The Closet Trap Door

Last night I found a door in my apartment that wasn't there before. I've lived here

three years. I know every crack in the wall, every stain on the ceiling.

But yesterday when I got home from work, there was a small wooden door built

into my closet floor. Like a trap door. Except I'm on the third floor of an apartment building.

I opened it because I'm an idiot. Inside was a ladder going down into darkness.

And I could hear something. Breathing. Heavy, wet breathing coming

from below. My hands were shaking as I grabbed my phone and turned on the flashlight.

I pointed it down into the hole. The breathing stopped immediately. Then I heard footsteps.