Rain suddenly began pouring despite the summer heat, thunder rolling in like something unnatural had awakened.

She reached the building, hands shaking so hard she could barely unlock the door.

Jason wasn’t far behind.

“Emily, stop!” he shouted behind her.

But she was already inside.

She ran up the stairs.

Second floor.

Nursery door open slightly.

Her breath stopped.

Inside—

Silence.

Too much silence.

The baby monitor on the crib flickered with static.

Then—

A voice.

Her daughter’s voice:

“Mommy…?”

Emily stepped forward.

The room looked untouched… except for one thing.

A footprint beside the crib.

Fresh.

Wet.

Behind her, Jason appeared at the top of the stairs.

Out of breath.

But calm now.

Too calm.

“Emily,” he said quietly, “there’s no one here.”

She turned slowly.

“Then who was on the monitor?”

Jason didn’t answer.

Instead, he looked at the crib.

And smiled.

That smile broke something in her.

The baby monitor suddenly screamed with static.

Then the same man’s voice returned:

“She’s here.”

Emily spun back toward the crib.

Nothing.

But under it—

A shadow moved.

And a child whispered one last time:

“Mommy… don’t trust him.”

Jason took one step forward.

The lights went out.