Douglas R. Marley

  My first reaction was instinctive-run. My legs carried me toward the entrance door, adrenaline fueling every frantic step. I hadn't gone too deep into the asylum yet, and the door wasn't far. My phone's light swung wildly as I sprinted, barely illuminating the decaying path ahead. My breath came in ragged gasps, the icy air clawing at my lungs as I ran for what I thought would be my way out. But when I reached the door, my stomach dropped. It was closed. Sealed tight. I grabbed the handle and yanked it with all my strength, the cold metal biting into my skin. Panic spread through me like fire, a torrent of terror that made my hands tremble. It had been open before-I was sure of it. Why was it locked now? The desperation clawed at my thoughts. I wasn't just trapped; I was hunted. Behind me, the faint scrape of movement echoed off the narrow hallway, and I didn't need to turn around to know it was coming closer. The silhouette-whatever it was-was creeping toward me,...