothing helpful I considered changing Apartments but that wouldn't

guarantee anything the caller had proven that changing my number and phone didn't help besides moving costs money and time for now I still get these calls at 3:00 a.m. if I leave my phone on I still hear that whisper I still sometimes see the figure outside at night I don't know who it is or what they want they never show their face they never say anything besides I can see you I've stopped trying to reason with it I just try to manage my fear by keeping my phone off sometimes I slip and turn it on

at night and the Call Comes again the figure appears again I can't explain it I have no proof except a strange audio recording in my own eyes I haven't told anyone else except that one coworker they didn't believe me the police won't help my carrier can't help I have no plan I just live with it every night at around 2:50 a.m. I feel my heartbeat rise I feel sweat on my Palms I wonder if I should face it again or hide usually I hide I keep the phone off but sometimes I turn it on just

to see if something changes nothing changes the Call Comes The Whisper repeats the same words and the figure appears outside this is my life now I don't know how it ends I just know that at 3:00 a.m. my phone Always Rings I found the mirror on a Sunday afternoon at a flea market on the edge of town I had gone there to look for some old tools or maybe a cheap coffee table instead I saw this mirror leaning against a pile of broken chairs and stained cushions its frame had simple carvings along the edges not

very deep or detailed just a few lines that that looked handcut it wasn't a large mirror maybe 3 ft tall and 2 ft wide the glass looked old but clear enough the seller asked for a low price I didn't even try to haggle I took it brought it home and placed it in the hallway outside my bedroom I live alone in a small house with narrow halls and worn out carpets I don't have a lot of furniture the hallway walls are plain white with old paint that I keep meaning to redo there's a single overhead

light that buzzes faintly I put the mirror on a small side table propped it against the wall and left it there I didn't pay much attention to it during the day it just stood there reflecting the opposite wall and the light fixture nothing unusual that first night I was walking down the hall on my way to the bathroom it was late maybe past midnight I was tired half asleep the overhead light was off but there was a small NightLight plugged into to an outlet down near the floor it gave off a weak yellowish light as

I passed by I glanced at the mirror I saw my shape in it just a dim outline but in the background of the reflection I thought I saw something move it was just a quick flicker of Shadow I stopped and looked behind me nothing was there I figured it must have been my own shadow or a trick of the weak light I Shrugged and continued to the bathroom the next evening when I passed by the mirror again at night I noticed something else I was just walking through the hall heading to the kitchen the house

was quiet I looked into the mirror and saw what looked like a slight change in the background it didn't show just the hall anymore it's hard to explain but the reflection seemed to have a darker Corner that didn't line up with the real hallway the actual hallway has a door leading to a closet on that side but the mirror's reflection made it look like there was an open space going further back I stared at it for a few seconds I turned my head slowly and looked around the hall didn't have any extra space it was

just a wall and a closed closet door but in the mirror I saw a vague shape moving in that dark corner it looked like a human shape but not detailed it was more like a shifting Shadow I felt a tightness in my stomach and a prickling on my scalp my mouth went dry I stepped closer to the mirror and reached out almost touching the glass the image flickered and then it was gone replaced by a normal reflection of me in the hall I breathed out and cursed under my breath I tried to ignore it but

over the next few nights it got worse each night after the sun went down whenever I passed that mirror I would see things in it that didn't match my house sometimes I saw Shadows where there should only be White Walls sometimes I saw movement in the corner of the reflection like someone was walking in a place that didn't exist I stood there for a while once trying to catch a clear look but the moment I focused it snapped back to normal it only happened when I was passing by casually not when I tried to study

it directly I started turning on all the lights in the house at night just to make sure I saw everything clearly but that didn't help one evening I stood in front of the mirror with the hallway light on and stared for a few seconds it reflected me and the hall normally then I blinked and for a brief moment I saw myself standing in a different Hall the background behind me in the reflection wasn't my house it looked like a hallway with darker walls maybe wood panels or something old the lighting in that reflected space was

dim and uneven like it came from a candle or a weak bulb I tried to step back but my legs felt stiff I forced myself to look away and when I looked again it was just my normal hallway and after that I felt uneasy all the time I felt it during the day too not just at night I would walk past the mirror in the morning and although I didn't see anything strange then I couldn't forget what happened I tried moving the mirror I carried it into the living room and leaned it against the sofa

I thought maybe the hallways lighting or Arrangement was playing tricks on my eyes but the first night I passed it in the living room I saw something again I Saw My Reflection but my Reflections eyes were looking somewhere else not straight at me they were looking past me as if at something behind me on the left I turned around fast but there was nothing when I looked back at the mirror my Reflections eyes were back to normal I tried to tell myself I was imagining it maybe I was tired I cleaned the mirror's surface with

glass cleaner I inspected the back of it looking for any strange film or two-way glass it was just old wood and a piece of mirror glass I tried tapping it listening for hollow spots it sounded solid I placed it back in the hallway because I didn't know where else to put it it didn't seem right in the living room and I figured I was overreacting a few nights later I woke up thirsty it was around 2:00 in the morning I got out of bed and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water the hallway

was dark I passed the mirror and did my best not to look at it but I couldn't help a quick glance I saw a shape again a tall dark outline standing behind me I froze I looked at the mirror carefully my reflection stood there but right behind my reflected shoulder there was a dark figure it didn't have clear features it just looked like a person standing very close almost pressed against my back I didn't feel anything behind me in reality no breath no sound but in the mirror that shape was there and I could see

it move slightly as if shifting weight from one foot to the other I felt sweat trickling down my neck my heart was pounding I reached behind me with my hand feeling the empty air nothing I stood like that for maybe 10 seconds and then the figure in the mirror disappeared my reflection was alone again I didn't sleep well after that I thought about getting rid of the mirror I considered throwing it out but I hesitated ated part of me was scared that if I got rid of it something else would happen I don't know why

