True Scary Stories Told to the Sound of Rain | Relax and Fall Asleep Quickly Vol. 133 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 arrived at the boarding house with a single suitcase and a small backpack the building was old with faded green paint on the outside and a front door that creaked every time someone walked in inside the hallway smelled like damp wood and cheap cleaning supplies the land lady

showed me my room on the second floor she was a short older woman with thin hair and thick glasses her voice was quiet and she moved slowly as if she didn't want to draw attention to herself she gave me a key and pointed to my door across the hall there was another door she never mentioned who stayed there my room was simple just a bed a small table a wooden chair and a chest of drawers the window overlooked a narrow alley I could see a brick wall and a few trash cans there was no lamp

on the ceiling only a cheap floor lamp in the corner and a dim light bulb in it the mattress was thin and the sheet smelled clean but old I placed my suitcase beside the bed and sat down I could hear muffled voices somewhere downstairs and footsteps coming up the stairs as someone passed by the floorboards creaked loudly a sound that that seemed to echo through the building later that first evening I started to notice something about the room across the hall I had not seen anyone go in or out of it the door was plain

with chipped paint and a dull brass knob but from inside I heard soft sounds it sounded like someone dragging their feet back and forth on the wood floor sometimes there was a low voice barely audible like someone whispering to themselves I heard a constant creaking noise too as if the floor inside that room had a loose board and the person kept stepping on it again and again I left my room a few times that evening to use the shared bathroom at the end of the hall each time I paused and looked at that door I

never saw it open I never heard the knob turn still the noises continued I listened closely pressing my ear to my own door when I was inside but the sounds were always faint and hard to place I thought maybe the building was old and the pipes or walls made strange noises but it sounded more like footsteps and a voice than anything else the second night I tried to sleep but woke up around midnight the corridor was quiet and I felt thirsty I opened my door intending to go down to the kitchen area to get some

water the hall was lit by a single dim bulb the door across from mine stood closed as always I stopped in front of it I listened I heard something faint inside scraping sounds like Nails on wood and quiet shuffling steps I leaned forward and placed my ear close to the surface of the door I could hear slow breathing it was not mine it came from the other side I knocked softly expecting whoever was inside to respond nothing happened I knocked again a bit louder no answer the breathing sound stopped I felt the tiny hairs on

my arms rise I didn't say anything I stepped back and waited the hall was silent except for the distant hum of the old refrigerator downstairs eventually I turned around and went to get my water when I returned I listened again but I heard nothing on the third day I asked the land lady about the room she looked at me with a blank expression she Shrugged and said someone rented it she did not say if it was a man or a woman she didn't even confirm that the person was still there she turned around anded walked

away before I could ask more I tried asking one of the other tenants a man who stayed on the first floor he said he didn't know anything about the person in that room he said he never saw them either that evening I noticed something else the hallway light cast Shadows on the floor and walls I had become familiar with the shape of the furniture in the corridor a small table with a vase next to the stairway a coat rack near the front door downstairs and a tall old clock at the end of the hall on

the second floor but the Shadows near the door across from mine seemed off I stood there looking at the floor and walls the Shadows didn't match anything I could see there was no furniture that would create those shapes they looked like narrow shapes moving slightly but there was nothing there I went closer and saw that the Shadows shifted as I moved but not in a way that made sense I leaned over and tried to figure out what object could cause them I ended up confused I saw only only the bare wooden floor plain walls and

that closed door yet the shapes persisted for a few seconds and then were gone I returned to my room and shut the door my heart was beating fast I stood by the door for a long time just holding the doorknob and listening I heard those slow footsteps again the dragging steps like someone shuffling without lifting their feet I heard a whispering voice it was impossible to make out words it sounded weak and constant as if the person was talking to themselves or reciting something I stayed quiet and tried to control my breathing my mouth felt

dry and my neck was tense I pressed my ear against my door and listened the whispering went on for at least a minute then stopped silence I finally let go of the knob and stepped back that night I struggled to sleep I kept waking up each time I listened for noise sometimes I heard it sometimes I didn't in the morning I got up and decided to inspect that door up close I waited until the house was quiet around midm morning when others seemed to be out I walked up to the door and ran my fingers

over its surface the paint was peeling near the lower half of the door I found marks they were scratches thin and uneven as if someone with Jagged Nails had scraped at the wood they went in short straight lines clustered together they were fresh enough that I could feel splinters where the wood had been torn I knelt down and looked closely there was no paint chipped in the scratch marks as if they were new I touched them then pulled my hand back I stared at that door for a while then stood up and walked away inside

my chest my heart pounded the back of my neck felt hot as the afternoon passed I tried to focus on normal activities I took a short walk outside visited a small store down the street and returned with some canned food and bottled water I tried not to think about that door or the scratches I sat on my bed and ate a simple meal but even then I could not stop glancing at my door as if expecting something to happen the building felt too quiet I could hear the traffic outside people talking on the sidewalk but

inside it felt like no one else existed that evening I decided to stay awake I placed a chair near my door and kept my ear close to it I waited around 11: at night I heard the familiar dragging footsteps they were slow I heard them move from one side of that room to the other and then back again I heard the floorboard squeak in a pattern as if someone paced then I heard that whispering voice it sounded like a single person quiet breathing between words I could not make sense of the sounds they were too

soft and mumbled I did not dare to step into the hallway I stayed behind my door and listened my stomach tightened my hands felt cold and clammy I was very aware of my own breathing and tried to keep it silent after a few minutes the whispering stopped the steps stopped I leaned forward and listened harder then I heard a gentle scraping sound like nails on wood again it lasted a few seconds and stopped silence at that point I felt frustrated I wanted to know who was in there I wanted to see them I did not

want to keep guessing I opened my door softly and stepped out the hallway light was dim as always the other door remained closed everything looked still I approached it I thought about knocking again but my hand froze I noticed something new near the door knob there were more scratch marks they were smaller and arranged in a way that made it look like someone had gripped the door near the knob scratching at it I leaned in and sniffed the door smelled like old wood and dust nothing else I pressed my ear against it I heard nothing

not even breathing I tried the knob it was locked I twisted it gently but it would not budge I knocked louder this time no answer I put my face close to the wood and spoke quietly asking if anyone was there nothing silence I stepped back and looked around the hallway was empty the Shadows looked normal this time I backed away to my room and went inside closing the door my heart beat fast and my legs felt weak I sat on the bed stared at the floor and rubbed my hands together the next morning I confronted

the land lady I asked her firmly who lived in that room she Shrugged and said I should not worry about it she said the person in there was private and liked to be left alone she refused to say more and walked away I tried asking another tenant but he said he never saw anyone and suggested maybe the room was empty he laughed and changed the subject I stood in the downstairs hallway feeling uneasy I considered leaving the boarding house but I had paid rent for the month and didn't have extra money to move elsewhere right

now that afternoon I hovered near the top of the stairs watching the hallway I saw no one come in or out of that room occasionally I heard movement inside my own room the old building creaking as if someone walked in the room next door I leaned over the railing and looked down the staircase expecting maybe to see a stranger but no one came in the early evening I decided to try something different I pulled my chair close to my door again turned off my lamp and waited in the dark I pressed my ear against the

door for a long time there was nothing I began to feel foolish I wondered if maybe I was imagining these noises but then I heard it again dragging steps slow and deliberate I opened my door crack just enough to peek into the hallway I could see the other door dimly lit by the corridor light I saw the doorknob turn just a slight movement but the door did not open I held my breath the door knob Twisted again but only a fraction then it stopped I heard a scraping sound like nails scratching the door shook slightly

then it was still I stepped out quietly my heart was pounding I approached the door moving slowly my feet felt heavy I reached out and touched the knob it was cold and still I tried it again still locked I pressed my ear to the door I heard a quiet breathing sound very close it sounded like someone standing right behind the door I pulled back and took a step away I felt a strong urge to leave I wanted to get out of this building but I stayed I watched the door for a long time just standing

there in silence nothing happened I returned to my room and sat on the bed I considered calling the police or asking someone else to help me break down the door but I had no proof of anything illegal there was just someone in there who never came out it was strange but not necessarily a crime I thought about the scratches the whispering the footsteps I tried to figure out what kind of person behaved like that maybe they were sick or disabled maybe they were afraid to leave their room but then why the whispering at night and

the scratching sounds as days passed I tried to ignore it I went about my business leaving for a few hours each day to go to the library or walk around town but every time I returned I heard some sign that the person in that room was still there I never saw them enter or exit I never got a glimpse of their face or their figure at night I still heard their footsteps and voice some nights it was quiet and I almost managed to sleep peacefully other nights The Sounds went on and on making my skin

crawl one morning I woke up after a restless night and decided to try one last time to open that door I knew it was locked I had no key but I wanted to see if maybe there was another way in the building had only one hallway on that floor and the rooms were all in a row there was no joining door from my room I checked the windows the room across from mine should have a similar window facing the alley I looked outside for my window I saw my own reflection in the glass and the

brick wall opposite I leaned out carefully there was another window presumably from that room a few feet to the right it was closed and the curtain inside was drawn I could not see in I considered climbing out and trying to look inside but the Gap was was too narrow and I would have to risk hanging off the ledge I was not going to do that I went out into the Hall again I tried the knob still locked I knocked and said that I just wanted to talk to know if they needed help no response I

pressed my ear to the door I heard quiet breathing inside I said I would leave them alone if they just told me they were all right nothing I felt frustration boiling in my chest I turned around and walked downstairs the land lady saw me and asked if everything was fine I said yes just needed some air I left the house and spent the day outside I ate lunch at a small Cafe I tried not to think about it that evening I returned as soon as I entered the building I felt tense I climbed the stairs

slowly the hallway light flickered as I reached the top the other door was closed my my door was as I left it inside my room everything looked normal I sat down and waited listening I heard faint movement next door again but I decided not to react I did not approach the door I forced myself to lie down and close my eyes I listened but I did nothing the footsteps and Whispers continued for a while then stopped I heard a gentle scraping sound I tensed but remained in bed eventually I drifted off to sleep over the

next few days I avoided the door entirely whenever I passed it I did not stop at night when I heard sounds I put a pillow over my head I tried not to think about the scratches or the strange Shadows occasionally I noticed new marks on the door but I ignored them I saw the door knob tremble sometimes but I did not touch it again I heard breathing I heard Whispering I heard those dragging footsteps I let it all happen happened and did nothing by the end of the month my rent was up I packed my

things in the morning I did not say goodbye to the land lady I took my suitcase and backpack walked down the stairs and left the building I looked back once through the front door the hallway inside was dim I could see the top of the stairs and I knew that door was up there I knew that whoever was inside was still walking whispering and scraping locked away and unseen I walked out onto the street and didn't look back I felt relieved to get away I still have no explanation for what I experienced in that boarding

house I know what I heard and what I saw on that door the memory still makes me tense but I have nothing else to say I left and I never went back I entered the old mansion late in the afternoon the rental agreement was simple the owner stayed away I had the key and it was all mine for as long as I could pay outside the hill was covered in thick fog I could barely see the path my car's headlights reflected against wet leaves and warped wooden fences the driver's seat was uncomfortable my back was

sore I had to carry my suitcase and a box of supplies up the front steps the door creaked the smell inside the entry hall reminded me of old furniture damp floors and stale air there was a light switch on the wall it worked but the bulb was weak the room remained dim I noticed silence except for my own breathing and the soft hum of my car's engine cooling outside I locked the front door and walked through the downstairs rooms there was a living room filled with heavy chairs a sofa and a low table dust floated

in the air there was a dining room with a long table and a row of old chairs some missing their cushions the kitchen had a stone floor an old refrigerator and a gas stove with a spark igniter the counters were worn the shelves empty except for a few glasses and plates a back door L outside but the fog and darkness pressed against the window panes I decided not to go out again that night I carried my things upstairs the steps were uneven the banister felt rough under my hand there were four bedrooms along the hall

I chose the one at the far end because it had a bed without a ripped mattress I put my suitcase on the floor opened it and took out my toothbrush a bar of soap and a towel the bathroom was across the hall the pipes groaned when I turned on the faucet the water ran Brown for a moment before turning clear I washed my face and dried it my skin felt cold I noticed a strange tension in my stomach maybe it was the silence or the fog or the old wood smell back in the bedroom I

tried to unpack I took out some clothes and hung them in a small closet the closet door squeaked I placed my shoes by the bed the floorboards made soft Creeks I checked the windows they were closed the glass was cloudy I couldn't see outside only a faint gray blur I decided to lie down for a moment before exploring more my back at achd from the drive the mattress was firm a bit lumpy but better than sleeping in the car I was dozing off when I heard a sound in the hallway it was a soft tap

like a footstep I froze and listened I heard nothing more maybe the old pipes or the wind I sat up and walked to the door I opened it slowly the hallway was empty dim light from a single bulb in the ceiling I looked left then right no one there no sound I closed the door and locked it I returned to bed I woke up to Darkness the light bulb I had left on in the bedroom was off I felt along the bedside table the switch was on I tried it back and forth no response I

got up and moved toward the window I held my hands out to avoid bumping into anything I reached the door and opened it the hallway light was still on so at least there was some illumination I felt relief seeing that pale glow I went back into the room and flipped the switch again nothing the bulb must have burned out I didn't feel like sleeping in the dark I went to get a spare bulb if I could find one I searched the hallway closet there were old Linens and a broom but no bulbs I tried the

other bedrooms opening doors carefully I saw beds covered with sheets empty dressers and Dusty floors nothing useful I heard a whisper in the corridor it made my scalp tingle it sounded like someone speaking softly in another room I followed the sound it seemed to come from the direction of the stairs I walked slowly my socks silent on the wooden floor at the top of the stairs I leaned over the banister and looked down the entry hall was dark the whispering sound repeated but I couldn't understand understand any words I stood there holding my breath my

heart thumped then I saw something move at the far end of the hallway a quick shape dark and without detail I turned my head to focus but it was gone I gripped the banister harder my Knuckles felt stiff I couldn't tell if I was imagining things or if someone was really here I decided to go downstairs I tried to act calm the step creaked louder at night I stepped into the living room the furniture looked the same but now the silence pressed harder on my ears I wanted to find a lamp something portable I spotted

a small desk lamp in a corner it was oldfashioned with a green shade and a brass base I unplugged it and carried it to the wall socket near the couch it flickered but stayed on good at least some light I considered taking the lamp upstairs but I would need an extension cord I didn't have one handy I sighed and rubbed my eyes maybe I was tired maybe old houses had strange Acoustics I went to the library next it was a long room with tall shelves most shelves were empty others had a few thick books with

cracked spines the floor was covered with a thin rug the air smelled musty I stepped inside and looked at the desk in the corner a few loose papers lay on it and a small wooden box with a sliding lid I approached and heard a whisper again it was very faint it made my neck tense I spun around and saw no one my heart rate went up I could feel the pulse in my ears I breathed through my mouth to stay quiet I reached out to touch one of the books it felt dry and rough I

turned the cover inside were old handwritten notes but the ink had faded I couldn't read them in the low light I tried the desk lamp switch on the desk but it didn't turn on I felt along the wall for a light switch I found one and flipped it one overhead bulb lit up the library The Whispers faded replaced by a hollow silence I turned back to the desk and checked the drawers empty I examined the wooden box it was empty too just dust inside I left everything as it was and turned to leave when I

reached the door door I noticed a shape at the far end of the room near the shelves I Stood Still staring the shape seemed like a person's outline but with no features I backed up keeping my eyes on it it didn't move I felt a chill on my arms and neck the hair on my arm stood up I stepped back again and the shape vanished it was like a blink one moment it was there and then gone I walked out breathing hard I rubbed my face I felt sweat on my forehead I told myself to

calm down there was no sound now no footsteps I returned to the living room the lamp was still on everything was normal there I sat on the sofa and waited I tried to think objects wouldn't move by themselves people wouldn't vanish without a sound maybe I was too tired maybe I needed sleep but I also felt watched I looked behind me checked Each corner no one I decided to test something I placed my keys on the low table in front of me I watched them for a full minute they didn't move I got up left

the keys on the table and went to the kitchen I opened the fridge it was empty I drank water from the tap it tasted metallic I splashed some on my face when I came back to the living room the keys were gone I had left them right in the the center of the table now the table was empty I bent down to check the floor the cushions under the sofa nothing my heart pounded again I felt a hollow pressure in my chest I stood up quickly and looked around nothing I was alone in a silent

room and my keys had disappeared I called out who's here my voice echoed slightly no answer I checked behind the curtains under the furniture inside drawers I didn't find my keys I tried to keep calm but my legs were shaking I went upstairs again the hallway was quiet I entered my bedroom and on the bed I saw my keys they were right on top of my pillow I stared at them then picked them up my hand shook I felt tension in my jaw and shoulders I thought about leaving but I had paid for the place

also I was curious nothing had hurt me so far it was just unsettling I decided to stay awake and watch what happened next I sat on the bed with my back against the headboard I kept the hallway light on I listened hours passed I heard soft TAPS in the corridor I felt small breezes inside the room like someone walking around I saw Shadows shift near the edges of the door frame every time I tried to focus they disappeared I rubbed my eyes I tried not to panic eventually I got up and decided to explore the

library again I wanted to see if I could figure out what was happening maybe I could find something written down by the previous occupants I headed downstairs carrying a small flash light I found in my suitcase it was weak but better than nothing I stepped into the library and turned on the overhead light again I examined the shelves more carefully some books were just old volumes of ency edias others had personal notes inside I flipped through pages squinting I found a thin Journal tucked behind a thick hardback the journal's first Pages described the mansion's previous

owner he mentioned strange events after dark unexplained footsteps and disappearing objects he wrote that no one ever spoke to him directly he felt watched he mentioned that he tried to communicate by leaving notes around in response objects moved to different rooms he tried speaking aloud asking questions he never got a clear answer but he noticed that certain rooms stayed quiet While others seemed active he also wrote about the library Whispering at night he never understood what it was saying I closed the journal and placed it on the desk I felt relieved that I wasn't imagining

things the same presence had affected the previous owner I tried what he said I spoke out loud I know you're here I I don't know who you are I don't want to fight what do you want silence followed I waited then I saw a movement at the far end of the library I didn't Panic this time I held my flashlight steady I said I'll leave something on the desk move it if you understand I took a small pen from my pocket and placed it in the center of the desk I stepped back keeping the pen

in sight after a few moments I saw it slide an inch to the left I felt my stomach tighten but I Stood Still okay I said you understand me do you want me to do something move the pen once for yes twice for no the pen stayed still can you show me something I asked the pen rolled off the edge of the desk and fell to the floor I flinched my pulse raced I bent down and picked up the pen I looked at the shelves again I noticed one shelf had several boxes and loose pages

