NYXBLACK

After a failed career move and a desperate need for a fresh start, Lena Carter moves into Oakwood Apartments—an old, quiet building on the edge of the city. The rent is cheap, the neighbors keep to themselves, and everything seems normal.

Until she meets Damien Hale, the enigmatic tenant in the apartment above hers.

Damien is strange, intense, and knows far too much about Oakwood’s secrets. Secrets like Apartment 3B, which has been empty for months—despite Lena hearing noises from inside. Secrets like the mysterious disappearance of Ryan Thomas, the last person to live there.

Then one night, Damien gives her a key.

To Apartment 3B.

Inside, Lena finds more than just dust and forgotten walls. She finds footsteps that don’t belong to her. A chair that vanishes when she looks away. And whispers in the dark that seem to know her name.

Now, trapped between paranoia and reality, Lena realizes she’s caught in something far more dangerous than she ever imagined.

And Damien? He isn’t just a neighbor.

He’s the only one who can help her survive.

But only if she follows the rules.

And rule number three is the one she’s already broken:

If you ever find a door open when you know you closed it—don’t go inside.

PS: it's parentally suggested cause it is really psychologically dark so read at your own mental risk muaaah :)

UNDER HIS SHADOW

INT. OAKWOOD APARTMENTS – EVENING

Lena Carter had always imagined that a fresh start would feel… cleaner. Lighter. Like shedding an old skin away from her old life.

Instead, her new apartment smelled of dust and something faintly stale, like the ghosts of previous tenants still lingered in the walls. She wrinkled her nose, dropping her duffel bag onto the worn wooden floor.

Oakwood Apartments wasn't glamorous. It was old, the kind of place where the hallways were a little too quiet, the lighting just dim enough to cast uncomfortable shadows in the corners. But it was cheap, and more importantly, it was hers.

Lena ran a hand through her dark hair, exhaling.

New city. New job. No past.No trouble.

That was the deal she made with herself, or so she thought.

She dragged a few boxes from the hallway into the unit, her keys clinking in the process. As she shoved the door shut with her hip, something caught her eye—the front door lock.

It was scratched. Deep, jagged marks, as if someone had jammed a key into it repeatedly or—worse—tried to break in.

It's an old building. Probably nothing.

Still, a strange feeling prickled at the base of her neck.

While trying to sort out few of her things.

A firm knock on her door made her jolt, heart almost abandoning her.

She turned quickly to see Mr. Holloway, the landlord, standing stiffly in the doorway. She had locked the door how did it open , washing the thoughts off thinking maybe she might not have properly locked as the things she was carrying where rather much.

He was in his late fifties, balding, with the kind of presence that made her instinctively straighten her posture.

"Miss Carter," he greeted, his tone flat. "Everything in order?"

Lena hesitated. "Yeah. It's fine. Just getting settled."

Mr. Holloway gave a slow nod but didn't move from the doorway. Something about him made the air feel heavier.

"You live alone?" he asked abruptly.

Lena's fingers tightened around the doorframe. Why would he ask that she thought but decided to answer anyways.

"I… yeah," she answered, then forced a smile. "Is that a problem?"

Mr. Holloway's lips curved slightly—not quite a smile, more like the ghost of one.

"Not at all," he said. "Just… be mindful of your neighbors."

With that, he turned and walked down the dim hallway, his footsteps fading into silence.

Lena stood there for a long moment, unease curling in her stomach.

Her gaze flickered to the other apartment doors, most of them closed. Except for one.

At the end of the hall, one door stood slightly ajar. A sliver of darkness beyond it.

A pair of cold, blue eyes locked onto hers from the shadows.

A man. Tall, sharp features, silent as a statue.

Her chest tightened. He didn't blink. Didn't move, almost didn't breath.

Lena let out a shaky breath, her skin crawling.

The New Apartment