Fear broke logic.
Aryan couldn't take it anymore.
"I can't do this," he whispered.
The shadow moved again.
Closer.
Closer.
His hand slowly reached for the door handle.
"NO!" the voice outside shouted.
But Aryan had already made his decision.
He twisted the handle—
—and pulled the door open.
Silence.
No one stood outside.
No version of himself.
No stranger.
Just an empty corridor.
Dark.
Cold.
Endless.
Aryan stepped outside, breathing heavily.
"I'm out… I'm safe…" he whispered.
Behind him—
The apartment was completely silent.
Too silent.
Then—
His phone rang.
3:07 AM
Unknown number.
Hands shaking, he answered.
"Hello…?"
And then—
He heard it.
His own voice.
From inside the apartment.
"You shouldn't have opened the door.