Come Inside, My Dear

“Nancy don’t!” the boy said. The girl stopped and turned her head.

“Huh?” she asked. Her boyfriend stood outside of the barrier. Nancy shook her head.

“I… I don’t know what happened,” she said. She turned back to the apartment building. Nancy frowned as she tilted her head.

“I… I don’t know what just happened there,” she said.

“Come back,” Haru said. Nancy turned to him before looking at the apartment building.

“Nancy?” her boyfriend asked. She mumbled something under her breath.

“What?” the boy asked.

“It wants me to come inside,” the girl said. She turned to her boyfriend and daughter.

“Can’t you hear it?” she asked. Haru looked so confused.

“What are you talking about?” he asked. Nancy looked between him and the apartment for a moment before bolting towards the apartment.

“Nancy!” Haru yelled. He ran after his girlfriend with the baby in his arms. She ran up to the doors and disappeared in a flash. Haru stopped in his tracks. He blinked for a moment. What just happened?

“Nancy! Where did you go? Nancy!” he shouted. The only thing that he could hear was the wind blowing overhead. Haru had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Was it possible for a person to vanish into thin air before his very eyes? Haru shook his head. No, that couldn’t be right. He rubbed his forehead. He needed to think. The boy took in a deep breath.

“Right…” he said to himself. Haru reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. The boy frowned as he looked at the top right of screen.

“That can’t be right,” Haru said to himself. He had perfect reception just a few minutes ago. The boy turned and looked down the path. Something told him that he had to get away from this building and fast. Haru turned to walk away. Maybe he could go into town and try to get help.

But that’s when he heard it.

Haru turned his head. The voice called out to him.

“Come inside. Come inside.”

He shut his eyes and shook his head. “No. I mustn’t go. I can’t go inside.” Nevertheless, Haru found himself turning around and walking straight up to the apartment. Just like his girlfriend before, he too vanished into thin air.

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Izumi looked out the window when she sensed a strange energy come into the apartment.

“What is it, Izumi-san?” Taro asked.

“Someone just walked inside,” she said. Everyone looked up when she said that.

“What did you say?” Natalia asked.