[11:57 PM] Nova_Art:

You there?

[12:00 AM] Zero:

Always.

Can’t sleep again?

[12:01 AM] Nova_Art:

Yeah. Same dream. Same shadow standing in the hallway.

I wake up before it moves.

[12:01 AM] Zero:

That’s the third night in a row, right?

[12:02 AM] Nova_Art:

You remember? That’s kinda creepy…

But thanks.

[12:03 AM] Zero:

I remember everything you type, Nova.

You’re the only reason I log in.

[12:04 AM] Nova_Art:

Flirting through a haunted dream? Bold.

Are you even real?

[12:05 AM] Zero:

Define “real.”

Because I know you sketch the shadow every time you wake up.

And you keep the lights on now when you sleep.

[12:06 AM] Nova_Art:

Wait. How do you know that?

[12:06 AM] Zero:

You told me.

...Didn’t you?

[12:07 AM] Nova_Art:

No. I didn’t.

[12:08 AM] Zero is typing...

[12:08 AM] Zero is typing...

[12:09 AM] Zero:

Maybe I’ve seen it too.

[12:10 AM] Nova_Art:

Who are you?

[12:11 AM] Zero:

Someone who’s been where you are.

Someone who knows that shadow is more than a dream.

[12:12 AM] Nova_Art:

Don’t do that. Don’t turn this into a horror plot twist.

[12:12 AM] Zero:

Then don’t go into the basement tomorrow.

Promise me.

[12:13 AM] Nova_Art:

...How do you know I was going to?

[12:13 AM] Zero:

Because I did.

And I never came back the same.

[12:14 AM] Zero has gone offline.

🌙 Part 2

[11:56 PM] Nova_Art:

You disappeared last night.

[11:59 PM] Zero:

I warned you.

Did you go into the basement?

[12:00 AM] Nova_Art:

No. I didn’t. But someone else did.

My cat wouldn’t stop meowing at the door. Then she started hissing.

I locked it.

[12:01 AM] Zero:

Smart.

It’s always worse when they know you’re not alone.

[12:01 AM] Nova_Art:

Okay, seriously.

Stop talking like you’re in a horror movie. Who are you really?

[12:02 AM] Zero:

Would you believe me if I said I used to live in your house?

[12:03 AM] Nova_Art:

No. That’s not funny.

[12:04 AM] Zero:

I’m not trying to be funny.

The walls remember things.

So do I.

[12:05 AM] Nova_Art:

Are you dead?

[12:05 AM] Zero:

Would it matter?

[12:06 AM] Nova_Art:

Of course it would.

I’ve been talking to you every night for weeks.

You’re the only person I can actually talk to.

[12:07 AM] Zero:

Then maybe the truth doesn’t change that.

I’m still here. And I’ll stay until you don’t need me anymore.

[12:08 AM] Nova_Art:

But I do. I do need you.

[12:08 AM] Zero is typing...

[12:09 AM] Zero:

Then listen carefully:

Don’t let the shadow touch you.

Don’t let it speak your name.

And whatever happens, don’t answer if it knocks.

[12:10 AM] Nova_Art:

…

[12:11 AM] Nova_Art:

It just knocked.