Chapter 4: Whispers in the Hallway
The digital clock on the nightstand glowed a sharp 3:14 AM. David lay awake in the master bedroom, staring up at the pale ceiling where the faint sweep of car headlights from the distant highway occasionally painted moving patterns. Beside him, Elena breathed with the slow, heavy rhythm of restless sleep. The air in the room felt stale. Unable to shake the lingering unease from the daytime encounter, David quietly slipped out of bed, pulling on a dark sweater over his shoulders to ward off the midnight chill.
Stepping out into the upstairs hallway, he noticed a sliver of light coming from beneath Lily’s bedroom door. He paused, his bare feet making no sound on the plush carpet. He hadn't heard any movement, but the golden glow was unmistakable. He approached cautiously, raising a hand to gently tap on the wood, but stopped when he heard a faint murmur coming from inside. Lily was talking.
Pushing the door open just an inch, David peered into the room. Lily was sitting up in her bed, clutching a worn stuffed rabbit against her chest. She wasn't looking at the door; her eyes were fixed on the open window where the curtains billowed softly in the night breeze. She was speaking in a whisper, too quiet for him to catch the words, but the cadence was rhythmic, like a recitation or a prayer.
"Lily?" David whispered, pushing the door open a little further and stepping inside.
The girl stopped talking instantly. Her head snapped toward him, her eyes wide and luminous in the dim light. She didn't look startled; instead, she looked caught, like a small animal discovered in a place it shouldn't be. "You're awake," she observed, her voice barely louder than the rustling curtains.
"I could ask you the same thing," David replied gently, walking over to sit on the edge of her mattress. He kept his movements slow and deliberate, mindful of her fragile state. "Who were you talking to, sweetie?"
Lily looked back toward the window, her small brow furrowing in concentration. "Just the lady," she said simply.
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David’s heart skipped a beat. "What lady?"
"The one who stands by the glass doors," Lily answered, turning her earnest gaze back to David. "The one who wears the beige robe when you aren't looking."