I thought that I guess I just didn't want to disturb whatever was going on so I left it there the next night I tried a small test I stood in front of the mirror and raised my right hand my reflection did the same I stepped to the side it followed I crouched stood up everything matched then I tried something else I for forced myself to look serious keeping my face neutral I stood still watching my expression for a moment everything matched perfectly then as I stared at my face I saw the corners of my Reflections

mouth curl upward it was subtle at first just a slight movement my real face was not smiling but the reflections face began to form a grin it was a thin unnatural smile I felt my breath catch I reached up and touched my own face my lips were pressed pressed together not moving the reflection smile grew wider it didn't look right the muscles in my Reflections face didn't move the way a normal face would it was as if the image was distorting slightly I stepped back and bumped into the wall my legs felt shaky I looked

away for a second to steady myself when I looked back the reflection was normal again my body reacted with quick shallow breathing I couldn't calm down I felt my skin tingling and my heart pounding I went straight to bed leaving the hallway light on I didn't sleep much the next morning I took the mirror down and carried it into the garage the garage was Dusty and smelled like old cardboard I leaned the mirror face in against a shelf so I wouldn't have to look at it I left it there and went about my day trying

to forget about it I went to work came back ate a simple dinner watched some TV I avoided going into the garage it was quiet that night I slept better knowing the mirror wasn't in my hallway but after a couple of days I got curious I wondered if maybe the lighting in the hallway had created some kind of optical illusion maybe the old glass was warped maybe I was tired and seeing things I decided to check the mirror again I went to the garage in the late afternoon the sun was still out bright and steady

shining through the the small window I turned the mirror around and looked at it in full daylight it seemed normal I could see my face my clothes the garage behind me no weird shadows no strange Smiles nothing out of place that night I brought the mirror back into the house and placed it in a different spot this time in the spare bedroom this bedroom is mostly empty just a bed frame a lamp and a small dresser I put the mirror on the floor against the wall and left the door open I made sure the lamp

was on when when I came by to check it I stood there and looked at myself in the reflection I tried changing my expression raising my eyebrows and shaking my head everything matched just a normal reflection I felt relieved but as I was leaving the room I turned back for one last look I stood half in the doorway leaning back to peek at the mirror for a split second I saw something else again this time I wasn't even fully in front of it I was at an angle but I could see that my Reflections head

had turned slightly to watch me as I left I was sure I had turned my head back straight ahead toward the hallway but the reflection seemed delayed as if it took a moment longer to move by the time I stepped fully back into the room it was normal again my reflection moved in sync with me no delays my throat felt tight I decided to cover the mirror that night I grabbed an old sheet from the closet and threw it over the frame I went to bed feeling tense my stomach churned a bit I couldn't focus

on anything else I just lay there feeling my heart beat against my pillow in the morning I tried something else I brought the mirror out into the backyard I leaned it against the fence and looked at it under the bright sunlight it showed me the yard the fence and the trees Beyond everything seemed normal again no odd movements no strange Smiles that night I left it outside it didn't rain so I figured it was fine before going to bed I went out with a flashlight and looked at it the reflection showed my backyard under the

flashlight beam I didn't see anything unusual I went back in feeling a bit calmer the next day I brought it inside again I placed it in the hallway one more time I wanted to be sure I wasn't losing my mind maybe the strange things had stopped maybe it was just stressed before after dinner I turned off most of the lights and passed by the mirror again I forced myself to look at it directly I saw my face and my eyes they seemed normal I Stood Still for a while waiting nothing happened I sighed with relief

and stepped closer I moved my arm slowly the reflection did the same no delays I smiled a little testing it my reflection smiled back matching me perfectly I decided to try the neutral face test again I relaxed my face keeping my mouth closed and my eyes calm I stared at my reflection I counted the seconds in my head 1 2 three at 5 Seconds my Reflections face changed its eyes narrowed slightly and the lips pulled back just enough to show teeth my real face remained neutral I felt my stomach drop and my heart pick up

speed I didn't move I saw the reflections teeth more clearly now they looked like my teeth but the way they were shown felt forced like someone pretending to smile without feeling it I took a step backward my real mouth was shut but the reflections mouth hung slightly open now I couldn't stand it anymore I spun around and walked away fast my legs felt weak and my hands were shaking I decided to get rid of the mirror for good I didn't care if it was valuable or not I didn't want it in my house the next

