The Locked Room in Apartment 3B
I thought I was just renting an apartment. I didn't expect to uncover a secret that someone was willing to kill for.
When I first moved into apartment 3B, I was just looking for peace. After my messy breakup and quitting my job in the same week, I needed a reset. The listing was suspiciously cheap for a place in the city, but I was desperate, and the landlord didn’t ask too many questions.
It was a small but clean one-bedroom on the third floor of an aging brick building. Everything seemed normal, except for one thing: a locked door in the hallway just beside the bathroom.
When I asked the landlord about it during the tour, he said, “Just a storage closet. Nothing in there. Painted shut, honestly.”
I didn’t push it. I had enough skeletons in my own closet to worry about his.
But from the first night, something felt... off.
It started with small sounds. A creaking floorboard. A muffled thump in the hallway. I chalked it up to old pipes and thin walls. But then I started hearing whispers.
At 2:13 a.m. every night, I would wake up. Like clockwork. At first, I thought it was my anxious mind playing tricks on me. Then one night, I pressed my ear to the locked door.
The whispering was clearer now.
A woman’s voice. Soft, almost a lullaby.
But the words made my skin crawl:
“He’s still here. He never left. Don’t open the door.”
I stumbled back, heart pounding. I didn’t sleep at all that night. The next morning, I searched online for anything about the building.
Nothing.
No news articles, no old listings. It was as if apartment 3B didn’t exist. The landlord didn’t have a website. His phone went straight to voicemail.
That night, I left my phone recording near the door.
When I played it back in the morning, there it was—the voice again.
But this time, it ended differently:
“Help me.”
I didn’t know what to do. I thought about moving out, but part of me—maybe the same part that stayed too long in a bad relationship—needed answers.
So I bought a crowbar.
At 2:00 a.m. the next night, I stood in front of the locked door. My hands trembled as I wedged the crowbar into the seam and pushed.
It gave way easier than I expected.
The door swung open into pitch blackness. The air was cold and stale, like it hadn’t been disturbed in years. I reached inside and flicked the light switch.
Nothing.
I used my phone’s flashlight to look around.
It was a narrow room, no windows. Old furniture covered in sheets. A broken mirror. And on the far wall, strange symbols scrawled in what looked like—God help me—dried blood.
And in the center of the room... a chair.
With restraints.
Suddenly, I felt something rush past me. Cold. Fast. I dropped the phone, its light spinning across the room.
I picked it up and ran.
I didn’t sleep. I sat on the couch until morning, every light on.
The next day, I went to the local library and asked about the building. A woman behind the counter looked up slowly.
“You live in 3B?” she asked, her voice dropping.
“Yes.”
Her eyes darkened. “A woman disappeared from that apartment ten years ago. The police searched for weeks. Her boyfriend was a suspect, but they never found a body.”
I felt sick.
“Do you know her name?” I asked.
She nodded. “Elena Garcia.”
I froze.
That was the name on the letter I found tucked behind the radiator two nights before. A letter that began with:
"If someone finds this, I didn’t run away. He kept me in the locked room.”
I went back to the apartment and sat in front of the now-open door. Inside, it was cold again. But the voice was gone.
I don’t know why I did it, but I whispered into the dark: “I found your letter, Elena. I believe you.”
And for the first time in nights, I slept through until morning.
The next day, the landlord came by unexpectedly.
He knocked and smiled like always. “Just checking in. Everything okay?”
I nodded. “I opened the locked door,” I said, watching him closely.
His smile twitched.
“There was nothing in there,” I added.
He tilted his head. “Good. It’s just junk anyway.”
He left after that.
That night, the whisper returned—but different now. Peaceful.
“Thank you.”
I moved out two days later. But I sent the letter to the police anonymously, along with pictures of the room. A few weeks later, news broke that a man had been arrested for a ten-year-old missing person case, reopened after new evidence came to light.
His name?
Richard Halloway.
The landlord.
#Suspense #CreepyApartment #TrueCrimeInspired #Mystery #Thriller #DarkSecrets #HauntedPlaces #ApartmentStories #WhispersInTheDark
About the Creator
Ali
I write true stories that stir emotion, spark curiosity, and stay with you long after the last word. If you love raw moments, unexpected twists, and powerful life lessons — you’re in the right place.
