Lena froze at the whisper. Her instincts screamed to run, but her feet carried her closer. The brass handle was icy against her skin, and for a moment, she swore she felt a faint pulse beneath the metal.

She pulled back, trembling. But the door creaked open on its own. The hallway lights flickered, stretching her shadow long across the floor. Inside, there was no apartment—only another hallway, identical to the one she stood in, but darker… and filled with the faint sound of footsteps.

“Welcome home,” the whisper breathed, this time sounding like her own voice.