I said said should I look there the pen slid out of my hand and fell onto the rug I took that as a sign I went to the shelf and checked the boxes inside one box was a stack of letters the letters mentioned an old dispute about property boundaries they mentioned someone who used to live here who spent years trying to resolve legal problems he wrote that he felt trapped he wrote that he hoped someone in the future would understand the letters were all signed with initials only I stood there feeling the weight of the

silence I said is this about the letters no answer I left the Letters Out on the desk I took the journal and placed it next to them I found these I see what you left behind is that what you wanted something knocked against the Shelf a book fell down I picked it up it had nothing written inside just blank pages I placed it back I'll keep these letters here on the desk if you want them move somewhere else show me I waited the room felt heavy but not hostile I sat in the chair my body

felt tense but I tried not to show Fear I listened The Whispers returned softer now they came from behind me I stood up and turned around nothing there I faced the desk again the letters had shifted slightly I aligned them neatly I said do you need me to fix something are you trying to have your story known silence again I was talking to an empty room and feeling foolish but there was no one else to talk to after a while I left the library I went back to the living room and found my keys on

the table again exactly where I had left them the first time I checked the sofa cushions to confirm I hadn't missed them before nothing else was out of place I looked around around my heart was still beating fast but I didn't feel the same sharp Panic it felt like a strange understanding had passed between me and whatever moved the objects I decided to sleep a bit I went upstairs turned on the bedroom light and lay down I kept my keys under my pillow this time the bed felt a bit softer the house was still old

still musty still filled with strange noises but now I knew I wasn't the first to experienced this I knew the presence understood me it could move things it could whisper but it hadn't hurt me it seemed to want attention or recognition I didn't sleep well I woke up many times hearing the floor Creak or the wind outside each time I saw no one Morning Light Came slowly through the Cloudy Windows the fog remained outside thick and unmoving I checked the hallway everything looked normal I went Downs stairs the letters were still on the desk in

the library nothing had changed overnight I felt calmer in daylight I made a decision to stay I would keep the place in order respect whatever lived here and try not to provoke it I spent the next hour tidying up I dusted some shelves and wiped the kitchen counter the presence didn't interfere sometimes I sensed movement in the corner of my eye but when I turned nothing was there The Whispers were gone on the objects stayed where I put them I placed the letters in a drawer in the library neatly stacked I said out loud I'm

putting these here if you don't like it move them they never move them again the pen stayed in my pocket it felt strange living with something unseen that refused to speak clearly but it didn't seem evil or violent it felt more like a watchful Observer maybe it had its own reasons I had no way to know I accepted that at night I kept a few lights on I slept with the door unlocked I still heard soft creeks and the occasional whisper but I felt less afraid I carried on like that for the next few days

settling into a routine I tried to keep the place tidy and respectful in return the presence remained calm and distant I never got a clear message I never understood exactly what it wanted other than maybe to be no noticed but it stopped moving my keys it stopped knocking books off shelves I sometimes caught sight of a vague shape in the halls but it always vanished before I could look directly at it the tension never left entirely my neck and shoulders stayed tight when I walked through certain rooms but I managed I stayed and the presents

stayed too neither of us crossed a line in the end I learned to live with it I never solved the mystery I never needed to the Mansion belonged to it as much as it did to me as long as I respected that it kept its distance I guess that was enough I remember the day I arrived at that property it was late afternoon and the sky looked clear I had just inherited the place from a distant relative I barely knew I had driven up in my old truck parked near the front porch and looked out

at the wide fields in the old farmhouse the paint on the house was chipped and the wooden boards creaked under my boots it smelled like old dirt and dried leaves I remember feeling a slight chill despite the warm sun on my neck I knew nothing about running a farm I just wanted to look around figure out what to do with it and maybe sell it off I was expecting empty rooms Dusty furniture and some creaky floors I was not expecting to find a secret door leading to some kind of underground Library I was not expecting

to feel eyes on my back when I tried to read those old books under dim flickering Lamplight I was not expecting to see a distorted face in the corner of a mirror only to find no one there when I turned around I started by walking through the house to get a sense of it the front door opened into a hallway with a wooden floor covered in dirt and dead bugs the walls had faded wallpaper peeling at the corners I opened a couple of doors and found a small kitchen with a rusty sink and an empty

Pantry I found a living room with dusty chairs a coffee table and a fireplace filled with old Ash I saw a bedroom that smelled like mold and had a mattress sagging in the middle each step kicked up dust my nose itched I coughed a bit and decided to open some windows most of them were stuck and I had to push hard fresh air helped I didn't see anything strange at first just a rundown Farmhouse with some old junk in closets and drawers in the back of the house I noticed a locked door under the stairs

it was small just a wooden panel with a padlock I thought it might be a storage space the lock looked old the key I had on my ring fit and it clicked open easily inside I saw a narrow set of steps going down I shined my flashlight saw stone walls and smelled something stale the air was heavier down there I hesitated but I was curious I went down slowly my boots scraped against the stone steps the light from my flashlight bounced off the walls showing me cracks and old cobwebs the sound of my breathing felt

louder at the bottom I reached a small room the ceiling was low I had to keep my head down a bit there were shelves lining the walls filled with old books I saw a few oil lamps hanging from hooks in the stone they had thick glass and old Wicks I tried one lamp I found a small box of matches on a shelf near the stairway the matches were dry enough to use surprisingly I lit one of the lamps the flame flickered and cast a weak yellowish light I lit two more lamps I didn't trust the

old wiring and I saw no electric lights anyway now I could see the room clearly the shelves were stacked with large leatherbound books they had thick spines with no readable titles the books were covered in dust there was a small wooden desk in the corner with a stool on the desk there was a pile of papers some in envelopes some tied with string the room smelled like old paper in that stale odor I couldn't identify my throat felt dry my eyes watered a bit I noticed a few mirrors built into some of the shelves small

and round with frames that looked rusted the mirrors were dull their surfaces were spotty and I could barely see my reflection in them I ran my hand along one of the shelves dust coated my fingers I tried to read the spines on the books but they had faded writing that made no sense to me I took one book off the shelf and placed it on the desk its cover was thick and leathery I opened it the pages felt rough I saw cramped handwriting and strange symbols the language was not familiar I could not tell if

it was some old form of English or or something else I flipped through the pages squinting my flashlight was still in my hand so I set it down on the desk I heard the lamp flame crackle quietly I listened to the silence I could hear my own heartbeat my hand started to tremble slightly I didn't know why the room was quiet no sound except for my breathing and the faint hiss of the lamp's flame yet I felt as if someone stood behind me leaning over my shoulder watching the pages I turned I glanced at the

mirror on the Shelf to my right in the weak light I thought I saw Movement Like a shape passing behind me I turned around there was no one there just shelves stone walls and dust I felt a tightening in my chest I held the book open and stared at the words they meant nothing to me they were just letters and symbols ink faded to Brown some lines looked like diagrams but I couldn't be sure I ran my finger along the text and felt bumps in the paper my finger left a trail in the dust I

decided to try another book maybe there was something more understandable I put the first book back on the shelf and took another one this one was heavier I struggled to get it off the shelf without dropping it as I placed it on the desk and opened it I noticed one of the mirrors again this time I saw a face in the reflection it appeared for just just a second the face looked pale with features that were not clear the eyes seemed too large and the mouth looked Twisted I saw it blink it happened fast like

a quick movement in the corner of my eye I snapped my head around and again there was nothing there I stood up straight and felt sweat forming on my forehead my heart rate picked up I took a step back then stepped forward again I leaned in Close to the Mirror and looked I only saw my own face half covered in Shadow I looked tired and tense my shirt collar was damp with sweat I decided to move one of the lamps closer I wanted more light I lifted a lamp off its hook it made a scraping

sound as metal slid off metal I brought it closer to the desk and set it down the extra light made the mirrors show clearer Reflections I looked again now I only saw my own reflection and the shelves behind me I thought thought maybe the flickering light and my own stress were causing me to see things but my hands were still shaking I Tried reading the second book the writing was similar cramped symbols and odd marks I turned a page the paper stuck together at the edges as I peeled the pages apart I saw a detailed

drawing it looked like a diagram of a room maybe a blueprint I could recognize straight lines for walls and rows of shelves I realized it might be a drawing of this exact room I looked around the number of shelves seemed to match I saw a mark on the diagram that might represent a trap door or another hidden passage I looked up at the ceiling and walls trying to spot anything unusual the ceiling was made of wooden beams the walls were Stone nothing stood out I tapped the stones they felt solid and cold while I was

inspecting the walls I I heard a quiet sound behind me it was like a muffled Shuffle as if a foot had scraped the floor I spun around the room was empty except for me and the shelves but I noticed something different one of the mirrors seemed turned slightly to a new angle I did not remember touching it I stepped closer to it the metal frame looked old and bent rust flaked off when I touched it I tried to tilt it back it resisted I pulled a bit harder and it made a creaking sound I looked

into the mirror and saw the back of my own head the desk and the lamp light then something flickered in the background of the reflection it was that face again just behind my shoulder it blinked and twisted its mouth I dropped the mirror and it hit the Shelf with a dull sound when I turned around I saw nothing but empty air I felt a jolt in my chest I gasped I backed away from the shelves and bumped into the desk my elbow hit the edge the pain was sharp and real that anchored me I tried

to focus on my breathing I wanted to leave but I also wanted to understand what I was seeing was it a trick of the light was I imagining things I touched my forehead and felt sweat the air smelled musty and stale mixed with the faint smell of burning lamp oil I decided to pick up a different book and flip through it quickly just to see if anything inside made sense I grabbed a smaller book its cover felt rough and it made my fingers itch I opened it and saw rows of neat handwriting maybe in some

old language as I turned the pages I glanced up at the mirrors I tried to keep them in my peripheral vision I wanted to catch any movement my hands shook as I turned Pages the paper made a dry rustling sound my throat felt tight I swallowed hard I saw something in the reflection again this time it was a brief Flash as if the figure duck down out of sight I jerked my head up nothing was there I felt a surge of anger mixed with fear I did not like feeling cornered by something I couldn't see

I clenched my fist and stepped forward trying to surprise whatever might be lurking I moved quickly along the shelves checking every corner I looked under the desk I looked behind some crates stacked in one corner I found no one the only sound was my breathing and the occas oal crackle of the lamp flame I walked back to the desk and closed the book I Stood Still for a moment my legs felt tense my neck muscles were stiff I wiped sweat from under my hairline with my sleeve I looked at the stairs leading up I could

just leave but I was curious who built this place why hide a library of strange books under a farmhouse why have these mirrors that reflected something that didn't seem to exist in the room I decided to examine the mirrors more carefully I found three of them in total one was on the right wall near the desk another was on the far wall near a stack of books the third was near the stairs each mirror was small and round each had rusted metal frames the glass was a bit warped when I stared into one my reflection

looked distorted my forehead looked larger and my eyes looked sunken the lamp light made my skin look pale I noticed that when I angled the lamp away the reflection changed slightly Shadows moved across the shelves dust particles floated in the beam of light I could see small specs drifting in the air I tried to test I stood in front of one mirror and slowly reached my hand back behind me feeling the empty air I watched my reflection as I did this my reflection did EX exactly what I did just a normal reflection then I turned

my head a bit the corner of the mirror showed part of another shelf behind me I fixed my Gaze on that shelf in the reflection and waited after a few long seconds I saw a shape peek out from behind the corner of the Shelf in the mirror it looked like a head turning slightly but I could not make out any details it was just a pale blurry shape it moved so fast I almost doubted I had seen it I I turned around and once again nothing was there I felt a strong urge to get out

of that room my chest felt tight my Palms were sweaty the air felt too still too stale I picked up my flashlight and backed away toward the stairs as I moved away from the desk I noticed that some of the books were slightly out of line as if someone had touched them recently I had no memory of doing that I walked quickly to the bottom of the stairs still holding the flashlight and one of the lamps the stairs creaked as I placed my foot on the first step I heard a quiet scrape behind me like

a book sliding on a shelf I turned off the lamp and let the flashlight beam sweep the room books shelves desk mirrors dust stone walls nothing else my heart pounded I climbed the steps holding the flashlight tight when I reached the door at the top I turned back one last time the lamp light I had left behind flickered on the wall and in the edge of the light I thought I saw a face leaning out from behind a Shelf watching me go the face was pale and twisted and it blinked once I did not say

anything I just closed the door back in the hallway I locked the door Under the Stairs my hand shook as I turned the key I leaned against the wall and tried to slow my breathing my shirt was damp and my mouth felt dry I wiped my face with both hands and stood there for a moment the hallway smelled d Rusty but at least it felt open and normal I moved to the living room and sat down on a chair the cushions sent up a puff of dust I coughed outside I heard a distant rustling of

wind in the trees that sound felt normal comforting even I stayed in that chair for a long time I looked around and saw nothing unusual just an old farmhouse with old furniture eventually I got up and went out to the porch the sun was lower now and the sky had turned orange and pink I stood there breathing fresh air trying to clear my head I thought about the books the mirrors and that face blinking at me I had no explanation I just knew I did not want to go back down there I wanted to keep

the door locked and maybe find a way to move on from this place I had inherited it but I was not prepared for whatever was hidden below I felt that tightness in my chest loosening a bit as I looked at the Open Sky I told myself I would never return to that secret room I told myself I would leave those books in that Twisted reflection alone I stood there until the light faded I didn't have any plans yet but I knew I would not spend the night here I would go back to my truck and

sleep there if I had to I would leave that strange library and its silent Watcher behind that locked door I would not think about it if I could help it the fresh air felt good my heartbeat slowly returned to normal I rubbed my hands on my jeans and tried to steady myself I was relieved to be out of that room but I could still feel that presence I tried to ignore it I tried to focus on what I could see and what I could feel right here on the porch in the open air I went

up there that night because I heard footsteps they sounded like slow steady steps on Old boards I knew my attic was empty I never stored much up there still I couldn't ignore the noise I grabbed a flashlight and a small Hammer something I picked up at random from the kitchen drawer I didn't want to head up unarmed when I got up into that cramped space I found a triangular window I'd never paid attention to before its glass was cracked on the other side there was a figure pale and silent I stopped breathing right then and

there I just stood and stared at that face through the cracked glass feeling my stomach tighten and my heartbeat push against my ears I held the flashlight against my chest and stood near the opening to The Attic it was dark dust in the air and the smell of old wood made me cough I could still feel the Chill from outside creeping through that cracked window I remember the boards under my feet creaking as I took a step forward there were no lights on up there just the faint beam from my flashlight which flickered sometimes because

the batteries were not fresh I took a few more steps moving slowly my shoes scraped on the dusty floor my throat felt dry I swallowed hard and tried not to make noise I was sweating I could feel sweat trickling down my neck and my fingers trembled a bit around the flashlights handle I reached the Far Side of the attic and stood right under that strange triangular window the glass looked thin and dirty there was a jagged crack running across it I noticed small flecks of dust and maybe bits of paint peeling off the wooden frame

outside was dark but there was enough light from a distant Street Lamp to show me the outline of a pale face pressed close to the glass I couldn't see its details clearly but I saw the pale skin no one moved I lifted my flashlight and shined it at the window the figure didn't move away it stayed right there staring back at me my my heart was pounding hard I felt my chest tighten and my breathing came in quick shallow bursts I couldn't understand what I was looking at I tried speaking but no words came out

at first eventually I managed to force out a weak hey what do you want no answer I heard no breathing I heard no tapping just silence and that face close to the glass I didn't know who it could be I thought maybe someone climbed onto my roof maybe someone was playing a trick on me I stepped closer my hammer raised in my other hand I could see now that the figure's eyes looked dark maybe black the skin was almost white and I saw no hair there were no features that stood out just this pale face

and those dark eyes I felt the muscles in my legs tighten ready to run if I had to I tried again to speak can you hear me nothing nothing no response no nod no shaking of the head just silence the cracked glass was maybe an inch from that face I didn't know if the glass would hold if the figure pushed my hand holding the hammer felt sweaty I adjusted my grip and thought about what would happen if the window broke I moved the beam of the flashlight around the attic looking for something to block the

window I found an old wooden trunk it looked heavy covered in dust dust I dragged it across the floor making a loud scraping noise the figure remained at the window watching I felt the hair on my arms stand up as I worked I lifted the trunk and placed it under the window I hoped it would reinforce things if the figure tried to push through I stood on the trunk got closer to the glass my face was maybe 2 feet away from that pale head I tried tapping the glass gently with the handle of the hammer

I wanted to see if I'd get a reaction nothing I tapped harder nothing then the figure raised a hand and pressed it against the glass I heard the glass Creak I jerked back almost losing my balance on the trunk I jumped down and stood behind the trunk breathing hard I wiped sweat from my face with my sleeve my mouth felt dry I tried to swallow the attic was quiet except for my breathing I pulled out my phone and checked the signal almost nothing I tried making a call to the police the call didn't go through

