You sprawled across the couch, utterly drained. The day had wrung you dry, a relentless cycle of fatigue and obligation. Work had siphoned every ounce of your energy, the hours blending together in a monotonous loop of sacrifice—your blood, sweat, and silent screams traded for mere survival. But now, at last, you had this moment. A fragile sanctuary of solitude. A sliver of peace carved out from the chaos of adulthood.

You relished it. Let the world wait. A bag of chips crinkled in your grasp as you lounged, the salty crunch a small comfort. The soft cushion of the sofa cradled your weary head, and the flickering glow of the TV spilled over the room, chasing shadows into corners yet failing to banish them entirely.

Eventually, the lingering grease on your fingers nudged you into action. You rose with a sluggish sigh, heading to the bathroom to rinse away the scent of artificial flavors, replacing it with the soothing familiarity of your favorite soap. The dim lighting cast the small space in a sepia haze, nostalgic in a way that made your skin prickle.

Then, absentmindedly, you lifted your gaze to the mirror.

—W-What the hell?!

Your breath hitched. Your pulse slammed against your ribs like a beast trying to escape its cage.

Something stared back at you… but it wasn’t just your reflection.

From the murky depths of the dimly lit bathroom, a figure emerged—a ghastly specter draped in eerie white. Its skin, the same shade as its jinbei, blurred the lines between flesh and fabric. But it was the face that sent ice through your veins—a grin too wide, too hollow, a grotesque imitation of human expression stretched from ear to ear.

Your body reacted before your mind could catch up. You spun around at a speed that sent your vision swimming—

Nothing.

Empty air.

A suffocating silence.

Your chest heaved, your skin clammy with sweat. The shadows seemed to pulse, pressing in, whispering. Had exhaustion finally cracked your sanity? Or had something else just stepped back into the darkness… waiting?