My name's Elijah Gutierrez. Nineteen years old. Just another first-year college student trying to make sense of life. Nothing special about me, really. I wasn't born rich, I'm not some kind of genius, and I don't stand out in the crowd. I'm just… me.
If there's one thing I've always wanted, it's to have a normal life. Simple, ordinary, steady. I wanted to graduate, get a job, and one day open my own restaurant. That's been my dream since I was a kid cooking in a place that's mine, watching people eat and smile. Nothing fancy, just something I could call my own.
That was the plan. That was what kept me motivated when I finally moved out of my parents' house and into my apartment near campus. It wasn't big, just a tiny unit on the fourth floor, but it was mine. My first real taste of independence.
But ever since I moved in… things haven't been right.
At first, I thought it was just me adjusting. New place, new environment, new noises at night. But as the days passed, that uncomfortable feeling never went away. If anything, it got worse.
I can't sleep properly. It's not like the neighbors are loud they're actually unusually quiet. It's just this… feeling. Like the air in the room is heavier than it should be. Like someone's there, standing in the corner, watching.
I've tried to shake it off so many times. Told myself it's just nerves, that moving out for the first time is making me paranoid. But then, little things started happening. Things I couldn't just explain away.
Like my books. I'd leave one on my bed before going to class, but when I came back, it was on the floor, open to a random page. At first, I thought maybe I'd just forgotten where I put it. Maybe I knocked it down without noticing. But it kept happening.
Then it was my clothes. A shirt I swore I left hanging on the chair somehow ended up folded on my desk. My sneakers, which I left near the door, were found by the window one morning. Even my pens on my desk… rearranged. Nothing was missing, just… moved.
It sounds small, doesn't it? Almost stupid to even complain about. But when you're living alone and you know for a fact you didn't touch any of it, it doesn't feel small at all.
One night, I even remember leaving my phone charger plugged near my bed. When I woke up, it was neatly coiled on my desk like someone had put it away for me.
That's when I started to think, what if my apartment is haunted?
It was the only explanation that made sense to me. I mean, no one else has a key. I double-check the lock every time I leave. There's no sign of forced entry, no broken windows. Nothing. And yet things keep getting moved around like I've got an invisible roommate who enjoys messing with me.
I told myself it was probably a ghost. Honestly, that thought made me feel… safer. Ghosts are scary, sure, but at least they don't touch you. They don't rearrange your life in ways that feel so personal. They don't… watch you.
But even then, it doesn't explain why I feel the way I do.
Sometimes, in the middle of the night, I wake up suddenly, my heart racing, like someone was standing right next to my bed. But when I open my eyes, there's nothing. Just darkness and silence.
Other times, when I come home from class, I swear I hear the faintest sound of footsteps leaving the hallway. Always just a second too late for me to actually catch anyone.
It's been a month now, and every day feels like I'm being tested. I keep telling myself it's nothing. I keep telling myself I'm imagining it. But deep down, I know something is wrong.
Maybe it really is a ghost. Maybe the apartment is haunted.
Or maybe… it's something worse.
The cafeteria was noisy as usual, filled with the chatter of students, the clatter of trays, and the occasional burst of laughter echoing from one table to another. I sat across from my two friends, Nathan and Jane, with a plate of fried chicken and rice in front of me.
"So," Nathan said, pointing his fork at me. "You're telling us you think your apartment is haunted?"
I sighed, already regretting bringing it up. "I'm not saying it is, but… weird things keep happening, okay? Things I can't explain."
Jane leaned in, eyes wide, clearly enjoying this more than she should. "Like what?"
I pushed my food around with my spoon. "Like… stuff getting moved around. I leave a book on my bed, come back, it's on the floor. My charger's suddenly on my desk when I'm sure I left it plugged in. My clothes ending up in random places. Things like that."
Nathan made a face. "That's creepy, man. You sure you don't sleepwalk or something?"
"I don't," I said firmly. "I've never sleepwalked in my life."
"Then maybe you've got a ghost roommate," Jane teased, a grin tugging at her lips.
I rolled my eyes. "Very funny."
But she didn't let it go. "I'm serious, though! You should just move out. If it's haunted, you don't want to end up possessed or something."
"I can't just move out," I said quickly. "My parents already paid enough for the apartment. It's close to campus, it's convenient. I'm not gonna bother them just because of… this."
Nathan frowned. "Yeah, but what if it gets worse?"
Jane clapped her hands together dramatically. "Then call an exorcist! Or start going to church every Sunday. Sprinkle holy water all over your room."
Nathan snorted, nearly choking on his food. I laughed too, shaking my head. "Yeah, maybe I'll hire a priest to stand by my bed while I sleep."
"You joke," Jane said, wagging a finger at me, "but you never know. Spirits love naive kids like you."
"Naive?" I echoed. "I'm nineteen, not twelve."
"Same thing," she said smugly, then took a bite of her fries.
We were still laughing about it when a loud crash came from across the cafeteria. A group of students had just entered, dragging chairs and tables noisily, their voices carrying over everyone else's. They were laughing, joking, practically making the entire place revolve around their presence.
Jane's attention immediately shifted. Her eyes followed someone in the group, and I caught the way she straightened in her seat.
"He is really handsome," she muttered under her breath, though loud enough for us to hear.
Nathan glanced at her with a raised brow. "And who is that new crush again?" he asked, smirking.
Jane nudged him with her elbow, unbothered. "Caleb. Duh. Don't tell me you don't know him?"
"Caleb?" Nathan repeated, looking clueless.
"Yes, Caleb!" Jane threw her hands up. "Seriously, what rock do you guys live under? He's a third-year. Super popular. Talented, handsome, has that perfect smile half the girls in this school are obsessed with him. Even some guys too, I bet."
Nathan leaned back in his chair, unimpressed. "Yeah, well, my target list only includes pretty girls, not campus heartthrobs."
I just shrugged. "Not my type of thing either."
Jane groaned. "You two are hopeless."
But despite saying I didn't care, my eyes drifted to the table she was staring at. Sure enough, Caleb stood out even from far away. He was tall, with sharp features and the kind of presence that drew attention without him even trying. His laugh carried across the cafeteria as he sat with his friends, wearing a baseball jacket like he'd just walked out of a teen drama.
I had to admit, I could see why Jane was smitten.
And then it happened.
While I was glancing at him, his eyes suddenly shifted and locked onto mine.
I froze.
It wasn't the usual kind of look you'd expect from a stranger. There was no smile, no acknowledgment, not even curiosity. His face was still, expressionless, but his gaze… it felt heavy. Too heavy.
Instantly, I looked away, staring hard at the plate of food in front of me. My heart was beating faster than it should've been, and I told myself I was imagining it. Just coincidence. Nothing more.
But after a moment, I risked a glance back.
He was still staring.
Our eyes met again, and this time, neither of us looked away. It was only a few seconds five, maybe but it felt much longer. Long enough that the cafeteria noise seemed to fade in the background. Long enough for me to feel uncomfortable, almost irritated.
Finally, I broke the stare and focused on my food, forcing a laugh at something Nathan said even though I hadn't heard him.
In my head, one thought kept circling.
What's wrong with that guy?
I didn't know if he was sizing me up, mocking me, or just bored out of his mind. But whatever it was, it left a weird feeling in my chest,part curiosity, part unease.
And for some reason, I couldn't shake it off.