I tried sending a text it failed I cursed under my breath I shouted I'm calling the police the figure didn't move I looked around and found some old metal rods and a piece of rope I tried reinforcing the window frame my hands shook as I worked I tied the rods across the frame hoping to prevent the window from opening the figure watched I saw the faint reflection of my flashlights Beam on its pale face I didn't hear it breathe or move I finished tying the Rope hands clumsy and slow I checked the attic door behind

me the one that led back to my hallway it had swung closed I tried opening it it felt stuck I pulled harder it wouldn't budge I kicked it but it only rattled I could feel Panic rising in my chest I didn't want to be stuck up there with that thing at the window I pulled again feeling sweat roll down my temples the door finally gave a little I shoved my shoulder into it it creaked and opened a crack I could see my hallway light below before I left I looked back at the window the figure

was still there palm against the cracked glass the crack spread a little more a tiny Shard fell inside it landed on the floor I watched it as if it were something dangerous I wanted to leave but I also didn't want that figure to break in once I was gone I tried pushing the trunk closer to the window I shoved a plank of wood in front of it I pressed my shoulder against the trunk and felt the rough wood against my shirt I tried to wedge the plank under the frame the figure pressed harder the glass

groaned I backed away my voice came out shaky just go away I said it didn't react I didn't know what else to do I turned and forced the attic door open wider placing my foot on the top stair I held the flashlight in one hand and the hammer in the other I considered taking one more look to be sure it wasn't just my imagination I turned and aimed the flashlight at the window the figure's eyes met mine dark and unwavering I felt a surge of adrenaline I hurried down the stairs each step creaking loudly my

breath was rapid and shallow my legs felt weak and my hand gripped the railing so hard my Knuckles hurt I reached the hallway and pushed the attic door closed behind me there was no proper lock on it just a latch I slid the latch in place and pressed my ear against the door I listened no sound no footsteps I couldn't tell if the figure was still there I moved away from the attic door keeping my eyes on it I took out my phone again and tried calling the police this time I moved around the hallway

hoping for a better signal after a few attempts I got through I told them someone was at my Attic Window refusing to leave I kept it simple I said I felt threatened they said they'd send someone I walked down the stairs to my living room and turned on a lamp the soft light felt safer than the darkness upstairs I tried to calm down I noticed my hands were shaking I placed the hammer on the coffee table and waited I could hear my own breathing slow down a bit I checked the front door to make sure

it was locked I peered out a window in the living room the street looked empty and quiet after some minutes I heard a knock at the door I jumped at the sound it was the police two officers they came inside flashlights in hand I led them upstairs to the attic door my voice sounded uneven as I explained what happened they opened the attic door shining their flashlights around I followed them a few steps behind we reached the attic again the trunk was still there the rods and ropes still in place the window was cracked a

few shards missing dust was still in the air the officers moved boxes and old junk around checking every corner they opened the window and looked outside they didn't see anyone one of them leaned out carefully shining the flashlight along the roof he didn't find a ladder or any marks he said maybe someone climbed down already I stood there arms folded rubbing my forehead feeling embarrassed and frustrated I insisted that I saw someone I told them about the pale face the hand pressed against the glass they just nodded and said they believed me but they couldn't

find anyone now they told me to keep an eye out and maybe board up the window until I can get it fixed they suggested I call them if it happens again they seemed calm as if it wasn't a big deal they left after a few minutes I walked them to the door thanked them and locked it behind them I stood in the hallway with the lights on listening to their car drive away then I went back to the living room and sat down I picked up the hammer and held it in my lap my heart

was still beating faster than normal my throat still felt dry I thought about going back to bed but I didn't want to sleep upstairs I stayed downstairs turning on a few lights to feel safer I checked my phone again the signal was fine now I guess it was just weak in the attic I considered calling someone I knew but it was late I didn't want to bother anyone I decided to wait until morning to deal with the window I listened to the quiet house I heard the hum of the refrigerator the distant sound of a

neighbor's dog barking at something I waited half expecting to hear footsteps above me again I heard nothing hours passed I checked the front door again looked out the window onto the street still nothing unusual I sat there in the living room chair hammer in hand until the first light of morning came through the windows my neck was stiff and my shoulders achd my legs felt heavy I stood up and stretched I looked at the attic door from the bottom of the stairs it stayed closed I didn't hear a single sound from it eventually I decided

to go up in daylight I took the hammer again and climbed the stairs I opened the attic door slowly the room looked ordinary dust in the air boxes against the walls the trunk under the window the window was still cracked the floor had small shards of glass near the frame the rods and rope were still in place the figure was gone I saw nothing outside but the neighbor's roof and the morning Sky no Footprints no signs of anyone standing on the ledge I sighed and lowered my hammer I went back downstairs and called a window

repair service I decided not to tell them about the figure I just said I needed the window replaced they said they'd come in a few days until then I would avoid the attic at night I never figured out what that figure was I know what I saw it was right there silent and unmoving staring through the cracked glass I don't have any explanations all I know is that it didn't say a word it didn't try to break in it just stood there close enough that I could have touched it if not for the glass I

don't like thinking about it I can still remember how my heart pounded and how my chest felt tight I remember the way my hand shook when I tried to tie the rods to the frame the way I couldn't get a signal on my phone at first the way the figure pressed that hand against the glass and made it crack a bit more since that night I sleep downstairs I keep my phone charged and a hammer by my side I still hear the old boards Creek sometimes but I'm never sure if it's just the house settling

or something else if I ever hear footsteps again I'm not sure what I'll do for now I'm just glad I got out of that attic and that I didn't stay there any longer with that silent pale figure staring back at me I moved into that apartment because I wanted to be left alone the place looked normal enough at first glance it was on the top floor of an old building that had been empty for a long time I found it in a classified ad the rent was cheap and no one bothered me when I asked

to see it the agent left the key in an envelope and never showed up in person I took that as a good sign I didn't want anyone around and I didn't need explanations I just grabbed the key climbed the stairs and walked in the stairwell was dark the walls were stained and there was a musty smell my shoes scraped over layers of dust that had settled everywhere when I reached the top floor and pushed open the apartment door the hinges squeaked loudly inside it was quiet there were a few pieces of old furniture left behind

a sofa with faded fabric a kitchen table with uneven legs and a bed frame in the bedroom the windows were dirty the paint on the walls chipped and there was rust along the edges of the metal door frames I noticed the smell of something stale in the air like damp concrete or old Plumbing but I didn't care I wanted to be alone the first night I tried to get settled I opened a window to get some air but the window stuck I had to push harder it finally creaked open but the frame felt weak and

gritty I left it open for a while and unpacked my suitcase I had a few clothes some basic food my phone and a flashlight I planned to buy supplies the next day I locked the door from inside and tested the light switches the bulbs flickered but stayed on the pipes made knocking sounds when I ran the water I found it annoying but not surprising the place was old I didn't sleep well there were voices in the distance they sounded like they were coming from another room but I checked every door and each room was empty

I heard low murmurs like people arguing and H tones I put my ear to the wall but I couldn't make out words I walked into the living room Stood Still and listened the voices kept going I searched the apartment opening every cabinet and closet but found nothing the rooms were bare dust swirled around my ankles when I moved after a while I gave up and tried to sleep on the mattress it smelled damp and the fabric was rough against my skin in the morning I woke up feeling sore my neck was stiff I noticed that

the metal around the windows and doors had more rust than before the hinges looked corroded I remembered them being only a bit Rusty the previous day I touched the metal frame of the kitchen window rust flakes crumbled under my fingertips it didn't make sense that it had spread so fast overnight I tried not to think about it I decided to go out and buy some groceries but before I left I noticed something else strange the bathroom mirror was fogged up I hadn't used hot water and the apartment was cold I wiped the mirror with my

hand the fog cleared for a moment and I thought I saw shapes moving in the reflection they were faint almost like Silhouettes behind frosted glass I leaned closer the glass was cold and my breath felt shaky I pressed my hand against it nothing the shapes vanished when I blinked I stood there a moment longer then turned away and left the apartment I came back later with supplies more food a few tools tape and extra light bulbs I planned to fix some things I also brought cleaning supplies I wanted to at least wipe the dust off

the furniture when I stepped inside I felt a chill the smell of damp walls and rusty metal was stronger I closed the door and the latch felt stiff I check checked it and saw fresh rust it scraped at my fingernail when I tried to pick it off I brought the groceries into the kitchen and opened the fridge it was empty and smelled stale I left the food on the table as I unpacked I heard those voices again they sounded like they were in the Next Room I followed the sound into what looked like a small

storage room there was nothing inside but dust and a couple of cracked floor tiles the voices were muffled tense I said hello they didn't answer I heard low murmurs I paced around the room leaning close to each wall the sound didn't grow clearer it just hovered always somewhere else I left and tried to ignore it I wanted to clean the bathroom mirror it bothered me I took a cloth and tried to wipe it the moment I touched it the mirror fogged up again and behind the layer of mist I saw those Silhouettes moving they seemed

to raise their hands pressing them against something I wiped harder but the fog returned instantly I stepped back my stomach felt tense I tried breathing slowly I decided to cover the mirror I taped a piece of cloth over it but after a few minutes the cloth felt damp and began to slip I gave up and left it uncovered I decided I just wouldn't look at it over the next few hours the apartment felt strange the rust kept appearing on the door handles and window frames it grew thicker and flaked onto the floor I swept it

up but more appeared the voices in the empty room never stopped sometimes they got quieter sometimes louder but always the same low angry muttering I tried turning on music on my phone to block it out but I had no signal the phone showed no bars I tried calling someone the call didn't connect later I tried to open the window to to get some fresh air the window was stuck the handle wouldn't turn I tried forcing it but the metal bent and snapped I tried another window the same thing happened I tried the door the knob

turned but the door wouldn't open I pulled hard it felt like the frame had shifted I yanked at it grunting but it didn't budge I checked the hinges they were covered in Rust and the metal looked warped I tried pushing with my shoulder nothing it wasn't locked from the outside just stuck I couldn't leave my heart began to race I felt sweat on my forehead the smell of the apartment got worse like metal shavings in rotten wood I turned on all the lights the bulbs flickered but stayed lit I listened for any sound from outside

nothing I tapped on the walls I shouted for help no response the apartment was silent except for those distant voices they never responded to me I looked at my phone again no signal I tried opening a kitchen drawer hoping to find tools I found a few old utensils a Bent Fork a Dull Knife nothing that could help me pry the door open I tried using the knife to scrape away rust from the door frame the blade bent I tried kicking the door it hurt my foot I tried prying at the window with the fork the

metal squealed but didn't move I went to the bathroom and turned on the faucet the water ran cold the mirror fogged up without any reason I watched the Silhouettes they moved slowly like people trapped behind glass I tried talking to them no response I tried tapping the mirror the surface felt normal just glass I tried running the water hot but there was no hot water still the mirror stayed foggy my chest felt tight I left the bathroom and tried sitting on the sofa the Springs poked at my back I tried to ignore the voices they

kept going always the same tone it was never loud enough to make out words just the sound of arguments that never ended I got up and walked to that empty room again it was silent when I stepped inside as if the voices moved elsewhere whenever I entered I Stood Still waiting nothing when I left they started again I tried blocking the bathroom mirror with newspapers the tape wouldn't hold the paper got damp and fell down I pushed the sofa against the front door and tried ramming it the door didn't move rust flakes rained down I

covered my mouth to avoid breathing them in I could taste metal on my tongue I turned off the lights to see if it made a difference in the dark the voices sounded closer and I heard soft creaks in the floorboards I turned the lights back on nothing there I checked my watch time passed but slowly I tried to sleep the bed was damp and smelled bad I lay there staring at the ceiling the paint had cracks and some flakes fell onto my face I spit them out and rubbed my eyes the voices grew louder I

got up clenched my fists and yelled stop they paused for a few seconds then continued my throat felt dry I tried drinking tap water it tasted stale I drank it anyway I tried to break the window with a chair I swung it at the glass the impact was dull the glass didn't even crack I tried again the chair legs rattled but the window stayed intact I picked up my phone and tried again for a signal still nothing I paced around the apartment was cramped every surface felt damp or rough I tried the door again no

movement I tried calling the landlord with the apartment's phone line it just crackled I said hello I need help silence I tapped the hook static and nothing else I walked into the kitchen and checked the cabinets empty I opened the fridge still empty except for the smell I took a snack I had brought and tried to eat it it tasted stale but I forced it down my stomach felt uneasy I tried again to find a way out pushing at the windows looking for any Gap everything was sealed the building felt like a sealed box I

searched the hallway outside the apartment the hallway was dark and Dusty the other apartment doors looked old and locked I tried a door across the hall the knob wouldn't turn I tried the stairwell the door to the stairs was stuck just like my apartment door I tried forcing it the hinges were coated in thick rust I pushed until my arms shook no luck back inside the voices wouldn't stop and the mirror Silhouettes appeared whenever I was in the bathroom I tried to ignore them I stood by the window and waited for Sunrise it took a

long time I watched The Faint lights outside the street was empty I saw no one I tapped on the glass hoping someone outside side might notice no one did the air felt heavy I could feel my heart pounding I rubbed my arms to keep warm my clothes felt damp and smelled musty dust clung to my hair every time I touched the metal surfaces rust came off under my fingernails the voices kept up their low arguments the Silhouettes shifted around sometimes pressing their faces close to the glass sometimes leaning back I tried to focus on basic

action to keep calm I rearranged my belongings I wiped the floors the dust just spread around I tried to wash my face again the water was always cold my face felt numb I dried it off with a towel that smelled like old fabric I sat on the sofa and listened to the building I could hear faint creeks and Pops from the walls I tapped my foot on the floor the sound felt Hollow but I couldn't find a weak spot I tried everything I could think of but nothing changed the windows stayed shut the door stayed

jammed the voices kept arguing and the mirror showed those Silhouettes I felt sweat trickle down my back my muscles were tense my head achd from the smell of rust and damp walls I didn't know how long I would be stuck here I tried to shout again for help but my voice just echoed in the empty rooms there was no way out I tried to wait wa hoping something would shift but the night dragged on the voices never stopped and I remained there trapped with nothing to do but wait and hope something would change I remember

it was around 3:00 in the morning the sky was covered in thick gray clouds and the wind felt wet against my face I had just finished my usual walk through the outskirts of my Village I was on my way back flashlight in hand when I passed the Old Stone Bridge everyone in town called it the old one because it had been there longer than anyone alive I never paid it much attention before but that night was different I heard something it came from the area below the bridge it sounded like Whispers or someone talking in

a low voice it was faint but the tone had a strange quality like a muffled chant or a string of words that made no sense I slowed down the ground was damp from recent rain my boots left wet marks on the mossy Stones I leaned over the side of the bridge and aimed my flashlight down the beams hit the dark shape of a small Cave opening just under the Bridge's side where the Earth had eroded over time inside I saw the faint reflection of water the murmurs rose again still unclear a soft continuous hum I

didn't see any anyone but the sound kept coming I shifted my weight from one foot to the other my legs felt a bit shaky and I tightened my grip on the flashlight I told myself it might be a trick of the wind passing through cracks in the rock or maybe some small animal but it didn't sound like an animal it sounded like something with a voice though not one I could understand my heart was beating harder than usual and the air felt heavier I decided to go down I don't know why I did it maybe

I was curious maybe I wanted to be sure nothing strange was going on near the village I stepped off the side of the path and moved slowly down the muddy slope the mud clung to my boots and I slipped once catching myself with my free hand on a wet Rock the smell under the bridge was stale like standing water in Old leaves I flicked the beam of the flashlight around checking the ground for anything that could trip me there were slippery stones and patches of moss everywhere the darkness down there was thick and the only

light I had was the narrow beam from my flashlight as I reached the Cave opening I noticed the water inside was shallow only a few inches deep and it flowed slowly toward the small Creek Beyond The Cave wasn't large but it seemed deeper than I expected the ceiling was low I could stand but had to bend my neck a bit the sound was clearer now it still sounded like murmurs a series of low voices BL blending together but there was no one there I saw no figures no animals nothing just the sound I took a

step forward my flashlight caught something on the wall the Rocks were wet glistening with moisture on them were strange symbols drawn with something that gave off a dull glow they were not bright like neon signs but they emitted a soft greenish light the shapes were not letters I recognized they were twisting lines and curved shapes that overlapped each other some looked almost like long Spirals and others like knotted Loops I reached out with my free hand and touched the wall it felt cold and slick and the glowing Mark seemed to be made of some kind

of slimy thin substance when I pulled my hand back nothing came off on my fingers the symbols stayed lit pulsing a bit as if they reacted to my touch I frowned and took another step deeper inside the ground squished under my boots the air was even staler inside and there was a slight vibration it felt like a low hum you could feel inside your ears I whispered hello I don't know what I expected maybe a person hiding in the back maybe some prankster but there was no response the murmuring continued constant without pause but I

couldn't pinpoint where it came from it seemed to come from all around bouncing off the wet stone walls I was sweating a little now my heart felt tight and my breathing turned shallow I could smell my own sweat mixing with the stale cave odor I moved the flashlight beam around trying to see how far the cave went about 10 or 15 ft ahead the tunnel bent to the left water trickled from the ceiling dripping rhythmically into the shallow pool at my feet the sound of dripping water joined the murmuring voices the atmosphere felt cramped as

if the walls were leaning inward I wanted to leave but I also wanted to see what was around that bend I felt uneasy but I kept going each step made a soft Splash my flashlight beam trembled because my hand shook I clenched my jaw to steady myself my stomach felt tight the murmurs stayed at the same volume never rising or falling never changing their tone it was like an endless loop of low chatter then I heard another sound it came from ahead behind that bend it wasn't voices it was a wet squishing noise like something

moving through thick mud it stopped for a moment then started again my mouth went dry I raised the flashlight a bit higher I wanted to see something anything the glow from the symbols was weaker there the walls looked plain just damp Stone the ceiling was a bit lower forcing me to to hunch my shoulders my boots slipped a little on the Slick ground I reached the bend and leaned forward the squishing noise stopped the murmuring continued I turned the corner and saw more glowing symbols these looked more complex with tighter loops and swirling shapes packed

together the glow was slightly brighter here I scanned the floor and ceiling the floor was covered in a thin layer of cloudy water bits of moss and small rod floated on the surface I saw no Footprints or any sign of someone standing there the cave ended a few steps ahead a wall of stone blocked any further progress I walked closer to the end there was no place for anyone to hide the cave simply stopped the murmuring sound continued but I still saw no Source I felt something in the air it was like a light pressure

on my chest my breathing got shallow and I noticed a slight ringing in my ears I aimed the flashlight at the symbols on the wall and stepped right up to them the glow made it possible to see without the flashlight but I kept it on anyway I listened the murmuring never stopped it sounded closer now as if just behind the wall I leaned my ear against the stone it was cold the murmurs vibrated through the rock a constant vibration I pulled back then I heard that wet squishing noise again but this time it sounded like

it was coming from somewhere behind me I spun around quickly and aimed my flashlight into the darkness nothing I saw only the uneven floor the glowing symbols and the water droplets falling from the ceiling my heart pounded my throat felt tight I tried to stay calm I told myself I was just hearing Echoes I took a deep breath the air tasted stale I could smell The Damp Stone and something else something slightly sad hour I took a step back toward the entrance the wet noise came again this time softer but somehow closer my Palms were

sweating I tightened my grip on the flashlight I didn't want to run and slip but I wanted to get out of that cave I moved slowly careful with each step the murmuring continued unchanged a steady drone that made no sense as I approached the bend I noticed something about the water on the floor time tiny ripples moved across the surface even though I was standing still the water vibrated slightly I bent down and pointed the flashlight at the shallow layer I could see small bubbles rising from beneath the stones popping quietly something was agitating the

water I swallowed hard and took a few more steps I tried not to breathe too loud my heartbeat thumped in my head I rounded the bend and aimed the flashlight toward the entrance of the cave I could see the faint outline of the outside a slightly lighter Darkness I felt relieved that it wasn't far then I heard something moveed behind me again it was a soft scrape like something dragging across Stone I froze I listened it stopped the murmurs continued my arms felt weak my legs trembled I took another step toward the exit and heard

the dragging sound again it sounded wet heavy like a thick rope being pulled through mud I turned my head slowly and aimed the flashlight behind me the walls and water reflected the beam I saw nothing moving the symbols glowed steadily the cave was empty but the sound had been there my body tensed the hair on my neck stood on end I forced myself to move forward again trying not to slip the exit was maybe 10 steps away I could see the faint glow of my my flashlight hitting the outside Stones I took another step then

