True Scary Stories Told to the Sound of Rain | Relax and Fall Asleep Quickly Vol. 158 l Black Screen

hello everyone I am the Storyteller and I am here to help you today I know you use this video to fall asleep so before that like the video and subscribe to the channel also where are you from and what time are you watching now get comfortable and relax I moved into This Old House in the countryside about a week ago I wanted a quiet place I wanted some distance from the rush of the city I didn't expect to find anything strange here I plan to spend my evenings reading cooking simple meals and enjoying the silence

that changed on my first night when I heard soft Creeks above me at first I thought it was just the wind pushing against loose boards then I realized the sounds were more than just the wind they were muffled thumps scratching noises and at times faint Whispers that seemed to hang in the air it only happened when I stayed completely still the moment I breathed louder or shifted my weight the noises faded it felt like someone or something was waiting for absolute silence before moving that was my first sign that this place wasn't as peaceful as

I hoped on my second day I decided to explore the house more thoroughly the realtor's paperwork showed a basic layout and I wanted to confirm everything was in order I walked through every room on the first floor checking the walls windows and corners most rooms looked fine the floors creaked a bit the doors sometimes stuck but that's normal for a place this old the second floor was small there was a master bedroom a guest room and a narrow hallway leading to the attic ladder I pulled the cord and watched the folding ladder extend it made

a loud squeak and a small swirl of dust drifted down I could smell damp wood and old fabric even before I climbed up I went up carefully one step at a time because the ladder felt a bit shaky the attic was dark and cold the small window on the far side LED in Weak light there was a single overhead bulb but the pull chain didn't work when I tried it I stood there waiting for my eyes to adjust the space smelled stale like a closed up closet that hadn't been opened in years sheets covered old

furniture an armchair with a torn seat a small chest of drawers a rocking chair a couple of cardboard boxes stacked in a corner I noticed a few spiderwebs between wooden beams the floor looked warped in some areas as I walked around my footsteps echoed I didn't see anything unusual at first I lifted a few sheets and found old chairs inside tables with chipped legs and missing knobs I coughed when dust Rose into the air then I spotted a small wooden door in the far corner it stood at about half my height it was set into

the wall in a strange way almost flush with the floor the door knob was old made of tarnished brass I crouched down and tried the knob it didn't move I noticed a lock just above the knob a simple mechanism but the key was nowhere in sight I checked the House's blueprint which I had on my phone I zoomed in on the attic layout there was no mention of this door the blueprint showed an empty Corner nothing else that made me curious I pulled a little on the door but it didn't budge then right behind me

I heard my name whispered very quietly I felt the hair on my arms rise I turned around fast I saw nothing but the covered Furniture the attic felt colder than before I shook my head and told myself it was just my imagination that night the strange noises started again this time they felt more direct like they were right above me I lay in bed Eyes Wide Open staring at the ceiling I could hear a steady thump in the Attic then a short scraping sound every time I considered getting up it stopped I held my breath

to listen closely and that's when I heard the whisper again it was drawn out and soft like a person exhaling my name through clenched teeth I jolted up flicked on the bedside lamp and waited I couldn't sleep after that so I got dressed grabbed a flashlight and marched up to the attic ladder I climbed up the space looked the same as before except for the feeling that everything was waiting for me I Shone the flashlight around checking each covered piece of furniture then moved the beam to that little door the door was still shut the

lock glinted in the flashlight beam I stepped closer and when I touched the knob I thought I heard a faint warning it sounded like my name but I couldn't be sure I tried to turn the knob but it wouldn't move my hand was trembling my heart pounded in my chest my mouth went dry I forced myself to let go and back away then I left the attic feeling uneasy over the next few days I tried to ignore that door I told myself I'd focus on simple tasks like cleaning the kitchen or mowing the small backyard

I tried to watch some TV in the living room but the reception was terrible I tried to read a book but I couldn't concentrate each time the house grew quiet I felt a presence above me like the attic was aware of me and waiting for me to make a move one evening I decided I had enough I grabbed a small toolbox and climbed up the attic ladder I figured I could pry the lock open I kneeled by the door and tried a screwdriver first the lock held I tried a little more Force pressing my shoulder

against the door right then I heard my name again clearer than before it was a single word my name coming from somewhere beyond that door my hands shook a chill ran down my back my legs felt weak but I forced the screwdriver into the lock determined to open it the lock didn't give I switched tools I tried a small crowbar as soon as I wedged it under the door frame a jolt of pain shot up my arm it felt like I touched a live wire I dropped the Crowbar it clanged against the floor echoing around

the attic I could see the doorknob shaking on its own my chest tightened and my breath came out in short gasps I backed away my mind was racing I started thinking maybe I shouldn't push it any further but curiosity got the best of me the next day I returned with a heavier crowbar I told myself I wouldn't stop until I broke the lock I set up a small flashlight on a nearby crate I positioned the Crowbar at the edge of the door right next to the lock my Palms were slick with sweat I pushed straining

my arms the lock creaked but didn't break I heard something inside the door click like a bolt shifting before I could push again I felt a rush of cold air around me it smelled like damp soil strong enough to make my eyes water then I heard a louder whisper right in my ear telling me to leave it alone my stomach clenched I slammed the Crowbar down hitting the lock at an angle the entire door knob rattled for a split second I thought it was going to give but then the Crowbar slipped scraping the wood I

lost my balance and nearly fell the attic floor creaked under me I stumbled back panting suddenly my vision blurred my ears started ringing it felt like the room was closing in on me the door seemed to shift in my sight almost like it grew taller my head pounded and I had trouble focusing I staggered toward the ladder and half slid down leaving the Crowbar and flashlight behind my thoughts were jumbled I wanted to get out of that attic I felt a kind of pressure in my chest my arms shook so much I couldn't grip the

ladder rungs when I finally made it to the second floor hallway I slammed the attic hatch shut behind me I locked myself in the bathroom and splashed water on my face the ringing in my ears slowly faded I spent the rest of that day downstairs feeling anxious I tried to eat but my stomach was in knots the house felt heavier the wooden floors seemed to groan more than before the air felt too thick whenever I stopped moving I heard faint scraping sounds in the walls it was like the house itself was pushing back against me

that night I couldn't settle in bed I kept tossing and turning around midnight I heard a loud thump overhead it sounded like something heavy was dropped onto the floorboards I jumped out of bed and rushed to the living room I sat there in the dim glow of a single floor lamp staring at the ceiling trying to control my breathing I decided I had to figure out what was behind that door I was too far in to turn back early the next morning I gathered more tools I found an old Hammer a stronger pry bar and

a chisel in the garage my plan was simple break through the wood around the lock if I couldn't Force the lock itself I told myself I'd succeed this time no matter what I heard or felt going up that ladder my hands were shaking the whole time my teeth were clenched and I could feel my jaw aching when I stepped onto the attic floor the air felt colder than before I noticed the flashlight was still on the floor where I dropped it the beam had died the Crowbar rested near the door the entire space felt cramped

like the walls had moved closer I knelt in front of the door I wedged the pry bar between the door in the frame I raised the hammer and struck the bar the sound was dull and Hollow I felt a small vibration in my arms then I hit it again harder the wood around the lock started to Splinter that's when The Whispers hit me in full force they were coming from behind the door and from somewhere above my name repeated in different tones some almost hissing others low and Urgent my forehead broke out in sweat my

heart hammered in my chest my mouth felt like sandpaper the attic seemed to spin my vision blurred again my ears rang but I kept hitting the pry bar the wood creaked and groaned and I could hear the lock starting to loosen I took one more swing putting all my weight behind it the pry bar drove deeper cracking the door frame suddenly the door knob jerked on its own it twisted violently back and forth I froze the door moved an inch like it was being opened from the other side A Rush of cold air hit me

it smelled stale and bitter my name echoed through the attic not just once it sounded like a chorus of Whispers my stomach flipped I felt dizzy my head was pounding I tried to gather my strength and push the door open the rest of the way the whispering grew louder my arms felt weak my throat tightened I had trouble breathing I remembered thinking I might pass out but I forced my hand onto the door knob and pulled at first it didn't budge then it gave a sudden jerk like something was trying to hold it shut from

inside we struggled for a moment me pulling it resisting then it flew open an inch more just enough for me to see a slice of Darkness inside before I could see any details something forced the door shut again it was powerful enough that I fell back landing on my backside the door slammed with with a loud bang that echoed throughout the attic I sat there on the dusty floor panting I stared at the door the knob was still shaking but it was locked again my hands were numb my muscles felt sore I could barely think

straight the whispering had stopped replaced by a deep silence my ears still buzzed from The Echoes I tried to catch my breath after a minute I stood up on wobbly legs and approached the door again I gingerly tried the knob it was locked tight I tugged on it a little but it refused to move I kicked the door in frustration it made a dull thk no change my frustration turned into anger I lifted the hammer again aiming at the wood near the lock but then I felt that Rush of cold air behind me and my

name sounded in my left ear it was low like someone Whispering a warning my chest tightened I froze my grip loosened and the hammer slipped out of my hand it fell onto the floor with a dull thud I felt laded like my body was telling me to back off I left the attic without picking up my tools I climbed down the ladder slammed it shut and paced around the second floor hallway I felt my heart drumming in my chest my shirt was damp from sweat my face felt flushed my head pounded and my vision was

still fuzzy around the edges I forced myself to get some water down stairs I drank a whole glass in three big gulps it did nothing to calm my nerves the house felt hostile the hallway leading to the staircase seemed darker than usual I heard faint thumps coming from above as if the attic was reacting to my attempts to open that door I didn't know what else to do I considered calling a locksmith but I couldn't imagine how to explain the situation I also thought about leaving but I didn't want to run from a house I

had just moved into besides Ides something in me wanted to see what was behind that door even if it scared me I decided to take a break for the rest of the day I stayed in the living room keeping the TV on for background noise I avoided silence because that's when I'd hear the faint scratching and Whispering again I made myself a quick meal but I barely tasted it my thoughts kept returning to that door in the Attic the memory of that slam and the feeling of being pushed back were fresh in my mind my

arms still felt sore from gripping the Crowbar my shoulders achd my stomach was twisted in knots I went to bed early hoping I'd sleep but the house stayed Restless I heard random creaking in the floorboards upstairs I heard faint tapping on the walls at one point I sat up in bed convinced I heard the door knob up there jiggling by itself but I was too drained to go check I stayed under the covers staring at the dark ceiling wishing morning would come now I'm sitting at the kitchen table with a second cup of coffee my

hands shaking as I hold the mug it's been exactly a week since I moved in and I'm more determined than ever to figure this out but the house is making every step harder the whispering voice that calls my name has gotten louder each time the door itself seems like it has a mind of its own I feel a deep chill whenever I think about pushing further my vision goes in and out of focus and my ears ring whenever I step into the attic I can't ignore this anymore I don't think I can find peace until

I open that door but something doesn't want me to the house feels heavier like it's Gathering its strength against me I'm planning my next move I'll get a sturdier flashlight and maybe bring my phone so I can record what happens if my vision goes blurry I can at least point the camera at the door and see if I capture anything later I'm also considering removing the Tire door from the hinges but that might trigger a stronger reaction I'm scared of what might happen if I force my way inside at this point I need answers if

I can't open it I might end up leaving this place for good I'm not even sure if I can sell it without disclosing what's going on up there the house feels like it's warning me to stop but I can't stop I have to know what's behind that door it's become a personal challenge I feel it in my gut I need to push through even if the atct tries to shut me out again I'm going up there once more I'll ignore the Whispers the cold air and the sudden pains I'll break that door down if I

have to I'm not leaving this unanswered maybe I'm stupid or Reckless but I refuse to sit here feeling watched and threatened I'm going up there and I'm not leaving until I get that door open if the house wants to scare me it's going to have to try harder I'm tired of running in circles I'm done playing around I'm going to face it the next time I come downstairs I'll have my answer or I'll know for sure that this place isn't meant to be my home either way I'm walking up that attic ladder and I'm doing

it right now I still remember the first time I saw that place I was out on my usual nighttime run jogging along the deserted road that runs about a mile from my house house I didn't expect anything strange I just wanted to blow off some steam and clear my head but something felt off that evening the air felt heavier than usual and my legs felt tense from the start I kept going figuring it was just nerves or fatigue then I saw the abandoned Chapel it looked like a wreck missing its roof and covered in Ivy

I'd passed it before but that night I noticed a faint glow or movement inside I had never seen seen anything like that there I slowed down squinted and saw a shape transparent kneeling near what used to be the altar it took me a few seconds to realize it wasn't just my eyes playing tricks I stopped a few steps from the doorway breathing hard the shape looked human but it had no real features I didn't see a face or hands I only made out of torso legs and arms it didn't make a sound and it didn't

cast a shadow on the crumbling walls I tried to swallow but my throat felt dry I took a few careful steps forward my heart started pounding and I felt the muscles in my shoulders get tight I heard a rustling sound like Dead Leaves brushing against Old Stone I noticed the ivy around the interior walls was twisted back almost like something had pushed it away from the center I stepped on a broken piece of tile and it cracked under my foot the figure flicked for a second but it didn't move I wanted to turn around and

Sprint back home but I stayed my chest felt hot and I could hear my own pulse drumming in my ears I inched closer to the remains of the altar I kept my eyes on that transparent shape I got close enough to see that the ivy on the ground looked shriveled near the altar the leaves looked limp and dark as if drained of color I didn't smell anything strange just The Damp odor of the old walls but there was a slight pressure in the the air around me like I was standing near a low electrical current

it made my hair stand on end I didn't say a word I just stood there breathing fast not knowing what to do the shape shifted slightly but it never turned to face me I noticed my stomach muscles clenching my skin broke out in Goosebumps even though I was sweating from the run I started to feel dizzy so I backed away then I turned and ran back down the road I didn't dare look over my shoulder ER my footsteps on the cracked pavement sounded louder than usual and I kept expecting something to follow me but nothing

ever did that night I slept poorly I kept seeing that figure in my mind kneeling there I woke up twice drenched in sweat my heart racing I told myself I was just scared from the shock that I'd calm down in a few days but the next evening I felt a powerful urge to go back it was like there was a pull in my gut telling me to return to that Chapel I tried to ignore it and watch TV until past midnight but I couldn't focus on anything my eyes kept drifting to the clock and my

foot tapped against the floor without me even noticing eventually I gave in I laced up my running shoes and left my house my mind spinning with a nervous Buzz I joged the same route as always and by the time I saw the chapel in the distance my heart was hammering my mouth felt dry again the inside of my chest felt tight and I kept wiping sweat from my forehead the road was silent and dark with only a weak moon in the sky I slowed to a walk when I reached the chapel the entrance was still

partly collapsed the walls broken in sections I saw the same figure kneeling in the same spot I took a couple of deep breaths trying to calm my nerves and stepped inside once more my shoes scraped against the uneven floor the ivy on the walls looked even more Twisted than before as if it had been yanked away from the center the figure's presence felt stronger this time I don't know how else to put it the air in there pressed against my ears I heard a faint crackling like static electricity I felt my hair lift slightly my

throat got tight and my knees felt weak I stayed for about 5 minutes I barely moved I just stared at the shape wondering if it would do anything it didn't it stayed still as if locked in prayer or some kind of Silent ritual after a while I felt a surge of panic my muscles tensed up my mind was screaming at me to leave so I ran off without a second thought but that compulsion didn't stop each night I felt the same pull in my stomach I tried distracting myself with music phone calls anything to keep

me at home but around the same time each night my entire body body would feel Restless my thoughts would drift to that Chapel I'd picture the crumbling walls the Twisted Ivy and that kneeling shape by the time the clock hit midnight I'd be lacing up my shoes again my wife asked me why I was going out so late but I couldn't explain it well I just said I needed fresh air she let it go but I could tell she was confused the third time I went I brought a flashlight I walked in carefully shining the

beam on the floor in the altar the shape was there as usual its outline seemed sharper than before I saw the silhouette of shoulders and a head there were no eyes mouth or nose but the general shape was clearer when I tried to shine the flashlight right at it the beam seemed to pass through I saw the old Stones behind it my hand shook so much that the flashlight jittered making Shadows jump on the walls I heard my breathing echo in the empty space I walked around the the altar trying to see the figure from

another angle my stomach flipped when I saw the ivy behind it the vines had curled away leaving a bare patch of stone the ground was darker in that spot like it was stained I crouched down and touched the stone it felt cold almost like ice even though the night was warm my fingers tingled I pulled my hand back feeling A Rush of adrenaline my heart pounded in my head I I stood up and backed away the figure stayed where it was never looking at me or speaking I don't even know if it had a face

after a moment I left my legs shaking over the next few nights I started having dreams they were all the same I was kneeling at that altar mumbling words I didn't understand my voice sounded Hollow and distant I'd wake up gasping for air my body drenched in sweat I'd look at the clock and see it was just past 3:00 a.m. my hands would shake for a while and I'd feel my heart thuing against my ribs I couldn't get back to sleep after that i' just sit in the living room staring at the floor feeling drained

I tried staying away from the chapel for a few nights but the urge kept getting worse I felt a constant buzzing in my body like I was full of nervous energy I couldn't release I got headaches when I tried to force myself not to go eventually I couldn't stand it anymore I left the house around 1:00 a.m. and jogged straight to the chapel not bothering to Pace myself when I got there I was out of breath and drenched in sweat my lungs achd and my legs felt like rubber but the moment I stepped inside I

felt calmer the air still felt heavy but the pressure in my head eased up a bit I stood there for a long time trying to figure out what the shape was I didn't speak out loud but I kept thinking what are you in my head I didn't get a response nothing moved except the slight flicker of that outline after 10 minutes or so I felt a new feeling a tug toward the altar I took a step forward then another my arms were trembling and my neck felt stiff I got close to the altar close enough

to touch it if I wanted the stone looked chipped and weathered the top was covered in dead Ivy I saw more of those dark patches on the floor I hesitated then knelt down my heart thumped so hard that it made my chest hurt I placed my hands on my thighs the figure was right next to me I couldn't see its face but it was right there I tried to look at it from the corner of my eye it made me shiver my skin felt cold I stayed kneeling for what felt like forever my mind was

a mess of thoughts I didn't know why I was doing it I didn't know what would happen next I started breathing faster my temples throbbed then I stood up grabbed my flashlight and rushed out I ran all the way home my legs burning I locked the door behind me and stood in my hallway panting I felt a wave of nausea my hands were covered in sweat I collapsed onto the couch the rest of the night I sat there rubbing my face and trying to calm my racing heart that ritual repeated itself every night I dream

about kneeling at the altar her reciting nonsense words I'd wake up at 3:00 a.m. wide awake and sweating I'd finally give in around 1: or 2: a.m. the next day run to the chapel and kneel there again each time the figure looked a little more solid but it stayed transparent each time I felt weaker my arms felt heavy and I started losing energy during the day I'd drink coffee but it wouldn't help my eyes felt gritty and sore my shoulders and back achd I wanted to stop but I couldn't the compulsion was too strong after

about 2 weeks of this I noticed the skin on my forearms looked paler than usual my wife asked if I was feeling sick and I lied telling her it was just stress she didn't seem convinced she asked me why I never slept well anymore I avoided the question I couldn't explain it without sounding insane in my head I kept thinking maybe I should talk to someone maybe I should get help but every time I seriously consider it the urge to go back to the chapel would flare up and I'd lose track of those plans one

night I decided to push through the run and stay at the chapel longer to see if anything would happen I got there around midnight the moon was behind some clouds and the sky was almost pitch black I had my flashlight but I left it off letting my eyes adjust I stepped inside the chapel and felt the familiar electric tension my chest felt tight and my heartbeat sped up the figure was there kneeling I approached it again stopping at the altar I knelt down and stayed there trying to keep my breathing steady my legs felt numb

after a few minutes my heart hammered in my ears then I felt something like a whisper of air on my neck I froze I couldn't see anything but I felt a slight pressure on my shoulder like a gentle tap my muscles tensed I clenched my fists and wanted to jump up but I stayed still I'm not sure why my body refused to move my chest felt like it was on fire and my temples throbbed then the sensation stopped and I could move again I stumbled back stood up and felt my vision blur for a second

