# Half Night *A Night That Shouldn't Exist*

## Chapter 1: The Plan for a Strange PicnicIt was a normal Sunday morning in the small town of Elmswood. The sky was clear, birds were singing, and inside the Smith family’s house, young Smit was bored."I want to do something exciting," Smit said, sitting on the couch and scrolling his phone.His mother, Jini Smith, was making breakfast in the kitchen. "Why don’t you go out with your brother today?"Just then, Pole — Smit’s elder brother — walked in with his headphones on. "What’s up, little bro?"Smit jumped up. "Let’s plan a picnic! Somewhere new, something thrilling!"Pole laughed. "That’s rare! You planning something?"Smit nodded. "Yes. I’ll call Keri Jon and ask him to join."A few minutes later, Smit’s best friend, Keri Jon, arrived. He was always ready for crazy ideas.“Where are we going?” Keri asked, holding chips in his hand.“That’s the fun part,” Smit said with a grin. “We’ll just drive and stop wherever it feels right!”Their father, Tony Smith, looked up from the newspaper. “Don’t go too far. Stay safe.”Smit smiled. “Don’t worry, Dad. We’re just exploring.”---**Hours Later**The four of them — Smit, Pole, Keri, and Jini (yes, even mom joined!) — drove through the countryside. The roads became quieter, the trees darker, and soon they saw a large, old hotel in the distance.It stood all alone.“Should we stop here?” Pole asked.The hotel looked abandoned, but lights were glowing in a few windows.Keri looked nervous. “Is it even open?”“I don’t know,” Smit said. “But it’s calling us... somehow.”They parked the car. The wind became cold. The sky slowly turned grey.As they walked toward the hotel, the front gate creaked open by itself.None of them said a word.They stepped in together.And that… was the beginning of **Half Night**.## Chapter 2: The Hotel With No NameAs the old gate creaked open, a cold wind rushed past them — sharp and sudden.“Did you feel that?” Jini whispered, holding her coat tightly.Smit looked around. “It’s just wind… maybe.”But something felt wrong.They walked slowly toward the hotel door. It was tall, wooden, and cracked. A broken signboard hung from one nail, swinging slightly.“What’s the name of this hotel?” Keri asked.There was no name.Just black wood and silence.Pole pushed the door. It opened with a loud **CREEEAAAKK**.They stepped inside.---**Inside the Hotel**The lobby was dark. A single chandelier hung from the ceiling, swinging gently. Dust covered the floor. Cobwebs danced in corners.Suddenly, a loud **howl** came from outside.**AAAUUUUUUUUUHHHHH!!** The sound of **jackals**.Jini jumped. “This place is giving me chills!”Smit’s voice was low. “Let’s check the rooms.”They started walking through the long corridor. Doors on both sides. All closed.One door had red paint on it — or was it blood?Pole touched the handle.“Don’t!” Keri shouted.But the door opened on its own.Inside was an empty chair… and a small music box playing by itself.**TING TING TING TING…**No one touched it.The music stopped suddenly.And the lights went out.---**Pitch Black Silence**“Guys?” Jini said.“Ssshhh,” Pole whispered.They all stood still. No one moved. Their breathing was the only sound.Suddenly — a **mirror** in the hallway lit up by itself.It showed **not four people… but five**.A fifth person stood behind them in the mirror.But when they turned around…No one was there.---They ran.Back to the lobby.But the door they entered from… was gone.Just a wall.Smit was sweating. “We’re trapped.”And somewhere deep inside the hotel, a soft voice laughed…**“Half Night has begun…”**## Chapter 3: The Vanishing FriendThe hotel hallway was darker than before.Smit, Jini, Pole, and Keri walked slowly, their breaths tight.The silence was broken by a whisper.“Did you hear that?” Keri asked, turning around.Nobody was there.Just an old mirror, cracked and dusty.Pole pointed. “Look!”In the mirror, they saw five people.But only four were in the hallway.The fifth was a tall black shape, standing still.Jini gasped. “Who is that?”Suddenly, the lights flickered.Then, Keri was gone.Gone—without a sound.“Keri!” Smit shouted, panic rising.They searched the hall, opened every door, but he had vanished.On the floor, near the mirror, was an old diary.Smit picked it up.> “One will vanish. One will change. One will remain.”Pole whispered, “He was taken.”Then Smit laughed quietly.His smile was strange.“Maybe he was chosen,” Smit said, voice low.Jini looked at him, eyes wide.Smit’s reflection in the mirror was no longer smiling.It was watching her.Room 13 had no windows, only mirrors. In the reflection, Keri stood behind them—but no one was there. The door slammed. Lights out. A voice echoed, “You should’ve never come here…” Jini screamed. Pole kicked the door. Smit smiled again— but only in the mirror.