Chapter Two


Jenna took a deep breath, steeling herself, and tiptoed toward her door. She listened carefully. The footsteps had stopped, replaced by an eerie silence that felt even more unsettling. She cracked the door open, just enough to peek into the hallway, but it was empty. The house was dark, shadows pooling in every corner, making everything look sharper, more sinister.


Her eyes scanned the hallway, landing on a faint glow from the kitchen at the far end. Someone had left the light on. Jenna was sure she had turned everything off before going to bed. She hesitated, feeling the weight of the quiet pressing down on her. But she knew she couldn’t just hide in her room. If there was someone in the house, she needed to know.


Slowly, she stepped into the hallway, her movements careful and soundless. Each step seemed to stretch time, and she kept glancing over her shoulder, half-expecting to see someone lurking behind her. When she finally reached the kitchen doorway, she paused, peering around the corner.