morning I wrapped it in an old blanket and put it in my car's trunk I drove across town and found a small thrift store I donated it they didn't ask many questions I left before they could change their minds I didn't want to know what would happen to the next person who owned it I just wanted it gone no one got hurt and I didn't hear any news about it afterward now my hallway is empty where the mirror used to stand at night I still feel a bit uneasy when I walk through there I sometimes

glance at the spot where it stood expecting to see something move but there's nothing now just a blank wall and a faint buzz from the overhead light I sleep better without that mirror in the house I don't know what was wrong with it and I don't care I'm just glad it's gone I first noticed something was off around 2 in the morning I was lying in bed awake because the noise of old pipes kept me up I live on the fourth floor of an old building it's a place with chipped paint in the hallways dim

lights in the stairwell and an elevator that shakes the walls are thin I can usually hear my neighbor TV or the sound of footsteps coming from above but that night it was quieter than usual no footsteps no distant voices just that dull Creek of the pipes then the intercom buzzed I got up walked into the small living room and stared at the device on the wall it was old and yellowed the buzzer sounded again I pressed the button and said my name there was no immediate response just a sort of muffled breathing then I heard

my name spoken back to me slowly and softly my heart started pounding I tried to see who it was through through the small camera monitor the image on the monitor was grainy and dark but I could see the front entrance the light above the door was on but no one stood there the door was closed I said who's there The Voice didn't respond it just repeated my name three times each time quieter after that the line went silent I let go of the button and listened nothing else happened that night still I barely slept the

next day I went downstairs and checked the lobby I looked outside through the glass door there was nothing unusual I checked the mailbox area and spoke briefly with the building manager a man named Julio he's always half asleep behind a small counter he said he didn't see anyone last night I asked if someone could have sneaked in he said he doubted it the door locks automatically and to enter you need a key or someone to buzz you in he hadn't heard anything and there's no doorman or security guard Julio leaves around 10: at night after

that the lobby stays empty just a locked door in the intercom system I went back up to my apartment and tried to forget about it that night it happened again around the same time the buzzer sounded that sharp sound that cuts through silence I turned on the light in the living room and walked straight to the intercom I pressed the button and heard the same muffled breathing then my name it sounded a bit distorted like someone speaking through a piece of cloth the camera again showed no one outside I stared at the monitor it was

a static image of the empty entrance I asked who it was the voice just kept repeating my name at uneven intervals sometimes Whispering it sometimes saying it a bit louder it gave me chills I asked if they needed help but I got no answer after a minute or so the sound stopped again I stood there with my finger on the button listening to The Faint hum of the line when I released the button the silence in my apartment felt heavy by the third night I decided to record the calls I took out my phone set

it to record and waited when the buzzer sounded again I was ready this time I didn't speak first I picked up the intercoms handset instead of pressing the button on the panel I did that because sometimes picking up the handset improved the audio quality I held my phone close I heard the same breathing the same soft voice saying my name no other words I asked who it was and got no response it was the same pattern after a few repetitions the call ended I saved the recording and tried not to think about it too much

I went back to bed leaving a small lamp on in the corner of the room I had a hard time sleeping my chest felt tight and I kept glancing at the closed door of my apartment I thought about calling someone but who would I call at that hour for something like this the next morning I listened to the recording it sounded the same as I remembered a few seconds of Silence the sound of my own breathing then the stranger's quiet voice but as I replayed it I noticed something else in between the repetitions of my

name there were faint Whispers they were soft and hard to make out I put my earphones in and turned the volume up beneath the voice that kept saying my name I could hear other voices they were lower more distant I couldn't understand what they were saying at first I isolated the audio on my computer and played it over and over after a few listens I caught a phrase repeated softly don't open the door I listened again to confirm yes it was clear something was whispering don't open the door the tone was urgent but quiet my

stomach tightened I felt sweat on my forehead I had no idea what to think there was a warning hidden in that recording several voices overlapping it was nothing I'd heard with my own ears the night before my first thought was that I was dealing with a prank maybe someone hacked the intercom system maybe it was someone in the building playing a joke I tried to think logically but I couldn't ignore the feeling that something was wrong the building was old with outdated wiring and a simple intercom system I didn't even know how someone would hack

it and why would they most of my neighbors were older folks I kept to myself and rarely interacted with them I didn't report it to Julio right away I just went about my day trying to distract myself I went to work stayed busy tried not to think about it but by the time I got home that evening I felt uneasy I walked through the lobby and everything looked nor normal the hallway on my floor was quiet my door was locked as I'd left it inside I checked the intercom panel again everything looked normal I ate

a quick meal and watched TV with the volume low around midnight I turned off the lights and stayed in bed waiting I didn't want to sleep I just stared at the ceiling and listened it happened again at around 2:30 the same Buzz I jumped out of bed and grabbed my phone this time I pressed the intercom button and said nothing I heard my name repeated I recorded the audio again my skin prickled as I listened to the voice it sounded closer somehow more present I checked the camera monitor the entrance was empty I felt my

hand shaking slightly I left the intercom on without saying anything after a while the voice stopped I released the button and stood there in the dark living room room feeling my heart pound I didn't sleep at all that night next morning I listened to the new recording it was similar but the whispering was easier to distinguish it sounded like several voices Whispering underneath the main voice that said my name The Whispers repeated the same phrase don't open the door I listened carefully to see if there were more words but I couldn't make anything else out

