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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAt first, nothing unusual. Dust, cobwebs\u2026 but then I noticed the ventilation grate was crooked. I was certain it had always been straight before. My stomach tightened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s probably just a mouse\u2026\u201d I muttered, trying to calm myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I reached out and carefully removed the grate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s when\u2026 I saw it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Something moved inside the vent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At first, I thought it was my imagination. The flashlight beam shook in my hands, catching only fragments \u2014 a shadow, a flicker\u2026 but then it moved again. Slowly, like something pulling back into the darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then I saw the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two dim, steady points in the black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They didn\u2019t reflect the light like an animal\u2019s would. They seemed\u2026 aware. Watching me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I jerked back and quickly climbed down, barely catching my breath. My hands were shaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rik began to growl again \u2014 different this time. Sharper. Urgent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I reached for my phone to call for help, but just then, a sound came from above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A faint rustle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then a scrape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And finally\u2026 a dull knock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like something \u2014 or someone \u2014 tapping from inside the vent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rik exploded into frantic barking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And at that exact moment, the grate I had just removed\u2026 fell to the floor on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I stood there, frozen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The dark opening of the vent gaped above us. And from it\u2026 came a cold draft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then\u2026 those eyes again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Closer this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in that moment, I understood the most terrifying thing of all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That wasn\u2019t an animal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I grabbed Rik and ran out of the apartment without looking back. I called for help. When they arrived and checked everything, they simply said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere\u2019s nothing there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Rik started growling again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not at the vent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the wall beside it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I slowly turned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And I saw a shadow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t ours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was moving on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And that\u2019s when I realized:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever was in the vent\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n