Chapter 1

I was hiding in my best friend Chloe’s closet, planning to surprise her for her birthday.

"Creak..." The bedroom door opened, and the lights flickered on.

I was just about to push the closet door open, ready to give her a shock.

But the moment my hand nudged the door, pushing it open just a crack, Chloe's head *rolled* right to my feet!

Her long hair covered most of her face, leaving only her eyes exposed.

Her wide, unseeing eyes swiveled towards my hiding spot, as if still alive. Her mouth seemed to be trying to say something, but all strength had left her.

Terrified, I quickly pulled my hand back, but the closet door wouldn't close.

I heard footsteps approaching, and in sheer horror, I held my breath, not daring to make a sound.

The next second, the closet door was yanked open!

Chloe and I were best friends.

Just yesterday, we’d been apartment hunting, talking about moving in together.

Chloe had been in a bad mood for days, arguing with her landlord about the rent.

Today was her birthday. I'd told her I was going back to my hometown, but in reality, I was already waiting at her place.

Curled up in her closet, I was brimming with excitement, waiting for her to come into the bedroom, eager to surprise her.

But the moment I heard a noise and prepared to jump out, I saw my best friend’s severed head.

The gruesome sight chilled me to the bone!

Her hair covered most of her face, but her eyes were wide open, bloodshot and staring.

Right up to her last breath, her eyes were fixed on me!

I held my breath in terror, my mind a blank slate, but my body moved on instinct.

I instinctively slammed the open closet door shut.

Just as I was regretting my impulsive action, I heard soft footsteps slowly approaching.

I froze in terror, not even daring to breathe.

The footsteps stopped right in front of the closet. I could even hear the strained, ragged breathing clearly.

"Creak..."

The closet door was opened!

I squeezed my eyes shut, my limbs stiff as a board.

In other words, I was waiting to die.

But then, the next second.

"Creak..." The closet door was closed again.

The footsteps slowly receded, and the bedroom lights were turned off, as if nothing had happened.

It suddenly hit me: the killer hadn’t noticed me because of the plushie costume I was wearing.

I’d bought a giant teddy bear for Chloe at the supermarket. When I got home, I’d taken out the stuffing and climbed inside.

Back then, I was fantasizing about the look on her face when a huge teddy bear suddenly popped out of the closet.

Now, it had become my lifeline!

It wasn't until I heard the front door click shut that my heart finally stopped hammering in my chest.

I was about to shed the heavy costume when I faintly heard the "Happy Birthday" song playing in the living room!

That was… that was the music box I'd placed next to the cake on the living room table!

He must have seen the cake I left on the table.

So he never left the apartment!

My fear had spread to my limbs, making my hands and feet tremble uncontrollably.

But then, everything outside went silent. Apart from my own ragged breathing, I couldn't hear a single sound.

Maybe my nerves were just on edge.

I peered through the crack in the closet door. A sliver of moonlight reflected in Chloe's eyes from the window, making it feel like she was still watching me. The sight sent shivers down my spine.