The Haunting Knock: A Halloween Terror"

**The Stranger in the Shadows**

Last Halloween was supposed to be a fun, quiet night at home. My friends invited me to a party, but I decided to stay in and watch horror movies instead. A night of snacks and scary films felt perfect.

Around 10 PM, I turned off the porch lights to signal I was done with trick-or-treaters and settled onto the couch. The streets had grown quieter, with only a few late-night kids still out. The wind howled outside, rattling the windows, and I snuggled deeper into my blanket, happy to be indoors.

Halfway through my movie, I thought I heard something strange outside. I paused the film and listened. At first, there was only silence. Then I heard it: a faint crunching sound, like footsteps on fallen leaves right outside. My heartbeat quickened as I looked out the window. The streetlights cast long shadows across the yard, but I didn’t see anyone.

“It’s probably just an animal,” I muttered, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling.

Then there was a knock on the door, slow and deliberate. It didn’t feel like a friendly visitor. I held my breath, wondering if I should answer. Deciding to ignore it, I tried to resume my movie.

The knock came again, louder, followed by a scraping sound against the door. My hands went cold. This wasn’t a trick-or-treater; someone was trying to get my attention.

I moved to the hallway, glancing through the peephole. I couldn’t see much, just a dark figure standing out of the light’s reach. I stayed silent, hoping they would go away. But after a few moments, a soft voice spoke from the other side.

“I know you’re in there.”

The words sent chills down my spine. I backed away, my mind racing. I grabbed my phone and dialed my friend, but it went straight to voicemail. The scratching at the door continued, slow and unsettling. I crept to the kitchen, looking for anything I could use for protection.

Just as suddenly as it began, the sound stopped. The silence was heavy, and I dared to peek out the window, scanning the front yard. Nothing. It was as if the person had vanished.

I let out a sigh, convincing myself it was just a prank. But as I turned, a shadow crossed the window behind me. I froze. Whoever it was had moved to the back of the house. My phone buzzed, startling me. It was an unknown number.

I hesitated but picked up.

“Hello?” I whispered, barely breathing.

A low voice replied, “You can’t hide.”

I dropped the phone, panic rising. I knew I couldn’t stay inside, so I grabbed my keys and bolted for the door, sprinting to my car. Just as I reached it, I looked back toward the house and saw a figure standing in the doorway, watching me. I quickly locked the doors, heart racing as I sped away.

I drove to a nearby friend’s house and stayed there for the night. When I returned home the next morning, everything seemed normal. No scratches on the door, no signs of anyone having been there.

To this day, I don’t know who it was or why they targeted me. But every Halloween, I remember the stranger in the shadows – and the chilling words that still haunt me: *“You can’t hide.”*

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