Chapter 3: The Shadow
Nobody moved.
The hand disappeared.
Marcus stood in the center of the living room, staring at the hallway.
“Come out.””
His voice was low.
No answer.
Denise stepped closer to him.
“Marcus…”
“Stay behind me.””
Jordan moved toward Maya.
“What did you find?””
Maya kept her red-cased phone against her chest.
“I found the footage.””
“That’s not what I mean.””
Maya looked at him.
“You mean who was behind the door?””
Jordan nodded.
“Yes.””
Maya’s eyes shifted toward Tiana.
“She knows.””
Tiana shook her head.
“No.””
Jordan stepped forward.
“You literally asked someone if this was what they wanted.””
“I was scared!””
“Of who?””
Tiana backed toward the sofa.
“I don't know.””
Marcus turned toward her.
“You just said you didn't know.””
“I don't!””
“You knew someone was in that hallway.””
“I heard a noise!””
Marcus stared at her.
“Then why did you ask what they wanted?””
Tiana's lips parted.
Nothing came out.
Denise stepped between them.
“Marcus, she's terrified.””
Maya shook her head.
“No, Mom.””
Denise turned.
“What?””
“She’s terrified of the person in that hallway.””
Tiana looked at Maya.
Her eyes pleaded.
Maya understood immediately.
There was something bigger happening.
Something Tiana was afraid to say.
Marcus started toward the hallway.
Maya grabbed his sleeve.
“Dad, wait.””
He looked at her.
“Why?””
“Because if that person wanted us to know who they were, they would've walked out already.””
Marcus glanced at the door.
“You think they're hiding?””
“I know they're hiding.””
Jordan whispered, “Then call security.””
Marcus reached for his phone.
Before he could unlock it, the penthouse lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then the living room went dark.
Denise screamed.
Tiana gasped.
Jordan grabbed Maya's arm.
“Stay here!””
“I am!””
Marcus's voice came from somewhere in the darkness.
“Everybody stay together.””
A second later, the emergency lighting came on.
Dim red strips along the floor illuminated the room.
Tiana was no longer behind Denise.
Marcus saw her standing near the hallway.
“Tiana!””
She froze.
“Get away from that door.””
“I wasn't—”
“Move.””
Tiana took one step backward.
Then her phone buzzed.
Everyone heard it.
A sharp vibration in the silence.
Tiana looked down.
Marcus held out his hand.
“Give me your phone.””
“No.””
“Tiana.””
“No!””
Jordan stared at her.
“What are you hiding?””
“Nothing!””
Maya moved closer.
“Then show us.””
Tiana clutched the phone against her chest.
“You don't understand.””
Maya's expression hardened.
“Then explain it.””
Tiana shook her head.
“I can't.””
“Why?””
“Because he'll hurt me.””
The room went silent.
Marcus stared at her.
“Who?””
Tiana looked toward the hallway.
Her voice became barely audible.
“Him.””
Marcus turned.
The hallway door was now completely open.
Nothing stood behind it.
He walked inside.
The corridor was empty.
Three closed doors.
A framed painting.
A console table.
Nothing else.
Marcus turned back.
“No one is here.””
Tiana shook her head frantically.
“He was there.””
Jordan looked at the security footage again.
“Wait.””
Maya turned.
“What?””
Jordan pointed to the screen.
“Go back.””
Maya rewound the footage.
The image jumped backward.
Tiana walking toward Jordan.
Tiana shouting.
Tiana raising her arms.
Jordan backing away.
Then Tiana turning toward the hallway.
“Stop.””
Maya froze the frame.
Marcus came closer.
“What?””
Jordan pointed.
“Look at the reflection.””
On the security footage, the hallway was visible in the polished glass behind Tiana.
At first, it looked empty.
Then Maya zoomed in.
A dark shape stood near the far wall.
Someone had been watching.
Marcus’s face hardened.
“Who is that?””
Maya shook her head.
“I don't know.””
Jordan leaned closer.
“Can you brighten it?””
Maya adjusted the image.
The figure became slightly clearer.
Broad shoulders.
Dark clothing.
One hand resting against the wall.
Marcus stared at the silhouette.
Then Tiana whispered behind them:
“That’s not the worst part.””
Everyone turned.
Tiana was crying again.
But this time, the tears looked real.
Marcus walked toward her.
“What do you mean?””
Tiana slowly raised her phone.
“There were two messages.””
She unlocked the screen.
The first message was from an unknown number.
*YOU HAVE ONE JOB.*
The second message arrived less than a minute later.
*MAKE MARCUS BLAME JORDAN.*
Jordan's face went pale.
Denise covered her mouth.
Marcus stared at the screen.
Then he looked at Tiana.
“You received these before you attacked him?””
Tiana nodded.
Marcus’s voice dropped.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because he said he'd destroy you.””
“Who said that?””
Tiana looked toward the hallway.
“He said if I told you…”
Her voice broke.
Marcus stepped closer.
“If you told me what?””
Tiana looked at Maya.
Then Jordan.
Then finally Marcus.
“He said you'd never forgive me for what I did before tonight.””
Marcus went completely still.
“What did you do?””
Tiana opened her mouth.
But before she could answer, Maya’s phone buzzed.
A new security alert appeared.
*MOTION DETECTED — MASTER BEDROOM.*
Maya looked at Marcus.
“Dad…”
From somewhere upstairs came the unmistakable sound of a door opening.
Then a man’s voice called from the dark.
“Marcus?””
Marcus slowly turned toward the stairs.
May you like
The voice came again.
“I think you should ask your wife what happened ten years ago.””
