Morning came, but it didn't feel like morning.
The sunlight that slipped through the curtains felt dull, almost lifeless—just like her.
She hadn't slept.
Not even for a second.
Her eyes burned, heavy and swollen from crying and staying awake the entire night. Her body felt weak, but her mind refused to rest, still trapped in the memory of what she had seen.
That figure.
So close.
Too close.
The moment the clock struck early morning, she didn't hesitate.
She rushed toward the door and opened it quickly—
Only to find Alex already standing there.
Straight.
Composed.
As if he had been waiting.
"Good morning, ma'am," he greeted politely.
"It's still early. Do you need anything?"
Her lips parted, but for a second, no words came out.
Her throat felt dry.
Tight.
But then, gathering whatever strength she had left, she spoke.
"Mr. Alex…"
Her voice trembled.
"Someone… someone was in my room last night."
The words came out rushed, uneven.
Her breathing picked up as the memory flashed again in her mind.
"The figure… it was hovering over me…"
Alex didn't react.
Not immediately.
His expression remained calm, almost too calm.
But his eyes—
For a brief second—
They flickered.
Something passed through them.
Quick.
Sharp.
Almost like… recognition.
But she was too shaken to notice.
He looked at her steadily before speaking in a composed tone.
"Ma'am, perhaps it was just a nightmare."
His voice was firm.
Controlled.
"It often happens when someone moves into a new place."
Her head shook instantly.
"No… no, it wasn't—"
She stepped closer, desperation clear in her eyes.
"Please, Mr. Alex… try to understand. I really saw someone last night…"
Her voice cracked again, her hands trembling slightly.
"The figure was so close…"
Her breath quickened as she raised her hand, pointing toward herself.
"This close… just inches away…"
For a moment—
Silence.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Alex watched her.
Then slowly, he nodded.
But there was something strange about it.
Something distant.
"Ma'am," he said again, his tone unchanged, "you should take some rest."
"I'll send some medicine along with your breakfast. It will help calm your nerves."
Her chest tightened painfully.
Because he didn't believe her.
Not even a little.
Her lips trembled, as if she wanted to say more—
To argue.
To scream.
To make him understand that she wasn't imagining things.
But no words came out.
They got stuck.
Somewhere between fear and exhaustion.
So instead—
She gave up.
Her shoulders dropped slightly as she stepped back.
"…Okay."
Her voice was barely audible.
Defeated.
She slowly closed the door.
The soft click echoed louder than it should have.
And just like that—
She was alone again.
The room felt colder now.
More suffocating.
She leaned back against the door, sliding down slowly until she sat on the floor, hugging her knees.
Tears blurred her vision again.
"Why won't anyone believe me…"
The whisper broke in the silence.
Minutes passed.
Or maybe longer.
She didn't know.
She didn't move.
Didn't try to.
Until—
Something caught her attention.