The following morning, Maya felt like she was carrying the weight of her sleepless night on her shoulders. She debated telling Aiden about what had happened, but she wasn’t sure how to explain it without sounding crazy. 

When she met him at their favorite coffee shop before class, Aiden greeted her with a warm smile that immediately made her feel lighter. 

“You look tired,” he said, pulling out a chair for her. 

“I didn’t sleep much,” Maya admitted, avoiding his eyes as she stirred her coffee. 

Aiden leaned closer. “Something’s bothering you, isn’t it? You can tell me.” 

She hesitated, then sighed. “It’s that door. Last night, I...” She trailed off, unsure how to put it into words. 

Aiden frowned. “You went back there, didn’t you?” 

Maya nodded. “There’s something behind it, Aiden. I can feel it. I saw something moving, and... I heard a voice.” 

Aiden’s expression darkened. He reached across the table, taking her hand. “Maya, listen to me. I know it’s hard, but you need to let this go. Sometimes, things are better left alone.” 

His tone was serious, almost pleading. Maya stared at him, confused. 

“Do you know something about the door?” she asked. 

Aiden froze, his grip on her hand tightening for a moment before he let go. “No,” he said quickly. Too quickly. 

Maya’s chest tightened. “Aiden, if you know something, you have to tell me.” 

“I don’t,” he insisted, his eyes darting away. “Just... promise me you’ll stay away from it, okay?” 

Maya nodded reluctantly, but her curiosity burned brighter than ever. 

---

That evening, Maya couldn’t stop thinking about Aiden’s reaction. He was hiding something; she was sure of it. 

Determined to get answers, she decided to visit Dante. If anyone would take her seriously, it was him. 

Dante’s apartment was cozy and cluttered, filled with sketchbooks, art supplies, and little trinkets he’d collected over the years. He opened the door, surprised to see her. 

“Maya? Everything okay?” 

She nodded, stepping inside. “I need to talk to you about the door.” 

Dante’s expression grew serious. He gestured for her to sit, pulling up a chair beside her. “What happened?” 

She told him everything—the hum, the shadows, the voice. By the time she finished, Dante was frowning, his brows knitted together in thought. 

“I knew there was something wrong with that door,” he said finally. “I don’t know what’s behind it, but... I’ve seen things, too.” 

Maya’s heart skipped a beat. “What kind of things?” 

“Shadows,” Dante said. “Late at night, when I come back from the studio. They move in ways they shouldn’t, like they’re alive. And the hum... I’ve heard it, too.” 

Maya shivered. “Why haven’t you told anyone?” 

Dante looked at her, his eyes troubled. “Because I didn’t think anyone would believe me. But now that you’ve seen it too...” 

---

They decided to investigate together, but cautiously. That night, armed with a flashlight and a heavy sense of unease, they made their way to the door. 

The hallway was eerily silent, the flickering lights casting long, distorted shadows. The hum was louder than ever, vibrating through their feet as they approached the door. 

Dante crouched down, his flashlight illuminating the crack. “There’s definitely something moving in there,” he whispered. 

Maya leaned closer, her heart pounding. This time, the shadow was clearer—a writhing, amorphous shape that seemed to pulse with malevolence. 

Dante pulled back suddenly, his face pale. “We shouldn’t be here.” 

Before Maya could respond, a low growl echoed from the crack, sending chills down her spine. 

The door rattled, and the hum grew deafening. Maya grabbed Dante’s arm, pulling him back. “Let’s go,” she said, her voice trembling. 

They ran back to Dante’s apartment, slamming the door shut behind them. 

---

“What is that thing?” Maya asked, her voice barely above a whisper. 

Dante shook his head. “I don’t know. But whatever it is, it’s not just a random door. There’s something... unnatural about it.” 

Maya nodded, her mind racing. “We need to figure this out. Maybe there are records about the building, or someone who knows its history.” 

Dante hesitated. “What if we’re better off not knowing?” 

Maya met his gaze, her determination unwavering. “I can’t just ignore this, Dante. Not when it’s right there, in front of us.” 

He sighed, nodding reluctantly. “Alright. But we have to be careful. Whatever’s behind that door... it’s dangerous.” 

Maya couldn’t argue with that. She had felt it in her bones—the door wasn’t just a mystery. It was a warning.