Eleanor did not touch her phone at first.
The live photo was still open on her screen. The door inside the photo looked strange — tall, narrow and a little bent. It looked like old wood, but something about it felt.... wrong.
Her studio suddenly felt very quiet.
The smell of paint and linseed oil, which she usually liked, now felt too strong. She slowly placed her phone on the table, but she kept looking at it.
It was a live photo
That meant something inside it could move.
Taking a deep breath, she pressed her finger on the screen
The photo started moving.
At first nothing happened, the door stayed the same. The room in the photo was dark and silent.
Then—
Something moved..
Very slightly...
The handle.
It didn't turn. It just... moved a little.
(Like it reacted to her touch)
Eleanor quickly pulled her hand back.
" No, that can't be real ",(She murmured)
Her phone buzzed
A new message...
From an unknown number.
She started at it for a few seconds before opening it.
You saw it move, didn't you ?
Her heart skipped a beat.
She quickly looked around her studio.
(She picked her phone and typed slowly...)
Eleanor: Who are you?
The reply came immediately.
Unknown: You already know that door.
She froze...
It was obvious that the door belonged to her house.
Before she could think more, she heard a soft knock.
She turned quickly.
The soundcame from the door behind her.
" Eleanor ? Are you inside ?"
She relaxed a little.She knew that voice.
" It's open ", She said.
The door was creaked slightly as it opened, and a young man stepped in.
( He was holding a sketchbook in one hand)
It's was Aarav
He was from the same art class, Quiet, but always observing everything carefully.
"I thought you left already", he said looking around the studio.
"I was about to", she replied trying to sound normal.
But Aarav noticed something.
"You okay", he asked stepping closer...
" You look... scared."
(Eleanor hesitated. She didn't know what to say)
"It's nothing", she said. "Just tired".
Aarav gave a small smile — he knew that she said that everytime while competing for a new artwork.(Rivalry)
Aarav doesn't seem convinced. His eyes moved towards the canvas.
"What's that"? he asked.
Eleanor quickly turned.
The painting...
Her heart skipped a beat.
For a second, she was afraid that he would see the door moving.
But the painting looked normal.
Still.
Silent.
She let out a slow breath
"It's just something I was working on", she said.
Aarav stepped closer to the Canvas.
"It's interesting", he said softly."The door... it feels real"
Eleanor looked at him sharply.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know", he said slightly smiling. "It feels like it's hiding something".
(Eleanor didn't respond)
For a moment, both of them stood there quietly.
Then Aarav looked at her again.
"You don't have to pretend, you know", he said "If something's bothering you"
Eleanor felt something change inside her.
Not fear this time.
Something softer.
She looked at him, unsure. Because he had never spoken like this before.
"I just..." she started, then stopped.
How could she explain this.
A strange photo
A moving door.
Messages from an unknown number.
It all sounded unreal.
Aarav waited, but didn't push her.
"It's okay", he said gently."You can tell me later"
Eleanor nodded...slowly
There was a small silence again.
Then Aarav smiled a little.
"By the way you stayed back again",he said. "At this rate, you'll end up living in this studio."
Eleanor smiled out of rage.
"Maybe I already do".
(Aarav laughed softly)
"Then I should start visiting more often",he said
(In a funny way)
For the first time that evening, Eleanor felt a little lighter.
But then.
(Her phone buzzed)
Both of them looked at it.
The screen lit up.
A new message.
Eleanor's smile disappeared.
Her hand felt cold again.
Aarav noticed.
"What happened", he asked.
Eleanor slowly picked up her phone.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened the message.
(To be continued...)