I heard a dull Splash just behind me I spun around and pointed the flashlight at the spot where I had just been standing for a split second I caught a glimpse of a ripple in the water it looked as if something had dipped into it and pulled back I saw nothing above the surface but the Ripple spread out slowly my breathing got faster I felt a slight sting in my eyes from sweat trickling down my forehead I didn't want to look away but I had to get out I backed up keeping the flashlight pointed at

that spot each step made a small Splash and with each splash I expected to hear something lunging at me from the darkness the murmuring stayed steady I reached the mouth of the cave and stepped outside the fresh air hit my face I tasted relief I climbed the muddy slope slipping once more and scraping my knee on a rock I cursed under my breath and kept moving when I reached the top I turned around and pointed the flashlight down at the cave entrance from up there I could see nothing but Darkness the murmuring was very faint

now almost impossible to hear over the wind I stood there breathing hard my chest rising and falling quickly my hands shook so much that the flashlight beam trembled across the ground I waited watching the entrance expecting something to crawl out nothing happened no shape emerged no voice spoke the night air was quiet except for the distant sound of leaves rustling my clothes felt damp and heavy I walked away from the bridge my boots squishing on the wet ground after a few steps I turned the flashlight off to see if I could notice any glow coming

from under the bridge the bridge stood quiet and dark no lights no signs just old Stones I turned the flashlight back on and moved further away my muscles felt sore from the tension I wanted to sit down but I didn't want to stay near the place I kept looking over my shoulder as I walked along the path toward the village the wind felt cold on my sweaty neck I tried to calm down to focus on putting one foot in front of the other every time I blinked I imagined those glowing symbols and that strange murmuring

inside my head it felt like I had left something unfinished like I had stumbled onto something I should never have seen but there was nothing else I could do the cave was empty of any visible creatures yet I could not explain the noises or the symbols the sound of that wet movement was stuck in my mind it had no source that I could see the water ripples the strange glow the muffled Whispers none of it made sense I had no reason to stay I walked until I reached a fence post near an old tree about

a 100 yard away from the bridge I leaned on it and caught my bre breath the air smelled like wet grass and bark my knee throbbed where I scraped it I felt the sting of the cut and when I rolled up my pant leg to check I could see a small scratch with a bead of blood I wiped it clean with my hand rubbed it dry on my pants and kept going the village lights were still far off most people were asleep at that hour I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep easily after this

my stomach felt sour I imagined those strange symbols and wondered if they were still glowing they probably were the memory of that cave and the murmur would stick with me as I walked I stayed alert I listened carefully for any hint of that strange sound following me I heard only normal nighttime noises wind distant insects the slight rustle of leaves my boots made soft thuds on The Damp ground I cleared my throat tried to get rid of the stale taste in my mouth I was tired but too wound up to relax by the time I

reached the outskirts of the village I realized I had been holding the flashlight so tight my Knuckles felt stiff I loosened my grip turned it off and just stood there in the dark for a moment the sky was still covered in clouds I could feel the moisture in the air behind me the direction of the bridge was just a patch of Darkness I saw no movement I took a deep breath and forced myself to move forward I would go home lock my door and sit in a chair until my heartbeat slowed down I wanted to

clean my boots and wash my hands I still felt the cold slimy Sensation from touching those symbols the memory made my skin crawl I didn't know what was in that cave or what made those noises I only knew it was not something I wanted to face again I had seen no actual creatures but I knew something was there the presence was too strong to ignore I would never look at that old stone bridge the same way again the cave under it was no ordinary place I would remember that night whenever I passed by I would

remember the murmuring the strange glow and the wet sounds in the dark and I would stay away I pulled my car into the parking lot of the motel a little after 10: at night it looked like every other cheap roadside place I had ever seen a single neon sign glowed by the entrance the lot was about half full I saw maybe four or five cars the office door was propped open with a wooden wedge and there was a bright light inside so I headed in the guy at the desk was an older man in a

brown T-shirt he didn't smile just asked for my ID and credit card I gave it to him he typed my info handed me a key and pointed down the hall room 16 the hallway smelled like stale carpet and cleaning fluid the door to my room stuck a little so I had to shove it hard with my shoulder inside there was a small TV on a dresser a queen bed with a thin comforter a small bathroom to the left and a single lamp on the bedside table the air felt a bit humid but I was too

tired to care I just needed to sleep I locked the door threw my backpack on a chair took off my shoes and lay down I didn't bother turning on the TV I just wanted rest before driving again in the morning I'm not sure how long I slept maybe a couple hours something woke me it wasn't loud but it was enough I opened my eyes feeling a slight headache from not sleeping well the first thing I noticed was a kind of whispering sound I thought maybe it was coming from outside the window but when I looked

over the window was shut I could hear the air conditioner huming in quietly next to the bathroom door the whispering didn't seem to come from outside it was too faint but definitely inside the room I sat up in bed I listened carefully it sounded like a person talking but not at a normal volume it was more like a muffled voice coming through a wall I got up and pressed my ear against the wall near the headboard nothing I moved around the room trying to find a spot where the whisper got louder when I leaned down

near the electrical outlet under the dresser I heard it more clearly it was a voice very calm talking about something I couldn't fully understand I pulled the dresser a little to the side the outlet was behind it I put my face close the voice was coming from there I was speaking English but I didn't recognize the words as anything meaningful something about a woman wearing a green coat someone else in a restaurant's back room a man in a hallway holding a stack of f shoulders it made no sense it was like a string of random

details the voice was low almost a whisper but steady as if it was reading from a script I took a step back and tried the other outlets in the room the same voice came from every one of them I checked the one by the bed one near the bathroom mirror and even behind the TV they all whispered the same bizarre things I stood in the middle of the room breathing hard my chest felt tight I tried to stay calm I thought it might be some kind of trick maybe a hidden speaker or a prank someone

was playing on the guests I walked over to the bedside lamp and unplugged it the whispering continued I checked the smoke alarm on the ceiling pressed the test button It beeped but then went silent the whispering never stopped I couldn't understand why this was happening I pressed my Palms against the walls tried to listen for any wires or devices the walls felt solid I tried flicking the light switch on and off a few times nothing changed the voice kept talking describing things like a hallway with green tiles a man digging through a filing cabinet a

woman looking at herself in a mirror under fluorescent lights I didn't know these people I didn't know these places The Voice mentioned names I didn't recognize it never mentioned me never referred to the motel room never acknowledged my presence at all all my mouth felt dry I needed water I turned on the bathroom light opened the faucet and splashed some water on my face I drank a few sips from my hand the voice was still there coming through the outlets echoing inside the wiring I leaned out of the bathroom and stared at the outlets again

I tried covering one with my palm I could still hear it just slightly muffled it was like the building's entire electrical system was carrying this voice straight into my room I decided to call the front desk the phone was on the bedside table I picked it up but there was no dial tone I pressed the buttons nothing I hung up and tried again still nothing I realized the whispering might be affecting the phone line too or maybe the phone was just broken I put my shoes on and went outside into the hallway the night air

from the front door at the end of the hall was cool the corridor was empty the front desk was just around the corner I looked for the man who checked me in but he wasn't there the desk was empty lights still on but nobody around I said hello once no answer I waited tapped the desk with my knuckle nothing I walked back to my room thinking maybe I should just pack up and leave but I was tired and I had already paid I told told myself maybe I could just ignore it fall asleep with the

TV on I closed the door and turned on the TV the volume worked fine and a late night show filled the room with normal voices I turned it up until I could barely hear the whisper I lay back down tried to relax tried to focus on the show some comedian was telling jokes to a small audience I watched it for a while maybe 10 minutes passed before I felt my eyelids getting heavy again I woke up to static on the TV no show just black and white noise the volume was still high I fumbled for

the remote and muted it the whispering was still there unchanged still describing scenes involving people I didn't know I sat up my heart beating faster it hadn't stopped I got up and turned off the TV then I decided to try something else I walked to each piece of furniture and moved it checking behind it I searched for hidden speakers I looked behind the curtains I lifted the mattress I opened the drawers of the dresser I found nothing unusual everything looked normal the room was completely plain there were no signs that anyone had tampered with it

my hands were shaking a little I felt a nod in my stomach I kept thinking that maybe I was losing it but the whispering was too real I couldn't just dismiss it it was definitely coming from the outlets I tried turning off the main light switch again the overhead light went dark but the whisper remained I unplugged the lamp again turned off the air conditioner and listened still there I considered leaving the room and sleeping in my car it would be uncomfortable but at least I wouldn't hear that voice I grabbed my bag and stepped

out into the Hall the hallway was dead quiet I walked to the door leading outside I stood there looking at my car the idea of leaving felt like giving up it made no sense that I was hearing these voices what if I told someone about it and they thought I was hallucinating I wanted proof that something was wrong with this place I turned back and went into the room again I approached the outlet by the bed I listened carefully to the words The Voice described a man holding a document he wore a gray suit glasses

and had a ring on his left hand he was standing in an office with beige walls and FL ENT lights The Voice spoke in a calm almost monotone manner then it moved on to a woman rearranging boxes in a storage room then a group of people sitting at a conference table all looking at their phones I couldn't place any of these scenes they didn't sound like anything special just ordinary moments happening somewhere else I knocked on the wall next to the outlet I hit it with my fist a few times just enough to see if

the voice reacted it did not it kept talking at its own pace I said hello out loud right into the outlet no response I tried again can you hear me nothing the whispering just continued ignoring me completely my body felt tense my neck was stiff I swallowed hard and rubbed my face with my hands I paced the room trying to think I decided to try the breaker box sometimes motels have breaker panels accessible I stepped into the hall and looked around I found a small panel door by the vending machine near the lobby it was

unlocked inside were several switches labeled by room number I found room 16 and flipped the switch off the corridor light stayed on but I assumed I had cut power to my room I walked back inside the dark room I stood there holding my breath and listened the whispering was still there I had cut power and it still spoke it was as if it didn't rely on electricity at all I backed out into the hallway and closed the door I stood in the hall thinking about what to do next I could try other rooms maybe the

voice was only in mine I walked down the hall listening at door after door most rooms were quiet at room 14 I pressed my ear to the door nothing room 18 nothing everything sounded normal outside inside my room I went back to the lobby the front desk was still empty I said hello again no one came I saw a door behind the desk that might lead to a back office or a manager's room I knocked on it nothing I tried the knob it was locked I stood there in silence feeling the sweat under my armpits

I was wide awake now no chance of sleeping I returned to my room turned the breaker back on and flicked the lights I sat on the bed and stared at the outlet the whispering continued it never addressed me never paused it just went on describing Unknown People in unknown places all doing ordinary things I tried to pick out any detail that made sense something I could use to identify what I was hearing the voice mentioned a building number at one point said something about room 305 and a reception desk but it never explained where this

was happening I noticed my heartbeat was faster I tried to calm down by focusing on simple tasks I rolled my shoulders stretched my neck and took a sip of water in the bathroom I turned the faucet on and let it run just to have another sound in the room over the running water I could still hear the whisper I splashed water on my face again patted it dry with a thin towel then I decided I couldn't stay it wasn't about the money I need needed to get away from that voice it felt like something was

in the walls something that was collecting secrets and broadcasting them to anyone who stayed here the voice never threatened me directly but hearing these private details of strangers felt invasive like I was part of something I should not be hearing it gave me chills it made my skin crawl I packed my bag threw everything inside halfhazard and stepped out I closed the door firmly and walked straight to my car the parking lot was quiet and empty I looked at the sign on the motel wall the neon light buzzed faintly I got in my car and

turned the engine on I looked back once through the windshield at the rows of doors I wondered if anyone else was hearing it too but no one came out no one complained I backed out of the space and drove onto the main road I looked at the time 3:27 a.m. I'd had only a few hours of rest but I needed to put distance between me and that place I kept driving until I found a gas station I pulled in got out and the cool air felt clean I could still feel a slight tension in my

body but at least I was gone from the motel inside the gas station store a young guy at the counter said hey how's it going and I almost laughed after what I had just gone through it was good to hear a normal voice I bought a bottle of water and a pack of gum he gave me change and said have a safe drive I nodded walked back outside and got in my car for a moment I listened carefully making sure I couldn't hear any Whispering just the hum of my engine and a distant truck passing

on the road everything else was quiet and normal I put the car in gear and drove leaving the motel behind with its strange Unstoppable voice buried in the walls I arrived at that old Victorian Mansion late in the afternoon I had a small bag with a few clothes a flashlight and some basic tools my job was to watch over the place while the owners were away for a few weeks they told me it was old that it needed someone around at night to keep an eye on it they said something about the wiring being weak

about some doors jamming when it got cold and about a strange grandfather clock inside that never kept proper time I didn't ask many questions I just agreed to do the job because I needed the money they gave me a set of old keys and left I did not see their car after that when I stepped through the front door I had to push hard because the old wood seemed swollen the foyer smelled like Old Paper dust and something like wet carpet there was a large staircase in front going up to the second floor on both

sides hallways stretched out the air felt heavy I heard a faint ticking sound right away it came from deeper inside the house it wasn't steady it clicked and paused then clicked again sometimes fast sometimes slow I walked across the foyer my boots making dull thuds on the old wooden floor there were framed photographs and paintings on the walls mostly faded I saw a coat rack empty except for a single old scarf covered in dust I rubbed my nose because the Dust was bothering me I followed the ticking sound I moved to the left hallway passing

a couple of closed doors I tried the knobs on each door as I passed one door opened into a sitting room it had armchairs and a low table with a vase another door led to a small study lined with shelves full of old books that smelled like mold the ticking sound was louder now I found the clock in the Next Room it was a tall grandfather clock placed against the far wall the face was worn the glass scratched the pendulum swung from side to side but not at a steady Pace it would swing three times

slow then one time fast then pause then move again I frowned the time on the clock was wrong it showed something like 2:15 but my watch said it was nearly 5:30 I Shrugged maybe the owners forgot to mention how broken it was I stood there and watched it for a minute the pendulum made a soft SC scraping sound like metal on metal sometimes it caught for a second then jerked forward I reached out and touched the side of the clock feeling the wood it felt damp I tried to open the front panel but it was

stuck I didn't want to force it because I didn't know if I'd break something valuable I decided to look around the Mansion more to see where I would sleep and what kind of food supply they left I turned away but then I heard a sudden chime it was a Hollow sound almost like someone hitting a pipe I turned back to see the clock the hands had jumped now it said 6 but my watch said 532 the chime echoed through the hallway I felt a chill on my arms something about that sound bothered me I couldn't

explain why I listened for a while but it did not repeat I left the room and walked toward the kitchen I passed the foyer again I noticed the armchairs in the sitting room I could see inside as I passed the chairs were in different positions now they were not facing the low table anymore I could see the legs of the chairs at odd angles like someone had pushed them around quickly I stepped inside that room again I looked at the table the vase was gone I looked around saw it on a small side table near

the window I was sure it had been on the low table I tried to remember if maybe I just missed it I didn't think so I didn't touch anything I Stood Still I didn't hear anything except the faint ticking which sounded distant now I continued to the kitchen the kitchen had old cabinets a rusted sink and a small refrigerator that hummed there was some bread on the counter half stale and some cans of soup in a Cupboard I opened the fridge there was a bottle of water and some butter I took the water and drank

some the aftertaste was metallic I I put it back I checked the back door it led outside to a small yard covered in Tall Grass the sky was starting to get dark I decided to pick a bedroom on the second floor for the night the owners told me I could pick any guest room I carried my bag upstairs the steps creaked the upstairs hallway had a row of doors I opened them one by one the first was a bathroom the second a locked door that wouldn't budge the third was a musty bedroom with a large

bed and a dresser there was a window facing the yard I set my bag on the bed it smelled dusty but at least the mattress felt firm I checked the dresser drawers they were empty the air felt colder upstairs I rubbed my hands together I spent some time checking the windows and making sure the doors locked when I went downstairs again I noticed something strange the hallway where I found the clock now looked different the walls were the same but the door placement seemed off I remembered the clock was at the end of that hallway

but now when I looked down it I couldn't see the clock I walked carefully checking each door I found a dining room that I didn't remember passing before inside it the chairs and table were arranged in a circle all facing inward the table had nothing on it I tried another door it led back to the foyer I went around again and tried to reach that clock room somehow I kept ending up in the wrong rooms I was sure I was following the same route as before but each time I passed through a door the room

seemed to shift I started to panic a bit I stood in the foyer looking at the front door it was locked from inside I knew how to unlock it but I had agreed to stay I wasn't sure if leaving was wise or not the place was strange but maybe I was just tired I decided to sit on the stairs and think while sitting there I heard another chime it was louder this time I stood up and tried to locate the sound it came from somewhere upstairs now or so it seemed I climbed the stairs listening

as I reached the top another chime sounded it echoed in my ears I passed the bathroom door ahead I saw a faint glow coming from a room at the end of the hall I walked slowly my heart was beating fast master I entered the room it was the same bedroom I chose earlier but the bed was missing the dresser was not there either instead I saw the grandfather clock against the far wall its pendulum swinging the hands pointed to a time that made no sense it read 3:45 but it was already night outside I stepped

closer the pendulum moved oddly sometimes pausing midswing each time it paused I felt a slight pressure in my chest then it would jerk forward and the pressure would ease I tried to move around the room but there was less space now the walls seemed closer together the window was there but it looked smaller and the glass seemed thicker I heard the tick and talk sounds but they were irregular sometimes it would go tick tick talk then pause then talk again I decided to leave the room room but the door was not in the same place

