The hallway felt colder than the street outside. The old woman walked slowly, holding onto the railing. The girl followed her up the narrow stairs, glancing around. The building looked forgotten — like no one had lived there in years.
When they reached the top floor, the woman took out a small, rusty key. Her hands shook slightly as she unlocked the wooden door. A creaking sound echoed as it opened.
"Come in, dear," the old woman said, almost in a whisper.
The girl hesitated. The room was dark, and the air felt heavy. But she stepped in.
Inside was a small apartment filled with old furniture, dust, and silence. A single light bulb flickered on the ceiling. On the shelf were dusty photo frames turned face down, as if no one had looked at them in years.
"Can you help me move that chair to the window?" the woman asked.
The girl nodded and picked up the wooden chair. It was heavier than she expected, but she moved it near the window. The woman sat down, sighing in relief.
"You're kind," she said. "Most people don't stop to help anymore."
The girl smiled faintly. "You looked like you needed help."
The woman looked out the window for a moment, then slowly turned to the girl. "Do you believe in signs?"
The girl blinked. "What do you mean?"
"Sometimes, the people we meet… are meant to show us something. Or remind us of something we forgot."
The girl didn't know what to say. Something about this apartment made her uneasy — but also curious. There was a feeling in the air… like a memory trying to speak.
Then, the old woman said something strange.
"You remind me of someone. A girl who once lived here. A long time ago…"
The girl's eyes widened slightly. "Was she… your daughter?"
The woman didn't answer. She just looked away.
A long silence followed.
The girl stood quietly, not sure what to ask next. But one thing was clear — this visit wasn't just about helping an old woman. There was something more behind that door.
And she had just stepped into it.
> "And as the door closed behind her, the apartment seemed to breathe—like it had just come alive again."