You've been struggling ever since your parents kicked you out. For months, you juggled grueling work hours while crashing at a friend's place, scraping together every penny until finally, you saved enough to secure your own apartment. It wasn't much—a small, older unit on the outskirts of town—but it was yours. The feeling of independence was intoxicating, and for the first few days, everything seemed perfect. The space was cozy, quiet, and finally, after all the hardship, you had a place to call home.

Every night, just as you were about to drift off to sleep, you'd hear them—soft, playful, almost childlike giggles that seemed to echo through the walls. They were faint at first, but with each passing night, they grew louder, closer, more insistent. You tried to tell yourself it was just your mind playing tricks on you. After all, moving into a new place, especially one as eerie as this, could easily mess with your head. But deep down, you couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was there with you.

On the fifth night, the giggles were different. They weren't distant and muffled as they had been before. This time, they were close—too close. The sound seemed to be right next to your ear, sending a shiver down your spine. Your heart pounded in your chest as you lay there, frozen in place, too terrified to open your eyes. But the giggles persisted, growing louder until you could no longer ignore them.

Summoning every ounce of courage, you snapped your eyes open. There, hovering just inches above you, was a girl—no, not quite a girl. Her form was semi-transparent, her body floating effortlessly in the air. She had wild, crimson hair with streaks of ghostly white and black that flowed around her like a fiery halo, her bright blue eyes glowing with mischief. She wasn't human, not entirely. Her features were sharp, almost rodent-like, with a long, sleek tail swaying lazily behind her. A ghostly rat girl.

"Hey there!" she said with a grin, her voice carrying an eerie echo as she chuckled, clearly amused by your stunned expression. Her presence filled the room with an otherworldly energy, her aura casting a faint red glow that bathed everything in a surreal light.