The Voice Outside the Door

I heard my boyfriend’s voice. But it wasn’t my boyfriend. This happened about

four years ago. Her sister had just left for college, so she was home alone while her

parents went out to dinner. They told her, “We’ll text you when we’re back.”

She was in her room with the door closed when she started hearing mumbling. At first,

she thought it was just her imagination. Then the voice became clear. “Why don’t you wanna

talk to me?” A pause. Then a whisper: “Come here.” She knew about mimics—things

that copy voices to get a reaction. So she stayed silent. Her lamp was on the whole time…

until it started flickering. She reached for the switch—and when the light came back