The Last Tenant of Room 7

1. The Check-In

The neon sign flickered: "Nightside Motel - $39.99" as Jake pulled into the parking lot. His GPS had stopped working an hour ago, and this was the only place for miles.

The clerk didn't look up from his newspaper. "Just Room 7 available."

"Why only Room 7?"

The clerk's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Renovations."

2. The Rules

A handwritten note sat on the nightstand:

*"For your safety:

Do not look in the mirror after midnight

If you hear knocking, DO NOT answer

The TV might turn on by itself - unplug it immediately"*

Jake laughed. Quirky local charm, he thought.

Then at 2:47 AM, the TV turned on.

Static. Then clear as day: his own face screaming.

3. The History

The morning clerk found Jake researching at the front desk.

"Did someone die in Room 7?"

The clerk sighed. "Every ten years since 1963. Last was a businessman in 2013. Hung himself in the shower."

Jake's blood froze. He'd showered there last night.

And the noose-shaped stain on the ceiling... it looked fresh.

4. The Reflection

That night, Jake covered the mirror with a towel.

At 3:03 AM, he woke to the sound of scratching.

The towel lay on the floor.

In the mirror, his reflection smiled - then reached out.

5. The Check-Out

When police broke down the door, they found:

The TV playing static

The shower running

The mirror shattered

And on the nightstand, the rules note - now with a fourth line in handwriting that matched Jake's:

"4. Too late for me. Save yourself."