CHAPTER 4: THE DOOR WAS NEVER FOR HIM
653 Words
I just stood there. I couldn’t even move. My phone felt so cold in my hand, like it was made of ice.
“Amara… I’m not the one outside.”
I read it over and over. I couldn't stop looking at the door. The handle wasn't shaking anymore, but that actually felt worse. It was too quiet. It felt like something was out there just... waiting. Like it was holding its breath.
Then my phone buzzed again. It was a random number I didn't know.
“Don’t open it.”
My throat felt all dry, like I’d been swallowing sand. “Who is this?” I whispered.
No one said anything. I backed up until I hit the wall. My head was spinning. The knocking stopped the exact second Derek texted me. But wait, I never gave Derek my address. I didn't even give him my number! How was he even doing this?
The Phone Call
My phone started vibrating like crazy. It was DEREK calling. My heart was thumping so hard it actually hurt. I pressed answer.
“Hello?” I said. My voice sounded tiny.
At first, it was just breathing. Heavy, slow breathing. Then Derek spoke. He sounded way too quiet. It was creepy how calm he was.
“Don’t open that door,” he said.
“Derek, why are you outside my room? Just stop it!” I was basically crying at this point.
He didn't say anything for a long time. “I’m not there, Amara.”
I scrambled away from the door like it was on fire. “Then who is it? Who’s out there?”
“Amara…” His voice got really, really cold. He didn't even sound like himself. “Which room are you in?”
My stomach just dropped. “I never told you which room I was in.”
“I don’t know where you are,” Derek said. “I’ve been home in bed all night.”
I couldn't even breathe. If Derek wasn't lying, then someone was pretending to be him.
I stared at my phone screen. I looked at the numbers one by one. My heart dropped. One number was wrong. It wasn't Derek.
"Delete it! Delete that contact right now!" Derek was screaming through the phone.
I tapped delete as fast as I could. My hands were shaking. But the second it was gone... KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK.
It was so loud it made me jump. Then a soft voice came from the other side of the door. It sounded like someone playing a scary game.
"Amara… you’re making this harder than it needs to be."
I backed away until I hit the edge of my bed. My phone buzzed again.
"You should have opened the door earlier," the text said. "Now I have to come in myself."
Then the lights blinked and went totally black. I couldn't see anything.
I was frozen. Suddenly, my phone screen lit up. The camera app opened all by itself. It was showing a picture of my own face, but behind me, something moved in the dark.
I spun around and slapped the light switch.
The room looked empty. But then I saw it. The window was open just a tiny bit. There was a wet footprint on the floor. It was still fresh.
My phone vibrated one last time.
"Now you know I can reach you."
I looked at the window, then back at the door. My stomach felt sick. This was never about Derek. Someone just used his name to trick me.
And whoever it was, they were already inside.
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