I played it again and again trying to pick up any other clue nothing else just that warning repeated many times layered under the main voice I felt a strong urge to leave the apartment I considered staying at a hotel but I didn't want to abandon my place for something that might be a simple prank instead I decided to confront Julio again I went downstairs in the afternoon and found Julio inside his small office near the mailboxes I told him I'd been getting strange calls at night he Shrugged and said he hadn't noticed anything I asked

if anyone else complained he said no I asked if the security camera recorded anything during those hours he said the cameras only record on motion and the one at the entrance hadn't picked up anyone standing there I asked him to check anyway he sighed and checked the system nothing just empty frames of the entrance he seemed annoyed with my questions I didn't push it I thanked him and left he looked at me like I was making things up I decided to investigate on my own that night I waited in the lobby from Midnight until around

1:30 I sat on a small bench near the door scrolling on my phone the lobby was quiet the street outside was also quiet eventually I grew tired and went back upstairs feeling a bit foolish maybe it wouldn't happen if I was watching maybe it only happened when I was inside my apartment I locked my door and stood in front of the intercom I didn't turn off the lights I waited around 2: the buzzer sounded again I rushed to the Monitor and looked empty entrance I pressed the intercom button and listened the voice said my name

slow and steady I recorded again staying silent after it stopped I checked the time 2:10 a.m. no one had come through the lobby just now I knew that because I had just been down there less than an hour ago and no one was lingering outside that morning I reviewed the new recording The Whispers were still there still the same warning I felt tension in my shoulders and neck my mouth felt dry I tried to ignore it and focus on facts the intercom calls come around the same time every night the camera shows no one The

Voice Knows My Name the hidden Whispers warn me not to open the door there are no other Clues there's no sign of forced entry nothing missing no notes slipped under my door no strange smells or footsteps outside just these calls I tried a new approach I disconnected the intercom unit from the wall and took a look at the wiring it's just a few colored wires plugged into Old connectors I'm not an electrician so I couldn't make much sense of it but I noticed everything looked old and Dusty there was some corrosion on the metal parts

I cleaned it a bit and reconnected it I hoped maybe that would stop the calls it didn't that night I considered not answering at all but when the buzzer came I couldn't help myself I pressed the button and listened the voice said my name I whispered back who are you no response just my name again I said what do you want no answer the main voice faded for a moment and I listened closely trying to catch The Whispers I could almost hear them in real time a faint sound underneath the static don't open the door

my throat tightened I let go of the button the intercom went silent I called a friend of mine the next day his name is Ricardo he's a practical guy not easily spooked I told him about the calls he said it was probably someone messing with the wiring maybe tapping into the system from another apartment he suggested I knock on a few neighbors doors and ask if they heard anything I didn't want to bother anyone but I had to try I knocked on the door of the apartment across from mine a woman in her 50s answered

she said she never heard anything I tried the apartment next to hers a man in his 60s said no he hadn't heard strange calls everyone was either annoyed or confused no one had experienced the same thing I stopped asking it made me feel more isolated I called an electrician to check the intercom he came in the late afternoon he looked at the wiring and said everything was normal just old he tested the line and said it worked fine I asked if anyone could call my apartment from outside without being seen he said not without pressing

the button at the entrance panel if someone pressed that button the camera would show them unless they stood off to the side but even then some part of them would appear the electrician left and I sat alone in my apartment staring at the intercom feeling no closer to understanding this the next night I tried to ignore it I turned up the TV volume wore headphones tried to stay awake watching random shows but around 2 in the morning the buzzer cut through all the noise I turned off the TV and listened my heart was beating fast

and I felt sweat under my arms I considered not answering just letting it ring but the noise wouldn't stop until I pressed the button I pressed it the voice said my name I tried something different I said I won't open the door The Voice went silent for a second I heard static then it said my name again quieter I listened for The Whispers this time they sounded louder don't open the door repeated over and over overlapping like several people speaking from a distance I felt my hands shaking I released the button the line went dead

I didn't sleep I just sat in my living room lights on listening to the silence I checked the hallway through the peole nothing I checked my locks everything was Secure the building was silent the street outside was silent I felt hungry but didn't want to eat I didn't trust the silence I replayed the recording several times listening with headphones trying to identify the voices they sounded like men and women different ages maybe neighbors maybe strangers I couldn't tell they only repeated that one phrase the main voice that said my name was always the same it

sounded genderless distorted like filtered through cloth or a heavy scarf I tried calling Ricardo again but it was too late in the night he wouldn't pick up I sat there waiting for the sun to rise the faint light of dawn made me feel a bit calmer I decided not to to leave I decided not to open the door for anyone if someone buzzed I wouldn't open if I heard footsteps I wouldn't open if anyone knocked I would stay quiet I didn't know what else to do but I knew I had to follow that warning whatever

was happening the only clear message I had was to keep my door closed the next few nights the calls kept coming every time the buzzer rang I recorded the calls The Voice kept saying my name The Whispers kept warning me not to open the door I never answered the Voice's questions because it asked none I never gave it what it wanted because I didn't know what it wanted I never opened the door sometimes the buzzing happened twice in the same night sometimes just once each time I watched the monitor each time I saw no one

outside I tried ignoring the calls for a whole night I let the buzzer ring for a long time time until it stopped on its own then it would start again 15 minutes later I had no choice I had to answer to stop the noise I became exhausted I fell asleep during the day and stayed awake at night after about a week of this my eyes were red my hands trembled and I felt weak but I kept the door closed and locked I don't know who is calling me I don't know how they got my name

