Emma always followed the same routine after returning home late from work. She would unlock the door, step inside, and immediately switch on the lights before putting her bag down. It was a habit she never questioned until one cold evening when she arrived home feeling unusually uneasy. The hallway was dark, and for some reason, she decided to wait a few seconds before touching the switch.
Standing quietly in the darkness, Emma listened. At first, she heard nothing unusual. Then came a faint sound from deeper inside the house, a noise that did not belong. Her heart began racing as she realized something was different. She slowly reached for her phone instead of the lights, and just as she prepared to move, she noticed a shadow shift near the doorway.
