章節 19: Knocker

In a small, quiet village nestled at the edge of a forest, lived a boy named Alex. Alex had always been fascinated by the unknown, the supernatural, and the mysteries that lurked in the shadows. He spent countless hours poring over old books, listening to local legends, and exploring the eerie woods that surrounded his home.

One legend, in particular, captivated Alex's imagination—the tale of the Knocker. It was said that a legendary demon roamed the village, knocking on doors late at night. The demon would keep knocking until someone answered. Those who dared to open the door were never seen again. The villagers spoke of it in hushed tones, warning their children to never acknowledge the knocking after dark.

Alex's curiosity, however, was insatiable. He longed to encounter the Knocker and uncover its secrets. His fascination grew into an obsession, consuming his thoughts day and night. He even started keeping a journal, documenting every piece of information he could find about the mysterious entity.

One moonless night, as Alex lay in bed, he heard a faint knocking sound. His heart raced with excitement and fear. Could it be the Knocker? The tapping grew louder and more insistent. Alex's hands trembled as he grabbed his flashlight and notebook, creeping downstairs to the front door.

The knocking was relentless, echoing through the silent house. Alex's breath quickened. He knew the stories, but his thirst for the unknown overpowered his fear. With a shaking hand, he unlocked the door and flung it open.

There was nothing. Just the dark, empty night. Disappointed, Alex stepped outside, scanning the shadows for any sign of the demon. The night was eerily quiet, save for the rustling of leaves in the wind. He felt a chill run down his spine as he turned to go back inside.

As he reached for the door, he heard the knocking again—this time from inside the house. Panic surged through him. He swung the door open to find himself staring into the empty living room. The knocking echoed through the hall, growing louder and more desperate.

Alex's fear began to outweigh his curiosity. He backed away, but the knocking persisted, now accompanied by a low, guttural growl. Shadows seemed to move and twist around him, and he felt an overwhelming sense of dread. The Knocker was inside his home.

Desperately, Alex tried to leave, but the door slammed shut behind him, trapping him in the darkness. The growling intensified, and the shadows closed in, suffocating him. He felt icy fingers brush against his skin, and he screamed in terror.

His vision blurred, and the world around him began to twist and warp. He stumbled through the house, trying to escape the relentless knocking and the malevolent presence that now surrounded him. He could feel the demon's cold breath on his neck, hear its sinister whispers in his ear.

Alex's mind raced, searching for a way to end the nightmare. He remembered the old tales, the warnings from the villagers. Never open the door. But it was too late. He had invited the Knocker into his home, and now it would not leave until it had claimed its prize.

In a final, desperate attempt, Alex ran to his room and slammed the door shut, barricading himself inside. The knocking grew deafening, the growls more menacing. He knew he couldn't hold out forever. The demon was relentless, and it would keep knocking until he answered.

As the night wore on, Alex felt his strength waning. The room grew colder, the shadows darker. The knocking was inside his head now, pounding relentlessly. He couldn't think, couldn't breathe. He knew he was losing the battle.