Controlled silence

The next day, she spoke to her psychologist about it.

— “This may be a manifestation of your anxiety. Your mind is creating scenarios to manage deep stress.”

Clara wanted to believe it.

But things got worse.

One night, she woke with a start. Someone was in the apartment. She was sure of it. She could hear footsteps. Slow. Precise.

She got out of bed, trembling, and walked down the corridor.

Nothing.

Except… the mirror.

She stopped abruptly.

Its reflection seemed… different. As if delayed by a fraction of a second.

Clara stepped back, breathless.

— “You’re losing your mind…” she murmured.

The following days became blurry. Between panic attacks, forgetfulness, and paranoia, Clara no longer knew what was real.

Until this day.

While rummaging through a drawer she never opened, she found a USB key.

Curious, she plugged it into her computer.

A single video file.