The evening rain tapped softly against the office's glass window, deepening the gloom inside the small room lit only by a single, flickering desk lamp. Behind a cluttered wooden desk sat a young man in a worn-out blazer. His eyes were sharp, his face as calm and cold as stone. He was Dian Lucifer, a college student interning at a detective agency because he was strapped for cash. His demeanor was always icy, except when money was involved.
Across from him, a young woman sat restlessly. Her long hair was damp from the rain, her eyes red from sleepless nights. "You have to believe me," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "I really saw… something. Every night, there's this creature, like a monster, crawling on the walls of the empty house next to mine. And… I keep hearing strange noises."
Dian scoffed softly, his eyes narrowing. "Don't lie or make a false report," he said flatly. "Who would believe there's a creature crawling on the walls every night?"
"I'm not lying!" the woman snapped, slamming her hand on the desk. "You have to check that house. Please…"
"I'm busy," Dian replied curtly, glancing at the wall clock ticking slowly.
"I… I'll pay you," the woman blurted out desperately.
For a moment, Dian's eyes flicked to her. A spark of interest lit in his gaze, but he quickly masked it. "I'm not interested in playing games, even for money—"
"I'll pay a lot," she interrupted, pulling out a wallet stuffed with cash.
Dian's attitude changed instantly. His previously dull eyes gleamed like a predator that had caught the scent of prey. "Deal!" he exclaimed with sudden enthusiasm, springing to his feet, grabbing his coat. "Let's head to the scene right now."
The woman stared at him, stunned by the sudden shift in his demeanor. "A-alright…" she stammered softly.
They stepped into the drizzling night, climbing into the agency's aging car. Streetlights flickered against the rain-slicked windshield, heightening the tense atmosphere. Dian started the engine with a rattling roar, then glanced sideways. "I'm Dian Lucifer. Nice to meet you, Miss."
"Valerie… Valerie Ashcroft," the woman replied, her face still etched with worry.
Dian studied her briefly, his eyes cold and probing. "Do you stay up late often, Miss Valerie?"
Valerie shook her head firmly. "I'm not imagining things or hallucinating. I really saw that creature."
"Good," Dian murmured, eyes fixed on the dark road ahead. "Just making sure."
The drive was short but heavy with tension. Valerie's house stood at the end of a deserted street, a dilapidated two-story building with cracked walls and an overgrown yard. But the empty house next door looked even more sinister, like a black hole swallowing the faint glow of the streetlamps.
Dian gazed at the abandoned house, an odd chill creeping up his spine. The air here felt heavier, colder. But he brushed the feeling aside. This was just a job, and the pay was good.
He retrieved his equipment from the trunk, gloves, a flashlight, and a small knife. Valerie watched him hesitantly. "I… I'm coming with you. I need to know what's happening."
Dian turned to her, weighing his options for a moment. "Alright, but stay behind me."
They walked through the light drizzle toward the empty house. A rusty iron gate blocked their path, but the old lock fell apart with a gentle kick. The screech of the gate echoed through the silent night as they entered. A stale stench of dust and mold hit them immediately. The floor of the living room was littered with debris and overturned furniture.
BANG!
A loud noise from inside made Valerie gasp, instinctively clutching Dian's arm. Dian quickly swept his flashlight toward the source, a large rat scurried across a toppled chair. Valerie exhaled shakily in relief.
"Don't worry. It's just a rat," Dian muttered coolly.
They continued their cautious exploration, passing old, dust-covered paintings of unknown faces staring blankly from the walls, adding an unsettling sense of being watched.
They reached the creaking staircase leading upstairs. Each step groaned under their weight, sending shivers down their spines. Dian's flashlight scanned the upper floor.
Suddenly, a dark shape darted across the landing above them.
Dian froze. Valerie's eyes widened in terror. "You saw that, didn't you? I was right! It's here!" she whispered frantically.
Dian didn't answer. This was beyond his expectations. Still, he forced himself to climb the stairs, each footstep echoing ominously. Their breathing sounded too loud in the oppressive silence.
Then, a sudden clamor erupted above them, like dozens of feet running all at once, shaking the floorboards. Valerie whimpered and gripped Dian's arm tighter. Dian himself felt cold sweat dripping down his back.
"Stay calm…" he said, trying to sound steady, though his voice trembled.
The noise stopped as abruptly as it started. A heavy, suffocating silence descended. Their breathing quickened, every exhale loud in the tense air.
They stepped into a dark room, scanning each corner with the flashlight. The sharp, metallic scent of blood filled the air. Dian's light caught a fresh bloodstain on the floor.
His heart thudded. He traced the trail of blood with his flashlight, and in the far corner, he saw a woman's corpse sprawled grotesquely, her face mangled beyond recognition, her dead eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. Valerie saw it too, and—
"AAAAAHHH!" she screamed, her voice shattering the heavy silence of the night.