2:17, Wrong Room

Every night at exactly 2:17, the hallway light outside Mara’s room turned on.

It didn’t matter if the switch was taped down. It didn’t matter if the power went

out. At 2:17, the light hummed to life and spilled a thin line of brightness

under her door. At first, Mara thought it was her parents checking on her.

But when she asked them, they looked confused. “We’re asleep by then,” her mom said.

“And that bulb’s been burned out for weeks.” That night, Mara stayed awake,

staring at the clock. 2:16. 2:17. Click. The light came on.

Her door creaked. Very slowly, the handle began to turn. Mara held her breath.