Don't Turn Around

A girl walks home late at night, recording a voice message on her phone. As she enters a

quiet street, she hears footsteps behind her. She turns around—nobody. She keeps walking.

The footsteps return, this time perfectly matching her pace. She stops. The steps stop.

She whispers, “Who’s there?” Her phone buzzes. A notification appears: “Device connected:

Headphones.” But she isn’t wearing any. Suddenly, a voice whispers

directly into her ears through the phone: “Don’t turn around.” She freezes. The streetlights

flicker. Her shadow stretches unnaturally long on the pavement… then splits into

two. One shadow stays still. The other slowly turns to face her.