"This is the only vacant room left, dear. What will you take?" The landlady of the building asked.

I looked around the room, it wasn't small, just right for me since I'll be living alone, I don't have a choice anyway. It's close to the University I transferred to.

"I'll take it," I replied conservatively, which pleased the landlady as she smiled at me.

"Good, it's been vacant for quite some time. So, when will you move in, dear?" The landlady asked me.

"Tomorrow," I promptly replied, and she nodded.

"Here's the payment. I've included the advance for one month." I handed her two thousand. She took one thousand for the first month.

"Alright, dear. Just let me know if you need anything else." She smiled and left.

I looked back at the apartment I rented. It was clean and organized inside. I just needed to bring my belongings and clothes.

I walked to the corridor of the apartment. I glanced at the room beside mine, Room 201. I noticed that there seemed to be only two of us renting on the third floor.

I was startled by a loud bang from inside. I stepped back, my hand on my chest. The bang repeated three times. I don't know why, but I suddenly felt the urge to run.

I quickly turned back to talk to the building's landlady.

I saw her talking to a man, but as soon as she saw me, he quickly left.

"Oh, dear. Do you need anything else?"

"T-there was a loud bang next to my apartment--"

"Oh, were you scared? I'm sorry... there's a cleaning going on in that apartment." She quickly explained and kindly smiled at me. I looked up and swallowed.

"Ah, I see." That's all I could say before quickly leaving the building. I held my chest as my heart raced.

I probably need to cut down on coffee. I composed myself and took a deep breath. But before I left, I glanced back at the building I exited. It looked a bit old but the apartment was nice inside.

I was about to walk when I felt someone behind me, so I looked around but no one was there. I looked up and immediately froze.

I saw a man standing next to my apartment. He was wearing a black hoodie, and his face wasn't clearly visible from a distance.

I felt chills as if he was looking at my direction.

I looked away, but when I glanced back, there was no one standing there anymore.

I don't know if I was just hallucinating or maybe I was.

I'm on campus now when I unintentionally overheard something.

"Did you hear the news? Another woman was found dead near Urales Street." I paused eating to hear the whispers.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

It's been a week since I moved here. I noticed that there are many murder cases in this area. I calmed myself and acted like I didn't care about what I heard.

I stood up and headed to the restroom. I washed my hands and dried them with tissue paper. A woman entered while talking on the phone.

"Alright, let's meet at Pandora Club later," she said before ending the call. She glanced at me in the mirror's reflection and smiled. I forced a smile back and left the place.

I checked the time. It was 4:20 pm, so I needed to leave because this place is dangerous. I walked to the bus station not far from the University. I stood on the side of the station.

My gaze landed on the other side of the street where the glass reflected anyone standing in front. A tall man arrived and stood beside me.

He was wearing a black hoodie with a skull emblem and holding a cigarette. I suddenly smelled his strong cologne. I looked away when his gaze met the glass I was looking at.

Soon, the bus arrived, so I quickly got on.

I sat by the window. I noticed that the man didn't follow me to my seat, so I looked back at my previous spot. The man was still standing there. I couldn't see his face in the darkness, but I knew he was looking at my spot.

He exhaled smoke into the air before flicking it away. I avoided his gaze because he was creepy. The bus started moving, but my body seemed to have a mind of its own as I looked back at the man standing at the bus station.

I swallowed hard when I saw that he was still looking at my spot. My hair stood on end, and I tried to forget about it.

30 minutes passed...

I finally arrived at my apartment building. I quickly went inside and locked all the doors. I felt drained from the day.

I turned on the TV to watch the news.

"A woman was found dead near Pandora Club, according to witnesses. She had multiple stab wounds all over her body, while a man was caught on CCTV as a suspect in the incident." I froze and swallowed.

A familiar picture of a smiling woman appeared on the TV. She was wearing the same uniform as mine. I covered my mouth.

Memories of a woman with a phone call flashed back.

"Alright, let's meet at Pandora Club later."

Next was a video showing a tall man with his back to the CCTV. He was wearing a black hoodie with a skull emblem.

I dropped the remote out of fear. Th-the killer... was the man next to me at the bus station.

Knock! Knock!

I looked at the door.

I felt like my breath stopped. My breathing slowed, and my hands turned cold as I kept staring at the door, repeatedly knocking. I clenched my fist before stepping towards the door and, with my eyes closed, opened it.

"Hi." A woman stood there in pajamas, holding a small red ribbon cake.

I suddenly felt hungry because it's my favorite.

"H-hi?" I was suddenly confused as I saw her for the first time. She had a gentle face and was slightly shorter than me.

"You're Beauty, I guess?" Despite my confusion, I nodded. Her smile widened as she quickly placed the red ribbon cake in my hand.

"Welcome, Neighbor--I mean just welcome." She scratched her head.

"Bye!" She said loudly and quickly ran down the stairs, leaving me stunned.

Like Huh?

I looked at the red ribbon cake, I actually didn't want to accept anything from a stranger, but she seemed like a harmless kid. I closed the door and sat at my desk, rubbing my temples.

Why am I being paranoid? Is it because of the dead woman and the killer?

I couldn't relax... if the killer still remembers my face and kil---nevermind.

I was doing my activity when a loud noise came next to my apartment.

Here we go again.

I closed my eyes as the noises continued, and it suddenly stopped, leaving me anxious. I don't know why the landlady of this apartment seems to have no concern.

Doesn't she care about the tenants? I really don't understand the people living here.

It's too mysterious and makes me curious.

What's inside the next apartment?

What are the noises created every night?

And why only at night?

They say mystery excites us, but for me, mystery is not fun to play with.

My eyes caught the red ribbon cake, so I reached for it and opened it.

A small chocolate cake with a strawberry on top. I furrowed my brows when I saw a note tucked behind the box.

It says 'Welcome my Neighbor.'

I almost dropped the cake. I didn't know if the giver made a mistake because as far as I know, there are only two rooms on this third floor.Just me and the neighbor next to my apartment.