It was almost midnight when Mia checked into the old Maplewood Hotel. The place smelled of dust and rain, and the man at the front desk smiled too much when he handed her the key.
βRoom 313,β he said. βYouβre our only guest tonight.β
Mia laughed nervously. The hallway lights flickered as she walked to her room. The carpet felt damp under her shoes. Inside, the room was cold, though the heater was on. She turned off the light and lay down, trying to sleep.
Then she heard it β a whisper.
Soft at first.
Right beside her ear.
βDonβt look under the bedβ¦β
Her heart froze. She stayed still, listening. Silence. She forced herself to peek β the space under the bed was empty.
Relieved, she lay back β and saw a pale face grinning from the ceiling above her.
Stake ID popop0989