The door closed behind me,

but I didn’t touch it.

It sighed like it had been waiting.

The light flickered once.

Then it stayed on.

Too bright.

Too still.

Dust hung in the air like breath

that never left a body.

I took one step.

The floor groaned,

but not under my foot.

Something else was walking with me.

Beside me.

Inside the walls.

Laughter echoed around the room.

High.

Sharp.

Wrong.

Like something trying to sound human

and failing.

I tried to leave.

The door was gone.

Only a wall.

Only silence

that listened when I breathed.

A shape moved in the mirror.

I’m not sure it was me.

It smiled.

And waited.