I felt along the wall for the doorknob my fingertips touched wood panels that felt damp and rough finally I found the door and pushed it open I stepped out into a hallway that looked different the wallpaper had strange patterns and I could see my own shadow stretching at odd angles under the Moonlight that came in through some high window I tried to follow the hallway it led me back downstairs but the steps were narrower and I had to hold the railing to keep my balance downstairs I heard a scraping sound I walked toward it I

entered a room with a large sofa and a low cabinet I saw shapes shifting in the corners but when I looked directly at them I only saw Furniture the shapes seemed to appear in the corner of my vision I tried to ignore them I approached the sofa and touched it the fabric felt rough I turned to leave but I heard the scraping again like wood against wood I looked over my shoulder the sofa was slightly rotated now as if it had moved silently my breathing was shallow I felt sweat on my back I looked around

the room and tried to find the doorway I came through instead I saw a different door half open leading to a narrow Hall I went through it inside I found a small storage room with shelves the shelves were bare except for a small Lantern I picked it up I shook it it had a bit of oil inside I lit it with my lighter the flame flickered but stayed lit now I had some extra light I returned to the previous room the sofa was gone in its place I saw a chair and a small table on

the table there was a pocket watch I picked it up and checked it the watch was not ticking its hands were stuck I put it down and left it there I realized I needed to find a stable point in the house maybe the foyer or the kitchen something that did not change I tried to make my way back each door led to a slightly different arrangement of rooms sometimes I recognized a painting or a lamp other times I saw unfamiliar Furniture the dust was always present my throat felt dry I listened for the clock I

heard faint ticking somewhere ahead I followed the sound I found myself in a corridor with a window at the end the Moonlight Shone through I tried opening the window it stuck I pushed harder it opened a crack I felt cold night air on my face I looked outside I saw the Tall Grass some old trees and a fence in the distance everything looked normal outside the Moonlight was bright I took a deep breath my heart slowed a bit I closed the window and turned around the corridor was empty but now I noticed the smell of

something burning I followed the scent to a room on my right inside there was a fireplace with old ashes no fire now just cold ashes I touched them they felt dry and cold I thought maybe the smell came from old wood somewhere else I left the room I wandered for a while trying doors checking rooms each time I thought I knew where I was I found a new Arrangement sometimes the grandfather clock appeared in unexpected places once it stood in a corner of a hallway ticking slowly another time I found it in a closet silent

and still I tried to ignore it but every so often it chimed the chime always made me Flinch when it chimed I saw the furniture shift in the corner of my eye after each chime I had to orient myself again at one point I reached the foyer again the coat rack was still there but now there were two scarves instead of one the door outside was still locked I could see the old Keyhole my keys were upstairs stairs in the bedroom I chose I decided to get them I climbed the stairs carefully the steps creaked

louder now the upstairs hallway seemed shorter I found the bedroom door inside I saw my bag on the floor the bed was back the dresser was there too but the clock was gone I opened my bag and took out the keys I held them in my hand I felt a bit better I decided to try the front door I went downstairs stepping slowly listening for the clock I didn't hear it downstairs I approached the front door I tried the keys they didn't fit right I tried each key carefully none turned the lock the door was

stuck I pulled pushed nothing happened I tried the windows in the foyer they were sealed tight I tapped the glass it felt thick and solid I couldn't break it easily without proper tools I only had a small set of tools nothing heavy enough to break old glass I checked my watch it read close to midnight I felt tired my stomach was empty I remembered the Soup cans in the kitchen I decided to eat something I found my way back to the kitchen though the path felt different again the kitchen cabinets were still there I found

the bread now harder and the cans of soup I opened a can with my pocket knife and ate cold soup it tasted Bland but it calmed my stomach I drank some water again still metallic but I swallowed it I looked around the kitchen I saw a small door that I hadn't noticed before I opened it a pantry empty shelves and a broom nothing else I closed it I returned to the hallway the house was quiet now I walked slowly holding the lantern my feet scuffed on the floor dust Rose in small clouds I wiped sweat

from my forehead I tried to find a place to rest until morning I hoped that in daylight things would be normal I went back to the bedroom upstairs and sat on the bed it felt stiff I lay down the mattress was rough and smelled old I kept my eyes open staring at the ceiling the lantern flickered I placed it on the floor I tried to keep calm breathing slowly my mind was blank just focused on getting through the night time passed slowly I heard distant ticking sometimes faster sometimes slower I heard occasional scraping sounds the

floorboards creaked as if someone was walking outside the door but when I opened the door I saw an empty hallway each time I checked the hallway looked slightly different the wallpaper patterns shifted sometimes the pattern was simple Stripes other times small floral patterns the smell changed too sometimes Dusty sometimes musty sometimes just stale air I stayed in that bedroom for a long time holding the lantern listening for the Chimes eventually I heard another one it was louder now echoing through the halls I stood up quickly the door was open I saw the grandfather clock again

right outside the bedroom ticking slowly I hadn't seen it appear there it just was there now I approached it carefully I reached out and grabbed the sides it felt solid I tried to tilt it but it was Heavy I tried to open the front panel again and this time it opened with a squeak inside I saw the pendulum swinging irregularly the weights and chains looked rusted and Tangled I reached in and tried to stop the pendulum I pressed my hand against it it felt cold it slowed stopped for a second then pulled out of my

grip and continued swinging my hand slipped and I hit my Knuckles on the inside of the case I felt pain and cursed softly the clock chimed again the hallway shifted I looked over my shoulder the bedroom door behind me was gone I only saw a blank wall I turned back to the clock the hands pointed at a random time something like 9:20 I backed away keeping my eyes on it I decided to keep moving to not stay still I walked down the hallway the floor felt uneven I had to step carefully I tried doors at

random opening and closing them some led to empty rooms some to rooms with Furniture piled up I saw chairs stacked on top of each other cabinets turned sideways rugs hanging from the ceiling every time the clock chimed I saw things move at the edges of my vision my breathing was fast my Palms were sweaty I kept thinking that if I waited long enough maybe morning would come and I could get out the owner said a few weeks but I just needed one night to get paid for the first shift they never warned me about this

they just said watch the house I wondered if they knew I tried to ignore that thought I focused on walking on checking doors on keeping calm after a long time I found the foyer again I recognized the stairs the coat rack had three scarves now I ignored that I tried the front door again still stuck I I went into the sitting room the armchairs were back to their original positions facing the low table the vase was on the table now I looked at it closely it was cracked I tapped it with my fingernail it made

a dull sound I sat in one of the armchairs it felt firm I tried to rest listening the Clock Was silent now I sat there for what felt like hours staring at the empty fireplace hearing only my own breathing the Lantern flame danced on the walls I watched the Shadows sometimes I thought I saw shapes in them but when I looked directly there was nothing just old furniture and Dusty floors I tried to stand up but my legs were stiff I stretched took a deep breath and stepped back into the foyer I walked to the

window next to the door and looked outside I saw the Sky starting to lighten just a bit the moon was lower Dawn was near I stood there pressing my forehead against the glass feeling its cool surface I waited there was no more chiming the clock was quiet the furniture stayed in place I Stood Still waiting for morning hoping that when the sun rose I could open the door and leave I held the keys tight in my hand my knuckles were sore from before I listened carefully but I only heard silence now I waited I set

up my tent in the swamp late in the afternoon the ground felt wet under my boots and my ankles sank whenever I stepped on a soft spot thick Mist drifted through the trees clinging to every branch and root water pooled around uneven patches of Earth the smell of decaying leaves and old water hung everywhere I came here to escape people traffic and light I wanted silence I wanted to sit in the dark and not worry about anyone asking me questions I wanted to sleep in my own space without interruptions the swamp seemed empty enough and

I expected nothing but crickets and distant frogs I set my small tent near a few tree roots that felt stable enough I placed my sleeping bag inside and unrolled it carefully I checked the stakes and rope twice to make sure it would hold if the weather changed I had a flashlight a small camping stove and a sealed bag of dried food my boots were muddy and my pant legs were damp from the knees down as the light faded I sat on a small folding stool outside the tent and tried to keep my back straight my

shoulders achd from carrying my gear I took out my canteen and swallowed a few gulps of lukewarm water I chewed on a piece of dried meat and listened I heard distant bubbling sounds I heard faint pops as if small creatures broke the water surface now and then I tried to ignore the smell of stagnant mud I did not see any other people I did not see animal tracks that worried me there were no loud birds just small chirps lost in the distance when the last bit of daylight disappeared I turned on my flashlight and aimed

the beam at the tent my shoulders tensed because I could not see far the swamp spread out in all directions but the mist and darkness swallowed everything more than a few steps away the FL flashlight showed me the tree roots some low shrubs and the surface of the muddy water little bits of reflection danced on the surface I noticed how quiet it became I expected frogs but at that moment there were none the silence pressed on me I gripped the flashlight harder I forced myself to breathe slowly I got inside my tent and zipped it

closed the nylon fabric felt thin I knew that if I heard something outside I would see only a vague Shadow through the material I settled inside I spread out my sleeping bag and placed my pack by my feet my back felt stiff and I tried to relax by lying flat I took off my boots and placed them at the entrance of the tent I heard my own breathing inside the cramped space I waited for sleep I waited for some natural sound maybe insects or a gentle breeze but I heard only my heart beating I dozed

off for maybe a few minutes maybe an hour I woke up when I heard a strange noise it was slow deep and uneven it sounded like breathing but not a normal kind it was a wet gurgling breath it came from outside not close but not far I sat up my head touched the top of the tent I held my breath and listened again I heard it once more it sounded heavier now like lungs filled with thick fluid pushing air out through layers of something soft and damp there was a slight pause then the inhale then

another pause then the exhale I could not tell if it was an animal or something else it did not sound like a person it did not have a rhythm I recognized I picked up my flashlight my hand shook I considered turning it on and pointing it at the tent wall but I was afraid I would make my presence too obvious my chest felt tight my Palms felt damp I stayed quiet and tried to figure out if I should open the tent flap the noise continued steady but slow I tried to guess the distance maybe it

was several yards away near the water maybe it was behind a tree stump I could not be sure I let out a slow breath through my nose I reached toward the zipper of the tent door I moved it a little just enough to create a narrow Gap through that Gap I saw gray Mist in dark shapes my flashlight remained off I waited for my eyes to adjust the Mist swirled at about knee height drifting across the surface of the swamp I smelled something new it smelled mineral like wet stone and Old Iron it made my

nose burn I tried not to cough the breathing sound got louder I heard a slight crackling noise like something pushing through damp leaves or soft mud I leaned forward and pressed my face to the Gap I saw a shape in the Mist it Rose slowly as if pulling itself upward from the mud its outline was long and twisted I could not see details only a silhouette it had no distinct head or limbs that I could identify it seemed to shift shape as it moved but never formed a recognizable shape like a person or a known

animal it extended upward then bent at an angle then extended again the slow movements sent ripples through the Mist my legs felt weak my stomach tightened I gripped the flashlight but I did not turn it on I did not want this thing to notice me I tried to remain silent but my breath sounded too loud in my own ears I pressed my tongue against the roof of my mouth to keep quiet I could feel sweat under my arms and along my lower back the shape continued to emerge from the mud I noticed that as it

moved the mineral smelled grew stronger I also heard a faint wet sound like thick liquid bubbling I did not see eyes I did not see a face it had a surface that looked smooth in some parts and uneven in others the silhouette SED slightly like a thick Vine pulled up from underwater it did not reach for me it did not charge or move fast it seemed to focus on getting its full length out of the mud the process was slow and deliberate I thought about packing my gear and leaving I wondered if I could run

the darkness and the mud would slow me down my tent was small if I made noise I would draw attention I was not sure if this thing had ears or if it could see light I did not want to test it my hands shook my throat felt dry I forced myself to swallow and not cough minutes passed my legs began to ache from Crouching the creature's breathing remained steady and thick the silhouette took on a new angle leaning slightly toward the water it made a low gurgle and I saw something drip off its surface I

heard drops falling into the mud I smelled a hint of iron in the air my nose stung I wanted to move back but I was afraid to make any sound I stayed in that position half kneeling half crouching my left foot started to go numb I shifted my weight slowly trying not to rustle the nylon of the tent I kept my eyes on the shape it did not appear to have a clear front or back its top section bent downward then pulled upward again the breathing continued and I felt the sound echo in my chest

there was a constant pressure in the air as if the sound waves were thick enough to touch I wondered what this thing was doing it did not seem to hunt it did not seem to flee it just existed there part of the swamp I thought maybe it was some kind of swamp life I had never heard of something adapted to these conditions something that did not care about me as long as I stayed quiet that thought did not bring Comfort my skin crawled my scalp tingled I felt sweat roll down my forehead I wiped it

with the back of my hand and sniffed quietly at some point the creature shifted sideways it turned or at least it moved in a direction that suggested a rotation the silhouette thinned then widened again the breathing sound paused my heart jumped in that moment I thought it might have noticed my presence I pressed my body flat against the ground and held my breath I could feel the soil pressing into my knees and chest my arms trembled I waited after a few seconds the breathing resumed it sounded closer than before but not by much I dared

to raise ra my head slightly I looked through the Gap again the Mist thickened the shape was harder to see now but I could still sense its position because I could see a slight difference in the way the Mist moved around it it formed a barrier in the swirl of white Vapor a solid object that bent the fog around it I had a knife in my pack it was not a large knife it would not help me if this thing attacked I did not reach for it I did not want to move too much my

jaw felt sore from clenching my teeth my breath came out in short shallow bursts I tried to keep my exhale through my nose as quiet as possible the creature lowered itself closer to the ground I heard a wet SOS as it touched the mud it sounded thick and heavy like a large mass pressing down into the sludge the mineral smell intensified I could almost taste it at the back of my throat my stomach churned I swallowed and tried not to gag the air felt heavy and humid I noticed tiny noises around me small droplets sliding

down my tense fabric a faint hum of insects in the distance a soft crack when I shifted my knee each sound made me Flinch I worried that the creature would react it did not it seemed focused on whatever it was doing its shape twitched now and then changing angles and lengths but without any sudden moves time passed passed slowly I lost track of how long I stayed there my legs hurt my shoulders achd I felt trapped I thought about tearing open the tent and running but the idea made my heart race I had nowhere to

run in the dark the swamp would slow me and I would make noise my flashlight would only help me see a few feet ahead if I tripped I would be stuck in the mud I imagined myself calling for help but there was no one around I clenched my fist until my Knuckles felt stiff eventually the creature began to move away it happened gradually I heard the slow movement of something large dragging along the wet ground the breathing continued but it grew softer I saw the silhouette pull back into the Mist it moved in a steady

line leaving my field of view I waited straining my ears expecting some trick but the sounds grew distant I did not move for a long time I waited until I was sure I heard nothing but my own breathing and the faint rustle of leaves my body felt cramped my pants were damp from pressing against the floor of the tent I smelled my own sweat my mouth tasted stale I finally dared to open the tent flap a bit wider and shine my flashlight outside the beam caught nothing unusual just mud water tree roots and dense Mist

there were no footprints that I could see only soft mud that looked the same everywhere my heart still pounded I pulled my boots inside and put them on my hands shook so much that I had trouble tying the laces I considered staying the rest of the night and leaving at dawn then I considered packing up immediately and trying to find my way out in the dark the idea of staying there with that thing around frightened me but leaving in complete darkness waiting through water and mud while the creature might still be nearby also terrified me

I realized I had no good choices I decided to wait until there was at least a hint of Morning Light I sat inside my tent with the flap open just enough to see outside I kept the flashlight off to avoid drawing attention I tried not to think about what I had seen instead I listened carefully for any sign of movement the minutes dragged on my muscles twitched now and then I picked up the faint odor of that mineral smell on the breeze but never strong I guessed it was drifting through the swamp I felt a

dull headache at the back of my skull after what seemed like hours a faint gray light appeared in the sky the Mist grew paler I could see outlines of distant trees I forced myself to move quietly I rolled up my sleeping bag I stuffed everything into my pack I worked slowly trying not to make noise my stomach growled but I ignored it my hands were still sweaty I zipped up my jacket and pushed my arms through the straps of my pack I slipped out of the tent and crouched low I looked around nothing moved I

took down the tent folding it as silently as possible the mud sucked at the tent Stakes but I managed to pull them out with minimal noise I stuffed the tent into its bag I stood up slowly careful with my footing my boots sank a bit but I managed to keep my balance I aimed my flashlight at the ground just enough to see where I stepped I started walking following a rough path of Higher Ground that I had memorized on the way in the mud and water felt just as cold and heavy as before my shoulders

hurt under the weight of the pack as I moved away from the campsite I kept glancing over my shoulder I saw no shapes I heard no heavy breathing I did not smell that mineral odor the only sounds were my boots pressing into the mud water dripping from leaves and the distant hum of insects my throat felt dry and I swallowed hard the air tasted stale I kept walking taking careful steps keeping my eyes forward and listening to every small sound around me I just wanted to get out of there I wanted to see open ground

and leave that place behind it took me a long time but eventually I reached more solid ground I recognized a few landmarks a fallen tree with Moss a patch of taller reads on my left a cluster of stones where the swamp began to slope upward my legs felt numb and my neck was stiff from looking around so much I never saw that creature again I never heard its breathing or smelled that mineral odor once I left the heart of the swamp the fear stayed with me though even hours later when I finally left the swamp's

edge and stepped onto a dirt road my hands were still shaking and my chest felt tight I did not look back I just kept moving away from that spot away from whatever lived in that place I walked into the Museum's main hall at around 11: at night I had just been hired as a night guard the place was not officially open yet but they were preparing for a grand reopening in a few days the corridors were empty and the walls still smelled like fresh paint the management told me to patrol the exhibitions and make sure

nothing went missing they said no one should be inside and that the security cameras were all working they told me to keep the lights low to save energy but I could use my flashlight whenever I wanted I accepted the conditions it was just a job I stood near the entrance the floor felt solid under my boots the glass doors were locked behind me I saw my refle reflection in the glass I looked tired I had worked late shifts before but not in a place like this I had never worked alone in a big building like

this at night it seemed easy enough walk around check the rooms report any damage still something felt off I did not know why there was nothing strange about the room just the usual things you would find in a museum Lobby a desk a few brochures some potted plants but I felt an unease that I could not place I tried to ignore it I stepped into the first Gallery the lights were dim but I could make out the shapes of sculptures arranged on pedestals I flicked on my flashlight and pointed it at a tall statue it

was some ancient piece carved in stone I did not know the details I was not there to appreciate the art I just wanted to make sure everything was in its place I checked the pedestals edges looked for any sign of tampering nothing I moved on to the next piece a smaller statue maybe a bust again nothing unusual I began to relax a bit the air was cool my footsteps sounded normal on the floor then I noticed something about the Shadows I do not know what caught my attention exactly maybe the angle of the beam from

my flashlight I looked down at the shadow of the statue in front of me the statue was tall with a head and Broad shoulders its shadow on the floor should have shown those features Instead The Shadow looked skewed with thinner shoulders and a head that seemed too round I stepped to the side to check if it was just a trick of the angle the shadow changed shape but it still did not match the object the statue remained solid and unmoving but its shadow looked warped as if it were cast by something else I turned off

my flashlight and turned it back on the shadow remained odd I aimed the light at a painting on the wall paintings should cast simple rectangular Shadows if the light hits them at a certain angle this painting a large canvas in a wooden frame cast a shadow that did not match a rectangle it looked like some irregular shape with protrusions that did not match the frame I tried another painting same result I Stood Still and breathed slowly my Palms felt damp I forced myself to keep calm there was no reason to panic maybe there was some

