Chapter Three – Patterns
Oct 03, 2025
“Lena,” she said, offering her hand.
He shook it, firm, cool. “Elias.”
No last name.
The name suited him—simple, strong, and unfinished. Like the rest of him.
Over the next week, she noticed things:
He only ever left after 11 p.m.
Whispers and knocks carried from his door at odd hours.
Tenants vanished. The family in 1406 left so quickly they abandoned furniture. The man in 1412 simply disappeared.
And then, one night as she pretended to check her mailbox, Elias returned with a slim black briefcase in hand, his hoodie damp with sweat.
“You stay up late,” he said.
“Creative job. Deadlines don’t exactly keep office hours.”
He smirked faintly and disappeared into 1409.
As his lock clicked shut, Lena noticed something chilling: the hallway camera at the far end was tilted just enough to leave his door out of view.
Recommendation for you
-
Recommendation
Secunda
Romance Fantasy 43.2k likes
-
Recommendation
Silence | book 2
LGBTQ+ 32.3k likes
-
Recommendation
What Makes a Monster
BL 75.2k likes
-
Recommendation
Mariposas
Slice of life 220 likes
-
Recommendation
The Sum of our Parts
BL 8.6k likes
-
Recommendation
Siena (Forestfolk, Book 1)
Fantasy 8.3k likes
-
Feeling lucky
Random series you may like
The Apartment Across The Hall
128 views0 subscribers
When Lena Hayes finally escapes her controlling ex and moves into a charming old apartment building, she thinks she’s found the fresh start she desperately needs. The building seems ordinary enough—an elegant lobby, a polished elevator, neighbors who keep to themselves. But behind the faint, metallic tang in the air and the whispers that seep through thin walls, secrets are waiting.
Across the hall lives Elias D’Ardenne, a man who is equal parts captivating and unsettling. He’s charming in moments, evasive in others, with a past that never quite adds up. Lena's notebook gets stolen—along with receiving cryptic symbols and an anonymous photograph that points straight back to her—she realizes she’s caught in a web much larger than her own broken past.
As paranoia builds and trust grows harder to grasp, Lena is forced to question not only who Elias truly is, but whether the most dangerous secrets are hidden in the building… or inside her own apartment.
Because in this place, doors are never just doors, and sometimes the one thing more terrifying than the neighbor across the hall—is knowing he might be the only one who can protect you.
Across the hall lives Elias D’Ardenne, a man who is equal parts captivating and unsettling. He’s charming in moments, evasive in others, with a past that never quite adds up. Lena's notebook gets stolen—along with receiving cryptic symbols and an anonymous photograph that points straight back to her—she realizes she’s caught in a web much larger than her own broken past.
As paranoia builds and trust grows harder to grasp, Lena is forced to question not only who Elias truly is, but whether the most dangerous secrets are hidden in the building… or inside her own apartment.
Because in this place, doors are never just doors, and sometimes the one thing more terrifying than the neighbor across the hall—is knowing he might be the only one who can protect you.
Comments (0)
See all