Minneapolis ICE Shooting Updates
In recent weeks, Minneapolis has found itself at the center of a growing legal and political controversy following a shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. What initially appeared to be a straightforward federal use-of-force investigation has evolved into a broader dispute between state authorities and federal officials, raising serious questions about transparency, jurisdiction, and accountability. The most significant development so far is the state’s claim that it has been denied access to key evidence related to the incident. As public attention intensifies, the case is no longer just about what happened during the shooting. It is increasingly about who controls the facts, who gets to investigate them, and how justice is supposed to function when federal and state systems collide. What We Know About the Minneapolis ICE Shooting The shooting occurred during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. ICE agents were reportedly conducting official duties when gunfire erupted, resulting in injuries and immediate emergency response. Federal authorities confirmed the incident and stated that internal protocols were activated, including an automatic review by federal oversight bodies. From the beginning, details were limited. Officials cited the ongoing nature of the investigation and concerns about officer safety. This lack of information, while not unusual in federal cases, quickly became a point of friction for Minnesota state authorities, who argued that the public deserved clarity and that the state had a legal role to play in examining the incident. State Authorities Push for Transparency Minnesota state officials, including investigators and legal representatives, formally requested access to evidence connected to the shooting. This evidence reportedly includes body camera footage, surveillance recordings, forensic reports, and internal communication logs from the operation. According to state representatives, these requests were either delayed or denied outright. The state has since gone on record stating that it cannot independently assess the legality of the shooting without full access to the materials. This denial has fueled concerns that federal agencies are operating without sufficient external oversight, especially in incidents involving potential civilian harm. State leaders emphasized that their position is not adversarial by default. Rather, they argue that cooperation between federal and state agencies is essential to maintain public trust, particularly in communities already wary of immigration enforcement. Federal Response and Jurisdictional Limits Federal officials, for their part, maintain that the investigation falls squarely under federal jurisdiction. ICE operates as a federal agency, and shootings involving federal officers are typically reviewed internally and, when appropriate, by federal prosecutors or inspectors general. In statements released following the controversy, federal representatives cited legal restrictions that limit the sharing of evidence during an active investigation. They also stressed that premature disclosure could compromise witness testimony or investigative integrity. This explanation, while legally grounded, has done little to ease state frustrations. Critics argue that “ongoing investigation” has too often been used as a blanket justification for withholding information, even in cases where transparency could prevent misinformation and public unrest. Community Reaction and Public Trust The Minneapolis community has responded with a mix of concern, anger, and fatigue. For many residents, particularly in immigrant and marginalized communities, the shooting has reopened long-standing fears about aggressive enforcement tactics and lack of accountability. Community leaders and advocacy groups have called for the immediate release of non-sensitive evidence, arguing that transparency is a prerequisite for trust. Peaceful demonstrations and public forums have highlighted a broader demand: that no law enforcement agency, federal or otherwise, should be beyond scrutiny. Local officials echoed these concerns, noting that Minneapolis has spent years attempting to rebuild trust between residents and law enforcement. The perception that evidence is being withheld threatens to undermine that progress. Legal Implications of Denied Evidence From a legal standpoint, the state’s inability to access evidence raises complex questions. While federal agencies do have authority over their operations, states also have a responsibility to investigate deaths or injuries occurring within their borders. Legal experts suggest that this dispute could set a precedent. If states are routinely blocked from reviewing evidence in federal use-of-force cases, it may limit their ability to pursue independent inquiries or bring charges under state law when applicable. Some analysts believe the issue could ultimately be resolved in court, with judges determining whether the state has a legal right to access certain materials. Such a ruling could have national implications, influencing how future federal-state conflicts are handled. Political Dimensions of the Case The Minneapolis ICE shooting has also taken on a political dimension. Immigration enforcement remains a deeply divisive issue, and incidents like this tend to amplify existing ideological divides. State officials critical of federal immigration policies view the denial of evidence as symptomatic of a larger lack of accountability. Meanwhile, supporters of strict federal enforcement argue that state interference could hinder effective operations and put officers at risk. This political tension complicates the path forward. What might otherwise be a procedural disagreement risks becoming a symbolic battle over immigration, law enforcement authority, and states’ rights. What Happens Next? As of now, the investigation continues under federal oversight, while the state explores its legal options. Negotiations between state and federal officials have reportedly not been ruled out, suggesting that a compromise could still be reached. Potential next steps include limited evidence sharing under confidentiality agreements, congressional inquiries, or judicial review. Each option carries its own risks and consequences, both legally and politically. What remains clear is that public pressure is unlikely to fade. Minneapolis residents, like many Americans, are demanding clarity, fairness, and accountability in cases involving law enforcement use of force. A Broader Conversation About Accountability The Minneapolis ICE shooting is no longer just a single incident under investigation. It has become a lens through which broader issues are being examined: the balance of power between federal and state authorities, the limits of transparency, and the role of public oversight in a democratic society. Whether or not the state ultimately gains access to the evidence, the controversy has already sparked an important conversation. How that conversation translates into policy, practice, or reform remains to be seen, but its impact will likely extend far beyond Minneapolis. In the end, accountability is not only about assigning blame. It is about ensuring that systems function openly and fairly, especially when lives are affected. The outcome of this case may help determine how well those principles are upheld in the future.
By Saboor Brohi 5 days ago in Criminal
Comments (1)
This story's spooky! I've had my share of strange rental experiences. Can't wait to see what's behind that locked door.