unevenness in the surface of the floor or something about the lighting I tried to ignore it and kept walking the next few rooms were the same sculptures paintings and old objects all cast Shadows that did not match their forms some Shadows looked narrower some wider some had strange angles that made no sense even small objects like a vase on a table cast a shadow that looked taller than it should I checked the ceiling thinking maybe there were hidden lights messing with the shapes I saw nothing the lighting seemed simple a few dim ceiling lamps my

flashlight and the glow from the emergency exit signs nothing fancy as I kept walking I started hearing odd noises at first it sounded like low Whispering I aimed my flashlight around thinking maybe another guard was here but I found no one the voices were too muffled to make out any words they seemed to come from behind walls or from Corners where no one stood I pressed my ear against a door at one point trying to catch something clear I only heard murmurs they were not loud enough to identify a language or any recognizable words they

just sounded like people whispering to each other as if discussing something quietly I called out hello and got no response I checked my watch about an hour had passed since I arrived I needed to finish my round I told myself to stay focused I continued moving through the galleries each room felt colder as I went further in my flashlight beam shook slightly I tried to keep my hand steady my breathing got faster I told myself it was just my nerves I tried to concentrate on my duty check the artworks ensure nothing was missing move on

but I I could not stop thinking about those Shadows they were everywhere and none of them looked right I entered a large Hall with tall statues arranged in a circle they were all of historical figures I did not know their names the hall was quiet and the dim lights made Long Shadows stretch across the floor I looked at one Statue carefully it had a human shape a body arms and a head its shadow however had something like extra shapes on the sides I knelt and leaned closer to the floor shining my flashlight at the base

of the statue the pedestal was plain just a block of stone but the shadow on the floor showed something that looked like arms bending in a direction the statue's arms did not go I felt a chill and stood up quickly I looked around to see if anyone else was in the room nothing just me the statues and their wrong Shadows as I moved I began to notice something else sometimes I saw a shadow move at the corner of my vision when I was not pointing the flashlight directly at it when I turned to look I

saw only normal shapes on the floor but when I was looking straight ahead and caught something in my peripheral vision I swore I saw Shadows shift slightly I tested this by walking slowly and turning my head it kept happening the Shadows looked stable when I focused on them but seemed seemed to shift when I looked away I tried to calm myself by thinking about my next step maybe I should check the security room there should be monitors there if someone was in the building I could spot them I followed the signs to the security office

it was a small room near the back with a desk a few chairs and a wall of monitors the feed was grainy but I could see the galleries I watched for a few minutes nothing moved on the monitors no one walked around the cameras showed only the displays still and quiet I did not see any Shadows moving on the monitors they looked normal I found that strange because I was seeing them differently with my own eyes I flipped through the camera feeds checked the entrances the hallways everything looked ordinary on the screens I rubbed my

face and checked the time again a few hours left until my shift ended the contract said I just needed to stay until morning I tried to imagine myself standing here until sunrise the idea made my stomach tighten but I had to do it I needed the job I decided to keep patrolling maybe if I walked faster I would feel better I grabbed my flashlight more firmly and returned to the corridors as I walked I heard those voices again this time I tried to follow the sound I moved slowly listening the whis Whispers seemed to come

from behind a large locked door labeled storage I pressed my ear to the door I could make out a few words but they did not sound familiar the voices said names I did not recognize they repeated them in a low tone I tried the door handle it was locked I considered calling my supervisor but it was late and I did not want to admit that I was hearing things I left the door and moved on in another Gallery I found a long glass case displaying old tools and pottery I shined my flashlight along the case

the objects inside were arranged neatly their labels were handwritten as I examined the shadows of these tools I noticed that some Shadows were not attached to the objects at all when I say not attached I mean that I saw a tool sitting in the case and a shadow on the floor near it but not directly beneath it or behind it the shadow was a few inches off as if belonging to something next to to it I tapped on the glass and watched carefully the object did not move but the shadow remained where it was not

lining up correctly I moved on keeping my footsteps steady trying not to think too hard about what this meant as I went deeper into the building I noticed that some hallways seemed darker than before the lights on the ceiling looked dimmer my flashlights beam felt weaker or maybe I was just getting more nervous and sweating too much I could feel my shirt shirt sticking to my back my throat was dry I kept swallowing the silence between The Whispers felt heavy I wondered if I should call someone the contract said I was alone and there was

an emergency number I could call if something went wrong but what would I say that the Shadows did not match and I heard voices Whispering strange names that would not sound reasonable they might think I was losing it I decided to handle it myself I walked into another large Gallery full of paintings these paintings all had spotlights shining on them so I turned off my flashlight I stood in the center and looked around every painting had a shadow on the wall behind it but the shapes looked wrong instead of showing the rectangular frame the Shadows

had uneven edges some looked like outlines of shapes I could not identify as if objects not in the room were being projected I walked closer to one painting and ran my finger along its frame the wood was smooth and solid there were no gaps I looked at the shadow behind it the shadow had several bumps that the frame did not have I leaned in trying to see if there was some trick of the light as I got close I felt the hairs on my arm stand up my neck felt hot I backed away and moved

on as the night continued I noticed that I felt watched it was not just the strange Shadows I had the sense of eyes on my back whenever I walked down a corridor I turned around often shining my flashlight behind me I never saw anyone I tried to walk quietly but my boots echoed I tried holding my breath and listening I heard nothing but my own heart pounding I moved faster hoping to run out the clock until morning in one Hall I aimed my flashlight at a suit of armor on display the armor was on a

stand its metal shining dully the shadow behind it however looked like a hunched figure with a different outline I looked up and down trying to see if something else was casting that shape I did not find anything I touched the Armor's shoulder plate and felt cold metal I stepped back and aimed the flashlight elsewhere I thought I saw a shadow move near the corner I swung the flashlight beam around quickly there was nothing there just a blank wall I began to sweat more I wiped my forehead with my sleeve my breath came in short bursts

my stomach felt tight I told myself to calm down I just needed to finish this night I tried to ignore the Shadows I avoided looking closely at them instead I focused on my route I passed by rows of sculptures and tried not to stare at their Shadows I heard a few Whispers now and then always too soft to understand they said names that sounded foreign I tried to tune it out at one point I returned to the main hall near the entrance I looked at the clock on the wall I still had about an hour

to go I thought about standing still and waiting but the place felt wrong when I Stood Still I felt pressure on my shoulders as if the air was heavier so I kept moving I walked the perimeter again checking doors shining my flashlight down corridors every so often I turned suddenly hoping to catch something off guard I never caught it anything the Shadows remained still whenever I looked at them directly I counted the minutes as I patrolled I did not speak out loud I did not want to hear my own voice echo the museum was too

quiet I tried tapping my flashlight against my palm a few times to hear a familiar sound it gave me no Comfort I listened for footsteps other than my own I heard none I listened for breathing nothing just the soft hum of electrical systems and my own heartbeat near the end of my shift I stood in a side gallery and waited I leaned against the wall I could see the exit sign in the distance I counted seconds in my head while I waited I kept my eyes on the floor I saw my own shadow cast by

the emergency lighting behind me it looked normal but then I noticed another shadow on the floor next to mine it had no source that I could could see I looked for an object a statue anything that could cast that shape there was nothing I stepped to the side my shadow moved the other Shadow stayed still I felt my chest tighten and my hands Shake I stepped closer to it it did not move I leaned down and tried to see if there was a bump or a crack in the floor nothing I turned and walked away

refusing to look back I headed straight for the main hall and waited for my shift to end my breathing was shallow I felt sweat trickling down my neck I swallowed hard and tried to clear my throat my legs felt stiff I paced around checking my watch every minute finally the time came my shift was over I unlocked the entrance door and stepped outside the night air felt cool on my face I glanced back through the glass the museum looked quiet and still but I knew what was inside I left without lingering I did not look

at my reflection this time I just walked away relieved to be out of there uncertain if I would ever come back I stepped out of my truck and looked around it was late afternoon and the barn I had rented stood at the end of a long Dirt Road in the country Countryside I noticed the peeling red paint and the loose boards the roof looked stable enough there was no sound except the breeze moving through dry grass I had chosen this place because I needed quiet I wanted a few days alone to clear my head I

had paid the owner in advance and received a single key that fit a rusty padlock on the barn door I had no interest in Comfort I just wanted silence and distance from everyone and everything inside the air smelled of old wood wood and dust I saw bales of straw stacked near the corners a few heavy Timbers crossed above me and I noticed a small Loft with a simple ladder there was a single electric bulb hanging from a cord in the center I turned it on the light flickered but stayed on casting a pale glow the

floor felt uneven under my boots I carried my small bag which held a change of clothes a flashlight a bottle of water and a few energy bars I had no plans to cook I just planned to sit read a bit and sleep as dusk fell I settled onto a folded blanket near the wall I leaned against a support post and tried to relax the quiet did not calm me as much as I had hoped the barn felt too still I heard no insects no distant cars nothing after a while the wood in the walls began

to Creak at first it sounded normal like old boards adjusting to temperature changes then I noticed something else the creaking had a pattern like whispered words I tried to ignore it but the noise did not fade it grew more distinct as the light outside vanished I stood up and walked around searching for The Source the walls were rough and smelled musty I pressed my ear against one board and listened I heard a faint voice it was not my imagination it was too clear for that it did not sound angry or laugh it was soft and

gentle it said something I could not fully understand I caught parts of words maybe names I heard what sounded like Ian or an and then a broken phrase something like get the Rope or left it behind I felt a chill crawl up my arms I pulled back and stared at the wood it was just wood there was no speaker no radio nothing that I could see I checked my phone for a signal there was nothing the owner had told me that I would have no reception out here I tried to tell myself I was tired

and my mind was playing tricks I shined my flashlight along the boards they were warped and cracked I saw tiny gaps maybe the wind outside made strange sounds as it passed through I tried to believe that but I could not shake the feeling that I had just heard real words I decided to lie down and close my eyes for a bit maybe I would feel better if I slept I spread out my blanket on a section of relatively clean floor the smell of straw and old dirt filled my nose I could taste dust on my

tongue I tried to rest but as soon as I lay still I heard a new sound the straw in the corner rustled I lifted my head and pointed the flashlight toward it I saw nothing move the straw sat in a heap there were loose pieces scattered about but I could not see anything alive no rats no bugs I leaned closer the straw shifted again it did not blow around like normal it gathered into a small Mound that Rose about a foot high the shape looked unnatural like it had a head and shoulders I sat up

straight heart pounding the shape stood out clearly in the dim light it had no eyes no mouth nothing human but it stayed in that rough form for a few seconds before collapsing back into a shapeless pile I did not know what to do my pulse raced I felt sweat on my neck my hands shook I tried to breathe quietly I told myself to calm down and check it again I crawled closer shining the light right onto the straw it was just straw I pushed it aside with my boot it made a dry rustling sound after

I Disturbed it it just looked like loose straw again I felt a small relief but not much something about it bothered me I backed away and sat down again keeping the flashlight on that spot for several minutes nothing happened then I heard the voice again it came from Above This Time near the rafters the wood beams groaned I heard whispered names they sounded different now I thought I heard the name David or Damon I could not be sure there were small friend fragments of sentences waiting by the door and she said not to I tried

to understand but the voice never spoke in full sentences it sounded like overhearing a conversation from a room next door the tone was soft never Rising above a whisper I stood up and moved the flashlight over the rafters I saw dust and a few cobwebs nothing else no nests no bats no sign of anything that could produce a voice my mouth felt dry I unscrewed my water bottle and took a sip the water felt warm and stale I swallowed anyway I wanted to leave but it was night and I did not feel like driving in

total darkness through unfamiliar roads I tried to stay calm I would just wait until morning and then decide if I wanted to remain here or not I tried to sit again my knees felt weak my stomach churned I heard more creaking it's it sounded like the wood was bending close to my ears The Voice came again but now I noticed something else I could hear breathing it was very faint but it was there it came from the empty air as if someone stood a few feet away I shined my flashlight around looking at every empty

Corner the barn was mostly empty except for the straw piles and some old wooden crates along one wall I checked those crates they were empty the dusty smell made me cough I tried talking out loud who's there I asked my voice sounded small I expected silence but instead I heard a soft response it was not words just a quiet exhale like someone sighing I jumped back bumping against a post my heart hammered I felt my skin tightening on my back I looked down at the floor searching for Footprints or any sign of movement the dirt

and old wood floor showed nothing nothing but my own tracks I walked over to the door and pulled on it it opened easily outside the darkness was complete I saw stars and the vague outline of trees the air was cool I considered getting in my truck and leaving right then but something made me hesitate I had paid for this place I had come here to find peace and I felt angry that I was panicking there were no threats no one attacking me the whispering did not curse or scream it only said these strange phrases and

names the straw shifting shape did not hurt me it only startled me maybe I was tired maybe it was some trick of old material settling maybe the straw fell in a weird way I tried to convince myself again that nothing was wrong I closed the door the barn was dim the single bulb cast weak light I decided to turn it off and rely on my flashlight maybe the bulb humming or flickering was causing me stress I reached up and pulled the chain Darkness filled the barn except for my flashlights narrow beam in that silence I

heard my own breathing I forced myself to sit down again and try to rest within a minute I heard it again the wood whispered this time it sounded closer like someone speaking right against my ear I jerked my head around pointing the light nothing there I got up and paced the barn from one end to the other I ran my fingers along the rough boards I touched the straw it felt dry prickly no heat no moisture no hint of life but when I stepped back I saw it move again a small pile in the corner

formed a shape with a hollow center like a figure crouching it held its form for a few seconds then fell apart I pushed the straw aside with my foot and it scattered into loose strands again again my breath came in quick bursts my chest felt tight I clenched my fists I tried to hold steady the sound of whispering names kept drifting through the barn they changed I heard Robert Helen Mark sometimes I heard a phrase like he went outside or wait until sunrise or not now all of it sounded random and disconnected I never heard

two lines that formed a coherent convers ation it was like listening to scraps of speech from different times and different people I checked my watch it was a little past midnight the night felt long I tried to lean against a wall and steady myself I considered leaving again but the idea of driving away in darkness still felt worse I thought maybe if I waited until dawn I would be able to laugh this off and leave peacefully so I stayed I tried to ignore the whispers I tried to focus on the physical world I noticed the

way the dust modes drifted in my flashlight beam I smelled the stale scent of old hay I felt the rough texture of the wooden posts when I touched them my boots scraped the dirt floor I let my mind focus on these simple details but the whispering continued the wood creaked and groaned the voices never shouted never became loud but they never stopped every few minutes I would hear another name another half sentence every time I moved I felt a presence behind me I would spin around shining my light expecting to see a person I saw

only empty Air at some point I realized my shirt was damp with sweat my neck achd from tension my legs trembled I tried sitting again but my body refused to relax the darkness outside offered no Comfort the barn felt like it held me inside it even though the door was not locked I knew I could leave but I stayed maybe I wanted to prove to myself that I was not losing control maybe I thought if I stayed quiet enough I would catch a full sentence some clue that would explain all this I moved toward the

ladder to the small Loft area I climbed up slowly shining my flashlight ahead The Loft was Dusty and empty I saw a few planks of wood and some old rope I did not see anything that could whisper I listened the voices sounded distant now as if they were coming from below I crouched on the Loft floor breathing carefully I felt the boards Creek under my weight the dust made my nose itch I waited holding my breath I heard no voices for a moment and I felt a small relief then from directly behind me I heard

a quiet sigh I swung the flashlight behind me instantly no one there just empty space my stomach clenched and I scrambled down down the ladder back on the main floor I pressed my back to a wall and tried to steady myself I looked at the door I could leave but I told myself I would hold out until morning I checked my watch again it was almost 2 a.m. the time passed slowly The Whispers kept coming the straw kept shifting sometimes I saw a shape stand up in the straw pile resembling a hunched figure sometimes I

saw shape like a head or a shoulder they never lasted long each time I approached the straw fell away each time I backed off I caught a glimpse of another shape forming it was as if something tried to appear in front of me but could not hold its form I tried to communicate again I said hello in a quiet voice no direct answer I just heard more fragments over there and not now then a sigh my skin crawled I paced around the barn to keep my muscles from stiffening I shined the light at the walls

the floor the ceiling I searched for cracks holes anything that could explain the voices I found nothing but old boards and dust time crawled by I grew more frustrated and scared at one point I grabbed a handful of straw and threw it aside shouting stop the sound of my my own voice echoed but the Whispers did not stop they continued in their quiet patient way names drifted through the air short phrases meaningless instructions random remarks the shapes in the straw formed and broke apart the wood creaked sometimes sounding almost like laughter sometimes like sobbing my

body felt drained I realized I would not sleep I tried to sit anyway leaning against a post keeping my flashlight on each time I started to relax I heard another whisper right next to me it was never loud never long enough to be understood just enough to keep me on edge eventually I saw a faint light through a gap in the boards Dawn must have been approaching I felt some relief I stood up and stretched my shoulders hurt my mouth felt dry and I sipped the last of my water the voices did not fade completely

but they seemed less frequent I still heard them but they felt weaker somehow as the Morning Light grew stronger I pulled the door open again and stepped outside the air smelled fresher I could see the fields and the outline of distant trees the barn stood silent behind me I walked around it looking at its walls they were just old planks the roof looked normal in daylight the straw inside was just straw there were no footprints no signs of anyone else I stood there for a few minutes breathing the cool morning air trying to gather my

thoughts I did not understand what happened that night I did not know what those voices were or what made the straw move I only knew that I felt suffocated inside that Barn when darkness fell I felt like I was never alone even though I saw no one I could still remember the faint sound of names and random phrases and The Sensation of something just behind me I walked back in and grabbed my bag I did not want to stay another night I carried my things out locked the Barnes padlock and got into my truck my

hands still shook my forehead felt damp I started the engine and drove away leaving the barn behind me as I drove I kept glancing in the rearview mirror expecting to see someone standing there but I saw nothing just the empty road and the silent fields I walked into the hotel's Lobby late in the afternoon around 5:00 I had been driving for hours and wanted a place to rest before continuing my trip the next morning the hotel looked old maybe from the early 1900s the receptionist wore a neat uniform and spoke quietly he gave me a

room key told me where to find the elevator and and said the restaurant would close around 9:00 I nodded and headed toward the main Corridor that led to the rooms at first glance the corridor looked like any other in a Historic Hotel the walls were covered with old wallpaper the kind with repetitive patterns the lighting came from old-fashioned lamps fixed to the wall every few yards the carpet felt thick under my shoes there were portraits hung evenly along the hallway old men in suits and ties women in formal dresses a few landscapes that looked faded

everything smelled like old books and dust but not unpleasant it just felt old I noticed something strange after I passed the first set of guest rooms the corridor seemed to stretch longer than it should have from the outside the building looked like three stories with maybe 10 or 15 rooms on each floor but after walking for about a minute I expected to see a turn or something that indicated I had reached the Far Side of the hotel instead the corridor continued in a straight line doors evenly spaced lamps glowing softly I slowed my pace and

looked around the corridor was quiet I could only hear my own breathing and the soft sound of my footsteps I turned and looked back toward the lobby I expected to see the reception desk at the far end but all I saw was more Corridor behind me I frowned took a few steps back in that direction and stopped at a door on my left I pressed my ear against it there was a dull sound coming from inside like a distant hum I tried the handle but it was locked the door looked like a regular wooden door

with a small brass knob when I let go I noticed that as soon as I stepped away the hum stopped I moved to the door across the hall I listened again this time I heard a faint tapping like someone lightly knocking on a table I tried the handle locked again I took a deep breath and decided to to return to the lobby to ask the receptionist if I was on the right floor I turned around and walked in the direction I came from I walked for a good 30 seconds and saw nothing change there were

just more doors more lamps more old wallpaper more portraits I stopped and checked the doors again different doors now made different sounds one door made a faint scraping sound when I pressed my ear against it another emitted a soft low buzzing another was completely silent I touched the wallpaper trying to see if there was a hidden seam or a door disguised in the wall it felt dry and rough I tried to pull at the portrait frames they were fixed firmly the lamps were all the same style all producing a weak yellow light the corridor temperature

felt steady there was no draft I couldn't see any windows I walked faster heading back in the original direction of my room's location hoping to see a door number that matched the one on my key the key had a brass tag with a room number etched on it it said 214 I started looking at the small plates next to the doors they had no numbers they were blank I moved from one door to the next checking them carefully all blank no room numbers I looked over my shoulder again the corridor looked the same in both

directions there was no sign indicating exits or stairs my heart rate increased I could feel my pulse in my neck I tried to stay calm but my breathing got heavier I told myself to keep moving maybe I missed a turn I walked on Counting doors as I passed them after passing about 10 doors I came to a slight curve in the corridor it bent to the right this surprised me because from the outside the hotel looked rectangular I followed the curve after turning the corner the corridor continued straight again but now the portraits were different

