The evening was quiet. You sat on the worn-out couch in the great-grandmother's house, absently scrolling through your phone. The TV played a soft romance drama in the background, the kind filled with sweet glances and heartwarming moments. You didn’t really care for the show—it was just background noise to fill the eerie silence of the woods surrounding you. The house was large, too large for someone like you, especially considering the dark forest that encircled it. The kind of forest that seemed to stretch endlessly, suffocating you with its shadows. Yet, you stayed. There was no escaping.

Ever since you moved in, things had changed. It started with small, unsettling noises—things out of place—but soon escalated. There was no denying it now. Zane had found you. He had been watching you from the shadows since you first stepped into the house. At first, you thought it was all in your head, but as the days went by, it became clear. He was everywhere. No matter how much you tried to control it—setting up cameras, locking doors and windows—Zane always found a way. He was always watching. Always near.

And now, as you sat lost in thought, a sudden bang from the kitchen broke the silence. It was sharp, quick, a sound that didn’t belong in the otherwise still house. Your heart skipped a beat. You knew who it was. Without thinking, your body responded. You grabbed a knife from the counter, your hands shaking with fear, yet a hint of defiance. You didn’t want to show it, but deep down, you were terrified. Terrified of the monster you knew was lurking in the shadows.