There’s a building across from mine. I never see anyone go in or out, yet people live there. I know because I can always hear voices coming from it, and there are often police officers standing out front. But the strangest thing? There are never any lights on.

I call it the Mystery Building.

One day, a light turned on. For the first time, I saw someone—a frail old man who looked like he lived alone. I asked my mom about him, and she said he did.

The next night, the light was on again. This time, I saw the old man with someone else. My heart stopped when I noticed what they were doing. The person with him was writing on the window. The words read: “HELP ME.”

Terrified, I ran out of my room to get my mom. But when she came to look, the writing was gone, and so was the other person. After she left, I peeked through my window again.

The old man was staring straight at me.

For a moment, I couldn’t move. Then, he raised a hand and began to write on the window again.

“I SEE YOU.”

I felt like the floor dropped out from under me. I bolted from my room, too scared to look again.

But I couldn’t stop thinking about the message. Someone had asked for help. I couldn’t ignore that. Every night for a week, I watched the building, hoping to see the person again. Weeks passed, then months. Nothing.

Six months later, the light turned on again. This time, the old man wasn’t alone. There was a little girl with him. She couldn’t have been older than ten.

I couldn’t wait any longer. When the old man left, I made up my mind. I went to the building, found apartment 4C, and picked the lock.

The door creaked as I slipped inside.

“Hello?” I whispered. “Is anyone here? I’m here to help.”

I repeated it over and over, my voice barely audible. Finally, I heard a faint voice.

“I’m here,” it said. “In the floor, by the closet.”

I rushed over, heart pounding, and began pulling at the floorboards. It took all my strength, but I managed to pry them open. Beneath the floor, I found her—the little girl.

“My name is Anna,” she said softly, tears in her eyes. “I miss my family.”

I helped her out of the hiding spot, but just as I was lifting her up, we heard the sound of the door opening.