I pressed a hand against the wall to steady myself I stayed another few minutes staring at the figure it was quiet just like before but the air felt alive my mind buzzed with a chaotic mixture of fear and curiosity I felt sweat trick down my back I looked around and noticed the ivy was almost completely dead on one side of the wall the leaves were shriveled hanging by Thin brittle stems the ground there looked darker almost black I smelled something faint like damp Stone and rotten leaves I decided I'd had enough for the night my

whole body was tense I left the chapel trotting back to the road stumbling over loose rocks I felt like something was watching me leave but when when I glanced back I just saw the shape kneeling in the same position the rest of the run home was a blur of cold sweat shaky Limbs and short ragged breaths I kept staring into the trees half expecting to see that shape floating behind me once I got home I slammed the door and leaned against it breathing hard I felt that wave of nausea again and I almost threw up

I braced my hands on my knees trying to calm my stomach after a minute or so I stumbled to the bathroom sink and splashed cold water on my face I looked at myself in the mirror and noticed dark circles under my eyes my skin looked gray and clammy my head pounded with a dull ache I didn't sleep much that night the next few days were a haze I went to work feeling groggy and weak my shoulders hurt and my eyes burned when I tried to focus on the computer screen my co-workers asked if I was

feeling sick and I just said I was tired I drank coffee until my hands shook I tried to skip the run but by 1:00 a.m. the compulsion was too strong to ignore I found myself jogging down that deserted road again heading straight for the chapel every time I asked myself why I drew a blank I only knew that I had to be there kneeling by that altar no matter how scared I felt and that's where I am now every night I go back I kneel next to that transparent figure I feel my body shaking I

sweat through my clothes I sense that invisible force pressing against my chest when I leave I feel drained but also strangely relieved like I fulfilled some kind of obligation my dreams are getting more Vivid I hear my own voice speaking gibberish in those dreams but I don't recognize the words it's getting worse but I can't stop something is keeping me tied to that Chapel making me show up night after night I don't know what will happen next next I only know I'll be there again tomorrow standing in that ruined doorway watching that same shape kneel

at the broken altar I don't think it will let me go anytime soon I still remember the day I found that mirror I was at a small antique Bazaar the kind of place that smells like old books and damp fabric I had no plan to buy anything that day but the mirror caught my eye because of its tarnished frame it had these dull silver edges with tiny scratches in stains I didn't see anything remarkable at first I just thought it might look good in my apartment I brought it home wiped off some dust and leaned

it against the wall in my bedroom until I could figure out where to hang it I didn't feel anything strange right away it seemed like a regular old mirror but everything changed after a couple of nights I noticed something odd when I was getting ready for bed I looked at my reflection and I swear it blinked about a split second later than I did I opened my eyes and tried to catch it again but it looked normal I rubbed my eyes thinking maybe I was just tired I went to sleep and forgot about it the

next evening I caught it again I blinked and a moment later my Reflections eyelids fluttered like it was trying to catch up my stomach tightened and I felt a chill run up my arms I turned off the light and left the room but the next time I passed by I checked the mirror out of the corner of my eye nothing strange that time for a while I thought maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me sometimes I work late and I come home pretty exhausted my mind can wander but one morning I woke up and

something felt different in my bedroom the air felt stale and my skin tingled I glanced at the mirror and I saw my own figure standing there but I was still in bed my body was shaking under the covers and my eyes were wide open but in the mirror I looked calm like I was just standing still looking straight at me my stomach lurched and I felt Goosebumps rise on my arms and legs I sat up and stared at that reflection it didn't copy me right away it just stood there for a second then I saw

it move it raised its hand like it was reaching out then it was gone and it matched my position in bed again my heart pounded and I started to sweat I got up to see if there was someone behind the mirror of course no one was there I decided to move the mirror out of my bedroom I carried it to the living room and propped it against the wall near the front door I felt relieved when I took it out of my bedroom my plan was to return it or sell it but I kept getting

this uneasy feeling when I walked by every time I glanced at the reflection I swore it was looking at me with a a slight delay like there was a half-second lag sometimes I saw the reflections mouth twitch before mine did I started to avoid looking at it for too long I tried to cover it with a towel but the towel slipped off during the night the next morning I found it on the floor I don't remember taking it down I told myself to get rid of the mirror I even brought it out to my car

with the intention of driving to a thrift store but I got distracted by a call from work when I came back the trunk was open and the mirror was back inside my apartment I can't explain how it ended up leaning against the living room wall again I felt my throat tighten and my hands shook when I tried to pick it up again it felt heavier than before I started to sweat and my heart raced I left it there and walked away I took a shower and tried to calm down things only got worse sometimes late

at night I'd sit in my living room trying to watch a show or read something on my phone and and I'd catch movement out of the corner of my eyee I'd look over and in the mirror I'd see my own shape standing behind the couch but when I turned around there was no one there my reflection would be in a different spot than I was in it stood near the window or by the hallway like it was searching for something my mouth would go dry and my heart felt like it was beating against my rib

cage I started leaving lights on around the apartment because the darkness made me feel exposed one night I woke up in a cold oldold sweat I heard a soft scraping sound coming from the living room my immediate thought was that someone had broken into my place I got out of bed grabbed the nearest thing I could use as a weapon a metal flashlight and crept toward the noise my legs felt weak and my chest tightened with every breath I flipped on the living room light and I saw the mirror leaning at a different angle it

looked like it had been dragged across the floor the faint scratch marks on the wooden boards matched the shape of the mirrors base no one else was in the room I thought about checking the locks on the doors but I froze staring at the mirror my own reflection stared back with a slight tilt of the head like it was studying me I swear I saw the eyes shift a millisecond before mine did I backed away went to the door and saw that it was still locked the windows were all locked nothing else seemed Disturbed I

tried sleeping in a hotel the next night I needed a break from that apartment but I couldn't stop thinking about what would happen with the mirror while I was gone would it move again would it break some furniture would someone else see it my anxiety wouldn't let me sleep I tossed and turned in that hotel bed until I gave up and checked out in the middle of the night I drove back home with my hand shaking on the steering wheel I felt sick my head pounded and my eyes burned from exhaustion when I walked back

into my apartment the mirror was in the hallway it had moved from the living room there were new scratch marks on the floor I tried to ignore the fear building in my chest and told myself to focus on practical steps I thought about throwing it out the window but I live on the second floor and I was worried about damaging the property or harming anyone outside so I decided to put it in the storage area in the basement I gripped it with both hands and carried it downstairs my arms felt numb and sweat dripped down

my forehead I placed it in a Corner near some old boxes and covered it with a sheet of plastic then I hurried back to my apartment locked the door and tried to catch my breath my pulse was racing and I felt an ache in my shoulders for 2 days I didn't see the mirror I started to calm down a bit although I kept thinking I heard scraping sounds in the hallway at night on the second night I heard a thump near my door my heart raced again I got up and looked through the peephole nothing

I I opened the door a crack and looked down at the floor the old mirror rested there leaning against my door frame I felt my chest tighten and my vision blurred for a moment I forced myself to pick it up and bring it inside I felt defeated I set it against the living room wall and sat on my couch staring at it my reflection stared back I tried to maintain eye contact but it felt wrong I sensed that it was examining me I started having dark thoughts nothing violent toward others but my mind felt heavier

I found myself getting angry over small things my phone not charging fast enough my coffee not tasting right the neighbors talking in the hallway my jaw would clench and I'd want to yell at someone for no real reason then I'd calm down and wonder why I was so on edge it felt like the mirror was pulling me into some kind of negative mood my chest felt tight most of the time and I had trouble sleeping I'd wake up every few hours was worried that I'd see the reflection walking around my apartment again one night I

did see it I opened my eyes and glanced at the bedroom doorway the mirror was still in the living room but I could see it from my bed if I tilted my head just right the hallway light was on and my reflection stood there in the mirror I was still lying in bed but the reflection looked like it was leaning out of the mirror peering around the corner into my bedroom my arms and legs felt paralyzed my breath caught in my throat I tried to scream but no sound came out the reflections eyes turned toward

me then it stepped backward and I saw it blend back into the shape that matched my body and bed when I finally got control of my muscles I bolted upright my heart pounding I considered calling someone but who would I call the police wouldn't believe me a friend might think I've lost my mind I decided to search online for stories of about mirrors I found a few things about haunted objects but nothing that matched exactly what I was experiencing I didn't want to draw any attention to myself by posting on social media or online forums

I just wanted a solution after that I attempted a more direct approach I tried to break the mirror with a hammer I smashed it once but the hammer just bounced off there wasn't even a crack my arm vibrated from the impact and I almost dropped the hammer I swung again harder but the mirror didn't shatter the shock traveled through my hand and I felt a painful jolt in my elbow my reflection stared back unscathed I gave up and sat on the floor cradling my arm my head achd and I felt an overwhelming sense of failure

the next few nights I barely slept I felt like the mirror was always in my peripheral vision even when I was in another room I'd hear faint tapping or scratching sounds at odd hours the reflection would move in ways I couldn't predict sometimes it blinked out of sink sometimes it moved its head before I did the lag between me and it seemed to get longer it was no longer just blinking late it was reacting to things I did a full second or two after I did them sometimes I'd scratch my nose and it wouldn't follow

for several heartbeats I noticed that my apartment felt colder I felt uneasy even in the shower I'd keep the door open worried about what might happen if I let myself lose sight of the mirror for too long my heartbeat stayed elevated most of the time my shoulders were tense and my back achd from stress I kept telling myself I'd figure out a permanent solution but I had no idea what to do the mirror felt like a magnet for my attention even when I tried to focus on something else I'd catch myself glancing at it my

mind kept wandering back to that reflection yesterday I tried one last time to rid myself of it I carried the mirror outside and drove to a remote area a stretch of land off a service road I placed the Mirror by some trees and drove away my hands Shook on the steering wheel and I kept glancing in the rearview mirror I felt lighter for a moment thinking I might finally Escape it that was short-lived when I arrived home it was leaning against my apartment door I didn't see anyone around I didn't see any sign of a

delivery or a note I felt a wave of nausea I had to cover my mouth to keep from throwing up right there in the hallway now it's in my living room again and I'm writing this because I have no other Outlet I don't feel safe in my own home I can't relax whenever I try to ignore it I get this sense that I'm being watched if I look directly at it for too long I feel this dread building in my chest it's hard to explain but it's like the mirror is alive my reflection doesn't match

me anymore it moves and blinks and tilts its head on its own it doesn't speak or make any sound but its eyes follow me like it's studying every breath I take I don't know what I'll do next I've tried moving it hiding it even destroying it but it seems impossible to get rid of my mood keeps getting darker and my mind won't stop racing I'm afraid it's only a matter of time before something even worse happens every time I think about leaving my apartment for good I realize I'd never truly get away from it somehow

it keeps finding me I'm stuck here staring at that old mirror waiting for the next time my reflection decides to move on its own and I have no idea how to stop it I never expected to see my own shadow upside down on the pavement I was walking home in the rain hunched forward under my jacket because the wind kept blowing water in my face the street lights were weak and the water rushing near the curb made a constant soft roar I tried to wipe the rain from my eyes so I could see the sidewalk

in front of me my shoes were soaked and each step made a squishing sound but then I noticed something else my shadow on the ground was reversed it was like looking at my own figure flipped top to bottom I stopped for a second and stared the water dripped down my coat collar and I felt a chill run over my arms I thought maybe I was just tired or seeing a reflection in the puddles I kept walking hoping it was a trick of the light the further I went the more it stayed there following me yet

inverted my heart started to pound I remember blinking hard a few times the street was empty and I only heard the rain and my footsteps occasionally a car passed by on the main road behind me but I was mostly alone I looked down again and realized the shadow was moving a tiny bit before I did like it predicted my next step I felt the muscles in my legs tense and I slowed my Pace I wanted to see if it would slow down too it did but there was a strange lag in my movements my head

felt light like I was off balance and I had this urge to run home the rain finally started letting up which should have made me me feel better instead I noticed that my shadow stayed in place on the wet asphalt there wasn't much direct light around so I expected it to blur or fade it didn't I paused under a dim lamp and shifted my weight from foot to foot the shadow shifted but again with that Eerie fraction of a second lead I felt like I was in some kind of surreal film scene except I was

cold wet and confused I pushed on trying to ignore it my heart was beating hard enough that I could feel the pulse in my ears each time I took a step I glimpsed that upside down shape flickering just ahead of me it felt like it was mocking me with its weird orientation my eyes darted around and I kept checking the windows of the dark houses lining the street I worried someone might look out and see what was happening that idea made me anxious I didn't want any attention on me or on this bizarre situation I

just wanted to get inside my house and lock the door door once I made it to my front yard I Stood Still For a Moment feeling the water seeping into my socks my porch light was off I fumbled for my keys and as I turned the lock I looked down again the shadow was right there still upside down on my walkway it made my stomach feel tight it defied any normal explanation I told myself it must be some freak Reflection from a passing car or some weird phenomenon from the street lights but none of those

explanations made any sense especially now that I was off the street and the lamp was far behind me I felt fear rising in my chest but I tried to stay calm when I stepped into my living room and turned on the light I froze the shadow was still there on the floor upside down as if it belonged to someone standing on their hands I looked up at the ceiling light to see if maybe it was projecting an odd angle but there was no direct beam that would create that shape my body tensed and my breathing

got shallow I couldn't believe what I was seeing my entire living room was dim except for the center lamp yet this dark shape stayed sharp on the floor I flipped on more lights and it made no difference the shadow didn't behave like normal Shadows it didn't stretch or shift with the angle of the lamps I took off my wet coat letting it drop on the floor my shirt clung to my skin I could feel sweat mixing with the rain on my chest and back my thoughts were spinning and I kept looking at the Shadow and

then away I wanted to see if it would vanish when I wasn't paying attention it stayed there it didn't matter whether I looked or not I started to feel short of breath like I needed more air my shoulders achd from all the tension I realized I was twisting my hands into fists so I forced myself to relax my fingers but I couldn't calm down I tried walking into the hallway and flipping the light switch there my shadow followed me still upside down and still moving slightly in advance of my steps my heart raced faster I

felt a jolt of raw fear each time it shifted before I did I kept rubbing my eyes trying to confirm I wasn't hallucinating I decided I had to keep my mouth shut about this who would believe me anyway I was worried that if I tried to tell someone this thing might react I felt like it had its own awareness I stood in front of the mirror in my bathroom and saw nothing unusual in the reflection my normal reflection was there soaking wet clothes messy hair dark circles under my eyes yet when I glanced at the

floor there was the upside down shape my stomach clenched I noticed my hand was trembling so I gripped the edge of the sink my pulse felt irregular and my throat was dry I decided to change out of my wet clothes as I moved the shadow glided along the carpet it didn't match my movements in the way a shadow normally would if I reached out with my right arm it reached out with its right arm but with a small head start I can't explain how unsettling that is my scalp prickled and I felt Goosebumps on my

arms I tried turning all the lights off leaving the place in near Darkness but I could still make out the shape on the floor it had its own presence not dependent on any light source I could identify my thoughts were racing with questions but I I had to focus on what I could control I forced myself to act like I would on any other night I turned on the TV to fill the space with some background noise I tried to watch the news but my attention kept snapping back to the shape on the floor it

was still there near the couch upside down and sort of facing me I sat down carefully noticing my knees felt weak I tried to breathe slowly and deeply on the screen a weather report played I barely heard any of it I thought about calling someone maybe a friend or an acquaintance from work but the idea made my stomach twist what if I said something that alerted this thing what if it understood what I was saying and decided to do something to me my imagination started to run wild so I got up and walked to the

kitchen to get some water the moment I stood the shadow moved first like it already knew I was going to stand my heart felt like it jumped to my throat in the kitchen the lights were harsh and bright yet the shadow still appeared distinct it crossed the tiles in a steady slightly early motion my head achd and I leaned against the counter I opened the cabinet for a glass and I noticed my hand shaking again I filled the glass with water and took a large gulp the cold liquid helped me feel more grounded I turned

around slowly and there it was always there always upside down I needed to find a way to to cope with this at least for the night my clothes were still damp and I felt the weight of exhaustion on my shoulders I decided to take a quick shower I hoped maybe steam or bright bathroom lights would break whatever effect was causing this I turned on the shower let the water warm up and caught a glimpse of the Shadow near the door it never left it stayed in that inverted posture moving just a fraction of a second

before I did I shut the bathroom door but it slid under the crack like it was a stain on the floor not a reflection dependent on a line of sight inside the shower I tried to calm my mind the hot water hit my shoulders and I closed my eyes the rushing sound helped me relax a little I spent a few minutes there just letting the water run over my face but the moment I stepped out and looked at the floor I realized it was waiting my chest felt tight again and I fumbled for a towel

the steam in the bathroom made the mirror foggy I wiped it with my hand but I couldn't see the shadow in the reflection only the tiles behind me when I glanced down I almost dropped my towel it was at my feet still upside down I walked to my bedroom carefully avoiding any quick movements I was certain it would move first if I tried to run my shoulders were tense and every noise in the house seemed louder than usual I heard the soft hum of the air conditioner I heard the squeak of a loose floorboard I

even heard the the faint drip of water from the shower head I couldn't shake the feeling that something else was in control I put on fresh clothes and sat on the edge of my bed my throat felt dry again and my mouth had a metallic taste I turned my lamp on and off a few times testing if there was any effect on the shadow nothing changed it was there on the floor upside down if I shifted my leg it shifted just before me if I bent my arm it bent too always a split second earlier