I recognized one I had seen before the face of a man with a thick mustache I was sure I had passed it a few minutes ago now it was here again on this new stretch of corridor I stared at it closely the eyes in the portrait seemed to have a faint glow like tiny reflections of the lamp I stepped closer the glow did not disappear I reached out and touched the frame it felt normal just wood and glass I glanced around looking for something to use as a marker there was a small side table against

the wall holding nothing but a glass vase I picked up the vase and placed it on the floor right in the middle of the corridor I walked forward for about 20 steps counting them carefully then I turned around I expected to see the vase on the floor behind me instead the vase was gone the corridor looked empty I swallowed hard and rubbed my hands together my Palms were damp I wiped them on my pants and kept walking I tried to ignore the sounds behind the doors they made me uneasy but I couldn't do anything about

them the doors were locked and I didn't have the right keys I tried a few more handles anyway shaking them pushing against them nothing opened the handles felt solid and cool to the touch the light from the lamps flickered once in a while I noticed it after a few minutes a slight dimming and then a return to normal I tried to call out for help my voice sounded strange in the corridor echoing slightly but never bringing any response I shouted a few times louder and louder no one answered the corridor just went on and on

after walking for what felt like 15 or 20 minutes I realized I should have pulled out my phone earlier I reached into my jacket pocket and took out my cell phone no signal I tried to make a call anyway but it wouldn't connect I tried a flashlight app the phone's light worked but the corridor was already well lit by the lamps I tried to send a text message but it wouldn't send the battery was still fine at least I looked at my watch almost half an hour had passed since I left the lobby this made

no sense I decided to try another tactic I turned around and started walking back keeping my eyes straight ahead not looking at the doors or the portraits I focused on my breathing and counted my steps after about 40 steps I looked up the corridor curved again in the same way as before leading me past that same mustached portrait the corridor was looping me around somehow I felt my chest tighten my throat felt dry I tapped the walls hoping to find a hollow spot everything seemed solid I kicked the side table it made a dull wooden

sound but didn't budge I tried to lift it but it was heavier than it looked I gave up and continued forward the smell changed after a while instead of dust I smelled something like old leather I followed the smell to a spot where the carpet looked slightly worn I knelt down and touched it the carpet fibers felt damp I stood up and noticed that one of the doors was slightly a jar this was the first door I had seen that wasn't locked I approached it slowly holding my breath and pushed it open inside was a

small Clos closet sized room with empty shelves on the walls a single lamp hung from the ceiling there was no furniture no windows nothing I stepped inside and looked around the door behind me stayed open I tried tapping the walls inside the room they were solid I tried shouting again my voice echoed back at me I stepped out into the corridor it looked the same but now the lamp light seemed brighter I looked at the floor where the corridor met the closet door the carpet color changed slightly at the threshold from a deep red outside

to a faded brown inside I tried removing one of my shoes and leaving it inside the closet I placed my shoe in the corner and then stepped back into the corridor leaving the door open I walked away for a few seconds then returned the door was closed again I opened it my shoe was gone the closet was empty I started to sweat more my shirt felt damp under my arms I wiped my forehead and forced myself to stay quiet I didn't want to start yelling or doing something useless I wanted to find a way out

I tried another door locked another locked I tried the next one locked I kicked the base of the door it made a hollow sound but the handle wouldn't budge I looked closely at the hinges but they seemed normal I couldn't remove them without tools my stomach growled I realized I was hungry and thirsty I hadn't eaten since lunch I looked for a sign of anything edible or drinkable nothing just the corridor doors lamps wallpaper and portraits I noticed that some of the portraits had different frames now as if they had changed while I wasn't looking

the eyes in some of the portraits still seem to Glow I got closer to one portrait and stared at it for a while the eyes reflected the light from the lamps but there was a strange intensity in them I touched my face checking if I was hallucinating I still felt normal just tired and stressed I tried to guess how long I had been stuck maybe an hour maybe more I decided to focus on concrete steps I would walk in One Direction counting my steps and look for any difference I took slow measured steps counting up

to 50 at step 50 I looked around everything seemed the same I started again counting up to 100 at 100 steps I stopped the corridor still looked the same no exit no stairwell no elevator I thought about breaking a lamp maybe I could use a piece of broken glass to pry a door open I reached for a lamp mounted on the wall I tried to twist it to pull it off but it wouldn't move it felt like it was part of the wall I tried hitting it with the palm of my hand it didn't break

or even crack I kicked the wall beneath it nothing happened I stepped back and tried to calm my breathing my heart was pounding I could feel sweat sliding down the sides of my face I heard a faint scraping sound behind me I spun around nothing there I walked back the way I came moving faster this time I passed door after door not bothering to stop and listen anymore after a few minutes I noticed that the corridor began to slope downward as if Going Underground the angle was slight but I could feel it in my knees

I followed the slope after a while the floor leveled out again then I came to another curve this time to the left after following it I saw something different the wallpaper pattern changed completely it went from a floral pattern to plain vertical lines I touched it it felt the same texture but it looked newer I looked at the lamps now they had Square bases instead of round the door knobs were different too instead of brass they looked like steel I tried one it rattled a little but didn't open the air felt cooler I inhaled slowly

I kept walking determined to find some kind of exit or at least a familiar Landmark after more walking I finally saw something that made me stop the corridor ended there was a heavy wooden door at the end with a sign that said Lobby in neat letters I didn't trust it right away but I had no other choice I grabbed the handle and pushed it swung open smoothly I stepped through and found myself back in the hotel's main lobby the lobby looked exactly the same as before same receptionist behind the desk same front doors same chairs

and tables I turned around and looked behind me the corridor looked normal now it was just a short hallway leading to the elevator and the guest rooms no endless line of doors no strange curves my heart was still beating fast I wiped the sweat from my forehead and approached the receptionist he looked at me calmly I asked him about the corridor he just smiled politely and said everything was fine that maybe I was tired I looked back at the corridor again it looked completely normal only a dozen doors or so and I could see the

door with my room number at the end I looked at my watch less than an hour had passed since I arrived I said nothing else to the receptionist I walked to my room and opened the door the room looked ordinary a bed a table a chair a window with a view of the street outside I checked my phone the signal was back I tossed my jacket on the bed and sat down catching my breath my shirt stuck to my back my legs felt tired I decided to stay in the room lock the door and rest

I looked out the window the sky was getting dark I told myself I would leave first thing in the morning no matter what I wanted to get far away from that Corridor and I never wanted to ask about it again I just wanted to sleep and forget the whole thing I push the back door open at the end of another day and the stale odor of dust and old wood hits me right in the face I stand there with my hand on the door handle breathing slowly trying not to gag it's the same smell every

evening I step inside and flick the light switch on I see dim yellow light spread across the shelves in glass cases the store is empty no one else is here I locked up the front door about half an hour ago after the last customer left now I just have to finish my routine check the cabinets set the alarm turn off the lamps and make sure nothing is out of place I know what's going to happen when the sun sets completely but I need this job I close the back door behind me and wait a few

seconds listening I hear nothing at first the store is cramped with old furniture glass cases filled with small brass objects worn leatherbound books carved wooden boxes and old China the walls are lined with shelves holding clocks lamps vases candle holders and mirrors I move slowly between the aisles avoiding the low tables and stools that are always in awkward places my footsteps sound dull on the old floorboards I keep track of my breathing I try to keep it steady I look up at the stained glass windows near the ceiling they are small but bright showing geometric

patterns during the day now they are dark except for some faint glow from the street lamps outside they don't show anything strange yet so I relax a bit I walk to the front of the store the front door is locked I give it a quick pull to make sure I run my hand along the old wooden counter where we keep the register the surface feels rough and dry the cash register is already shut down I glance at the old brass clock on the wall behind the counter it has no pendulum and its Keyhole is empty

its hands Point randomly to some hour that doesn't make sense I never touch it the owner told me not to wind it he said it's broken I shrug and check the shelves behind the counter nothing is missing everything looks fine I realize the street outside is getting darker the sun must be almost gone I walk back toward the center of the store the floor Creeks under my boots I know that soon the floorboards will start making patterns of sound it's not random the first time I heard it I tried to ignore it that never helped

I just need to do my tasks and get out I head to a tall wooden cabinet on the left side of the store it's filled with porcelain dolls teapots and Tiny ceramic figurines I open it and check if everything is in order the figurines are all there lined up in neat rows I close the cabinet and feel the first hint of tension in my shoulders I hear something click behind me I turn around one of the large grandfather clocks against the wall is swaying slightly it's not wound I know it's not I step toward it

its hands start moving I watch them jerk forward the clock face is cracked I can see the gears inside they turn on their own I reach out and put my hand against the glass it's cold I feel the tiny vibrations of something forcing its way through old metal Parts I back away it's starting earlier tonight I hear a low ring ining sound at first it's just one clock then another joins soon three or four of them are ringing at once their Chimes mixing in a disorganized clang I grip my keys in my pocket I know

that every clock in this place will start ringing in a few minutes it happens every night I can never figure out why the owner claims he doesn't know I don't ask him anymore I just accept it I walk around the store turning off some table lamps the electricity is not a problem the lights are stable but I prefer to work with minimal lighting once I'm done with the main checks I've found that bright light makes things worse sometimes the reflections on the glass cases and mirrors become more noticeable at some point the reflections start behaving

in ways that make me sweat they track my movements they stare at me I try not to look directly at the mirrors but I have to pass by them they cover so many walls I pass one mirror with a heavy wooden frame it's about shoulder height I see my face in it my face looks normal at first I look tired and pale and there's a line of sweat on my forehead but then I see my Reflections eyes they are not following my exact motion when I tilt my head slightly my reflection tilts its head but

with a delay like it's thinking about it I step back holding my breath my stomach feels tight I blink fast fast I look away from the mirror and keep walking the floor starts to Creak more rhythmically now as if each board is being pressed by some invisible foot in a fixed sequence the pattern runs along the length of the store from the front door to the back door and back again I try to ignore it I focus on the tasks I have to set the alarm before I leave the alarm panel is near the back

door I walk there I punch in my code but the panel's small screen flickers the code doesn't register I try again the panel gives a faint beep then goes blank I feel my heart beating faster without the alarm set I have to explain to the owner he will ask questions I don't want to answer I push the panels buttons harder still nothing the clocks are ringing louder now I hear their metal clang behind me I feel the vibrations under my feet I turn around and see the aisle full of Old Clock rocking on their shelves

some are small Mantle clocks others are large grandfather clocks they swing their pendulums even though I never wound them they all chime together now creating a single continuous tone that makes my teeth hurt I want to leave but I still have to make sure the back windows are locked I have a flashlight in my pocket I take it out click it on and walk toward the back windows the beam of light is weak but enough to see the window latches they are all closed I reach out to touch one latch and feel a sudden cold

draft on my neck I turn around fast behind me there's a section of the store with stained glass panels on the upper parts of the walls they were dark before now there's a faint glow behind them I see shapes forming in the glass the colors twist into vague humanlike faces they have wide mouths and misshapen cheeks their eyes are empty holes they grin they don't move they just stare I breathe through my mouth trying not to make noise my legs feel weak my hands Shake I point the flashlight toward them the light doesn't change anything

they stay there Frozen in place staring with those empty eyes I swallow hard and turn away I can't do anything about them I move along the back wall checking each window latch my flashlight shakes in my hand I notice my Knuckles are pale the floor creaking is louder behind me the pattern repeats like a loop Creek pause Creek pause I ignore it I reach the last window and see my reflection in the glass it's just a faint reflection but enough to see my own eyes they look wide and scared I notice my Reflections head turned

slightly before I move mine that's enough for me I step away from the window and walk quickly toward the front of the store I almost trip on a low stool I kick it aside and it scrapes against the floor the sound is sharp the clocks ring again all at once loud and clear I cover my ears for a second grit my teeth and force myself forward I reach a set of mirrors on one wall they are arranged in a row each with a different frame gilded wood chipped paint iron and Brass I can't avoid looking

at them because they reflect the path to the exit I see myself from different angles in one mirror I stand straight in another my Reflections head tilts to the side in another I see my Reflections eyes locked on me not blinking my throat feels dry I try not to think I step forward my reflection in one of the mirrors just watches me its mouth is shut tight and its eyes are wide open it looks like a statue I raise my hand to my face my real hand moves normally but in one mirror the reflections hand

moves slower trailing behind I try to ignore it I keep walking I see the front door ahead it's my only way out I can't set the alarm but I can lock the door behind me and leave I just have to finish the nightly checklist I realize I forgot to check a small glass case near the center aisle I hesitate if I don't check it I might be blamed for anything missing I bite my lip and turn around I walk back passing the mirrors again the reflections still move Strangely I feel sweat running down my back

my shirt sticks to my skin the air smells musty I taste dust in my mouth I stop in front of the glass case inside are old brooches pins and pocket watches I bend down and shine my flashlight inside everything is there I see a few watches with long dead batteries but they tick now faintly I squint and watch their tiny hands move in unison this makes my legs feel weak again I stand up straight I hear the floor Creek behind me I feel like something is leaning over my shoulder but I don't see anything when

I turn around just shelves and cabinets and dim light the stained glass faces are still there grinning I see them out of the corner of my eye I need to leave I walk toward the front door as I pass one of the large mirrors I hear a faint scraping sound I stop and turn to look The Mirror's glass is clean and shows my reflection but my reflection isn't copying me now it stands still while I lean in I breathe slowly and see my Reflections chest not moving its eyes look right at me I raise my

hand the reflection raises its hand after a pause I lower mine it lowers its after another pause my heart pounds I step back the reflection steps back but not in sync its movement lags I walk away Not Looking Back the floor creaks in the same pattern but it feels louder now I reached the front door and grabed the key from my pocket my hand is slippery with sweat I unlock the door pull it open and step outside I feel cool night air on my face it's quiet out here I turn around and look back into

the store for a second the inside looks calm and still the clocks are quiet now I hear no Chimes the stained glass panels look normal no faces the mirrors reflect the interior without delay everything is as it should be I lock the front door carefully testing it twice to make sure it's secure I walk away my legs feeling heavy and my stomach Twisted I wipe my forehead with my sleeve and keep going until I reach my car I sit in my car for a moment and breathe my shirt is damp I can't calm down easily