I don't know how they hide from the camera I don't know where the whispers come from or why they warn me every night but I know what I must do not open the door I stay inside waiting for morning I keep my recordings backed up on my computer I have them labeled by date each file containing that voice saying my name and those Whispers repeating that warning I don't show them to anyone I don't know who to trust for now I just wait the building remains old and quiet the neighbors remain unaware where the electrician

found nothing Julio thinks I'm making it up my friends wouldn't believe it either and I don't have proof Beyond those recordings all I can do is stay in my apartment and refuse to open the door I don't know how long I can keep this up but I have no choice The Voice calls for me every night and The Whispers never change their message they tell me not to open the door so I won't it all started the first night I settled into the new apartment the place was furnished the rent was low and the landlord

didn't ask many questions that should have been my first warning the building looked normal enough from the outside red brick walls old windows a narrow lobby with cheap tiles inside everything felt quiet almost too quiet I remember dropping my suitcase on the living room floor and standing there listening no sound no traffic noise no footsteps no television just a low buzz from the kitchen's old fridge it felt strange but I tried to push that feeling aside I walked through the apartment checking each room the living room had a small couch a coffee table with a

few scratches a TV that looked older than me and a rug that smelled a bit like dust and old wood the bedroom had a narrow bed a tall dresser and a closet with a wooden door that creaked the bathroom was small and smelled like cleaning products the kitchen had a tiny dining table some chipped plates in the cupboard and a fridge that hummed all night I remember that on my second day there I opened the freezer to see if there was any leftover ice cream from the previous tenant instead I found a crumpled photo stuck

behind a frozen package of peas I pulled it out straightened it against my knee and saw it showed three adults standing in front of a gray building their faces looked tired and serious I didn't recognize them I placed the photo on the kitchen counter I couldn't figure out why someone would hide a photo in the freezer it made no sense and it made me uneasy that night as I lay in bed I thought I heard something in the hallway outside my door it sounded like someone walking very slowly I got up and looked through the

peephole nothing the corridor was dark and empty I told myself that it must have been the old pipes or something like that but I still felt tense I turned off the lights and listened I heard my own heartbeat and the distant hum of the fridge eventually I fell asleep the next day I decided to do a deeper check of the apartment I wanted to understand what kind of person would hide a photo in the freezer I looked inside cabinets behind the couch under the bed I found nothing unusual just old dust some forgotten receipts and

a single sock rolled up behind the couch leg in the bathroom I opened the medicine cabinet and saw a few old bandages and half an empty bottle of aspirin everything felt normal until I reached the living room floor I noticed that one of the floorboards near the window looked slightly different its surface was uneven and the corner lifted a bit when I pressed it I got a flathead screwdriver from my toolbox and Pride it up underneath I found a stack of letters wrapped in a plastic bag the ink on the envelopes had smudged a bit

but I could still read the name Brian H I opened one of the letters and skimmed it it talked about someone following him it mentioned feeling watched even inside his own apartment it said he had no idea who was doing it or why each letter carried the same sense of paranoia whoever Brian was he had been afraid hiding his leg letters under the floor why I set the letters on the coffee table and stood up I felt the hairs on my neck stand up my stomach felt tight I went to the window and looked outside

the street was empty a few parked cars a flickering street light I waited not sure what I expected maybe someone looking up at me from the sidewalk or a figure behind a curtain across the street but I saw nothing I tried to calm down telling myself it was just stole tenants stuff maybe Brian moved out in a hurry and forgot these letters but why hide them I decided to talk to the landlord he was a quiet man who lived on the ground floor when I asked him about the previous tenant he Shrugged and said he

didn't remember much he said the guy moved out suddenly and never came back for his security deposit I pressed for more details the landlord hesitated then admitted the tenant had disappeared without notice he hadn't even returned the keys the landlord had to change the locks I asked if the tenant's name was Brian H he looked at me with a puzzled expression and said yes he thought that might have been the name I went back upstairs and locked my door the apartment felt different now I looked at the furniture and wondered what else might be hidden