the hair on the back of my neck stood up each time I noticed that detail at some point I started hearing noises I couldn't explain Whispers or maybe just the blood rushing in my ears I heard a slight rustling like clothes rubbing together except I wasn't moving I jumped to my feet and I felt adrenaline surge through my limbs my breath came in quick bursts then I realized the shadow was on its feet before I fully stood up I felt a cold sweat on my forehead and my hands felt clammy I went into the hallway

again flipping the light switch on and off just to see if anything would change it was a pointless gesture but I was desperate to understand this the shadow followed me gliding across the wooden floor I heard the boards Creak under my own feet but I sensed a delay or mismatch in sound versus the Shadow's movement it was always that subtle sign that it was acting independently I wanted to scream but I kept it inside I I was terrified that if I showed fear too openly it might respond after a few minutes I went back to

the living room the rain outside had mostly stopped but occasional drops hit the windows I turned off the TV and just stood there listening to my own heartbeat a sudden Rush of panic made me check the door's lock I turned it twice hearing the click each time then I pulled the curtain across the window shutting out the view of the dark Street I paced around trying to figure out if there was any chance this would just go away on its own the house felt too quiet I couldn't escape the sense that this Shadow had its

own presence I heard faint Footsteps in the hallway behind me but when I turned nothing was there except the shadow on the floor I wondered if it was mimicking the sound of steps just to unnerve me my heart thumped in my chest as I stood there trying to breathe normally I knew I had to get some sleep but the idea of lying in bed with this thing in the room made my skin craw I decided I'd sleep on the couch where there was more light in case anything happened I sat down and pulled a blanket

over me the shadow was on the floor close to the coffee table still upside down I placed a lamp on the side table and turned it on the light cast short crisp Shadows on the couch and table but the shape of my body on the floor remained inverted and independent of that light I rubbed my arms trying to get rid of the Goosebumps my eyelids felt heavy but I was too scared to let them close every so often I heard a quiet whisper like someone saying my name very softly I snapped my eyes open scanning

the room I never saw anything else just that dark figure on the ground my body was exhausted and my mind was drained but the anxiety kept me on edge eventually I had to rest so I let my body slump back on the couch hugging the blanket the entire night I drifted in and out of a Restless doze each time I caught a glimpse of the floor the shadow was there never once breaking its pattern in those half awake moments I felt a strange sensation like I was sharing my thoughts with something else it was as

if another Consciousness was nudging me hovering right on the edge of my mind I fought It Off by reminding myself that I had to stay alert but I kept feeling this pressure at the back of my head like a slow rhythmic pulse when morning finally came I realized I couldn't tell anyone about this I still can't I'm worried that if I speak the words out loud the shadow might react in ways I can't predict it feels like it's listening even now The Whispers haven't gone away completely and sometimes I catch faint Echoes of footsteps behind

me when I move from one room to another I've started keeping the curtains closed I check every corner of every room making sure I'm alone but every time I look look down I see that upside down figure on the floor waiting it hasn't left for a second even now while I'm talking I feel it there I can't ignore it it's watching every gesture every tilt of my head and it's always just slightly ahead of me my stomach churns my hands are sweating there's no one else in the house and I keep the doors locked I

can't risk letting a neighbor or someone drop by if they saw this or if I tried to explain it I might lose control control of the situation at least by keeping silent I have some sense of control I don't know how long I can keep living like this but I don't see an alternative if I try to tell someone I'm afraid it'll hear me if I try to ignore it it makes more noise I can't decide which is worse I just know that if it decides to do more than watch I won't be able to

stop it for now I'm stuck in this lonely routine of caution and anxiety hoping that maybe someday it'll leave on its own but so far every day ends the same way I see that thing on the floor upside down always ready to move before I do and every night I lie awake trying to pretend I don't hear its Whispers I still remember the day I spotted that painting I walked into a a small antique shop because I had time to kill the place smelled like old furniture and damp books the owner an older man with

gray hair barely looked at me I wandered around until I saw this one painting leaning against a wall near the back the lighting was bad but I could make out a figure of a man in a dark room his face looked Twisted by worry or fear the detail was incredible his eyes seemed to stare right through me I asked the owner about it it he Shrugged and said it was by some painter he'd never heard of he named a low price I bought it without hesitation because I liked the realism it felt different from the

usual cheap dull paintings I see at flea markets when I brought it home I didn't have a specific plan for where to put it my apartment isn't big but I have a spot in the living room above a small couch so I hung it there at first it just looked like a weird old painting that gave the room a bit of personality I even had had a friend over that same evening he glanced at it and joked about it being creepy I agreed but I also thought it was cool I didn't pay much attention to

it after that because I had work early the next day a few days passed and I started noticing something odd every time I glanced at the painting the expression on the man's face seemed slightly different the first time I thought I was imagining it I was tired from a long shift so I figured my eyes were just playing tricks on me but a couple of days days later I saw the man in the painting again his face wasn't Twisted in the same way it looked more like a faint grin now nothing huge just a tiny

curve at the corner of his mouth it made me uncomfortable but I wrote it off as me looking for details that weren't really there then one night I came home in a foul mood I'd had an argument with my boss and I was Furious my hands were shaking and my head pounded I dropped my keys on the kitchen counter and went into the Li living room to collapse on the couch I happened to look up at the painting the man's face seemed Twisted into something hateful his brows were pulled down hard and his eyes looked

like they were filled with anger it felt like he was staring right at me mirroring my rage my throat tightened I felt a rush of panic in my chest I stepped closer thinking maybe the light was playing tricks again but the longer I stared the more convinced I was that he looked Furious that was the exact emotion I was feeling I grabbed a glass of water and tried to calm down but I couldn't stop thinking about what I just seen over the next week I started paying attention every single day when I left for work

feeling fine the painting looked neutral when I came home stressed or sad or anxious the man's expression reflected it if I was tired he looked drained with sunken eyes and a slack mouth if I was irritated I saw frustration in his face face if I was genuinely depressed he appeared sorrowful like he'd lost all hope after a few days I got so on edge that I avoided looking at it I still felt it drawing my eye though it was almost impossible for me not to check his face whenever I entered the living room sometimes I

tried to catch it in the ACT I'd look quickly hoping to see the transition or something that would prove I was imagining things but the painting never moved it was always still it just looked different depending on my State of Mind by the end of that second week I couldn't deny the pattern if I felt good the man looked calm if I felt terrible he looked worse it wasn't some random shift of Shadows or angles it felt deliberate that made me nervous my heart would pound whenever I stepped into the living room I'd feel sweat

on my Palms I'd almost tiptoe past it wishing I could put a sheet over it or hide it in a closet but I couldn't bring myself to remove it part of me wanted to test the situation further Another Part Of Me felt like it was watching me for some reason and that made me uneasy I started sleeping poorly I'd wake up several times a night thinking I heard something in the apartment a few times I rushed into the living room flipping the light on just to make sure nothing was off but the painting was always

there that Man's eyes aimed at me his expression shifting in subtle ways on a Sunday morning I woke up feeling a little off my neck was stiff and I had a dull headache I decided to sit on my couch with a cup of coffee I glanced at the painting the man's face looked tense I noticed the tightness in his jaw I felt a wave of unease like I couldn't relax in my own place my stomach churned I sipped my coffee but I couldn't even taste it I was too distracted I kept staring at the painting

almost waiting for it to move or blink my breathing grew shallow I leaned closer trying to see if I could find brush Strokes that might change the expression under different lighting I could see Fine Lines around the Man's eyes like wrinkles from stress the detail was shockingly lifelike I leaned back and shut my eyes for a moment trying to steady my thoughts the next day I had an early meeting at work so I didn't look at the painting in the morning I rushed out got through my day and came home later than usual I was

exhausted my entire body felt heavy and my mind was numb I threw my jacket on a chair and dropped onto the couch when I glanced up I saw the man's face looking completely drained it was like he'd been carrying some giant burden all day I rubbed my eyes and looked again he had heavy bags under his eyes and his mouth was downturned the corners of his lips were pulled so low it looked pitiful I let out a shaky breath my heart started pounding again and I felt a chill spreading down my arms this was not

my imagination the painting was matching my emotions it was like it was connected to me somehow I tried to stay calm but my thoughts raced I grabbed my phone scrolled through social media tried to ignore the painting every once in a while I'd glance up the expression never changed after that it stayed miserable able mirroring how I felt eventually I went to bed but I kept waking up I'd hear my heart thuing in my ears my mouth felt dry my skin felt clammmy every time I drifted off I'd see that face in my mind sometimes

I imagined it was smiling in a cruel way even though I hadn't witnessed that yet but I couldn't rest I got up once around 3:00 a.m. and wandered into the living room I turned on a lamp the painting looked normal enough but still Grim I turned off the lamp mumbled a curse under my breath and went back to bed I didn't sleep well at all about a week later things got worse I was dealing with stress at work and money problems I felt my patience slipping I slammed doors I yelled at a coworker who irritated

me I came home that evening Furious my ears burning I stepped into my apartment threw my bag to the floor and stormed into the living room I noticed the painting right away the man's expression wasn't just angry it looked monstrous his eyes seemed to burn with rage his teeth looked clenched it was such a hateful stare I felt my stomach drop my hands began to shake and I could hardly breathe I forced myself to look away but I could still feel his Gaze on me my arms felt numb my chest felt tight I swear I

could hear my own heartbeat pulsing in my head I started pacing around the apartment thinking I was losing it I wanted to throw the painting in the trash but the idea of removing it seemed risky I'd grown attached in a warped way almost like I needed to see what it would do next I couldn't think of a logical explanation for what was happening I just knew that every time I felt a strong emotion the painting reacted it mirrored me so perfectly that it felt like it was feeding off whatever I was feeling it reminded me

of my own reflection but it wasn't me in the picture I tried inviting a close friend over to see if he noticed anything but I chickened out at the last second I knew it would sound insane hey do you see this painting changing its expression that question alone would make me look unstable I decided to keep it to myself for now still my friend did come by he stood there looked at the painting for a moment and said it was cool but creepy he didn't mention any changes I forced a laugh and changed the subject

the moment he left I felt the man in the painting looking at me with annoyance as if it was irritated by our conversation I stepped back feeling my legs tremble I left the room and shut the door behind me but that didn't help I could still picture those eyes I went on like that for several days my energy drained at work I could barely Focus my boss asked if I was okay I lied and said I wasn't sleeping well which was true but I left out the part about the painting every time I came home

I'd see the man's face if I was anxious he looked uneasy if I was depressed he looked crushed by sadness my heart would race and I'd feel a knot in my stomach I kept telling myself to take it down but I couldn't do it my hands would hover near the frame and I'd hesitate something in me refused to let it go one night I decided I'd at least move it into my closet I took it down from the wall my fingers felt cold and sweaty around the edges of the frame I stood there holding it

and I looked at the man's face he looked desperate like he was silently begging me not to lock him away my arms Shook and I felt a surge of guilt and fear all at once I set the painting on the couch and sat down staring at it my breathing was shallow my back felt damp with sweat I could almost sense a pressure in the room like I wasn't alone I couldn't go through with hiding it after a few few minutes I hung it back on the wall I felt relief but also dread this thing was

controlling me or at least it felt that way I tried to calm myself by keeping a routine I'd wake up avoid the living room until I was dressed and ready to leave after work I'd come home grab food and try not to stay in the living room for long I'd watch TV in my bedroom or stare at my phone I'd do anything to avoid the painting but I knew it was there the pull was still strong if I was in a bad mood I'd sneak a glance and it was always the same the expression matched

exactly what I felt some nights I dreamed about it I'd see the man in the painting walking around my apartment I'd wake up with my heart racing my shirt soaked in sweat one evening I forced myself to do a test I tried to sit quietly and think about something cheerful I closed my eyes took deep breaths and imagined a relaxing scene just the sound of rain or the warmth of the sun my heart rate slowed and I felt a little calmer then I opened my eyes and looked at the painting the man's face looked peaceful

his eyes seemed a bit softer and the lines around his mouth weren't so harsh I let out a shaky laugh but it wasn't funny it felt bizarre to see that direct reflection of my mood I sat there for a while watching him watch me it's been over a month since I bought this painting I haven't told anyone the full story nobody would believe me anyway I feel stuck with it I'm too afraid to get rid of it but I can't ignore what's happening every day I wake up with a knot in my stomach I look

at the door to the living room and I feel a wave of nausea my head hurts when I think about it for too long sometimes I place a blanket over it but then I feel uneasy like I've done something wrong I lift the blanket and then there it is staring back at me always changing always locked on my emotions I've tried rationalizing it maybe the brush Strokes are so detailed that different angles and lights create Illusions but that doesn't explain why it lines up so perfectly with how I feel I've also considered that I might

just be losing my mind but I know I'm still functional I go to work talk to people pay my bills the only thing that's off is this painting I keep telling myself I'll throw it away next next week or maybe sell it back to the Antique store but every time I think about it I feel a chill in my body my hands start shaking my chest tightens it feels wrong like I'd be abandoning part of myself that scares me more than anything else so I'm stuck with it every night I see its face every morning

I feel its gaze I haven't found a single clue about the painter there's no signature No Label nothing it's as if it just appeared out of nowhere I don't know if it's cursed or possessed or something else I don't even care what the explanation is all I know is that it's tied to me now I can't deny the connection it's absorbing every bit of my anger my sadness my fear and it gives it all back to me reflected on that man's face I wish I could say I've gotten used to it but I haven't my

chest still tightens whenever I step into the living room my eyes burn from lack of sleep my hands sweat when I think about all the possible outcomes but I keep it there on my wall I guess that's my life now I bought this painting and it feels like it owns me I don't have the nerve to break that link and so I sit here night after night trying to keep my emotions in check because I know the painting is always watching and that's the truth I can't make it sound pretty or poetic it's just the

constant reality I face it's here and I can't let it go I arrived at the Mansion on a Monday afternoon I remember the rough gravel under my boots when I walked up to the main entrance the Mansion stood in front of me with tall stone walls and narrow Windows it looked cold even in daylight the owner was waiting by the door he was a quiet man thin with pale skin he explained the job requirements without wasting time he wanted me to catalog the books in the large library on the second floor that was it I

asked about the rest of the house curious about all the locked doors in the corridor he only told me to focus on the library and not to wander anywhere else then he pointed toward the end of the main Corridor there was a heavy wooden door reinforced with thick chains he looked straight at me and said do not touch that door The Silence of that room must not be broken he didn't offer any details he just gave me a key for the library said I could stay in the guest room at the other end of the

hall and that was the end of our conversation during my first day I explored the library it was larger than I expected with shelves that reached the ceiling the smell of Dusty Pages made me cough a few times I noticed there were old lamps on the tables and a single tall window on the far side I spent most of that day scanning the shelves writing down titles sorting them by category my plan was to organize everything in a methodical way so the owner could find his books without trouble the owner didn't bother me again he

stayed somewhere else in the Mansion I didn't see him after he gave me a quick tour I assumed he preferred his Solitude that evening I walked down the main Corridor to my guest room I passed by the chain door I slowed down when I heard a faint Shuffle behind behind it my body went rigid and I stopped in front of it for a moment I felt a draft of cold air slipping through the Gap at the bottom the chains rattled a little and I thought maybe the wind moved them I stepped closer and tried to

hear more but I only caught a dull thump from inside my heart beat faster and I felt sweat under my collar I glanced around saw nobody and continued to my room the bedroom was small with a narrow bed a small dresser and a single lamp I locked the door undressed and lay down I couldn't sleep right away my mind kept going back to that noise behind the chains the owner told me not to approach that door but I'd already broken that rule even if just for a moment the next morning I woke up early I

walked back to the library the corridor was silent and dim I glanced at the chain door again but it was still shut tight my chest felt tight thinking about what I heard the night before for I shook that feeling off and focused on the library I had a job to do I cataloged books for most of the day pausing only for a quick lunch the house remained quiet sometimes I heard faint Creeks above me but old houses always make random noises I tried to brush off any anxiety I told myself it was just an ordinary

old mansion and that door was probably some storage room but on my third night I heard something different I was walking back to my room carrying caring a stack of my notes when I heard a muffled Voice or whisper from behind the chain door it stopped me in my tracks my hands tightened around my notes I heard it again like a low murmur and then a scraping sound like nails on wood the air felt Cold against my face the hairs on my arms stood up I breathed quietly trying to listen then I heard a soft

tap tap tap on the door I leaned toward it my stomach twisting a chill ran down my spine I couldn't make out words just a soft sound that felt like it was calling me I checked the corridor behind me but I was alone I backed away from the door went into my room and locked it my heart pounded so hard it hurt I lay on the bed staring at the ceiling I tried to convince myself I was just tired maybe it was a draft pushing something against the inside of the door or maybe pipes in

the wall but I couldn't relax I stayed awake for a long time feeling uneasy about that quiet voice the days passed and I spent most of my time in the library every time I left I could feel the presence of that door at the end of the corridor even if I didn't look at it the owner didn't show up often sometimes I heard him in another room rumaging around but he never came to the library during my work hours at night I heard noises from behind the chained door scratching es soft knocks and occasionally a

low moan the corridor felt colder each time my curiosity grew but so did my fear the tension in my stomach made it hard to eat I felt worn out and my hands sometimes shook when I picked up a stack of books after 2 weeks I was almost done organizing the shelves I had stacked the final pile of books on one of the reading tables that was when I noticed the corridor outside had gone silent I stepped out and found no light except the faint glow of my lamp I walked toward my room but the air

felt even colder than usual when I reached the chain door I heard a loud thump from inside I jumped back my chest tightened and I felt my Palms sweat I dropped my lamp it hit the floor and went out I fumbled in the dark trying to pick it up my breath grew rapid and my heart pounded I relit the lamp and held it up to see the door the chains were still wrapped around the handle but they seemed looser than before the sound inside was gone I stood there for a minute listening I heard nothing

except the thud of my heartbeat I couldn't sleep much that night my mind kept replaying that loud thump I thought about leaving the Mansion the next morning but I had a contract also I had personal pride in finishing what I started I told myself I'd only be here a few more days still the possibility of looking behind that door lingered in my thoughts the owner's warning echoed in my head The Silence of that room must not be broken but it was already broken I had heard Whispers scraping and thumps I had felt cold drafts creeping

under the door by the next afternoon I was finishing the final shelves I looked up at the library window and saw the sky growing dark I had lost track of time my stomach growled I realized ized I hadn't eaten much just some bread hours earlier I grabbed a flashlight from my bag and stepped out into the corridor planning to head to the small kitchen I had access to when I passed the door I felt a strong chill around my ankles the scratching returned louder than before I heard a slow scrape scrape scrape my throat felt

