Aarav's phone vibrated at precisely 2:17 a.m. It didn't ring. not chimed. Like a warning touch on the shoulder, it vibrated once, fiercely. He narrowed his eyes at the television.
The number is unknown. "Do not open the door," is the message. Act as though you're asleep. Aarav initially believed it to be a joke. A dumb one. His second thought—that someone was observing him—came more quickly and coldly.With the fan buzzing overhead and the room dimly illuminated by the streetlamp outside, he lay motionless on his bed. His parents were not in the city. It was too quiet in the house for such a message. One more vibration. "I mean it. He's upstairs. Aarav felt his heart pound hard against his chest. The stairway. wooden. old. Each step made a creaking sound. He paid attention. Nothing. Then—creeeak. really dim. but genuine. Aarav carefully looked in the direction of his bedroom door. He left it half-closed, like he normally did. The hallway was black beyond it. Once more, his phone buzzed.
"He'll know you're awake if you make noise." His temples began to perspire. He texted back, his fingers shaking. Aarav Who is this? The response arrived right away. "Someone who has already erred this evening." One more creak. This time, closer. Aarav gasped for air. Thieves, inebriated neighbours, and the wrong house were just a few of the scenarios that ran through his thoughts. However, none of those clarified the signals. They all failed to explain how this stranger knew his precise location. The message said, "He's stopping outside your door." The tiny line of blackness beneath the door was the focus of Aarav's gaze. The creaking ceased. Thick, oppressive silence closed in.The handle then shifted. Just testing, not turning. A soft sway. As though the person outside didn't want to rouse him. To prevent himself from breathing, Aarav bit his knuckle. Once more, his phone vibrated. "Avoid locking the door." That was nonsensical. Every instinct cried out for it to be locked. Why, Aarav? This time, the response took longer. Too much time. The handle twisted a little. An inch of the door opened. Something chilly crawled up Aarav's back. At last, the message showed up. "Because the key is already in his possession." The door came to a standstill.Just testing, not turning. A soft sway. As though the person outside didn't want to rouse him. To prevent himself from breathing, Aarav bit his knuckle. Once more, his phone vibrated. "Avoid locking the door." That was nonsensical. Every instinct cried out for it to be locked. Why, Aarav? This time, the response took longer. Too much time. The handle twisted a little. An inch of the door opened. Something chilly crawled up Aarav's back. At last, the message showed up. "Because the key is already in his possession." The door came to a standstill. Slowly, cautiously, footsteps receded back toward the stairs. For what seemed like hours, Aarav remained still. He typed once more after he had the courage to breathe normally.Aarav Who are you? How are you aware of all this? There were three dots. vanished. reappeared. The response was, "I live across the street." "Or I did." Aarav scowled. Then came another message. "Last night, I received the same texts." His blood chilled. Aarav What took place with you? A pause occurred. "I ignored the first one," came next. There was a loud buzzing sound on Aarav's phone—a call was coming in. The number is unknown. He responded against his better judgement. "Hello?" he said in a whisper. Static crackled. Then a low, trembling voice. The speaker said, "He's still in your house." "He never departs immediately. He prefers to be certain. Once more, Aarav's gaze flicked to the door. He said, "Why are you helping me?"A quiet, unfunny laugh came through the phone. "Because someone helped me," the speaker replied. "And I didn't listen long enough." A floorboard creaked downstairs. The phone's voice became sharper. "He's moving again." Aarav got off the bed and crawled softly toward the window. "Whatever you do," the speaker warned frantically, "don't run for the front door." A shadow passed through the opening in the bedroom door. Aarav's heart almost stopped. "Why?" he muttered. The voice paused."Because," it answered slowly, "that's where he waits if you try." The call abruptly terminated. The phone went dark. No signal. Aarav lunged at the window latch. Behind him, click. The sound of a door locking. From the inside. A fresh message appeared on his screen. Same unknown number. The same quiet tone. "You shouldn't have answered the call." Aarav turned around. The bedroom's door was wide open. And someone was standing there, smiling and holding his phone.
"Now," the stranger whispered softly, "it's just us." The last vibration came from the device held by the stranger. A message appeared. From Aarav's phone number. "Don't open the door."