I opened the dresser in the bedroom and checked behind the drawers I found nothing unusual there I looked under the bed only dust and a crushed soda can in the closet I pushed aside hangers and felt along the back wall smooth wood I closed everything and sat on the couch around 10 p.m. I turned off the TV and got ready for bed that night I heard something again this time it sounded like breathing very faint as if someone stood just outside the window I rolled out of bed and crept to the window trying not to

make noise I peaked through the blinds the street looked normal no one stood there I listened again the sound stopped my heart was racing and my throat felt dry I tried to tell myself it was just my imagination the next morning I decided to read all the letters they all belonged to Brian H he wrote them to someone named Jeff there were about eight letters in total the handwriting was shaky he wrote about strange objects he found in the apartment he wrote about a set of keys hidden inside the couch cushion about photographs in strange

places about Footsteps in the hallway at night he said he felt like someone was watching him from outside and sometimes from inside the building one letter mentioned the landlord saying he was a strange man who never made eye contact another letter mentioned neighbors who stared at him Brian wrote that he tried talking to them but they denied hearing anything he sounded desperate and isolated the last letter ended abruptly saying he was going to leave and would not come back I felt like I'd stepped into someone else's nightmare I put the letters back in the plastic

bag and hid them in the closet I thought about leaving but I had paid the first month's rent and didn't have enough money to move again right away besides I told myself there might be a rational explanation maybe Brian had mental health problems maybe he imagined it all I tried to forget it and get on with my life that evening I was watching TV when I saw something from the corner of my eye the door handle to the bedroom seemed to move it was a slight motion a small click as if someone tried to open

it from the other side I paused the TV and listened my own breathing sounded too loud I walked slowly to the bedroom door and grabbed the handle it was locked I hadn't locked it though I always left it unlocked I turned the handle and opened the door the room was empty the window was closed nothing was out of place I checked under the bed again still just dust I had trouble sleeping that night I felt too warm and my muscles were tense around 2: a.m. I heard a faint tapping sound from above the ceiling I

knew there were no apartments above mine just the roof the tapping continued for about a minute and then stopped I lay there eyes open staring at the dark ceiling my heart thumped and my hands felt sweaty I wiped them on the the blanket the next day I tried talking to a neighbor I met a guy from down the hall a tall man wearing paint stained jeans I asked him if he knew anything about Brian he Shrugged and said he remembered Brian as a quiet guy who kept to himself I asked if Brian had said anything

about feeling watched the neighbor frowned and said he never talked to Brian just saw him coming and going sometimes I asked if he ever heard strange sounds at night he shook his head and said the building was old that's all pipes and wood I thanked him and went back inside I started checking every inch of the apartment trying to find more objects I pried up a few more floorboards and found nothing I opened the back of the TV stand dust and old cables I checked the kitchen cabinets carefully under the sink I found a small

metal box with a lock I tried opening it with a kitchen knife the lock was flimsy and popped open easily inside there was a wallet with a drop driver's license credit cards and a folded note the license said Brian H the photo showed a thin-faced man with tired eyes he didn't look dangerous the credit cards were expired the folded note said if someone finds this please understand that I tried leaving but I can't someone is always watching check the hallway mirror there was a mirror in the hallway outside my door mounted on the wall it

was a simple rectangular mirror I went out and stood in front of it I touched its edges trying to see if it moved it was held by two screws I went back inside and grabbed my screwdriver then I unscrewed the mirror from the hallway wall behind it I found a small hole inside that hole I found another envelope it contained a single piece of paper with a short message they come at night don't make noise I felt cold my hand shook I quickly put everything back and retreated into my apartment I locked the door and

pushed the dresser in front of it I felt silly but I didn't care I just wanted to feel safer I turned on all the lights and sat on the couch the silence pressed in around me my knees felt weak and my stomach churned I waited like that for hours eventually I got up and went to the window looking outside again the street was empty except for a few cars a light was on in a window across the street I saw saw a silhouette move behind that window it was a person but I couldn't make out

features they stood still after a moment facing my direction my heart beat faster I stood there not moving after a while the silhouette moved away I told myself it was just a neighbor that's normal people move in their Apartments they look out windows it doesn't mean anything but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being observed the next few days I tried to ignore it all I went to work came back watched TV ate dinner but at night I still heard strange sounds sometimes it sounded like scraping on the walls other times like soft

Whispering I tried to record these sounds on my phone but when I played the recordings back I only heard static in the hum of the fridge I wanted to get rid of the letters the wallet the note they felt like evidence of something I didn't want to be part of I took them and put them in a plastic bag planning to throw them in the dumpster outside I put on my jacket and slipped into the hallway as I passed the mirror again I stopped and listened nothing no sounds I went downstairs and out the front

door the street was quiet I walked to the dumpster and tossed the bag inside then I stood there feeling the cool air on my face I looked up at my apartment Window I saw no movement everything looked normal that night I slept a bit better but around 3:00 a.m. I woke up Suddenly it felt like someone was tapping on my window glass from outside I sat up breathing hard and listened the tapping repeated three short Taps my window was on the second floor facing the street I went to the window and lifted the blinds nothing

was there no ladder no balcony just empty air I felt dizzy and my legs shook I backed away and tried to calm myself down maybe it was a branch from a nearby tree but there were no trees close enough I closed the blinds and crawled back into bed pulling the blankets up to my chin I could smell my own sweat in the morning I decided I would leave I didn't care about the rent or my belongings I could always replace them I packed a bag with my clothes and toiletries I grabbed my suitcase and headed

for the door when I opened it I paused the hallway smelled like old paint the mirror was back on the wall I had never put it back the screws were back in place I touched it solid no sign of the hole behind it my heart pounded and I hurried downstairs the landlord's door was closed I didn't bother knocking I left the building rolled my suitcase down the sidewalk and didn't look back I felt the tension leaving my shoulders as I I walked away I didn't know what happened to Brian H I didn't know who was