dry my heart started to race and I found myself standing there shining my flashlight at the door the chains rattled slightly I noticed something odd the padlock on the chains had fresh scratches on it they weren't there before they looked deep like someone had tried to tamper with it I held my breath my eyes burned from not blinking I thought I heard a faint whisper again but it faded after a few seconds I forced myself to keep walking to the kitchen I tried to eat but my appetite was gone I drank some water and tried

to calm down I splashed water on my face dried off with a towel and went back to the library to finish my mind drifted to that door every few minutes I forced myself to catalog a few last books around midnight I told myself I'd done enough for the day I walked back toward my room the door was on my right I noticed something shining on the floor near it I crouched down and found a small key lying on the stones it was old and corroded I picked it up and held it in the light of

my flashlight I had no idea where it came from my hands felt shaky I suspected it belonged to the chains padlock I stood there gripping it uncertain if I should test it my heartbeat felt too strong the corridor seemed darker than usual I told myself I'd check the lock just to see if it fit my hand trembled when I brought the key to the padlock it slid in I felt a click my shoulders tightened and I froze I didn't turn the key I just tested if it fit I stepped back my mind racing I felt

beads of sweat on my forehead my breathing turned shallow I stared at the door remembering the owner's Warning part of me wanted to turn that key and open the door Another Part Of Me wanted to drop it on the floor and run to my room I decided I wasn't ready to face whatever was behind it I placed the key on a small table nearby and went straight to my room I locked the door behind me my heart wouldn't slow down for a long time that night I barely slept around 3: in the morning I jolted

awake I realized I wasn't sure if I had really heard something or if I was dreaming I listened carefully I heard a slow scrape from the corridor the boards creaked then I heard the padlock rattle my throat went dry I waited but the sound eventually stopped my hands felt clammy I stayed in in bed eyes wide until dawn started to light the window in the morning I forced myself to continue my work I gathered my notes and arranged them so I could finalize the catalog I told myself I'd finish tonight and leave tomorrow I felt

uneasy but I pushed through my tasks by late afternoon I had everything neatly compiled the library looked organized I glanced at my watch it was around 7 in the evening I heard a sudden series of thuds in the corridor I rushed out my flashlight beam bounced along the walls as I ran the chain on the door was shaking violently something inside was pulling or pushing against it my skin prickled my heart hammered in my chest I yelled hello I got no response just more rattling then it stopped I stood there for a few seconds breathing

hard my legs felt weak I thought about about the owner's words but I also felt I had to see what was inside I picked up the small key from the table my hand trembled and my mouth felt dry I approached the door trying to steady my breathing my mind was screaming that I should turn around and leave but the rattling had stopped the air felt dense I reached for the padlock my hands shook I slid the key in I tried to swallow but my throat was tight I turned the key I heard a click my

heart pounded so hard it felt like it was echoing in my ears I grabbed the chain and pulled it free the door itself was still closed a wave of cold air drifted across my shoes it felt damp my eyes locked on the handle my hand hovered over it I felt my breath turn shallow again I pushed down on the handle and the door creaked open a few inches inside it was Pitch Black the smell of musty air rushed out like the inside of an abandoned Cellar I heard nothing at first then I thought I caught

a quiet shuffle my flashlight beam cut through the darkness I saw a small Stone room with walls stained by damp there was a wooden chair in the corner no windows the floor was uneven I stepped inside one foot first my body tense I caught a flicker of movement to my left I jerked the flashlight around I saw an old blanket in the corner bunched up something was under it shifting slightly my hands Shook and my breathing quickened I heard a faint wheezing sound I wasn't sure if it was my own breathing or something else my

heart pounded so hard my chest felt tight I stood there uncertain if I should Step Closer my foot scraped on the floor and the blanket twitched I froze my mind felt numb with fear I forced myself to say is someone there a hiss came from under the blanket it was a small sharp sound like air escaping through clenched teeth I saw a thin hand emerge from the edge of the blanket the skin looked pale and gaunt with long nails my hands trembled so badly my flashlight beam jerked around I took one step back the blanket

slid off revealing a figure hunched against the wall I saw an arm a shoulder and a wild tangle of hair I couldn't see the face clearly but I heard raspy breathing then the figure turned toward me I saw eyes glinting in the flashlight beam my stomach lurched I felt like my chest was constricting the figure let out a low moan and reached a hand toward me I backed away until I was against the door frame I wanted to run but my legs locked the figure dragged itself forward a few inches I heard Nails scraping the

floor my throat felt parched in a cold oldold sweat trickled down my neck the figure raised its head and I saw a thin face sunken cheeks and wide eyes I had no idea how this person got here I felt the urge to speak but no words formed I heard the hiss again and the figure tried to stand it stumbled leaning on the wall I heard labored breathing in another moan it sounded weak not angry I backed up more until I was in the corridor again my flashlight still pointed inside the figure shielded its eyes from

the light with one hand then it let out a rough cough I shook myself out of my shock I felt an overwhelming need to close the door I was scared and I had no clue what else to do the figure kept coughing stumbling in the dark my heart felt like it was about to explode my flashlight slipped in my sweaty Palm I could see the figures features now definitely a person but with a haunted expression I thought about the owner's warning again I wondered if I should lock this door back up my mind was spinning

with questions why would someone be locked up in here why the warnings about silence I couldn't find answers in that moment I knew I couldn't handle more my thoughts were too chaotic I pulled the door shut slid the chain back around the handle and locked the padlock again I heard the figure inside slump against the door with a dull thud my breath came in uneven bursts I dropped the key back on the table and backed away my heart pounded in my ears the corridor felt colder than ever the short hairs on my arms stood on

end I walked to my room with stiff legs my thoughts in a frenzy once inside I locked the door and collapsed on the bed staring at the ceiling I felt my pulse pounding in my temples I had seen a person in there or something close to one I stayed awake for hours trying to calm down but I kept replaying the scene my hands wouldn't stop shaking I felt overwhelmed and confused I wondered if I should call someone but I had no idea who the owner seemed absent the phone in the Mansion was in the owner's

study which he kept locked my personal cell phone had no signal out here in the countryside I was on my own at least for the night at some point I realized there were no more scratching sounds or Whispers the corridor was quiet I didn't hear any tapping on the door I didn't hear any chain rattling the silence felt heavier than the noises ever did I don't know if the figure inside the room was still there but I sensed a presence that kept me on edge I tried to stay calm and plan my departure as soon

as morning came I told myself I would pack my things collect my fee if the owner appeared and leave I felt no urge to stay I had done the job the books were cataloged I lay there in my clothes thinking about that last sight the figure's eyes stayed in my mind they looked desperate confused or maybe afraid I didn't understand the situation my gut twisted my limbs felt weak my face was damp with sweat and my throat felt scratchy my breath trembled I closed my eyes but I couldn't sleep I kept hearing that hiss in

my head and the wheezing sound I felt pinned to the bed Paralyzed by uncertainty eventually I must have drifted off when I woke up the Sun was shining through the window the Mansion was silent I got up gathered my belongings and hurried toward the front door I didn't check that chained room again I only glanced at it from a distance the chain was still in place I thought about the key lying on the table I wondered if I should leave it there or hide it but I was too anxious I took my bag opened the

mansion's front door door and stepped outside the gravel crunched under my boots the fresh air felt better than anything I'd experienced in weeks I noticed the owner's car was gone I had no way to tell him I was leaving but I didn't care I was done I closed the door behind me walked to my own car and drove away I'm not sure what was behind the owner's warning I only know that the silence in that room was broken and something inside was alive or at least breathing I still feel uneasy when I think about it

my nights are plagued by that rasping sound that hiss in those eyes but I completed the job I got out and I never planned to return I checked into this old hotel because my job sent me on a long assignment and I needed a place to stay that wouldn't destroy my budget I didn't care about the peeling wallpaper or the slow elevator at first I just wanted a bed and a hot shower but on my first night I heard noises in the room next to mine it sounded like someone dragging heavy Furniture across the floor

it didn't make sense because it was well past midnight I got out of bed pressed my ear to the wall and listened the scraping sound got louder then stopped abruptly that's when I realized nobody else was supposed to be staying on this floor I woke up the next morning feeling uneasy I tried to shake it off work was hectic and I had too many reports to write I left the hotel in a hurry and returned late that evening as I walked down the hallway I noticed the light fixtures flickering the corridor felt colder than before

I glanced at the door of the room next to mine it looked normal the dark wood was chipped but there was no visible sign that someone was inside that night the noise returned I heard a low thumping like footsteps dragging across the carpet then I heard the dresser drawers opening and closing at least that's what it sounded like I grabbed my phone and checked the time it was 2:14 in the morning my heart was pounding I tried to calm myself by thinking maybe the room had finally been rented out but a part of me remembered

the front desk manager mentioning that most of the floor was empty there weren't many guests in the hotel at all still I gave myself a logical explanation maybe they didn't bother to update me on new arrivals the next day at breakfast I casually asked the young man behind the reception desk if the room next to mine had a new occupant he tilted his head and answered that he didn't see any record of that then he checked the computer he confirmed that nobody had reserved any room on that floor except for me he even joked saying

I had the entire floor to myself I pretended that I was only curious because of the noise but he just Shrugged and said it might be the old pipes I left it at that that night I went to bed around midnight I was exhausted but I couldn't sleep properly every small sound made me tense my body felt stiff like I was ready to jump out of bed at any moment at around 1:30 a.m. I heard it again this time it was louder it sounded like the nightstand was being pulled across the floor I pictured someone

pushing furniture around for no reason the steady scraping made my stomach twist I got up and stood by the door for a minute I thought about going into the hallway but I felt a strange hesitation in my chest my hand shook when I reached for the door knob eventually I opened my door the hallway was dim most of the lights were on some kind of energy-saving timer so only every other bulb was lit I stood outside my room in my socks listening the sound was definitely coming from the room next to mine I approached the

door I could feel cold air near the handle I knocked softly at first no answer I knocked louder still nothing I leaned in and tried to hear any movement inside the noise had stopped the quiet felt overwhelming my skin prickled I felt like someone was standing behind me watching but the hallway was empty I waited a moment longer then I returned to my room I didn't sleep much that night every small Creek from the building made my heart race in the morning I called the reception and asked again about that room I was annoyed at

this point I wanted a real explanation a different clerk answered he told me the same thing nobody was staying there and the door should be locked he insisted there must be a mistake I sighed and asked if I could get a different room maybe on another floor but they said everything else was booked because of an event in town I had no choice but to stay put over the following few days the noises continued sometimes I heard footsteps other times I heard doors closing I even thought I heard faint whispering but the scariest moments came

when the sounds just stopped all at once leaving a heavy silence my nerves were shot my head hurt all the time I was always on edge I started working later and later because I dreaded returning to the hotel one afternoon I got back earlier than usual it was only around 6:00 p.m. I decided to check out the hallway in the evening light I wanted to see if there was anything strange about the door itself I walked over and jiggled the knob locked I put my ear to the door and listened nothing I felt a chill

creep over me like the temperature dropped near that door my skin tightened and the hair on my arm stood up I thought I heard a faint exhale from inside but I told myself it was the ventilation system that night I sat on the edge of my bed waiting for the usual noises around midnight I heard a faint tapping like something tapping on a window or a door frame then it went quiet for a bit an hour later I heard heavy movement again it sounded like someone walking with a slight limp I waited until I was

sure it was coming from that room I grabbed my jacket stepped into the hallway and approached that door for some reason the door knob was now slightly turned the door stood open a crack a cold draft brushed my face I peered inside my eyes took a moment to adjust it was Pitch Black inside I reached to flick on the light switch near the door frame but nothing happened I took a single step inside the floor felt uneven like the old carpet had lumps in it I sensed a figure moving in the darkness but I couldn't

make out any shape I froze my heart hammered in my chest I backed out of the room and let the door close on its own I realized my hands were shaking I ran back to my room and locked the door my body felt hot but my arms and legs were trembling my stomach hurt from the tension I couldn't believe what I had just done I had stepped into a room that was supposed to be empty and I felt like someone was inside I sat on my bed for a long time not sure what to do

next eventually I picked up the phone and called the front desk I told them someone had to come check the room next door I said there might be a break-in or some kind of situation the clerk sounded confused he asked me to hold while he got the manager the manager got on the line and said he would come upstairs right away with the security guard 20 minutes later there was a knock on my door I let them in and explained what happened we all walked into the hallway the manager tried the door knob but it

was locked again he used a master key ke to open it we walked in and I felt the same Rush of cold air the light switch by the door didn't work the room was dark the security guard shined a flashlight around the furniture was in the room a bed a nightstand a small table and a dresser everything looked old and covered in dust it didn't look like anyone had used this room in a long time the manager commented that there were no signs of a Breakin the windows were locked from the inside the the air

smelled stale like no one had opened a window in years the guard flipped open the closet door and Shone his light inside empty he checked the bathroom also empty there wasn't even running water in there because the faucet made a gurgling sound and then nothing came out the manager Shrugged and glanced at me he suggested maybe I heard noises through the walls because of the old Plumbing or the heating ducts I stayed silent my stomach felt uneasy but I had no conrete evidence to argue they left and I returned to my room I tried to

sleep but I couldn't around 3:00 a.m. I heard the footsteps again slower this time like a person pacing back and forth I put my pillow over my head and tried to ignore it I dozed off at some point but I had a Restless sleep filled with tension in my shoulders and neck I woke up with a headache in dark circles under my eyes the days passed in a blur work was miserable because I was tired and on edge my performance suffered and my boss noticed I told him I wasn't feeling well he didn't push for

details but he suggested I try to find somewhere else to stay I agreed but the problem was that every other hotel in the area was full there was a big convention happening that week and the entire city was packed I had no choice but to remain in this place for at least a few more nights one evening I decided to have a few drinks at a nearby bar before returning to the hotel I hoped it would help me sleep it was close to midnight when I made my way back the lobby was quiet except for

a single desk clerk playing with his phone he looked bored I rode the elevator up and stepped into my hallway the light was flickering again the corridor was cold I walked to my room but I felt drawn to the neighboring door it looked like it was slightly open again I swore under my breath I didn't want to check it I didn't want to see anything that would make me panic but my curiosity got the better of me I stopped in front of the door there was a bitter chilly air coming from the Gap I placed

my hand on the door and felt something like a soft vibration like a muffled hum my heart pounded I stood there for a few seconds my mind torn between walking away and pushing the door open I decided to open it just enough to look inside the room was dark as always I tried the light switch again and nothing happened I slowly stepped in the air felt colder than the hallway the smell of dust and old fabric was thick my eyes strained to see anything then in the corner I saw a shape move it was just

a quick shift in the darkness I heard a soft scraping sound on the carpet I stumbled back nearly losing my balance my breathing turned shallow I couldn't see a face or any details but I knew something was in there watching me I froze I couldn't decide whether to run or to confront whatever it was my body felt locked in place then the shape moved again and I heard a soft whisper I couldn't make out words just a faint breathy sound that was enough for me I turned and rushed out the door letting it swing shut

behind me I knew nearly slammed into the wall in my hurry to get to my room once inside I locked the door my heart was pounding so hard that I thought I might get sick I paced around rubbing my temples and trying to calm down I kept thinking about calling the front desk again but what could they do they had already checked that room once I doubted they would find anything new I decided to turn on every light in my room I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the wall the noises

from next door didn't start up right away but I felt tense waiting for something to happen my skin felt clammy every time the building made a creek I jumped around 2: a.m. I heard a single loud scrape against the adjoining wall it sounded like something heavy was pressed against the wall between our rooms the noise lasted for about 2 seconds and then stopped my entire body tensed I grabbed my phone looking at the time wondering how long this was going to go on I thought about leaving the hotel right then and there but I had

nowhere else to go I felt stuck I hardly slept that night when the sun came up I felt a small wave of relief I got dressed quickly and checked out of that floor for the day I took the elevator down and spent the morning in the lobby sipping coffee and pretending to read emails my mind was racing with thoughts about what was happening but I kept coming back to the same feeling something was in that room and wanted me to know it was there it never answered me it never approached me directly it just made

sure I knew it existed by late afternoon I still had no solution for where else to stay I dragged myself through another workday each time I glanced at the time I felt dread knowing I would have to return to that floor around 8:00 p.m. I came back to the hotel as I stepped off the elevator I felt cold air rush past me the hallway lights were dim I stared at that door expecting it to be open again but it was shut I didn't hear any noises I walked to my room and went inside I left

the lights on set my suitcase on a chair and sat on the bed I waited heart pounding for the next sign of movement but it stayed quiet for most of the night I managed to doze off around midnight but I was still on edge at around 3:00 a.m. I woke up Suddenly I wasn't sure why my room was silent I listened carefully no scraping no footsteps I got up and checked the hallway through my peephole everything looked still I opened the door a crack the corridor was empty the door next to mine was shut I

felt a strange sense of relief mixed with lingering tension I decided to walk over to it one last time I don't know why I thought that was a good idea I just had a weird urge to confirm it was locked I reached for the door knob it felt cold I twisted it slightly and it didn't budge locked no sound from inside I let go and took a step back that's when I felt a soft thump against the other side of the door like something leaned into it my heart hammered so fast that I felt it

in my ears I stared at the door for a few seconds my hand trembling I whispered hello hoping for some kind of explanation but I got nothing in return I backed away from the door and returned to my room I closed the door quietly locked it and got back into bed I stayed awake until morning my body felt tired but my mind wouldn't let me rest I felt sure that whatever was in that room had no intention of leaving and for some reason it wanted me to be aware of it it never harmed me it

never even showed itself fully but it found a way to invade my mind making me question every sound and every shadow I decided then that I would leave this place as soon as I could find another hotel I wasn't about to stay any longer than I had to I'm still here for now packing my things and getting ready to check out in the morning if that means driving around until I find a last minute Motel I'll do it I've had enough of this floor I don't know what's in that room but I know it's there

it doesn't want company but it made sure I wouldn't forget it and that's enough for me I'm done I'm not going to knock on that door again I'm not going to call the front desk about it anymore I'll just walk away and hope I can leave this place behind without any more late night visits from the room next door I showed up at the front doors of the old Swim Club expecting a normal practice session the building looked worn down the paint on the walls had chipped away in several places and there was a faint

smell of mildew in the air I hesitated for a second and then pushed the heavy door open right away I noticed the front desk clerk staring at me with a flat expression she told me to sign in and pointed me toward the locker rooms that was our entire exchange no smile no warm welcome just a halfin interested look I ignored the weird atmosphere and headed inside I walked down a narrow hallway lit by a few flickering lights the place was quiet except for a faint buzzing sound coming from the overhead fixtures I passed a row