I look at my hands on the steering wheel they are shaking I don't know why this happens every night I can't talk to anyone about it I can't risk losing this job I just have to do it again tomorrow I start the engine and pull away from the curb in the rear view mirror I see the store sign fading behind me it's just an old building with antiques nothing special but inside after dark Everything Changes I don't understand it I know I never will I drive home gripping the wheel tight trying to forget the sound

of those clocks the strange faces in the stained glass and the silent Reflections that refuse to obey my movements tomorrow I'll have to do it again I'm not sure how I'll handle it but I have no choice I'll show up Turn Off the Lights lock the doors and watch watches the same things unfold maybe one day I'll figure out how to stop it or maybe not it doesn't matter I'll do my job I'll leave the store in the same condition I found it that's all that matters right now I drove into that mountain range on

a Friday afternoon after hearing about some good fishing spots from a coworker he told me about a stream where trout supposedly gathered near a small clearing in the middle of a dense patch of forest on a steep slope I followed his directions as best I could the drive was rough the roads got narrow and after a while I was barely following a faint Trail meant for old trucks and off-road vehicles by the time I parked the sky was turning gray I walked about an hour through thick brush found a flat area that looked good enough

to set up my tent and planned on waking up early to fish I never expected what came after me midnight I never expected to hear voices that had no business being there I got there when the sun was setting behind the Western Slope the place felt damp and the smell of Earth was strong there were ferns Mossy Tree Trunks and a layer of leaves that stuck to my boots the clearing was small just enough space for my tent and a makeshift fire pit trees Rose all around tall and packed forming a wall of dark Silhouettes

visibility was low and and as soon as I set down my pack I noticed a creeping fog it wasn't just Morning Mist or a bit of moisture in the air this fog had a thickness to it within minutes I couldn't see more than a few yards everything was quiet there were no distant engine sounds no human voices no cabin lights just me my tent and that silent fog I pulled out my tent unrolled it and hammered the stakes into the damp ground my hands got muddy right away I tossed my sleeping bag inside along with

a flashlight a knife and my dry clothes in a corner I had enough water for a couple of days and some canned food there was a small stream somewhere downhill but I didn't feel like exploring in the dark I wanted to rest wake up early and find that stream at First Light by the time I tried to light a small fire the fog was so thick I couldn't see beyond the dim glow of my lighter my wood shavings were slightly damp and I struggled with the flame eventually I got a weak fire going just enough

to heat some canned stew I ate straight from the can the food was lukewarm and tasted Bland but it filled my stomach my plan was simple eat maybe read a few pages of a paperback I had in my bag then sleep but as I stared into the darkness beyond the flickering flame something felt off I couldn't pin it down right away everything was quiet almost too quiet I tried not to think about it I climbed into my tent and zipped it shut I lay down my head on a small travel pillow and tried to relax

my boots were off resting near the entrance I kept my flashlight close and my knife even closer I don't usually sleep heavily in the woods I listen for animals for changes in the weather for anything that might be a threat that night as I drifted between Consciousness and shallow sleep I remember hearing a faint rustling outside I told myself it was just a small animal maybe a squirrel or something similar no big deal the real trouble started a few hours later I don't know the exact time because I never checked my watch but I guess

it was well past midnight the temperature had dropped I could feel the damp chill through the nylon of the tent I woke up because of a sound a whisper maybe like a low voice carried by the wind I listened holding my breath it was distant at first I couldn't make out words it sounded like two or three Voices All low and hushed my heart started beating a bit faster I told myself I was imagining it but then I heard it again I lay still my eyes open in the darkness the air felt heavy inside the

tent the fog outside seemed to press against the fabric I unzipped the tent door a few inches and pointed my flashlight out the beam of light caught only swirling Mist I didn't see any anyone I didn't hear footsteps just these faint muffled voices they were not loud they were not screaming they were talking as if discussing something quietly I couldn't understand a single word it didn't even sound like a language I recognized it was all murmurs syllables and pauses then I heard a soft shuffling sound like bare feet moving over wet leaves my throat went

dry I felt the hair on the back of my neck standing up I turned off the flashlight hoping to remain hidden maybe it was a group of hunters or some locals passing by but this was nowhere near a trail and no one would be walking around in that thick fog at that hour I waited listening the voices drifted around me one moment they seemed to come from my left then from behind me they were never too close but never far enough for me to relax I tried to steady my breathing my heart was pounding I

felt sweat on my forehead and on my Palms my fingers wrapped around the handle of the knife I was ready to yell to shout at whoever was out there but I held back maybe they hadn't noticed me maybe they were just passing through but their voices didn't move away they circled whispering in that strange tone I couldn't pick up a single word or phrase that made sense it was like they were discussing something important but doing it so quietly and in such an alien way that I couldn't even guess what it meant time passed slowly

the voices sometimes faded then returned at one point I heard what sounded like a soft knock on a tree trunk then a reply a low Grunt and more Whispers I tried to see shapes in the fog but the flashlight only made the Mist glow white I saw nothing solid no outlines of people no animal eyes reflecting the light just that thick oppressive Haze I wanted to leave right then I wanted to pack my gear and get out but where would I go in the dark with no trail with that dense fog blocking my view I'd

probably stumble downhill and hurt myself I thought about staying quiet until morning the idea of waiting there exposed and surrounded by these invisible voices made my stomach turn but I had no choice I decided to remain still and hope they would go away minutes straight stretched into what felt like hours my chest tightened every time the voices returned sometimes I heard soft breathing like someone leaning close I would jolt and Shine the flashlight in that direction but always saw only the pale void of the Mist I tried calling out once I said hello who's there

my voice sounded weak and shaky The Whisper stopped for a moment silence pressed down on me I thought maybe May that did it maybe they left but then I heard them again quieter this time as if mocking me staying just Out Of Reach my gut told me these weren't normal people They never laughed or raised their voices they never cursed or said anything recognizable there were no coughs no sneezes no sounds of gear or clothing rustling just those low Whispers And faint shuffles on the ground I kept imagining them crouching behind trees peering through the

fog observing me deciding what to do yet they never attacked never tried to open my tent or steal my belongings they just existed there circling talking in their strange way my legs felt cramped my neck hurt from lying stiffly I had to change position inside the tent but every time I moved the fabric rustled and the voices would pause then they would continue as if commenting on my movements I imagined shapes outside thin Silhouettes gliding through the Mist I held my knife tighter at some point I reached for my watch and pressed the button for

the light it was around 3: in the morning I had several hours until dawn the idea of staying in that spot made me feel sick I reached for my boots and put them on fumbling with the laces the voices never got louder never grew aggressive but their constant presence felt like a weight on my chest I decided to try something else I unzipped the tent door door fully and stuck my head out slowly keeping my flashlight off I saw only the milky white fog swirling gently I listened the voices were coming from my left I

thought I turned my head but there was nothing there the ground was muddy covered in leaves I expected to see Footprints or disturbed Earth nothing I pointed the flashlight and flicked it on for a second I saw empty space just swirling mist and trees looming in the background I pulled my head back in and zipped up again I considered packing my gear but the idea of making noise and rustling around in the dark made me hesitate these voices whatever they were might react to that maybe they were waiting for an excuse to confront me I

didn't know what they wanted they didn't sound angry they sounded focused like people working on something delicate that thought made me sweat more what were they doing out there around 400 in the morning I heard a new sound something tapped against my tense rainfly on the outside a gentle tap and then a soft dragging sound I jumped and shouted hey stop I scrambled for the flashlight pointing it at the spot inside the tent where I heard the noise of course I saw nothing the outside remained hidden behind the tent walls in the fog the voices

murmured in response I clenched my teeth so hard my jaw hurt I stayed still again my skin felt CL clammy I was breathing through my mouth every few minutes The Whispers changed patterns sometimes there were two voices sometimes three or four they Rose and fell in Pitch but never got loud enough for me to identify any words it was like listening to a strange radio transmission through heavy static the lack of any concrete sign of who or what they were messed with my head I kept expecting them to vanish to leave me alone but they

didn't I focused on my watch waiting for the minutes to crawl by I knew that once the sky brightened the fog might lift and I could find my way out of there maybe the voices would stop at dawn I forced myself not to panic just to endure my muscles were tense my shoulders stiff I could barely swallow I rested my head against the backpack to keep it still the knife was in my hand the entire time but what good was it against something I couldn't see eventually a faint gray light filtered through the fabric of

the tent it was still foggy but the darkness eased a little I noticed the voices had become less frequent I waited a bit longer listening the morning air felt cold my breath made small clouds inside the tent after several minutes of silence I decided to move I slowly unzipped the tent and stuck my head out the fog was still thick but I could make out the shape of trees better there was no one standing around no Footprints no trampled bushes nothing I looked for broken branches or signs of disturbance on the ground I saw none

I kept my knife in hand and crawled out the silence outside pressed against my ears I checked my fishing gear in the food everything was untouched my truck was too far away but I could hike back I stood there for a moment listening hard just silence my legs shook a bit as I packed my tent I didn't bother Folding It neatly I just stuffed it into the backpack I yanked the stakes out with trembling hands I checked behind me every few seconds the fog was slowly lifting revealing the forest with more clarity The Damp leaves

stuck to my pants my boots sank slightly into the mud nothing and no one appeared no Whispers no shuffling it was as if the night had never happened but I knew it did I could still feel my heart heart beating fast my arms felt sore from gripping the knife I slung the backpack over my shoulder picked up my fishing rod and started walking back the way I came I didn't bother trying to find that stream I kept looking over my shoulder as I walked uphill pushing through low branches slipping on wet leaves ducking under Fallen

trunks I made it back to where I had parked though it took some time the fog thinned as I got lower on the slope the sunlight felt weak filtered by high clouds I checked my watch again it was a bit after 7 I didn't see another Soul the entire hike back the woods were quiet no birds no Wildlife just the crunch of my boots and the sound of my breathing when I reached the truck I tossed my gear inside and started the engine the sound of the motor felt reassuring I drove out of there following

that rough trail until I hit the main road I Never Told my coworker what I experienced I never explained why I didn't bring back any fish or why I came back early I just let him think I changed my mind I still don't know what I encountered up there I can't explain those voices their strange sounds the way they moved around without ever showing themselves I don't have any proof nothing touched me nothing stole from me nothing injured me but I felt them I heard them I know they were real whatever they were all I

know is that I'm not going back I'm done with that part of the mountain no fish is worth another night like that I took this job because I needed the money and the owner promised a good paycheck if I stayed for a week he said he would be away and I just had to keep an eye on the mansion He told me to check the doors keep the Halls clean and make sure nothing got Dam damaged that sounded simple he never warned me about the masks on my first day I arrived in the morning the

owner had already left the place was large silent and well furnished there were heavy doors wooden floors wide halls and Tall Windows most rooms were empty of people but the walls held decorations there were paintings of Landscapes Old Furniture shelves with strange objects and masks these masks covered almost every wall in the main hall they were old carved from wood or molded from some kind of clay some looked like they came from other countries they had Hollow eyes and painted faces they looked old and worn out I started my routine by walking through each room

I tested the locks dusted a few surfaces and made sure no windows were broken the place was quiet I tried to ignore the masks but in the main hall I felt like they were staring at me when I passed by them I felt something in my stomach tighten I knew they were just objects but their empty eyes seemed to follow me the hall had about 20 or 30 masks on the walls some were big some small they hung in rows and clusters I tried to focus on work I swept the floor arranged a few chairs

wiped a table I kept looking over my shoulder The Masks stayed still after I finished I decided to take a short break I walked out of the main hall and went to a side Corridor it had a few windows and a bench I sat there for a minute to calm down I thought about going back in and checking if the masks were still the same I laughed at myself for even thinking they would move when I returned to the main hall I froze The Masks were not in the same positions I saw two masks that

I could have sworn were near the fireplace now hanging closer to the door one of the larger masks which was on the left wall seemed lower and tilted another mask on the right looked like it was now facing slightly downward as if watching me from above I stood there feeling my heart pound I kept looking around trying to see if maybe I had just remembered wrong I was pretty sure I had the right impression before I thought maybe I was tired I tried not to panic I checked the hooks on the wall they looked solid

I touched one mask it felt like old wood it was cool and rough The Mask did not move when I touched it I decided to leave the hall again walk around and come back I wanted to test this strange feeling I took a quick walk to the kitchen it was empty I opened the door to the backyard to let some air in it was a cloudy day no one was around I returned to the main hall after a few minutes The Masks had changed position again this time three masks on the far wall were all

angled at the same tilt as if leaning to one side another mask one with red paint around the eyes now seemed closer than before the hooks were not aligned like I remembered it was as if the masks had shuffled themselves around I felt sweat forming on my forehead my fingertips felt numb I walked slowly around the hall watching these things from different angles I said out loud what the hell is going on I got no answer of course I listened carefully the house was quiet I heard only my own breathing I checked the doors again

all locked windows closed the masks made no sound they were still just hanging there I thought about leaving the Mansion but I had a job to do I needed the money and I was not about to run off because of some weird feeling I decided to ignore the masks I went upstairs to check the bedrooms there were no masks in the bedro bedrooms everything there was normal I felt safer upstairs I dusted a few surfaces checked the bathrooms ran the water to make sure the pipes were fine nothing strange happened there after maybe an hour

I headed back down the main hall waited for me I told myself that I would just pass through quickly and go do something else but as soon as I entered the hall I noticed it again The Masks had changed this time some were arranged in a way that reminded me of faces making Expressions one mask with a large forehead and small chin was tilted downward right over another mask with a larger chin together they seemed like they were forming some odd pattern another group of masks on the opposite wall seemed closer to the floor it

was as if they had tried to line up and watch me at my own eye level I felt a chill on my neck I started breathing faster my hands were shaking I walked up to one of the masks and grabbed it I pulled it off the wall the hook slipped out easily as if it was never firmly attached I held the mask in my hands it felt normal old wood chipped paint I placed it on a table I wanted to see if that changed anything if I left it there maybe I could catch something when

I came back I took another mask down and placed it next to the first one I did this to a few masks trying to break whatever Arrangement they were forming after rearr ranging about six masks I took another short break I walked to the front door made sure it was locked then walked to the library the library had no masks it had shelves full of books a desk and a few chairs I opened a window and took a deep breath I checked my phone no messages no calls the owner had told me not to worry

just to stay and keep the place in order I wanted to call him but I felt stupid what would I say that is masks were moving around I decided to return to the hall and look closely maybe I would find a string or some mechanism when I got back the masks I had placed on the table were gone they were back on the wall not in the same positions as before but back on the wall I felt my stomach turn I stepped back bumped into a chair and almost fell I looked at the other masks

they seemed to have moved again one that was near the door was now facing it directly another was hanging closer to a lamp I could see scratches on the wall where they had moved it was clear they were not just shifting slightly they were relocating themselves entirely I tried to think of a reason maybe someone else was in the Mansion maybe a secret passage allowed someone to mess with me I decided to search the walls I tapped the panels pulled on shelves looked behind curtains I found nothing nothing there were no loose floorboards the windows

were locked from the inside no Footprints nothing the hallway outside was empty and silent I turned back to the main hall and watched the masks from the doorway I stood there for a long time just watching they did not move while I watched they just hung there silent their empty eyes faced me I stepped out of the room waited a minute and quickly L popped back in I caught a glimpse of movement I saw one mask's position change as soon as I appeared like it had tried to settle back in place I stepped forward reached

out to touch it again but as soon as my hand came close it was perfectly still I felt my heart beating hard my mouth was dry I wiped sweat from my upper lip and tried to calm down I needed to think straight but my mind was racing I was alone in a house with masks that should not be moving but they were I tried to avoid looking at them directly I turned my back for a moment then spun around fast again they had altered their Arrangement slightly I could not catch them in the act of

moving only find them in new positions whenever I wasn't looking I decided to spend as little time in the main hall as possible I moved to the kitchen found a bottle of water in the fridge and drank it the water was cold my hands shook while I held the bottle I kept thinking about the masks I tried to focus on my breathing my only plan now was to get through the day and leave in the morning I was supposed to stay for a week but I was not sure I could handle one full night I

paced around the kitchen trying to calm my nerves after a while I grabbed a broom and returned to the main hall I pretended to be working I swept the floor slowly keeping my eyes on the masks they did not move while I stared directly at them they just hung there pretending to be harmless decorations I walked backward never taking my eyes off them until I was at the doorway then I stepped out and in again this time I caught them in a slightly different angle they were playing with me reacting to my absence and presence

I tried removing more masks from the walls placing them on the floor every time I returned after leaving the room they were back on the walls I tried stacking them in a Corner when I came back they were spread out again each hung neatly but in a new pattern I never heard a sound they moved silently without any trace of how they did it my legs felt weak and I was sweating a lot later that afternoon I tried locking the doors to the main hall and leaving them shut there were two doors one leading to

the entrance and one leading to a corridor I locked both then I waited outside for a while when I opened the door again I found the masks arranged in a row all facing me at head level it looked as if they were waiting for me to return I stepped back and slammed the door shut again I knew I could not stay in that Mansion much longer my contract set a week but I planned to leave the next morning I could not risk sleeping there I was too afraid to try sleeping in a place where the

walls changed every time I looked away I did not trust the masks even though they never hurt me they made my body ache with tension I could feel my pulse pounding in my wrists and neck my head started hurting from all dist stress in the early evening I tried to eat something the kitchen had some canned food I opened a can of tuna and ate it cold with bread I did not enjoy the taste I forced it down my hands trembling I washed a plate and dried it trying to focus on small tasks anything to

calm my nerves I checked my phone for the time it was moving so slowly I considered calling someone but who would believe me I decided to gather my belongings and keep them with me I had a small bag with clothes and a toothbrush I also had a flashlight the mansion's lights were steady but I wanted a backup I walked upstairs and got my stuff on my way back down I avoided the main hall I went around through a side Corridor that connected to the entrance I sat in the entrance fo there listening to my own

breathing after some time I had to pass by the main hall again the front door and the corridor to the bedrooms were on opposite sides of it I tried walking through it quickly as soon as I entered the masks were closer to the center of the room they must have been placed on some kind of rope or hook that allowed them to move but I saw no rope they were all facing inward as if forming a circle I walked around them keeping a distance I tried not to Blink my throat was tight my legs were

stiff I reached the other side and left the room when I turned the corner I felt a shiver run down my spine I knew I had to face this situation for the rest of the night I tried turning on a TV in a side room some old television set the owner had it just showed static there was no cable signal and I had no key to any car the Mansion was too isolated for a quick escape on foot in the dark I would leave at first light I spent the next few hours pacing around checking

doors and trying to avoid the main hall but the layout of the Mansion forced me to cross it often each time I entered the masks had arranged themselves differently sometimes they were all high up on the walls facing down sometimes they spread out evenly watching from all sides other times they gathered near a corner as if trying to stay hidden but always in my line of sight as soon as I stepped in my heart rate never slowed down I felt dampness under my arms and behind my neck I wiped my face often my eyes stung

from trying not to Blink too much I never heard a single footstep or sound that would explain their movement The Masks just changed position when I wasn't looking they did not threaten me but their presence felt wrong I could not relax or think clearly in their presence close to midnight I decided to wait in the entrance foyer until morning I had a flashlight my bag and a chair I positioned myself so I did not have to look directly at the main hall I stayed there listening for any noise I heard nothing the house was silent

a few times I got up and checked the main hall from a distance I saw the masks shifting their angles each time they never repeated the same Arrangement twice my muscles were tense and sore I tapped my foot on the floor I gripped the AR arms of my chair so hard my Knuckles hurtt the air felt heavy and the house smelled like old wood and dust I felt thirsty and took small sips from a bottle of water I avoided looking at my reflection in the windows I just focused on staying awake and waiting for M

time passed slowly I stood up once more walked a few steps then sat down again I did this many times the only way out was through the main door but I did not want to run into the night and get lost I waited checking my phone now and then the battery was low the darkness outside was complete I had no choice but to stay I tried to keep my mind blank if I thought too much I would panic I looked at my shoes at the floor at the empty foyer I stretched my legs and arms

I listened for any sign of the masks moving but I never caught any sound they were quiet patient and always waiting for me to return turn when I finally saw the sky lighten through a window I felt relief I grabbed my stuff and walked to the main door I had the keys I just needed to cross the main hall one last time I stepped inside and The Masks were all lined up along the walls as if in perfect order they all faced Straight Ahead eyes Hollow and still I walked quickly keeping my head down I

reached the door unlocked it and stepped out outside the air was cool and fresh The Silence of the early morning felt different I locked the door behind me I did not look back through the window I did not want to see them again I hurried down the path my legs unsteady my chest tight I never returned to that house for for for for for for for for