She slowly turned the knob.
The door creaked.
Her heart was racing—fast, too fast.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYryL0e2bR
Somehow, she gathered the courage to push the door open just a bit and peep inside.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ84HzKVaaH
She saw nothing suspicious—
When suddenly, someone tapped her on the shoulder from behind.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYbJ9VnF5fG
"Sammy, what are you up to?" said Mrs. Smith.
"You’d better hurry up and get dressed. It’s almost time for school."
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDKL9mG2Qg
"Yes, Mom," Sammy mumbled, still shaken.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsASfweW3i
Mrs. Smith narrowed her eyes.
"May I ask you what exactly—"
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Kj4QnGTid
"Mom, I heard something... from the bathroom. I think there’s something in there."
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxPqISj1dV
"I beg your pardon? Something in your bathroom? What do you mean by that?"
Her mother stared at her, eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx76WNElK4i
"I swear, Mom—I heard it. Something was inside."
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0dz2ubDm0
Mrs. Smith sighed, then stepped closer to the door still hanging slightly ajar behind her daughter.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJSGMcaEOZ
Sammy focused on the crack in the doorway, bracing herself for something—anything—horrible to happen.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcRRzMRhn70
With a gentle push, Mrs. Smith opened the door wide—
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6JujGKhiRz
And just then, a black figure leapt out at them.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBem8Rs2Yi
Sammy screamed and stumbled backward, colliding into her mother.
Mrs. Smith instinctively wrapped her arms around her daughter—
Only to realize the dark figure was none other than their black, furry cat.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qiCrowa9v
Mr. Waffles.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Vhtc3blu1
The cat meowed dramatically and strutted past their legs as if nothing had happened.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgtC30LibZ
"See, Sammy? It’s just Mr. Waffles," Mrs. Smith said with a tired smile.
"Come, sit on the bed."
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LFw3kQG9u
Sammy sat down, still trying to catch her breath.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8jh4vgfUU
"It’s all in your head," her mother continued gently.
"You saw it yourself, didn’t you? That’s why I keep telling you to stop watching those horror podcasts—you’re imagining things."
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLH2g9a05Ba
She handed Sammy a glass of water from the bedside table.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY32TIm3YBz
"Drink this."
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14rUZ0Tz5R
Sammy took a sip.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgdMymaWVu
"Now get dressed and come downstairs in fifteen minutes," Mrs. Smith said as she left the room.
Mr. Waffles followed her out with a flick of his tail.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj3iR3nKEke
Sammy closed the door behind them, locked it, and headed into the bathroom.
She splashed cold water on her face, combed her hair into a neat ponytail, and put on her school uniform.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡko5euEhiO9
Back in her room, she packed her bag—when suddenly, her phone rang.
It was her friend, Diana.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydL8kyYo4I
"Sammy, are you out for school yet?"
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT77K5fkbOf
"Not yet, but I was just about to leave."
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizRSKLb2kC
"Great! Don’t pack a heavy lunch—Tira’s throwing a party. She won the tournament!"
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dOQXdMMSx
"Oh! But why didn’t she tell me herself?"
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7upq9H2NU
"She will, I guess. Just giving you a heads-up. I’ve gotta run or I’ll be late."
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVGzav8E8Z
As the call ended, Sammy noticed a text pop up on her screen.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cLsCIcziH
From Tira:
“Party during lunch :)”
All excited, Sammy grabbed her bag, slipped the phone into her pocket, and ran downstairs.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKJmQrVvyA
Mr. Smith was standing at the doorway alongside Mrs. Smith, ready to head out for work.
Sammy gave them both a quick hug, her eyes scanning the hallway for her brother.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGaZP6AZhM
He was there—already dressed for school, standing quietly near the staircase.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1f5cYfx1r
Sammy gave him a cheerful wave.
He nodded back, silent as ever.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZumjZGLliO
"Come on, Ricky!" she called out.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUNhjdwF3C
Together, the siblings stepped out into the morning light, the door clicking shut behind them.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWFhIPgGip
As they walked down the street toward school, Sammy couldn’t help glancing back at the house once.
Just once.
326Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDugTbYnfaz
The curtains on the upstairs window fluttered—though none of the windows were open.
ns216.73.216.95da2
and then Add to home screen.