watching I only knew I wanted nothing more to do with that apartment I just kept walking until I reached a busier Street I stopped at a coffee shop sat down and tried to calm my breathing I never went back to that apartment I never found out what really happened I told a friend about it and he said I should call the police or something like that but I didn't I just moved on found another another place and tried to forget still every so often late at night I feel that same prickling sensation on the back

of my neck like someone's eyes are on me I try to ignore it it might be nothing but I remember the letters the photo in the freezer the wallet hidden under the sink the whispering sounds at night I remember feeling trapped in that apartment and I remember leaving it behind without looking back that's all I need to know I'm done with that place I arrived at Mark's place just after dark he had invited me to stay over for a few days I knew him from college and although we weren't best friends we got along well

enough he lived alone in a large old house about an hour outside the city he had mentioned it once or twice before always brushing off details he said it was a family property and that he moved in when his parents went abroad but he never gave me a full explanation I didn't really care I just needed a quiet place to stay for a short while after dealing with some stressful problems at work inside the house smelled like dust and wood the floors creaked the ceiling was high and most of the furniture looked heavy and worn

the front hallway had a tall wooden coat rack and a faded rug Mark guided me into the living room he offered me a beer we sat on an old couch that sank in a bit too much the TV was off a dim lamp on a small table lit the area outside I could hear crickets maybe some distant wind but nothing else it felt isolated and quiet that was fine I didn't want noise after a short while Mark told me there was a guest room upstairs he gave me a quick warning not to wander around too

much especially not to open the locked door at the end of the upstairs hallway I asked him what was behind it he said it was a storage room that he never used he said the lock was stuck and he hadn't bothered calling anyone to fix it because he never needed anything from inside I asked him why he would warn me about it if it was just a useless room he Shrugged and said that in the past friends who stayed over got curious and tried to open it he didn't want any problems or damage to the

door I thought it was strange but I nodded and dropped it I wasn't in the mood for an argument as I climbed the stairs to the guest room I saw the door he meant it was at the very end of a narrow hallway the door looked old the paint chipped the handle and lock Rusty it was quiet up there I pushed open the guest room door turned on the light and placed my bag on the bed the room smelled faintly of old linen there was a small dresser a simple lamp and one window overlooking the

dark backyard I sat on the bed tested the mattress with my hand and decided it was fine for a few nights I washed up in the bathroom down the hall the sink's faucet squeaked and the mirror above it was stained around the edges but everything worked I could hear Mark moving around downstairs he turned off lights I think after I finished I went back to my room and closed the door I lay on the bed and tried to relax the drive had tired me out and I hoped to sleep well in the middle of the

night I woke up I'm not sure why maybe it was the silence or maybe some slight sound I listened carefully I heard a faint noise coming from the end of the hallway it sounded like something heavy sliding across the floor it was not constant it stopped and started again after a few seconds the floor in that area creaked a bit I wondered if Mark was up moving furniture or looking for something it didn't make sense at that hour but I had no other explanation I got out of bed quietly I walked to the door of

my room and pressed my ear against it I heard low muffled Whispers I couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman it sounded like someone speaking softly but urgently I couldn't catch any words it stopped after a few moments followed by what sounded like a piece of furniture scraping against the floor again I decided to check if Mark was awake I opened my door and stepped into the the hallway the light was off and I had to let my eyes adjust the hallway was narrow and dark the only Light Came From A Street

Lamp outside spilling a weak glow through a small window at the other end of the hall I walked slowly toward the locked door my heart started beating faster I felt the hairs on my arms stand up I held my breath for a second and listened more Whispers they stopped when I got close I leaned forward and touched the door it felt cold I bent down a bit and looked at the thin Gap under it nothing visible there then I leaned to the side trying to see if there was any Gap in the door frame there

was a tiny crack in the wood near the handle through that crack I could see a small bit of movement inside it looked like a shadow shifting then very clearly I saw an eye looking back at me through that Gap I pulled back startled my heart thumped hard I swallowed and Stood Still trying not to make noise that eye was definitely not my imagination it blinked once slowly and then moved away I whispered hello I didn't get a response I just heard soft breathing I considered knocking but I didn't I was afraid I didn't know

who was in there Mark said that no one used that room that the door was locked yet someone was inside I took a step back and turned toward the stairs I wanted to get Mark before I could move any further The Whispers started up again louder this time but still muffled I couldn't understand what they said I hurried downstairs the steps creaked under my feet the living room was dark now I saw a soft glow from the kitchen I found Mark sitting at the small kitchen table with a single light on he wore an old

robe and had a mug of something hot in front of him him he looked at me with a tired expression I told him what I heard and what I saw he frowned he said I must have been dreaming I told him I was wide awake and that I clearly saw an eye through the crack in the door he shook his head he said that was impossible he said no one had used that room in years it was locked and he had no key he said maybe I saw a reflection or maybe a shadow I insisted

that it was a real eye he sighed and said that I should just ignore it he said the house was old and old houses made strange noises I didn't believe him but he wasn't showing any surprise or concern he just looked annoyed I felt a chill run through me I asked him to come upstairs with me to check he refused he said it was late that I should go back to bed and that we would talk in the morning I didn't like that answer but I was tired and I didn't want to argue I went

back upstairs feeling uneasy in the hallway everything was quiet again I stood in front of the door listening nothing no Whispers no footsteps no breathing I checked the Gap again Darkness I couldn't see any eye just an empty Darkness I went into my room and locked the door I didn't sleep well I kept waking up listening for sound occasionally I thought I heard faint scraping noises like a chair being moved but I wasn't sure if it was real or my imagination at some point I fell asleep in the morning I woke up and went downstairs

