Alex lay in bed, his fingers idly scrolling through his phone. The room was quiet, save for the soft rustling of the sheets as he shifted. The clock on the wall ticked persistently, its hands creeping toward midnight. Suddenly, a notification chimed, breaking the silence. His eyes flitted to the screen, where an unknown number flashed, accompanied by a voice message.
Alex hesitated briefly before pressing play. Initially, there was just static, crackling softly through the speaker. Then, a distorted voice emerged, a chilling whisper that mimicked his own voice: "Don’t go outside at midnight." He sat up, a nervous laugh escaping his lips. His mind scrambled for a logical explanation, convincing himself it was a prank.
Alex replayed the message, his curiosity overpowering his apprehension. This time, the voice warned, "If you step outside… you won’t come back." Despite the unease curling in his stomach, he pushed himself off the bed and walked toward the door. The clock struck midnight as he turned the handle, stepping out into the night.
As Alex stood outside, his phone rang again. The screen displayed an incoming call from his own name, sending a shiver down his spine. His hand trembled as he answered, bringing the phone to his ear. There was a long pause filled with static, then his own voice whispered, "I told you not to go outside."
Alex felt his heart race as the words echoed in his mind. He spun around, eyes scanning the darkness as if expecting something to emerge. The night seemed to close in on him, the familiar surroundings feeling suddenly alien. Terror gripped him, and he stumbled back inside, slamming the door shut behind him.
Alex leaned against the door, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The phone lay abandoned on the bed, its screen dark. He glanced at the clock, noting the hands steadily moving past midnight. Relief washed over him, tempered by the unsettling realization that he would never know who—or what—had warned him.