of old photographs of swim teams from decades ago some frames were crooked the faces in the photos looked serious with a few forced smiles here and there I felt uneasy but I told myself it was just the old Decor I found the men's locker room room it smelled like damp towels in Old plastic the benches were made of chipped wood and the lockers had rusted Corners I changed into my swim trunks and put on my goggles and cap I noticed a small poster on the wall about water safety but it looked like it had been

there for decades the corners were curled and part of the text had faded I made my way to the pool area the air felt heavy with chlorine and the overhead lights gave everything a dull grayish look I glanced around and saw a a few staff members at the far end of the pool near a small office with a window they whispered among themselves then looked away when I walked in there were no other swimmers in the water the pool was completely empty the water rippled slightly as though someone had just finished a lap but I

saw nobody else I stepped to the edge of the pool the water appeared clean enough in the brightly lit area so I ignored the rumors I had heard earlier people said that late at night the water got murky and strange sounds echoed through the area one staff member had joked about hearing heavy breathing I had Shrugged it off I didn't believe in any of that I just wanted a quiet place to work on my freestyle I slipped into the water it felt Cold against my skin not the usual chill I expected from an indoor pool

but something that made my muscles tense right away the smell of chlorine was strong and my eyes stung a bit despite the goggles I started swimming laps at are calm Pace my arms cut through the water and I tried to focus on my form after a few laps I found a rhythm everything felt normal and I relaxed maybe 20 minutes later I paused for a break at the deep end my heart pounded a bit and I took a moment to catch my breath the overhead lights hummed and I noticed a faint dripping sound coming from

somewhere near the walls the water was still around me then I felt something brush against my foot it felt like a hand or maybe a loose piece of equipment I recoiled and kicked instinctively but nothing was there I glanced around trying to see if anything had drifted near me the water looked empty my stomach tightened I swallowed hard my throat dry I slowly moved to the ladder and climbed out of the pool my hands shook a little as I wiped the excess water off my arms I tried to act calm in front of the staff

members who were still at their station I didn't want to look paranoid but my heartbeat was still racing I considered leaving right then instead I decided to sit on a bench at the side of the pool to settle myself after a few minutes I told myself it was just my imagination maybe it was a patch of cold water or my own leg moving in a strange way I forced myself to get back in and continue my lapse the rest of the session went by without any other odd Sensations and I looked left the club that

night feeling a bit unsettled but determined to return I didn't want to let a weird feeling ruin my training the next evening I came back the moment I walked in I heard the staff Whispering again this time one of the guys near the front desk told me that the water had looked hazy after closing the night before he said he heard a faint sound like gasping or panting he joked about it but I could tell he was uncomfortable I shook my head and tried to shrug it off I didn't want any more strange ideas in

my mind I changed and walked out to the pool again the place seemed normal enough though I noticed a chill in the air that wasn't there before the overhead lights flickered a bit more creating brief moments of dimness I slipped into the water at first I swam without incident my Strokes felt smooth and I focused on my breathing techniques but after several laps I stopped to adjust my goggles I glanced toward the deep end I thought I saw saw a slight disturbance in the water like a ripple moving on its own nobody else was swimming

and there was no vent or jet in that spot the hair on the back of my neck stood up my hands felt clammy against the pool's Edge I tried to ignore it and resumed my laps as I dipped my face under the surface I caught a glimpse of something moving at the bottom it looked like a dark shape drifting or swaying I stopped again and stared for a few seconds but the water was still my heart thumped hard and I felt a knot in my stomach I told myself it was the Reflection from the overhead

lights but I couldn't shake the feeling that I had seen something real I wrapped up my session and headed home that night I had trouble sleeping my mind replayed the moment something brushed my foot my dreams were disturbing I saw myself swimming in Black Water I couldn't see any walls or floors everything was just pitch black liquid and then I felt cold hands gripping my ankles pulling me down I woke up gasping for air my skin was covered in sweat despite my anxiety I went back the following day the staff members told me more stories

they mentioned hearing odd Echoes sometimes like a person exhaling slowly under the water one person claimed she saw splashes in the pool after hours when no one was inside I tried to act casual but inside I felt shaky I usually trained in the late evening because it fit my schedule that night the light seemed dimmer than usual a faint draft made the air feel colder I noticed my own footsteps echoing down the hallway when I stepped onto the pool deck the water looked slightly cloudy not crystal clear I dipped my hand in and the temperature

felt lower than usual I slid into the water hoping some exercise would calm my nerves I pushed off the wall and started freestyle my breathing was uneven and I kept glancing around underwater every time I turned my head to breathe I felt a surge of tension the water seemed heavier somehow my arms felt tired more quickly and my chest tightened as if the air around me weighed on my lungs I finished a lap paused at the shallow end and wiped my eyes I decided to do one more lap as I reached the deep end I

kicked off the wall to head back that was when I felt a sudden shift in the Water behind me it wasn't my wake because I had paused to turn it felt like someone else had just pushed off my blood ran cold my pulse hammered in my temples and I swam faster I forced myself to reach the other side without looking back when I arrived at the shallow end I stood up quickly water dripped off my face I scanned the pool it was empty the overhead lights cast a weak glow and I noticed the staff had

left the pool area I was alone I backed out of the water slowly my legs shaking I grabbed my towel and left without showering my hands trembled as I unlocked my car door I drove home with my mind racing that night the nightmares got worse I saw myself in total darkness again swimming without any sense of direction the water felt like ice and my lungs burned from lack of air then I felt those cold hands on my wrists this time tugging me down I couldn't scream and all I heard was a muffled gurgling sound when

I woke up my heart was pounding so hard I thought it would burst I decided to change my schedule and train in the morning I told the staff I needed a fresh routine they looked at me with curious Expressions but didn't say much on my first morning session the pool felt different the sun was out brightening the glass ceiling above the water the air felt warmer and the water looked clearer I relaxed a bit thinking the daylight would make everything normal but while I swam laps I caught myself glancing to the sides every few Strokes

my mind wouldn't let go of the idea that something was in the water a few times I felt small shifting currents that made me think of a person swimming close by I stopped and looked around a couple of other people were in the pool at that hour so I told myself the currents came from them still I couldn't relax my shoulders were tense and my breathing was shallow during the next few mornings nothing major happened I started to think maybe it was all in my head however I kept having short flashes of that uneasy feeling

whenever I dipped below the surface sometimes I caught a slight shadow in the corner of my vision other times I thought I heard a faint scraping noise against the pool tiles once I felt a small tug on my leg but when I spun around it was just the lane divider floating near me my heart still raced every time my sleep wasn't great I woke up most nights drenched in sweat I would dream about the locker room Corridor in the dream the lights were flickering and I heard water splashing somewhere behind me my chest felt tight

and my jaw was clenched each time I woke up my sheets were Tangled around my legs I refused to quit the club because I needed the exercise and I didn't want to give in to fear but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong with that pool the staff admitted they had no no explanation for the noises the murky water or the weird chills they only repeated the same old stories about hearing breaths and seeing ripples at night one morning I was the first to arrive the moment I stepped through the hallway I noticed

the locker room door was slightly open I walked in and the lights were still off I flipped the switch the ceiling lights buzzed and a few of them flickered before staying on I saw my reflection in the mirrors by the sinks my eyes had dark circles under them I looked exhausted I went to my usual Locker the metal felt cold to the touch I heard a loud drip from one of the showers the sound echoed in the quiet space I changed then headed out to the pool deck the water's surface was motionless and for a

second it looked almost inviting the sunlight was coming in through the high windows I breathed in and told myself it was just another morning I swam for about 15 minutes without anything odd I started to think I might have a normal session then when I stopped at the wall for a quick rest I heard a noise near the deep end it sounded like a single breath almost like someone had surfaced for air I turned my head but the pool was empty my arms tensed and my stomach felt Hollow I stared for a while waiting for

a sign of movement the water was still I debated whether to keep swimming or leave I pushed off the wall and and tried to finish another lap but my stroke felt shaky halfway across I felt a wave push against my legs it wasn't big but it was enough to throw off my rhythm I coughed and swallowed a mouthful of chlorinated water my throat burned I stopped and grabbed the lane divider for support I scanned the surface again nobody was near me I heard my heartbeat in my ears I forced myself to keep going and reached

the other side then I hoisted myself out of the pool panting my arms and legs felt weak I sat on the edge for a moment trying to catch my breath I decided that was enough for the day I toweled off got dressed and walked out the staff at the front desk asked if I was feeling okay I gave a short nod and left without explaining I drove home my hand still shaking on the steering wheel my clothes felt damp against my skin and my mind kept replaying the sound of that single breath I kept up

my morning schedule for a while longer hoping the strange events would fade they didn't every time I entered that building the air felt stale and uncomfortable the water always seemed a bit too cold I caught small glimpses of movement in my peripheral vision and I heard brief Echoes that sounded like someone exhaling my night stayed restless with recurring dreams of being pulled beneath the surface I'm still going there but I can't relax each time I dip my head underwater I brace for something to brush against my foot or grab my arm I can't ignore the

tightness in my chest or the shiver that runs through my body when I see those tiny ripples forming without a clear cause the staff members keep telling the same stories they shrug it off as old pipes or drafty vents I wish I could say I found a logical reason for all of it but I haven't I don't see any proof of a person in the water yet I feel a presence the cold spot around my feet the fleeting shapes at the bottom the quiet exhalations that Echo at the wrong moments none of it goes away

when I leave I feel a knot in my stomach that lingers for hours at night I wake up breathless and sweating with the memory of that suffocating black water on my mind but I keep going back I keep hoping it's just a trick of the old pipes or some Quirk of this aging building I hope that maybe on one of these mornings I'll swim my laps and feel fine yet every time I step onto the pool deck the cold air washes over me and I remember the rumors I remember the feeling of something brushing my

foot I remember the shape I thought I saw underneath me I remember the breath I heard when nobody was there and deep down I know I'll never see this place the same way again I saw the diary on a Wednesday morning it was on the small wooden table in the far corner of the library that spot was mine for weeks I liked the silence there because nobody ever bothered me the Librarians rarely passed that area I sat down and noticed a worn black notebook with a plain cover I didn't see anyone leave it it was

just there I picked it up and flipped through the pages at first I saw random words about rituals in Hidden Chambers then I realized the handwriting changed changed every few pages like different people had taken turns writing some pages looked neat others were messy with deep erratic pen marks I felt a tightness in my chest when I read a section that described a dark place under the ground it mentioned long tunnels and weird symbols carved into the walls I shut the diary and looked around the library was quiet a few people sat at desks nearby

but nobody seemed to be watching me I had this strange feeling in my stomach like I shouldn't keep reading but I was curious I flipped to another page and saw another style of handwriting full of scribbles in the margins it talked about a ritual that required certain steps and repeated chanting I couldn't make sense of it I closed the diary my Palms felt sweaty I took a deep breath I walked over to the main desk and handed it to the librarian she glanced at the cover Shrugged and said she'd put it in the lost and

found she didn't ask any questions I nodded then walked out of the library my head felt cramped I tried to push the diary out of my mind that night I had trouble sleeping I kept picturing those tunnels the diary described I saw myself walking with a torch heading down some narrow passage I didn't see anyone with me I just heard my footsteps echo in the dark the walls were damp and cold I saw strange markings like letters from an unknown alphabet I woke up around 3:00 a.m. covered in sweat my heart pounded and I felt

like I'd run a marathon I got up and checked the time on my phone my legs were shaky I drank some water tried to calm down and forced myself back to bed the next morning I returned to the library at my usual time the table in the corner was empty again I sat down set out my notebooks and tried to study a few pages into my reading I noticed something black sitting behind a pile of old magazines at the edge of the table I reached over and pulled it out it was the same diary I

recognized the worn edges and the scuffed cover my stomach dropped I looked around confused I had given it to the librarian the day before maybe they placed it here by mistake but why would they put a lost item right where I usually sat I decided to bring it back to the front desk again the same librarian was there I explained that I'd found the diary again at my seat she stared at me with a blank expression and took it without a word I returned to my table and tried to focus on my notes my mind

kept wandering I felt like someone was messing with me when I got home that evening I found weird scribbles on the last page of my notebook they looked like the symbols I saw in the dream they weren't neat or orderly they were Jagged almost like I pressed the pen too hard I didn't remember writing them my hand felt sore like I'd been gripping a pen for too long I sat there confused and unsettled that night my dreams got worse I saw the same underground passage but this time I heard dripping water the torch flickered and

I saw shapes in the distance I couldn't tell if they were people or just Shadows my chest felt tight and I could barely breathe I ran my fingers along the wall was feeling the Cold Stone and the strange Engravings my back tensed up and my shoulders achd I turned a corner and saw a large iron door with symbols carved into it my head started to pound I tried to stop looking at it but my eyes wouldn't move away then I woke up gasping for air I felt like I'd been holding my breath in my sleep

in the morning I noticed more of those odd marks now on the edges of my study notes I couldn't figure out how they got there I felt a dull pain in my hand again like I'd been writing all night my nerves were raw I needed answers but I also felt uneasy about going back to the library still it was my usual routine it was where I got most of my work done around noon I walked into the library and went straight to my corner table at first I didn't see the diary I relaxed a bit

I spread out my notes took my pen and tried to focus on the tasks I had for the day after about an hour I stood up to stretch when I turned around I saw the diary on the chair next to mine I almost dropped my pen I felt a surge of panic my skin tingled and my stomach clenched I grabbed the diary this time I opened it again the pages were familiar but now there were new scribbles in the margins I saw partial sentences in the same style as the marks I found in my notebook

at home I felt my heartbeat speed up I couldn't find a single explanation for how this thing kept showing up I walked back to the main desk my voice shook as I tried to keep calm I told the librarian that the diary appeared near me again she gave me a confused look and said she didn't recall seeing it earlier I asked if I could look at the lost and found log or something to confirm it had been turned in she said they didn't keep a detailed log for small items like that I felt stupid I

thanked her and left the diary with her once more I spent the rest of the day trying to focus on other things but every time I blinked I pictured that tunnel the iron door and those symbols my hands felt clammy all day when I got home I immediately checked my notebooks I saw more fresh scribbles along the sides of my notes my entire body tensed I didn't remember writing those I slammed the notebook shut and tried to distract myself with a TV show but I couldn't concentrate that night the dreams came back this time I

could smell The Damp air in the tunnel it smelled like wet stone and old Moss my footsteps echoed the torch crackled my throat felt tight I walked deeper and deeper at one point I realized I was tracing the symbols on the wall with my fingertips my hand tingled my breathing grew heavy like the air was thicker down there when I finally woke up I was covered in sweat my pillow was damp my heart p pounded I had trouble catching my breath I lay there for a few minutes staring at the ceiling trying to make sense

of all this the next day I went to the library again I considered skipping it but I felt drawn there like I had no other choice my legs felt heavy as I walked through the doors I didn't look at the librarian I moved straight to my corner the diary was on the table I grabbed it immediately I flipped through the pages and until I reached a part I hadn't read before it described a large chamber under the Earth full of carved pillars and more symbols it mentioned a group of people dressed in dark robes standing

in a circle there was a reference to chanting the lines were shaky like the writer's hand was trembling I didn't want to read more but I felt compelled to the next page had large symbols drawn in Black Ink the edges of the page were frayed something about this felt wrong I shut the diary breathing fast my skin felt hot I tried to steady my heartbeat I heard my own breathing echo in my ears for a moment I felt like I was back in that tunnel my hands shook I put the diary in my backpack I

didn't want to leave it there anymore I wanted to get rid of it for good maybe if I threw it in a trash can somewhere far away it would stop appearing near me I walked out of the library my steps hurried on the way home I kept checking over my shoulder I had the sense that someone was following me but every time I turned around nobody was there my Palms were sweaty I felt this knot in my stomach that wouldn't go away I noticed people on the sidewalk giving me odd looks I realized I was

breathing heavily almost panting I tried to slow my breathing but my chest was tight when I got home I set the diary on my coffee table I walked around it like it was a dangerous animal then I picked it up opened it one more time and tried to see if there was any clue about who wrote it or how I could contact them I saw no name or address I did notice a small detail I hadn't caught before a faint stamp on the inside cover that said property of but the rest was smudged out I

took a pen and scribbled over the mark hoping to reveal something underneath nothing just old black ink I decided to throw the diary away I walked outside side found the big trash bin behind my building and tossed it in I heard it land on top of some loose garbage then I slammed the lid I stood there for a few seconds my heart still racing I felt a small sense of relief I told myself I was done with it that evening I tried to review my notes but I felt too anxious I kept checking the door

to my apartment I felt like the diary would come sliding underneath somehow it was an irrational thought but I couldn't shake it my arms felt weak and my eyes were tired when I finally managed to fall asleep I had the same nightmare this time it was worse I felt the walls of the tunnel closing in my back scraped against damp Stone my breath turned shallow I saw the torch light flicker on more of those bizarre symbols my chest achd I thought I was going to collapse right there when I woke up my right hand was

cramping I looked around and saw I had scribbled more weird markings on a piece of scrap paper I kept by the bed they looked like the ones in the diary my head throbbed with confusion and exhaustion I barely had the energy to stand up I considered skipping the library altogether that day but I had no quiet place to go my apartment was cramped and my neighbors were noisy against my better judgment I made my way there in the afternoon the moment I stepped inside I felt a chill the library's air conditioning was always on but

this felt different as I approached my usual Corner my heart started pounding the diary was there resting on top of my usual chair like it was waiting for me my chest tightened my vision blurred a bit I felt a wave of dizziness I almost turned around and left but something in me wanted to see if there were more entries I picked it up and checked the pages there were new notes someone had scrolled short lines on the back pages I recognized my own handwriting it was the same rushed script I'd seen in the scribbles at

home my hand shook as I flipped through there was a fresh passage that described the iron door in Greater detail it mentioned that once you open the door there's no turning back it also mentioned a path that leads into a deeper chamber the words sounded frantic my breathing grew shallow I felt my pulse hammering in my neck I realized I might have written those words in my sleep or during one of my exhausted moments I had no memory of doing it but the handwriting matched my mouth went dry I shut the diary and felt a

