In the Dark – You’re Never Alone

The power went out again. Asha lit a candle and curled up on her bed, the wind rattling the windows like fingernails. Her parents were out, and the house felt... different. Too quiet.

From the hallway, she heard a whisper. Not words—just breath.

She called out, “Who’s there?” Silence.

Then—a soft shuffle.

She grabbed her flashlight, but it flickered. Died. The candle’s flame trembled… and went out.

Total darkness.

Asha's phone buzzed with a notification:
"New device connected: ‘IN THE DARK.’"

She froze. The air around her turned cold. And then—

A voice behind her, so close she felt it in her bones:
“I was waiting for the lights to go out.”