Shubman wiped his hands on a handkerchief, ready to head downstairs and join the team for game night. Their voices carried up from below, loud and full of energy as they argued over teams. But as his foot hovered over the first step, he heard it—a faint creaking sound coming from the far end of the hallway. It stood out, even through the noise from the others."Weird, isn't it?" he thought.

His eyes drifted toward the sound, hesitation creeping in. Should he check it out? He glanced back, contemplating for a moment, then shook his head. Probably nothing. He stepped down, but as his foot touched the next stair, his heart suddenly hammered against his chest. He froze, inexplicably pulled away from whatever was lurking in that shadowy end of the hall.

Biting his tongue, he cast a nervous glance back up at the hallway. His heart was pounding, his breaths shallow. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to shake off the feeling, but when he opened them again, it was like a surge of energy had rushed through him. Determination—or maybe fear—pushed him forward.

With sudden force, he bolted down the hallway, his footsteps quick and heavy, his mind set on just getting this over with. Just a quick check, he told himself, and then I'll be back downstairs with the others. The creaking sound grew louder with every step as he approached the darkened end of the hallway, tension building in his chest.

He found the door at the end of the hallway, his hand trembling as he reached for the knob. With a forceful twist, he flung it open, the thud echoing through the walls. For a moment, he panicked, wondering if anyone downstairs had heard it, but it seemed like the noise was lost in the commotion below.

He gasped when the woman turned her head toward him, her eyes locking with his. She didn't speak—just stared at him with an unsettling calmness. His throat tightened, and when he finally managed to speak, his voice was a shaky whisper, "Never knew her before..."