Mark was in the living room reading something on his phone I asked him about the night before I wanted a straight answer he just Shrugged I pressed him I said I heard Whispers and saw someone's eye he shook his head and said he hadn't heard anything he said said maybe I was tired from the trip I got angry and said I knew what I saw he didn't yell back he just repeated that it was an old house and maybe I saw a trick of the light I looked at his face carefully he looked calm but

his eyes seemed distant like he wasn't interested in talking about it I knew he was hiding something I decided to spend the afternoon looking around the house I stayed downstairs at first the living room kitchen dining room and a small office were all normal there were were old family photos on the walls a few Dusty shelves and some boxes in the corner of the dining room I didn't see anything unusual outside the yard was large and partly overgrown there was a tool shed in the back locked up the air smelled like damp Earth the day

was gray no sun I didn't go far I didn't have a reason to explore the yard and I wasn't trying to pry too much I just wanted to understand what was going on inside the house by lat afternoon Mark said he had some errands to run he left in his car telling me he'd be back in a few hours I took that opportunity to check the upstairs more carefully I walked up the stairs and stopped in front of the locked door I ran my hand over the frame the wood was rough I pulled on the

handle it rattled but wouldn't budge I put my ear to the door and listened for any sign of movement inside silence I crouched down and looked through the Gap again dark and empty I whispered is anyone in there nothing I tried pressing my shoulder against the door hoping maybe the lock would give it didn't move I looked around for a key I searched the guest room drawers the bathroom the hallway closet I found nothing I thought about looking in Mark's bedroom but that felt like a line I shouldn't cross still I was tempted I knew

something strange was happening and I I wanted answers in the end I left Mark's room alone I waited and listened after a while I went back downstairs feeling frustrated in the evening Mark returned he acted normal asked if I wanted to order takeout we ate pizza in the living room I brought up the door again and he sighed he said he didn't want to talk about it anymore he said there was nothing behind that door just old junk and that I should respect his wishes and dropped the subject his tone was calm but firm I

decided not to push it I nodded and focused on my food later that night I tried to sleep again I kept the hallway light off it was quiet for a few hours I almost drifted off but then I heard it again the scraping sounds The Whispers I sat up in bed heart beating faster I got out of bed and opened my door stepping into the dark hallway I walked slowly toward the locked door I could feel my pulse in my ears The Whispers were there low and constant I bent down to look through the Gap

again this time I saw more than just an eye I saw a shape moving it looked like a person's face but I couldn't make out details just an eye and part of a cheek the face pulled back leaving just darkness I tried to speak speak quietly who are you why are you in there I heard only hushed breathing then I heard something heavy scraping along the floor again like a table or a chair being dragged the sound was slow and deliberate I tried the door handle again pushing harder the door rattled I heard footsteps inside

soft and slow they moved away from the door then came back closer I said I know you're in there no response I deed decided to wake Mark up I didn't care if he got annoyed I went to his room and knocked no answer I knocked again louder after a few seconds he opened the door he looked tired and irritated I whispered that there was someone in that room right now moving things around he told me to go back to sleep I insisted I said I could hear Whispers And footsteps he said I should stop imagining

things he said this wasn't funny I grabbed his arm and tried to pull him into the hallway he resisted at first but then he followed me we stood in front of the locked door I said listen he stood there arms crossed not even leaning in after a few moments of Silence he said he didn't hear anything and that I should stop he turned around and walked back into his room closing the door behind him I felt angry and confused I knew what I heard I knew what I saw saw I stood there in the dark

breathing fast I tried one last time to talk to whoever was inside I know you're there I said quietly I heard nothing I waited a few more minutes then gave up and went back to my room I couldn't sleep I lay on the bed with my eyes open listening at some point I must have dozed off because when I opened my eyes again it was morning the house was quiet I got dressed and went downstairs Mark was in the kitchen making coffee he acted normal I grabbed a mug and poured some coffee drank it black

he asked if I slept better I said no he didn't respond we stood there in silence I decided I would leave that day I told Mark I needed to get back to the city he didn't argue he said he understood he didn't mention the door or the noises he didn't say anything about the strange events I passed my bag and carried it downstairs before I left I looked at him and said I know there's someone in that room he looked at me without blinking and said I told you there isn't he didn't elaborate he just

stared at me with a flat expression I left the house and got in my car as I pulled away I looked up at the second floor window I thought I saw a curtain move but maybe that was just a breeze I drove away feeling uneasy and confused I never got an explanation I never found out who was behind that door or why but I know what I saw and what I heard someone was in that locked room someone watched me through the crack in the door someone moved furniture around and whispered at night Mark never

admitted it and I guess I'll never know the truth but I'm sure it happened I'm sure I saw that eye for for for for for for for for e for for for