Genre: Psychological thriller + Horror
Phase: High school teenager (17 years old)
Aldi has a strange ritual every time he comes home from school: counting the steps from the gate to the house. The 29th step always gives him goosebumps, because for some reason, every time he gets there, he hears other steps that don't match his rhythm.
One day, he tries to stop right at the 29th step. The street is quiet. The wind stops. But suddenly his shadow on the ground moves before him—turns around and looks back at him. He runs.
The next day, at the 29th step, there is a small piece of paper tucked between the stones: "You finally saw me. But I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Interesting knowledge: The human brain can "hear non-existent footsteps" because repetitive rhythms can trigger auditory hallucinations. But in some cases, the shadow mimic phenomenon does occur—where shadows act strangely.
Philosophy: Not everything that follows us is a threat. Sometimes, it's a part of us that's been left behind for too long.
Weird rumor: In the old town of Semarang, people believe that if you stop at the 29th step at night, you'll meet "your other self" who never grew up.