The days following their discovery at the archives were tense for Maya and Dante. The mystery surrounding the door and the secrets it guarded weighed heavily on their minds. The blueprints had revealed one thing clearly—there shouldn’t be anything behind that door. 

Yet, there was something. Something alive. 

Maya tried to focus on her classes and her projects, but the humming sound from the door lingered in her thoughts. Every time she passed by it on her way home, she felt an unexplainable pull. It wasn’t just curiosity anymore; it was a compulsion. 

---

One evening, Dante showed up at her apartment unannounced, clutching a notebook. 

“You won’t believe this,” he said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. 

Maya closed the door behind him, raising an eyebrow. “What is it?” 

Dante spread the notebook out on her coffee table. “I started asking around. Some of the older tenants remember strange things about the building.” 

Maya leaned closer, flipping through the pages. There were accounts of odd noises, objects moving on their own, and even people disappearing. 

“One woman said her dog wouldn’t go near that hallway,” Dante said. “It would whimper and pull at the leash every time she tried to take it there.” 

Maya frowned. “Why hasn’t anyone reported this? Or moved out?” 

Dante shrugged. “People are scared. And the ones who’ve tried to leave say they always end up coming back. Like something won’t let them go.” 

The thought sent a shiver down Maya’s spine. 

---

Determined to dig deeper, Maya decided to investigate the door again, this time with Dante by her side. 

They waited until late at night, when the building was quiet. Armed with flashlights and a crowbar Dante had insisted on bringing, they made their way to the mysterious door. 

The hum was louder than ever, vibrating through the air as they approached. The door seemed almost alive, its surface pulsating faintly under the dim hallway light. 

“This is insane,” Dante whispered, gripping the crowbar tightly. 

Maya ignored him, focusing on the crack. The shadow inside was clearer now, its movements sharp and deliberate. 

She leaned closer, her breath fogging the surface. For a moment, the shadow stilled, as if it were watching her. 

Suddenly, a voice echoed from the other side—a low, guttural whisper that sent chills racing down her spine. 

**“Leave... now.”** 

Maya stumbled back, her heart pounding. 

Dante grabbed her arm. “What did it say?” 

“It told us to leave,” Maya whispered, her voice trembling. 

They stood frozen for a moment, the hum growing louder, almost angry. The door rattled, and a sharp crack echoed through the hallway. 

“Okay, we’re done here,” Dante said, pulling her away. 

---

Back in her apartment, Maya couldn’t shake the feeling that they had crossed a line. The door wasn’t just a curiosity anymore; it was a threat. 

Dante paced the room, running his hands through his hair. “We need to stop, Maya. This thing—it’s not normal. It’s not safe.” 

Maya nodded, though a part of her still wanted answers. “I know. But what if it doesn’t stop with us? What if it hurts someone else?” 

Dante didn’t respond, but the look on his face said he was just as worried. 

---

The next day, Maya decided to confront Aiden. His reaction to her questions about the door had been suspicious, and she was convinced he knew more than he was letting on. 

She found him in the campus library, sketching designs for his latest project. 

“Hey,” she said, sliding into the seat across from him. 

Aiden looked up, smiling. “Hey, you. What’s up?” 

Maya hesitated, then decided to cut to the chase. “I need to know the truth about the door in your building.” 

Aiden’s smile faltered. “Maya, we’ve been over this—” 

“No,” she interrupted, leaning forward. “I’m serious, Aiden. There’s something behind that door, and I know you know what it is.” 

Aiden’s jaw tightened, and he glanced around the library as if checking to see if anyone was listening. 

“It’s complicated,” he said finally. 

“Try me,” Maya pressed. 

Aiden sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not just a door. It’s... a boundary. Between here and... something else.” 

Maya’s heart skipped a beat. “Something else? Like another dimension?” 

Aiden nodded reluctantly. “My dad and I have been trying to keep it sealed. But it’s getting stronger. Whatever’s on the other side—it’s dangerous.” 

Maya stared at him, her mind racing. “Why didn’t you tell me?” 

“I didn’t want to drag you into it,” Aiden said, his voice heavy with guilt. “I thought if I could keep it contained, no one else would get hurt.” 

Maya shook her head. “Aiden, people are already getting hurt. This isn’t just your problem anymore.” 

---

As Maya walked home that evening, her thoughts were a whirlwind of fear and determination. 

The door wasn’t just a mystery; it was a battle waiting to be fought. And she wasn’t sure if she was ready for what lay ahead.