Tremor in my arms I didn't know what was happening to me I left the library in a hurry I could feel the stairs of the few people sitting there but I didn't care I just wanted to get out for the next few days I stayed away from the library I told myself I could study in a cafe or in my apartment with noise cancelling headphones I tried everything to distract myself I kept the lights on at night I drank coffee to avoid sleeping too long but I still had short bursts of nightmares whenever I dozed

off each time I saw those tunnels I felt the Cold Stone under my fingertips and each time I woke up with more scribbles around me on the fifth day I realized the diary was on my kitchen counter when I got home I never brought it here I had thrown it away my head pounded when I saw it my first thought was that I was losing my mind my second thought was to open it and see if anything else had been added sure enough there were more notes in my handwriting they described a final passage leading

to a hidden ritual sight I slammed the diary shut and felt my heart race my hands were shaking so much that I dropped it it landed on the floor with a dull thud I picked it up and flipped to the front again the old the older entries were still there describing the dark place underground the chanting the weird group in robes but I could feel my perspective shifting it was like I was part of that group or at least something was pulling me in that direction my forehead felt damp with sweat my pulse pounded in

my temples I paced around my kitchen I wanted to destroy it I wanted to set it on fire but I felt afraid part of me worried something worse would happen if I tried my breathing was shallow my eyes were burning with exhaustion I put the diary inside a drawer and slammed it shut I sat on my couch feeling shaky and uncertain that night I had another nightmare I was in the tunnel again but this time I was near the iron door my palm was pressed against its surface it felt cold and rough I noticed my

own scribbled notes on the stone around the door frame my hand started to turn the handle and the door creaked open I felt a deep pounding fear in my chest then I woke up so fast that I almost fell off the bed my heart hammered and my throat was dry I could taste bile at the back of my mouth I realized I'd been grinding my teeth my jaw achd now whenever I close my eyes I see that door I see the torch light flicker I feel my hand on the metal handle and I don't know

what happens if I walk through I don't want to find out but I keep feeling a pull to return to the library to open that diary again to see if there's some final entry that explains it all every time I try to resist I end up picturing those symbols in that cold dripping tunnel my hands tremble just thinking about it I'm telling this story because I don't have anyone else to tell I don't know how this diary keeps appearing I don't know why I'm writing in it without remembering I only know that these nightmares leave

me exhausted and these strange scribbles keep showing up wherever I go I feel like I'm always on edge waiting for something to jump out from behind a bookshelf or appear in my apartment I still go to the library sometimes the diary still shows up I return it to the front desk but it always finds a way back to me I've stopped trying to explain it to the librarian she just stares at me like I'm wasting her time now I keep keep it in my desk drawer at home locked away hoping that maybe it will stay

put but a small part of me knows it won't that's all I can say I'm living with this strange cycle uncertain if I'm doing these things to myself or if the diary has some power I can't understand my body feels tired all the time my eyes burn my hands ache but the dream tunnels keep calling me and the diary keeps finding me I don't know how to break free I I just know that every day I wait for the next page to fill itself and every night I brace for the same suffocating Darkness to swallow

me again I got home last Friday with an old piece of sheet music under my arm my friend a fellow musician had handed it to me earlier that afternoon he didn't say much about it he just Shrugged and said he found it in a pile of stuff he bought at a flea market he said it looked like something I might enjoy I thought it was just another random score I had no idea it would make my living room feel colder than it ever had before I'm an amateur pianist so I'm used to leafing through old

manuscripts and trying out new Tunes I like the musty smell of Old Paper I don't mind the faded ink or the occasional notes scribbled in the margins by past owners but that day when I took the sheet out of the folder I noticed something strange the pages looked worn and brown at the edges but the ink was still dark and crisp there was no title No composer's Name the measures seemed normal at first quarter notes half notes rests but near the end of the first page I saw some symbols I didn't recognize they didn't look

like any standard Dynamic marks or accents they looked like odd scratches in the staff I placed the sheet music on my piano stand that evening I turned on a small lamp by the piano the yellow light flicked licked a bit which I thought was just the bulb needing replacement then I started playing the first measures were calm the chords fit together well and the melody was soft as I moved to the second page I heard a faint buzzing in my left ear I paused and rubbed my ear then I kept playing I noticed the chords

started to clash they didn't sound like experimental jazz or anything I'd heard in modern compositions they sounded harsh and uncomfortable I started feeling the hair on my arms rise and I was only on the third page I took a short break I got up from the piano bench and drank a glass of water I felt my pulse it was fast and my forehead felt damp I kept looking at the sheet music on the stand the symbols on the corners of the page seemed to shift under the lamp's light I thought my eyes were playing tricks

on me I switched on the overhead light in the living room to make sure I could see properly the symbols didn't move then but I still felt uneasy I sat back down and placed my hands on the keys again my fingers felt rigid and I had a slight Tremor I tried to ignore it I started playing from the fourth page the notes sounded jarring my foot on the pedal picked up strange overtones like Echoes the piano seemed to vibrate more than usual I glanced around the room the walls looked darker even with the overhead light

on I heard a slight draft from somewhere but I had closed all the windows the temperature felt different like a sudden chill I forced myself to keep going my shoulders tensed and my breath felt shallow I could hear my own heartbeat the music got faster with more of those strange symbols my hands felt like they were digging into the keys the cord sounded broken but I kept following the notation then out of nowhere I heard a low hum almost like a distant horn I stopped playing for a second to check if it came from outside

when I paused the room went silent except for the faint buzz in my ears I decided to push through and finish the piece I had this urge to see where it led as I reached the last measures on the final page I felt the air in the room turn icy my breath came out in short gasps my eyes teared up from the cold my left hand cramped and I nearly messed up a cord I kept going there was was a sensation on my neck like someone was standing right behind me I wanted to turn around

but my hands stayed on the keys the piano's volume seemed to swell as if invisible strings and Brass were accompanying me I could swear I heard more instruments but there was no one else there then the music ended with a single sustained note I pressed the key and held the pedal waiting for it to fade the echo from the piano lingered it didn't just fade away it pulsed a bit in the room I felt my chest tighten I let go of the key and just sat there my arms were stiff and my fingers were cold

the overhead light flickered once then stayed on I stood up slowly my back hurt my head felt heavy I looked at the sheet music it was lying there on the stand but now it seemed thicker I noticed more pages at the back that I hadn't seen before I flipped through them they were blank at first glance but then I saw fresh notes forming on the paper like ink bleeding in from beneath I watched mouth dry as new measures took shape I couldn't believe it the new pages looked old as well with the same dark ink

and the same strange symbols I stepped back and bumped into the piano bench nearly falling my heart pounded I closed the piano lid and gathered the pages in a stack I slid them into a drawer hoping that would stop whatever was happening I forced myself to turn off all the lights and go to bed I felt my muscles ache and I just wanted to sleep that night I woke up a few times at around 2 a.m. I heard something it was faint but I recognized the pitch it was the piano I sat up in bed

listening the notes were the same dissonant chords from the final pages of that strange piece they repeated in a slow pattern then paused then repeated I felt my pulse speed up I rubbed my eyes and got out of bed the hallway was dark so I turned on the light the switch clicked but the light took a second to come on when it did it was dimmer than usual I walked toward the living room the piano keys were moving on their own the lid was still closed but the sound came from inside my heart thumped I

lifted the lid expecting something mechanical but nothing was there the keys pressed down by themselves playing that unsettling cord progression the sheet music was still in the drawer so it wasn't out in front I stood there Frozen my arms felt heavy I leaned over and slammed the lid shut the sound stopped abruptly I opened the drawer and checked the sheet music it was there exactly where I had put it I flipped to the end more lines were filled in than before I stared at them for a long time but I couldn't make sense of them

they looked like normal notes except for those odd symbols scattered around I closed the drawer went back to bed and lay awake until morning my mind replayed the chord progression my body felt sore and I struggled to get comfortable I considered calling my friend and asking if he knew anything about this but I didn't want to sound crazy I also didn't want to bring more attention to the score part of me wanted to burn it but I was afraid of what might happen if I did in the morning I tried to focus on regular life

I ate breakfast tried to read some emails and thought about going out for a walk but the living room felt tense I kept glancing at the piano I noticed a draft that seemed to come from behind it but there was no vent there the air near the piano felt colder than the rest of the apartment I approached it and touched the keys they felt like ice I pressed one lightly and It produced a soft tone that lingered in my ears longer than it should have I looked at the drawer I could hear a faint rustling

sound like paper shifting it sent a Tremor through my chest I decided to play a few notes on a different piece just to see if everything was okay I grabbed a well-known chopan Waltz but my hands Shook and the piano sounded Out Of Tune the notes wavered the resonance was off I stopped after a few measures my skin tingled and I felt the chill again I sat on my couch for a while not sure what to do my phone buzzed it was my friend asking if I'd looked at the sheet music yet I texted back

that I did and asked him where he got it he just said it came from an old estate sale and that the seller didn't mention anything special I wanted to say more but I stopped I didn't want to explain what was happening through text I spent the afternoon trying to ignore the piano I left the apartment and went for a walk I grabbed a sandwich at a small Cafe and tried to clear my mind but my head felt heavy and my appetite was gone on the way back I felt this dread in my chest I

thought about sleeping somewhere else for the night but my stuff was all at home I decided I'd just keep the drawer locked and stay out of the living room as much as possible that evening I turned on the TV in the bedroom and turned up the volume I wanted to drown out any sound from the piano but around 10 shight p.m. I heard that same humming noise I muted the TV and listened it was soft but it was definitely coming from the living room it Rose and fell like an eerie chant I felt Goosebumps on

my arms I left the bedroom light on and walked down the hall when I reached the piano I saw the drawer was open slightly a corner of the old sheet music was sticking out I hadn't touched it since the morning and I was sure I'd closed it my throat felt dry I knelt down and pushed the drawer shut but it wouldn't close all the way there was some Force keeping it open then the humming stopped the living room went quiet but the cold air made me Shiver I looked at the corners of the ceiling and

the walls I didn't see anything unusual but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was there I stood and stared at the piano for a full minute I felt this urge to pull the sheet music out and play the new pages it was like an itch in my brain I wanted to know what would happen if I continued maybe the music would end in some release or maybe it would make the cold go away I hesitated my stomach churned my heart pounded I crouched down gripped the drawer handle and opened it fully the papers rustled

more lines of notes had appeared the lines were uneven like they'd been scrawled in a hurry my eyes locked onto them I felt a tightness in my chest the composition was longer now at least three more pages than yesterday I set the pages on the piano stand and flipped through them the notes seemed chaotic dissonant intervals lined up measure after measure the strange symbols were more frequent they looked angular and sharp placed above certain chords I placed my hands on the keys and tried the first measure of the new section the chord sounded thick and

unpleasant my head throbbed I stopped I couldn't do it right then I closed the lid again I didn't sleep well that night the temperature in the apartment dropped even more and I used two blankets I woke up with stiff joints and a headache in the morning I found the piano lid open the bench was pulled out slightly the sheet music lay on the stand even though I'd left it in the drawer my stomach flipped when I saw it I realized I had to make a choice I either I would play the entire composition and see

what happened or I would try to get rid of it somehow but I remembered the moment the new pages appeared on their own I didn't feel confident that burning or throwing it out would solve anything I decided to call my friend I needed him to see this but he didn't answer I left a voicemail asking him to call me back as soon as he could then I paced around the living room for a while the apartment felt too small the corners were dim even with the lights on the piano looked like it was waiting for

me my hands shook I took a deep breath and opened the drawer again the pages were all there fully notated I set them on the stand I adjusted the bench I felt my arms tingle and a wave of nausea hit me but I placed my fingers on the keys I started from the beginning again hoping to push through the entire thing in one go the first Pages were the same as before my heart raced my shoulders tightened the atmosphere in the room grew heavier by the measure by the time I reached the newer sections I

felt a drop in temperature I kept playing the new cords were dense my fingers stumbled a few times my breath came in short gasps I heard the same Echo from the walls like instruments joining in my vision blurred but I didn't stop the sound built up and pounded in my head finally I reached what looked like the the last page the final cord stretched across three staves loaded with accidentals and strange markings I pressed the keys as firmly as I could the vibration rattled the lamp next to the piano then the cord faded everything went

still I lifted my hands breathing hard my legs shook the room stayed cold and I listened for any sign of the humming or the hidden Orchestra but it was silent I looked at the pages no new lines appeared it was over I slid the stack of pages back into the drawer and closed it my fingers tingled the overhead light in the living room glowed a bit brighter than before I walked away from the piano feeling laded I left the apartment shortly after that and stayed out until it got dark when I got back the living

room felt normal again though the cold spot near the piano lingered I haven't tried playing the piece again sometimes I still hear faint notes in the middle of the night but they're softer now the pages haven't changed since then and they stay locked in the drawer I don't know if I'll ever touch them again sometimes I feel tempted sometimes I wonder if the music will keep growing if I give it another chance but I stay away because each time I look at those pages I remember how my hands felt numb and how the air turned

ice cold around me and that's all the reason I need to leave it alone I never thought my nights would be filled with whispered conversations from an empty stage I just wanted to help out at the old Municipal theater it looked sad from the outside the walls showed signs of water damage and the front doors creaked people said it was a place with a lot of history but they also said it was almost forgotten they needed volunteers to clean and lock up I signed up because I had free time and I felt like a space

like that deserves some care even if it didn't draw big crowds anymore I didn't expect to hear voices in the basement after dark I didn't expect to see strange shapes in the dressing room mirrors I definitely didn't expect my nerves to fray each time I turned out the lights I've been doing this volunteer job for a few weeks my main tasks are sweeping the floors cleaning the dressing rooms and making sure all the doors are locked at night on weekends I come in the early afternoon and stay until around midnight sometimes there are small recal

maybe a speech or a local choir rehearsal but not much more than that most of the time the place is quiet and empty that's what I liked about it at first I liked the idea of being alone with the sound of my own footsteps on the old wooden stage the seats are musty and the curtains have a Dusty smell but I found something comforting about it then I started hearing things the first time I heard the voices was on a Wednesday evening I was finishing up in the orchestra pit making sure there were no stray

cups or papers from the few people who had used the space earlier in the week I heard a murmur that sounded like a single person speaking the sound carried up from the basement or maybe from somewhere behind the stage I froze thinking maybe someone had entered without me noticing I listened carefully but I only caught a few faint sounds I walked over to the side door and peaked into the hallway that leads to the basement there was nobody there the door to the basement steps was closed I listened again nothing my heart thumped in my

ears but everything was quiet I Shrugged it off and got back to work I thought maybe it was a trick of the old pipes a few nights later I was in the main lobby sweeping it was around 900 p.m. and the place was empty the overhead lights in the lobby are weak and the corners stay in Shadow I heard the voices again clearer this time there were at least two voices maybe three they sounded upset like they were arguing I couldn't make out words but I heard a strained tone like frustration or desperation my chest

felt tight and my Palms got sweaty I set the broom aside walked to the top of the basement stairs and flipped the light switch the hallway below looked dim the fluorescent light flickered for a moment moment before settling I stood there listening I heard one of the voices again but it was so faint I couldn't be sure if it was real or my imagination I took a few steps down each stair creaking under my weight when I reached the bottom the smell of mold was heavy but something else Blended in something like old flowers that

were left out too long I looked around the hallway was empty the utility room door was open a crack I nudged it open and saw nothing but old chairs and boxes the voices had gone silent that night I locked up feeling uneasy I stayed by the front doors for a minute before leaving just staring back at the dark interior my mind kept replaying the voices they hadn't sounded casual they sounded urgent like a dress rehearsal on the edge of chaos but there was no one there I remember telling myself I was just tired the next

week I started hearing the voices almost every night sometimes they were muffled like they were coming from behind a thick wall sometimes I heard them right when I was on stage I'd stop and listen to the echo my mouth would go dry and my hands would tremble a bit every time I investigated I found empty corridors and Dusty floors the smell in the basement kept shifting from that moldy dampness to that hint of old flowers it felt heavier when I went deeper into the basement rooms like the air was pressing in on me I kept

expecting to turn a corner and see people but I never did I decided to try recording the sounds I brought my phone and set the voice recorder on while I walked around the theater at night I'd hear the voices but when I played the recording later it was all static and faint rustling I tried standing at the top of the basement steps with my phone outstretched hoping to capture even a word or a phrase nothing but garbled audio I could almost make out a few whispered words but they were too distorted it made me frustrated

because part of me wanted proof I wasn't losing my mind one night I checked the stage area for any signs of intruders I found nothing after that I went into the dressing rooms there are about six of them backstage each with a wall of mirrors surrounded by old yellow bulbs most of those bulbs don't work now as I walked into the second dressing room I felt a chill run down my arms I paused trying to see if there was a after or a broken window nothing seemed out of place I stood in front of the

mirror about to clean the surface with a rag then I saw something move in the reflection I jerked my head around but the room was empty no one was behind me I looked back at the mirror and for a split second I saw a shape it was a dark silhouette like a person standing where the costume rack is but that area was empty my stomach twisted and my heart started pounding in my hands went cold then it was gone I dropped the rag and went out into the hallway my breathing was quick and my thoughts

were jumbled I tried to steady Myself by checking the other rooms I kept seeing odd flickers in the mirrors quick movements that vanished when I turned my head I wanted to finish my tasks but I couldn't stop thinking about the voices in the basement and the shapes in the mirrors I forced myself to keep cleaning my throat felt dry and my jaw stayed clenched each time I saw a flicker I almost jumped I tried to tell myself it was the lighting or my eyes playing tricks on me but I couldn't shake the feeling of being

watched over the next few days I noticed an odd pattern every time I heard the voices I also smelled that mix of mold and dried flowers it was a faint stale scent but it always showed up right before the voices started then I'd see a quick movement in the corner of my eye or a reflection in one of the mirrors the Silhouettes in the mirrors never matched my own reflection or anything else in the room they moved like people on stage gesturing or turning I'd see a hand raised or a head tilt like someone was

rehearsing lines or reacting to someone else's dialogue it made me feel tense all the time my stomach felt tight and I couldn't relax even when I was just sweeping or changing light bulbs after 2 weeks of this I decided I couldn't just ignore it I thought about telling the building man manager but we hardly ever see him and I wasn't sure what I'd say I keep hearing voices in the basement and I see shadows in the mirrors but there's no one there that sounds ridiculous instead I tried to gather more evidence I went out and

bought a small digital voice recorder something more sensitive than my phone's mic I hid it in different spots near the basement steps in the dressing rooms even on the stage the recording still came out distorted some sometimes I could hear faint murmers or a quick hiss but it was never clear during one of these late night searches I stood on the stage staring out at the empty seats my flashlight beam passed over row after row of worn chairs the balcony was pitch dark the curtains on either side of the stage were half open and they

moved slightly as if a breeze passed through but there was no Breeze my arms got goosebumps and I felt a prickly sensation on the back of my neck then I Heard a Voice right behind me it was soft but it had an urgent tone I whipped around with my flashlight shining it everywhere nothing my heart was racing so fast that I felt a little laded I forced myself to breathe slowly but every time I inhaled I smelled that stale flower scent I climbed down from the stage and hurried backstage not bothering to finish my cleaning

that same night I had trouble sleeping I kept seeing the shape in the mirror whenever I closed my eyes I felt like my apartment was too quiet too different from the theater I wished I had something normal to focus on something that could wipe the memory of that whispered voice from my head the next day I told myself I had to be more systematic about it I took a small notebook to the theater planning to write down every time I heard the voices or saw something odd I spent most of the afternoon vacuuming the lobby

carpet around 5:00 p.m. a small group came in to rehearse a coral Arrangement so there were real voices in the building for a few hours that made me feel better but by 8:00 p.m. they left and I was alone again I sat in the main Auditorium on the edge of the stage writing in my notebook I noted the time the date and how the building felt at first it was just quiet I heard normal Creeks from the old structure I walked backstage around 8:30 and checked the dressing rooms the mirrors were empty no weird shapes

the smell was just dust in old paint I felt a bit relieved like maybe it was over then around 9:15 I was locking the back doors leading to the alley I heard the voices again this time coming from the corridor near the basement they sounded strained like actors in the middle of a tense scene my ears picked up more than one person two or three maybe more my heart pounded and my hand shook a bit on the door handle I wrote down the time in my notebook then I went to the basement door I stood

there gripping my flashlight trying to decide if I should go down again my throat felt tight the hair on my arm stood up I opened the door and flipped the switch the light flickered the voices grew quieter but still audible they were definitely down there I forced myself to walk down the stairs each step creeped my breaths were shallow and I could feel sweat beating on my forehead the smell hit me halfway down mold in that stale flower scent I swallowed hard the hallway was still and dimly lit by the single fluorescent tube I moved

slowly checking the storage rooms nothing I followed the corridor to the far end where an old locked door leads to a crawl space the voices seemed closer there like they were right behind the door I leaned in and pressed my ear to the wood the voices were clear enough to make me think real people were on the other side I grabbed my key ring though I knew I didn't have a key for that door it's always been off limits the building manager told me not to worry about it I jiggled the handle locked I considered

knocking but my hand trembled at the thought my heart pounded the voices were so close but I still couldn't make out exact words they sounded agitated ated my Palms felt clammy and I realized I was gripping my flashlight so tightly that my knuckles were sore I stepped back trying to catch my breath then the hallway went silent no fading out no gradual quieting just silent like someone flipped a switch the stale flower smell was overwhelming so I moved away trying not to breathe it in too deeply my pulse was racing my mouth tasted like metal

