Jason was right behind her.
“Emily, wait—”
She ignored him and ran toward the elevator, clutching the baby monitor against her chest.
The screen showed only darkness inside the nursery.
Static crackled nonstop.
Then—
A shadow moved.
Emily’s heart nearly stopped.
The elevator doors opened.
She sprinted down the hallway toward apartment 11B.
The front door was unlocked.
She slowly pushed it open.
Silence.
No TV. No music. Nothing.
Only the faint hum of the nursery monitor.
“Lily?” Emily whispered.
No answer.
Jason stepped inside behind her, breathing heavily.
“Emily, I can explain—”
“SHUT UP!”
She grabbed a kitchen knife from the counter and moved toward the nursery.
Every step felt heavier.
Slower.
The nursery door was slightly open.
Inside, the nightlight glowed dim blue.
Little Lily sat frozen in bed, tears streaming down her face.
And pointing downward.
Emily followed her finger.
Under the bed.
Something moved.
Jason suddenly grabbed Emily’s shoulder.
“Don’t look.”
Too late.
A pale face slowly emerged from the darkness beneath the bed.
Smiling.
Not a stranger.
Emily screamed when she recognized her.
It was her sister.
The sister who disappeared three years ago.
The sister everyone believed was dead.
Then her sister whispered:
“He told you I was gone… didn’t he?”
Emily slowly turned toward Jason.
His face drained of color.
And that’s when the apartment lights went out.
