Chapter 4: Shadows and Threats

Chapter Four

The once faint ringtone now sounded like a demon’s whisper, echoing in the hallway and triggering all the motion-sensor lights.

Through the peephole, I could clearly see a long, dark shadow outside my door.

It was the delivery guy!

He was hiding in a blind spot, less than ten feet from my door.

Why didn’t he leave after delivering the food? What was he waiting for, lurking outside?

I was sure of it now—this guy was up to no good.

If I’d opened the door earlier, who knows what would have happened.

At the same time, I wondered—how did the AI know this delivery guy was dangerous?

Just as I was thinking, the call was answered.

"Hey beautiful, I’ve been waiting for you forever—why don’t you just open the door and get your food?"

His voice oozed through the crack in the door, too friendly, too familiar. The familiar voice sent a chill down my spine.

The hallway outside looked like something out of a cheap horror movie, the fluorescent lights flickering and painting everything a sickly yellow. His shadow shifted, stretching across the peeling wallpaper like an oil spill. My hand trembled as I held the phone—there was nothing between me and him but a couple inches of cheap wood and a deadbolt I suddenly wasn’t sure I could trust.