The Knife at the Door

Jiya’s breath caught. She instinctively tried to close the door.

Girl – “Jiya? Are you okay? Don’t close it—I heard a loud thud.”

Jiya blinked, trying to steady her breath. The girl’s expression looked genuinely concerned.

Jiya – [Forcing a weak smile] “Y-Yeah. I just… slipped in the bathroom.”

Girl – “Did you hurt yourself?”

Jiya – “No, just a little dizzy. I’m fine now. I should probably rest.”

Girl – “That’s a relief.”

Jiya glanced warily at the knife still clutched in the girl’s hand.

Jiya – “Um… why are you holding that?”

Girl – [Looking down and laughing lightly] “Oh—this? I was chopping vegetables for noodles when I heard the noise. I panicked and ran here with it still in hand. Sorry if I scared you.”

Jiya – [Letting out a nervous breath] “Right… makes sense. Sorry for the trouble.”

Girl – “No worries. That’s what dorm neighbors are for. Just get some rest, okay?”

She gave a reassuring nod and walked away, the knife glinting briefly before vanishing around the corner.

Jiya shut the door quietly. Her hands trembled slightly as she got dressed and crawled into bed. Pulling out her journal, she flipped to a blank page and began to write—

Jiya (in her journal):

"Nothing feels right anymore. Something’s off—deeply, dreadfully off. Why did we both fall asleep? I remember being tired, yes... but Fa? She was practically bouncing with energy. That shouldn’t have happened.

And Tina... Tina was the strongest among us. Always so grounded, so sharp. But then she started acting like someone else—someone darker—and then... she died. Just like that. Split personality? Possession? What was it?

My shoulder aches like it’s been torn, but I have no memory of hurting it. And that mask—its eyes still haunt me. Was it just a dream, or did something truly stare back at me through it?

And my camera... shattered. Why? I never dropped it. I would’ve remembered.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

None of this is normal. None of it feels like a coincidence. It’s like everything’s spiralling toward me like I’m the centre of something I don’t understand yet. I have questions... so many questions. But the answers? They’re hiding—waiting in the dark corners I don’t dare look into yet..."

As her pen slipped from her hand, Jiya’s eyelids grew heavy. The ink trailed off the page as she drifted into a deep, feverish sleep.

Not long after, Fa and Jane returned, arms full of food and worry. They called her name—softly at first, then with rising panic. Jiya didn’t stir. Her skin was flushed; her body radiated heat.

Jane pressed her hand to Jiya’s forehead and gasped.

“She’s burning up!”

Without wasting a second, they called for a doctor.

Hours passed in tense silence.

Finally, after medication and sponging, the fever ebbed.

When dawn crept in, pale and uncertain, Jiya’s eyes fluttered open. Her head throbbed, and her limbs felt like stone. She looked around slowly—Jane was asleep at the table, still in her hoodie, with a bowl of used water and a thermometer nearby. But Fa… Fa was missing.

Jiya sat up carefully, glanced at her cracked phone, and went to freshen up, the mirror fogging around her breath like a whisper.

When she emerged, Jane stood waiting, eyes shadowed with sleepless worry.

Jane- “How are you feeling now?”

Jiya- “I’m good… but why are you asking about my health like that?”

Jane- (sitting beside her) “You don’t remember? Jiya, you had a high fever. You were burning up! We had to call a doctor in the middle of the night. He treated you, but the fever just wouldn’t go down. Fa and I were constantly checking on you. Only Fa left for her morning classes.”

Jiya- (blinking, a little shaken) “Oh God… My head still feels a little foggy. Anyway... now I’m really hungry.”

Jane- (smiling, relieved) “Finally, you sound like yourself again. Come on, let’s grab something to eat first. Then we’ll stop by the doctor’s to check in.”

Jiya- “Perfect. And after that, I’ll get my camera repaired too. It’s been acting cursed anyway.”

Meanwhile, outside the university’s main gate…

A gaunt man stood alone.

His beard was wild and matted, like tangled roots, his skin pale and crisscrossed with old scars. He wore a torn shirt, a faded lungi, and no shoes. His eyes—cold, unblinking, lifeless—were fixed on the university’s gate as if it were calling to him… or remembering him.

He shuffled forward, silent.

Guard 1 (rushing forward)- “Hey! You can’t enter without permission!”

The man said nothing. He didn’t even blink.

Guard 2 (firmer)- “Sir, this is private property. If you don’t step back, we’ll be forced to act.”

Still nothing. He kept walking, expressionless.

The guards moved in and grabbed his arms. With effort, they dragged him back and tossed him out of the gate.

He didn’t scream. He didn’t resist.

Just slowly got up, patted the dust off his clothes, and stared at them with a gaze so piercing, so empty, it sent a chill through their bones.

Then, without a word, he turned—and melted into the thickening mist beyond the road.

Later…

After grabbing a quick bite at the café near campus, Jiya and Jane stepped out, laughter in their voices as the sunlight finally broke through the clouds.

They were walking toward a small electronics repair shop just across the street, chatting lightly.

As they neared the crossing, Jane slowed, her steps faltering. Her laughter died in her throat.