I felt dizzy I hurried back up the stairs my footsteps echoing in the empty Corridor I made it to the lobby and tried to calm down my heart was hammering and my legs felt weak I dropped into a chair resting my head in my hands after a minute I stood up and decided to check the dressing rooms again I wanted to see if those Reflections had changed each dressing room was silent the overhead lights flickered when I turned them on I stared into the mirrors search SE in for any movement in the third dressing room

I saw a faint outline in the mirror's reflection like someone standing behind me I spun around swinging my flashlight but the space was empty I heard a soft rustle like fabric moving and I froze I looked back to the mirror and the outline was gone my hands Shook and my stomach felt tight I realized I couldn't stay in there any longer I turned off the lights and hurried to the front of the theater I checked the time it was close to 10: p.m. usually I stay until midnight but I felt like I couldn't handle it

I did a quick walk through to make sure all the exterior doors were locked my stomach churned my neck felt stiff and every little sound made me Flinch I felt an urge to run I left early locking up behind me over the next few nights the same thing happened the voices showed up and I'd catch glimpses of shapes in the mirrors the smell of mold and old flowers hovered around me whenever the voices started my hands would get clammy and my heart would race each time my recordings failed I only got static or faint Whispers

I tried telling myself it was some old vent system carrying voices from outside or some leftover radio frequency but the consistent timing and the sudden silence whenever I got too close didn't make sense the shapes in the mirrors also made me question that logic they moved like real people performing drama that I couldn't hear clearly I started dreading my shifts my nerves were on edge my shoulders achd from being tense I could barely sleep when I got home because I kept replaying those moments in my head yet I kept going back part of me wanted

to understand what was happening part of me felt responsible for the theater like I couldn't abandon it every time I turned the key in the front door I felt a knot in my stomach tonight I'm sitting here in the office taking a break before I do my final final rounds the building is quiet I hear the hum of the old HVAC system I feel a bit nauseous and there's a dull ache in my temples I can still smell a faint trace of that stale flower scent my phone battery is full and my recorder is ready

I'm going to try one more time to capture the voices I'm afraid of going down those steps but I have to know if the locked door at the end of the hallway will stay closed I have to know if I can figure out who or what is behind those voices my stomach clenches and my hands feel slick with sweat I'm nervous but I'm also determined I'm not expecting answers exactly I just want something on tape something that proves I'm not imagining this after I finish this last round tonight I'll lock up and take a few

days off I need to clear my head maybe I'll talk to someone else about it or maybe I'll decide it's better to quit I don't like feeling this tightness in my chest every time the lights flicker but first I have to see if I can catch them on audio I'm not sure what I'll do if I succeed if the recording finally works then I'll have proof of something but even that thought scares me I guess I'll find out for now I just want to get through this shift I'm heading down there in a few minutes

I can feel my pulse pounding the air in here is heavy my mouth is dry I'm just going to swallow my nerves grab the flashlight and walk toward the basement door if I hear the voices again I'll press record that's all I can do one step at a time I got home from work late that night feeling sweat trickle down the back of my neck my shirt was stuck to my skin and my feet felt like they were on fire I walked straight to the bathroom I didn't care about anything else all I wanted was

to wash off the day and try to get some sleep my apartment felt Stuffy the hallway lights were dim I could hear the hum of the air conditioner in the living room but it didn't cool me down fast enough I turned on the shower and let the water run hot I took off my clothes and threw them in a corner the bathroom mirror fogged up in seconds my legs felt weak from standing so long at work so I leaned against the tile wall in the shower letting the water drum on my shoulders it helped me

relax but I still felt a nod in my stomach I wanted to pretend everything was normal but something inside me felt off like I was missing some detail about my night when I stepped out of the shower I dried off in Silence the bathroom fan buzzed overhead and I watched steam float near the ceiling I wrapped a towel around my waist and stepped into the hallway the air felt Cold against my damp skin then I saw something that made me stop there were wet marks on the ceiling of the hallway shaped like Footprints they stretched

out along the plaster one after another as if someone had walked upside down from the bathroom toward my living room for a second I thought maybe water was leaking from the apartment above me but I live on the top floor I looked closer and realized these wet spots looked exactly like Footprints each print was about the size of a normal adult foot I stood there water dripping off the ends of my hair feeling my heart beat against my rib cage I didn't want to believe it I stepped into the living room still in my towel

following the footprints with my eyes they stopped right above the entryway to the kitchen then faded out my scalp tingled and I felt a chill on my arms the wet Footprints had a muddy color around the edges I leaned against the wall trying to think straight I glanced at the floor checking for water or puddles but it was dry down there it was only on the ceiling the prints were definitely on the ceiling and they looked fresh there was a faint smell in the air a something stale and earthy it reminded me of a pond

that never got cleaned it smelled like stagnant mud I swallowed hard and went to the closet for a broom I pressed the towel tighter around my waist and carefully poked at the ceiling it was damp where the footprints were but no water dripped down I started to feel uneasy but I told myself it could be some weird plumbing issue maybe water seeped through from somewhere else creating shapes that happened to look like footprints that's what I wanted to believe I got dressed grabbed a step stool and wiped away the prints with a rag they came

off leaving a faint dirty residue on the cloth I opened a window to air the place out after a few minutes the smell faded and I thought that was the end of it the next day I came home around the same time I left work later than usual again because my boss demanded I finish some last minute tasks I turned on the living room lights and tossed my keys on the coffee table I stopped in my tracks when I looked at the ceiling there were Footprints again but this time they were spread out above the

couch as if someone had crawled along the surface the odor hit me first that same muddy stagnant smell the prints were wet just like before I moved around the couch to get a better view each footprint was about 2 ft apart some spots had small drops of water trailing behind them it was like someone had stepped in a muddy puddle flipped gravity and walked around my ceiling my stomach churned I rubbed my eyes wondering if I was losing it but the footprints were there as real as anything else in my apartment I reached up and

touched one my fingertips came back wet and grimy I wiped them on my jeans then looked around half expecting to see someone standing there but my apartment was empty I turned off the TV which had been on standby mode and walked around checking each room no one was there I thought about calling the building manager I knew what he would say there must be a leak somewhere or are you sure it's not some weird condensation problem I didn't feel like explaining footprints on the ceiling it sounded crazy so I grabbed my mop and a bucket

of soapy water and tried to clean the area again the smell didn't fully go away it lingered like wet Earth my eyes started to Sting from the cleaning solution so I took a break and sat on the couch staring up at The Damp patches that remained after the footprints disappeared I sat there until midnight feeling uneasy and tired eventually I dozed off the next morning I woke up with a stiff neck still on the couch I looked at the ceiling right away no new prints just the faint marks from the night before I got ready

for work feeling groggy and out of it my shift dragged on and I kept thinking about what I'd find when I got home my co-workers asked me why I looked so pale I didn't tell them the truth I just said I wasn't sleeping well that night I walked into the apartment and flicked on the lights scanning the ceiling nothing in the living room I exhaled relieved then I heard a drip from the hallway I walked over and looked up this time the footprints were right outside my bedroom door as if something had paced back and

forth on the ceiling the odor was strong like rotten pond water my throat clenched I found myself sweating even though the air conditioning was on I closed my bedroom door and tried to ignore the footprints as I stepped into the bathroom I wanted another shower but I felt scared to stand in there alone I kept looking up wondering if I'd see feet dangling down I rushed through my shower drying off and throwing on a T-shirt and sweatpants my hands were shaking when I opened the bathroom door again the hallway light flickered overhead I still smelled

that stale mud the footprints were there mocking me I stood on my toes and reached up pressing my palm against the center of one footprint it felt wet and cold like pressing my hand into a soaked sponge I felt my stomach twist and I yanked my hand back I tried to wipe my palm on my pants but the smell stuck to my my skin I went back to the sink and scrubbed with soap but I could still catch a hint of that earthy odor that night I left every light in the apartment on I sat

in my bedroom staring at the ceiling I couldn't sleep my mind was racing with possibilities I kept hearing little sounds in the walls it might have been the pipes or the old building settling but it made me jump each time I pictured a figure crawling across the ceiling waiting for me me to close my eyes around 2: in the morning I finally dozed off only to wake up an hour later heart pounding I thought I heard something scuttling above me like bare feet scraping on paint I didn't get up to check I just lay there

sweating trying to pretend I was imagining things in the morning I walked out of my bedroom and checked the hallway the footprints were gone the ceiling looked normal again except for a few faint stains that I recognized from earlier it was a relief but I felt exhausted and paranoid at work I messed up simple tasks because I couldn't focus my manager scolded me but I just nodded and apologized I wasn't going to explain my nightly battles with Muddy footprints on the ceiling I stopped by a hardware store on the way home and bought a stronger

cleaning solution I also picked up a cheap handheld camera I thought I'd try recording overnight just to see if I could capture anything when I got back I searched the ceiling right away no fresh prins the apartment smelled normal I fixed a quick dinner trying to calm my nerves with some food then I set up the camera in the hallway pointing it toward my bedroom door where the prince had appeared before I pressed record and tried to settle into bed every hour or so I got up to check if the camera was still running it

was nothing had changed after a while I managed to get some sleep when I woke up I Rush rushed to check the camera I felt a weird excitement like maybe I'd catch a real explanation I played back the footage fast forwarding through the night it was mostly just still frames of my dark hallway the light in the bathroom was on casting a faint glow then around 3:00 in the morning I saw a flicker in the top corner of the screen it looked like a quick movement almost a shadow along the ceiling the camera shook a

bit maybe from me walking around or from the the building's vibrations and then the image was still again I replayed it several times but it was too dark to make out any shape just a blur in the corner of the frame I checked the ceiling in the hallway sure enough there were new Footprints they were faint but they were there running lengthwise along the corridor I stood under them feeling my pulse speed up the smell of stale mud hit me again weaker than before but still noticeable I tried to clean them with the stronger solution

the stains faded but the wetness lingered my mind raced as I wiped over each footprint my arm shaking from the effort I kept glancing behind me half expecting to see something crawling out of the Shadows over the next few days the footprints kept appearing in different areas sometimes they were by the living room window sometimes near the kitchen they never appeared on the floor only on the ceiling the smell got worse with each new set of prints each morning I had to clean them before going to work some days I found myself gagging from that

muddy odor I tried to open the windows but the smell clung to the walls in the furniture I started sleeping with the lights on in every room I even left the TV turned on for background noise hoping it would drown out any strange sounds I noticed my sleep pattern was all over the place I felt like I was losing my grip on normal life each night I waited listening for movements above me sometimes I heard a soft tapping on the ceiling like fingernails or toes other times I heard nothing at all which almost felt worse

because the silence made my imagination run wild one night I sat upright in bed convinced I heard water dripping onto the carpet I jumped up and turned on every light searching for wet spots on the floor I found none but when I aimed my flashlight at the ceiling I saw fresh Footprints right above where I'd been lying they were spaced so they lined up with the length of my bed my skin crawled and my breath caught in my throat I quickly grabbed a chair and tried to wipe them away water dripped onto my arm when

I touched the first print it felt cold and thick like it had bits of grit in it I clenched my jaw and kept wiping determined not to let these things linger above me when I finished I spent the rest of the night sitting on the edge of my bed staring at the ceiling waiting for more I felt tension in my chest like I was bracing for a fight but nothing else happened eventually I laid down my mind too tired to stay awake I woke up the next day with a stiff back and a dull headache

I considered breaking my lease I thought about sleeping in a hotel for a few nights just to clear my head but I couldn't afford that long term and moving would be a hassle I kept telling myself there had to be a normal explanation but I'd seen those footprint appear in different places always wet always stinking of stale mud it made no sense I tried contacting a plumber who checked my pipes and said everything looked fine no leaks no water damage the building manager said he couldn't see any structural issues I didn't mention the footprints I

only said I smelled dampness I started feeling like I was being watched all the time some evenings I thought I saw movement out of the corner of my eye once I was cooking dinner and saw a shape flicker across the ceiling when I looked up I saw nothing but I smelled that familiar odor I turned off the stove and didn't bother finishing my meal on a Saturday I got a ladder from the storage unit and carefully inspected the ceiling surfaces I tapped them feeling for hollow spots or moisture everything seemed stable no water stains except

for the places where I'd cleaned up Footprints I went room to room shining a FL flashlight along the edges I found no holes no cracks that might let water in I felt my anxiety Spike each time I glanced down the hallway expecting to see fresh prints forming behind me these days I sleep with the bedroom lamp on my eyes burn from lack of quality rest I can't shake the feeling that something crawls overhead while I'm drifting off waiting for me to fully relax before it appears again my nights blend together in a blur of Ang

ious half sleep and quick jolts awake every so often I get up and wander the apartment shining a light at the ceiling sometimes I find new Footprints sometimes I don't but the smell is almost always there faint and clinging to the walls I haven't told any friends about this I don't want them to think I'm nuts I handle it on my own scrubbing Footprints spraying air freshener and leaving every light on until morning my water bill has gone up from my constant cleaning my electric bill is higher because I keep the place lit like a

hospital Corridor but it's the only way I feel even a little safe I don't know how this is going to end every night I expect something to drop from the ceiling I imagine cold muddy hands grabbing me sometimes I feel a slight pressure on the bed as if something hovered above me and brushed the blankets but I never see anything when I open my eyes my body tenses up from the constant fear and my heart feels like it's hammering non-stop I keep hoping I'll find a logical reason for this maybe I'll catch someone sneaking in

maybe a hidden leak will explain the footprints but until that happens I'm stuck each time I step into the hallway after a shower I glance at the ceiling half expecting to see fresh marks and more often than not they're there reminding me that something is wrong in this place I can't sleep properly I can't relax I just keep going day after day scrubbing the footprints taking shallow breaths and wishing whatever is up there would just leave but it doesn't leave it waits on the ceiling inch by inch tracking me with those wet prints and that

sickening smell of stagnant mud making it clear that I'm not alone in my own home I still remember the day I saw that antique clock in a Dusty corner of the store it had a worn out face and the seller swore it worked like new he seemed eager to let it go at first I just thought he was trying to make a sale now I wonder if he knew something I didn't I should have walked away but I couldn't resist that quiet ticking it pulled me in like some broken promise I hoped to fix after

I brought the clock home I hung it on the living room wall I tested it before leaving the shop and it seemed fine the second hand moved normally the minute and hour hands aligned themselves without issues the Chimes rang exactly on the hour I was satisfied and excited to show it off that first night I didn't notice anything strange I even found the steady tick comforting I had dinner in the living room glancing up now and then at the clock it felt like a piece of History I had claimed for myself I first noticed the

odd backward movement on the second day I was sitting on my couch checking emails on my phone I heard a soft click from inside the clock but I wasn't sure if it was normal I looked up and the minute hand twitched backward by a tiny amount it wasn't obvious and I actually doubted my own eyes I thought maybe I was just tired or imagining things still I got up and looked closer the minute hand seemed fine at that moment it started moving forward again like normal I Shrugged and told myself it was just some minor

glitch then the hour struck and the chime sounded a bit off it had a low Echo that trailed longer than usual almost like it didn't want to stop my skin prickled but I went on with my day that evening I had trouble sleeping I heard the clock chime from the living room several times it was spaced exactly an hour apart so it wasn't random but each chime sounded deeper than I remembered I got got up once to check the clock's face the time looked right so I went back to bed my dreams were weird lots

of repeated scenes of me entering the living room seeing the clock reversed then hearing my own voice echo I woke up sweating on the third day I saw the minute hand pull a more obvious backward movement I was reading on the couch and the clock was in my peripheral vision I heard a familiar click looked up and saw the minute hand jerk back by one full minute then it started moving forward again like it was trying to correct itself that unsettled me I got up opened the glass cover and tried adjusting the hands I turned

the small knob to set the right time then I listened for any grinding noises the gears looked okay but right as I was about to close the cover I felt a strange pulse in my fingertips it lasted maybe half a second like a mild electric shock but there was no current in that area it made my heart race I let the cover snap shut walked away and tried to distract myself by washing the dishes I glanced at the clock every few minutes everything seemed normal when the Clock Struck noon it let out a series of

Chimes that felt heavier than before there was a low Rumble behind each ring the final ring echoed through the room the echo floated around like it didn't want to die out then it finally faded my stomach twisted and in a knot I couldn't shake the sense that the clock was affecting the air around me I decided to get out of the house for a while I took a walk around the neighborhood to clear my head I bought a cup of coffee from a local shop I tried not to think about the clock but my mind

kept returning to the odd backward shift by the time I got home the house felt Eerie the living room was too quiet the clock's ticking sounded off like it had a slower Rhythm I approached it and it still showed the right time but I saw the minute hand shutter it actually stopped for 2 seconds then jumped forward my breath caught in my throat I backed away and bumped into a table my arms trembled a bit I was scared but I told myself it was just an old mechanism acting up 2 hours later I was making

a sandwich in the kitchen I heard the clock chime for 3 o p.m. the Chimes felt normal for the first two rings then the third ring had that long Echo again it reminded me of the low hum you hear near large Machinery but there was no such machine in my house the hairs on my arm stood up I walked to the living room stood in front of the clock and waited I wanted to see if anything else happened nothing did the minute hand kept moving forward the hour hand was on the three I headed back

to the kitchen and halfway there I heard a small click behind me I turned around and saw the minute hand jump back wward again it was subtle but unmistakable later that night I started experiencing Deja Vu I was on the couch streaming a random show my phone buzzed and I got up to answer a call the caller was a friend asking about weekend plans I remember finishing the call setting my phone down and heading to the bedroom then something weird happened I found myself back on the couch phone buzzing in my hand the show still

playing it was the same friend calling with the same words it was as if time had rewound about a minute I felt laded I didn't tell my friend what happened I just ended the call quickly I stared at the clock it showed the same time as before the phone buzzed my heart pounded I felt sweat gathering on my forehead I turned off the TV went to bed and tried not to think about it the next morning I woke up with a headache I checked the clock in the living room right away it looked okay I

went to brush my teeth and when I came back I noticed the minute hand was off by about 5 minutes it was behind the correct time that meant it had moved backward during the few minutes I was out of the room I touched the clock's frame it felt colder than the rest of the room my Palms got clammy I tried moving the hands forward again but the clock resisted the knob turned stiffly like the gears were binding I forced it a bit and and it clicked back into place then it ticked normally for a while

around midday I heard the clock chime for 12 O it sounded faster this time the first ring was normal but the next few came in quick succession like someone had shaken the clock each ring had that deep Echo by the 10th ring I felt a vibration on the floor by the 12th ring my ears felt like they had popped the way they do on an airplane then everything went silent I stood there holding my breath the silence was so intense that it made me dizzy after a few seconds the normal sounds of the house returned

like the refrigerator hum and distant traffic noise I felt relief wash over me but my hands shook I needed air I threw on my jacket and left the house I wandered the streets for almost an hour I didn't really have a destination I just didn't want to be near that clock my mind replayed the backward movement the quick Chimes the weird Deja Vu I kept telling myself I should just get rid of it but for some reason I felt an urge to keep it maybe I hoped I could fix it or find a logical explanation

I'm not sure after a while I returned home feeling drained that evening I realized the deja vu episodes were getting worse I was watching a movie when a scene repeated itself the screen didn't glitch it was my mind that glitched I felt like I had gone back a minute in time I watched the same dialogue happen twice I paused the movie replayed the section and confirmed I wasn't hallucinating the lines the clock chimed in the background my skin broke out in Goosebumps and I cursed under my breath I paced around the living room not sure

what to do next when midnight approached I got ready for bed I stood by the clock waiting for the chimes at exactly 12: itan rang and a burst of chaotic sounds the gears inside must have spun faster the Chimes came one after the other without the usual gaps I lost count of how many times it rang it might have been 12 or 15 or 20 I couldn't focus my ears rang I felt my breath catch in my throat my vision blurred for a moment when the noise stopped I felt unsteady on my feet I stumbled

to the couch and sat there breathing hard my heart pounded so loud I could hear it in my ears that night I barely slept I kept waking to faint sounds in the house I heard the clock at odd hours sometimes it chimed at half past which it never used to do sometimes it chimed multiple times in a row like it was stuck in a loop whenever I got out of bed to check I would see the minute hand shifting backward then jumping forward it was like it was trying to correct itself but failing I felt

trapped in my own home with this thing my shoulders achd from tension my head felt tight I couldn't think of a rational way to deal with it the next day I had a moment where I saw time reset right in front of me I was standing in the kitchen about to pour coffee into a mug I watched the hot coffee fill the cup halfway then I heard that familiar click from the living room suddenly the mug was empty and the pot was still full the coffee beans in the grinder on the counter looked as though

I hadn't used them yet my hand shook so much I almost dropped the pot I felt my knees Buckle I leaned against the counter breathing fast it was like the last minute had been erased I went to the living room stared at the clock and saw the mined hand move backward that sealed it for me I decided I needed to take the clock off the wall and hide it I carefully lifted the clock from its hook the clock felt heavier than before my arms strained I carried it to a spare room I rarely use I

set it on a small table face up so I couldn't see the hands then I closed the door my plan was to leave it there until I figured out what to do for the rest of the day I tried to ignore the occasional chiming I heard from that room it was distant but still unnerving sometimes the chime sounded soft and normal other times they came in Rapid bursts my stress level stayed High my stomach felt tight and I kept clenching my jaw during the night I woke up to the sound of multiple Chimes going off

in a row it was around 2: a.m. I could see the time on my phone the chiming wouldn't stop I got out of bed grabbed a flashlight and walked to the spare room I opened the door the clock was there resting on the table but its hands were spinning faster than I'd ever seen they were moving clockwise for a few seconds then reversing Direction suddenly every time the hands crossed the hour it chimed the echo stacked on top of each other creating a dull Roar my heart pounded I reached for the knob to wind the

clock down but the moment I touched it I felt a surge of static that jolted my hand I yanked back and almost dropped the flashlight the Chimes continued filling the space with Relentless noise I swallowed hard and went to grab a thick towel from the hall closet I returned and wrapped the clock in the towel to muffle the sound it helped a little the Chimes became more distant I carried the wrapped clock into the garage each step felt like I was carrying a live wire my ears buzzed and my vision felt shaky in the garage

I placed the clock on a workbench I kept it wrapped hoping that would dull whatever was going on inside I stepped back took a few breaths and waited to see if anything changed the noise eventually died down the minute hand still tried to spin but it was trapped in that fabric I stayed in the garage for a while just watching eventually the hands slowed the chime stopped I could hear my own breathing echo in the space my pulse hammered in my throat I decided to leave the clock there for the night I went back inside

locked the garage door and tried to sleep my chest felt tight my thoughts were scattered but at least the house was quieter by morning I woke up exhausted I stood in the kitchen sipping water trying to decide what to do next I didn't want to see the clock again I didn't want to hear it but I felt a pull like I needed to check if it had calmed down I walked into the garage the towel was still in place I moved it aside the hands were stopped the clock looked like it had no power I

touched its face it felt cold I thought maybe it had finally broken for good I honestly felt relief then I noticed the hour hand shift backward it was small like a twitch my spine stiffened I wrapped it up again I carried it to my car popped the trunk and shoved it inside I slammed the trunk shut my heart raced I realized I didn't know where to take it or how to get rid of it part of me thought about taking it back to the shop but I didn't want to burden someone else Another Part Of

Me wanted to throw it in a dumpster but something in my gut told me that might not help so I just sat in the driver's seat gripping the wheel listening to my breath feeling sweat on my Palms finally I started the car and drove I didn't have a plan I just knew I wanted distance between me and that clock as I drove away I felt like each mile gave me a bit of my sanity back I didn't know if the clock would keep messing with time or if it would eventually stop but I knew I

had to leave it somewhere far from me I don't know if this is the end of it maybe it'll stay quiet forever but at least for now I can live without hearing those backward ticks and feeling that Dreadful Echo follow me around that's all I want I just want a normal day with normal minutes that don't repeat themselves or vanish I want to know that when something happens it will stay happened that's why I kept driving and that's why I'm never looking back I didn't plan to spend my Saturday afternoon covered in dirt but that's

how it started I wanted a simple garden in my backyard I had this old shed in the corner that looked like it was ready to collapse I decided to tear it down and clear some space for raised beds I thought it would be a smooth job I had no idea what I was getting into I began around lunchtime the sun was high and the air was dry I rolled up my sleeves and started by emptying the shed it had some rotted boards old gardening tools and a broken wheelbarrow most of it was junk the shed

smelled like mildew and dust I piled everything to the side in a neat Heap after that I grabbed a crowbar and PRI at the shed shaky walls they gave way with a few strong pulls the roof caved in and I shifted back fast to avoid any falling debris the entire thing came down in less than an hour I felt good about the progress my back was a bit sore from the force I used but I Shrugged it off I just wanted to get the job done once the shed was on the ground in pieces I

started loading the debris into my pickup I made a few trips to the local dump by the time I was done it was late afternoon the sun was drifting closer to the Horizon I wiped sweat from my forehead and sipped some water then I noticed something odd the ground under the shed looked Disturbed the dirt was softer than the rest of the yard it looked fresh like it had been dug up and put back recently that was strange because that shed had been there for as long as I owned the place I crouched down and

ran my hand over the soil it was looser than the rest of the yard I put pushed my shovel into it the blade sank in with almost no resistance that got my attention I wondered if maybe there was a plumbing issue or an animal burrow I decided to dig and see what was going on I figured I might as well take care of any problems now before planting my garden the sun was still out though it was getting lower I told myself I had enough light my shovel hit the dirt with a dull thud I

dug a small hole maybe a foot across to see what was underneath the soil came up in clumps it was slightly moist which surprised me because we hadn't had rain in a while there was an earthy smell stronger than usual I kept going I dug a little deeper then I expanded the hole a bit my arms started to ache but I pressed on I wanted to get a sense of why this patch was different I checked my watch around that point it was almost 5:30 the sun dipped below the tall trees that lined my backyard

I looked up and saw the sky turning orange the wood behind my property cast Long Shadows over the yard I paused for a moment catching my breath a breeze came through the trees rustling the leaves I felt a slight chill against my sweaty skin it reminded me that I was alone out there with nothing but the sound of branches swaying I'm not usually a jumpy person but that day the air felt heavy my eyes flicked toward the tree line I didn't see anything unusual just silhouettes of tall Trunks and some undergrowth still I had a

sense I wasn't by myself it was a strange feeling like a prickling at the back of my neck I Shrugged it off I told myself I was probably just tired but that didn't stop me from scanning the woods every few minutes I returned to the hole and went deeper after about another foot my shovel hit something metallic it wasn't a scrape Like a Rock would make it was more like a dull Clank my heart sped up a bit I got down on my knees and used my gloved hands to clear the soil the object felt

smooth and cold I thought it might be a pipe at first but it didn't feel like a pipe it had an irregular shape it was bigger than my palm maybe the size of a large lunchbox but not shaped like one it also had a few grooves on it it almost felt like a metal container I tried to pull it out but it didn't budge it felt attached to something or or maybe it was stuck under a root I scraped around the sides trying not to damage whatever it was the top part looked like it had

hinges but they were rusted I grabbed my shovel and pushed the blade under the corner with some leverage I managed to lift it a bit it made a creaking sound and then Broke Free from whatever was holding it I lifted the metal object out of the hole and set it on the grass my heart thumped hard it was heavier than I expected the surface looked scratched and worn with a few patches of rust there was a small latch on one side but it was bent I didn't have a key and I didn't know if it

even needed one it looked more like a sealed box than anything else I wiped dirt off with an Old Rag I felt my forehead tightening with sweat again the sun was almost gone by then the sky was purple and orange I stood up and looked at the woods the trees were dark now and I couldn't see much between their trunks but I had the distinct impression something was there just beyond the first row of trees I stared for a few seconds trying to see if there was a person or an animal everything was quiet no

birds no squirrels just silence and the faint rustling of leaves I felt a knot in my stomach I swallowed hard I thought about going inside maybe I should call it a day but the box was there and I was too curious to stop I grabbed a flashlight from my truck and clicked it on its beam cut through the Shadows I pointed it at the woods again still nothing then I swung it back to the box I knelt down and examined the latch more closely I tried pulling on it but it was stuck I used the

tip of the shovel to pry at the edge it wouldn't open I placed the box on a small stump and hit the latch a few times with a hammer from my toolkit it made a sharp ping but didn't snap off the temperature was dropping I felt Goosebumps on my arms I heard a twig snap in the direction of the forest I jerked around shining my flashlight over there the beam lit up some bushes a few ferns in the base of a tree my pulse pounded in my ears I felt sweat forming on my neck despite

the cool air I Stood Still and listened I heard the sound again another snap like something stepping on a branch I spoke out loud hello it felt odd to talk but the silence was getting to me no answer I stood there Breathing heavily trying to figure out if I was imagining things a few seconds passed and I heard nothing else my eyes kept searching the dark spaces between trees eventually I convinced myself it was probably a deer or some other animal I turned my attention back to the box and grabbed it I decided to take

it into my garage where I had better light and tools as I headed across the yard I kept looking over my shoulder I felt like I had eyes on my back I shut the garage door behind me relieved to be out of the open inside the garage I set the Box on my workbench I turned on the overhead light and aimed my flashlight at the latch again then I tried a screwdriver to wedge it open it moved slightly but stayed shut I got a small chisel and tapped around the edges rust flaked off the smell

of old metal and damp Earth filled my nose my hands were shaking I was excited but also uneasy I felt drawn to the box but my gut told me to be careful there was a tension in my chest every time I tapped the Chisel I expected something to pop out or maybe the box to open but it stayed shut after several minutes I decided not to force it maybe I could soak the latch in some rust remover or something I placed the box on a shelf and locked the garage I'd handle later I walked to

my back door it was fully dark now the only light outside came from the Moon and a small motion sensor lamp near the door my yard seemed still but I couldn't shake that strange feeling I walked inside took off my boots and double checked the lock on the door my mind wouldn't settle I kept thinking about that patch of soil the metallic object and the Sounds in the woods I went to wash up in the bathroom the water felt good on my hands and arms it washed away the dirt and grime but it didn't calm

me much in my bedroom I changed into clean clothes and tried to relax my heart was still beating a bit fast I heard the wind outside brushing against the windows it made me tense usually that sound doesn't bother me that night it seemed louder I pulled the curtains closed trying not to think about the yard or the forest after a quick bite in the kitchen I sat in the living room I turned turned on the TV to distract myself I flipped through channels not even paying attention to what was on my mind kept going back

to the shed's location the fresh dirt and the box I felt like I needed to check outside again part of me wanted to pretend this never happened but I kept glancing at the back window half expecting to see someone or something staring at me I got up and went to the back door I turned off the inside lights so I could see better outside I looked through the glass scanning the yard the Moonlight showed the spot where I had dug the hole it was just an open patch of dirt now the pile of soil was

still sitting there in a mound the breeze shifted the grass I saw the outline of trees beyond the fence standing like tall sentries I didn't see any movement I didn't hear anything but my stomach felt tight I stood there for a full minute barely blinking my fingers were clenched on the door knob I thought about going out there with a flashlight but I decided that wasn't a good idea the day had been long and my nerves were on edge I chose to lock up and call it a night I shut off the television made sure

all the doors were secure and headed to bed I tossed and turned my mind kept replaying the moment my shovel hit that metal object I kept imagining I heard footsteps around the house at one point I sat up Breathing heavily convinced that someone was in the yard I listened holding my breath and heard nothing eventually I dozed off for a few hours but it wasn't restful sleep in the morning I woke early I felt stiff and tired I made some coffee and tried to shake off the weird tension from the night before I told myself

it would be fine in the daylight I could open the garage take a fresh look at the box and figure out what to do next maybe I could get it open with a better tool or some lubricant for the rust before I left the house I peaked out the back window though the yard looked normal birds were hopping around pecking at the grass there was a light Breeze the forest looked the same as always just tall trees and thick underbrush I felt my shoulders relax a bit it was just a normal morning maybe I had

let my imagination run wild I finished my coffee and headed out the sun was still low but it was bright enough the yard felt calm my tools were right where I left them the Dirt Pile was undisturbed I glanced at the tree line nothing looked strange I walked across the yard checking the spot where the shed used to stand the hole was there about a couple of feet deep I saw my shovel leaning against the fence I decided to fill in the hole later I went into the garage and switched on the light the box

was on the Shelf where I left it I pulled it down and set it on my workbench I thought about forcing it open again but something in me hesitated I didn't know why I was so uneasy it was just a sealed metal box that somebody buried there could be anything inside old tools maybe or it could be empty but I felt a flutter in my stomach whenever I touched it I grabbed some rust remover and a stiff brush I applied the liquid to the latch and let it soak in while waiting I tapped my foot

on the cement floor the garage felt cold even though it was sunny outside I kept glancing at the small window that faced the woods the trees were motionless as if they were watching my hands felt clammmy after letting the latch soak for a while I tried again with the screwdriver the latch gave a small click but didn't open I tried a bit more Force pushing hard it bent a bit then I heard a faint metallic snap the latch popped loose I froze I stood there breathing quickly waiting for something else to happen nothing did I

set the screwdriver down and gripped the lid of the box I tried lifting it it didn't open all the way the hinges were rusted shut I took the hammer and lightly tapped along the back Edge eventually the hinge on the right side cracked and the top lifted a fraction a thin musty odor seeped out like old metal and damp cloth my mouth went dry I was about to pull it open when I heard something outside near the side of the garage it sounded like a low scrape against the wall I jumped knocking the screwdriver off

the workbench it clattered to the floor my heart pounded I turned off the overhead light and stood silent listening the scrape came again followed by a dull thud I backed away from the window keeping my eyes on that direction my breathing was rapid I reached for the hammer holding it like a weapon I waited but everything went quiet I couldn't see anything through the window except the sidey yard I felt the grip of the hammer digging into my palm my heart thumped so loudly I could hear it in my ears I took a few steps

toward the garage door but I didn't open it I didn't want to see what might be out there after a few minutes I placed the hammer on the bench grabbed the box and decided I'd take it inside the house I dashed from the garage locked it and hurried back in once inside I locked the kitchen door again I set the Box on the counter I looked through the window scanning the sidey yard nothing no movement no sounds I was shaking my hands felt numb I forced myself to take a few deep breaths then I turned

my attention back to the Box its lid was still slightly open I could see Darkness inside I pressed my palm on it it felt cold I'll open it but not now I I need to calm down first I need a moment to think there's something off about this I keep hearing noises out there and the soil under that shed was fresh someone or something buried this box not too long ago I don't know why and I don't know who but I feel like whatever is out in those woods doesn't want me messing with it or

maybe I'm losing my mind all I know is my pulse won't slow down and every Creek of the house makes me jump I'm just going to sit here for a bit and gather myself then I'll figure out what to do next maybe I'll open the box maybe I'll leave it sealed right now I can't decide all I can think about is that moment when I realized I was being watched that's the part I can't shake the feeling that someone was out there silently standing among the trees waiting for me to dig up that box and

now I have it right here in my kitchen I can't ignore it I can't forget that Pat of dirt I can't pretend everything is normal I just need to keep my eyes open and stay alert if there's something out there I'll be ready but I don't think I'll sleep well tonight not with this box in the house and the memory of those silent woods behind me for for for for for for for for for for for for for for for for for for for for for e for for