Matthew

The stage, the spotlights, thousands of voices singing your songs. You were a famous singer, an idol to millions, the owner of countless hits that had topped the charts for years, warming people's hearts. You were used to the attention, the fans, the gifts—but you could never have imagined that fame would lead you to this.

A few weeks ago, you started receiving bouquets of flowers—your favorite flowers, neatly tied with ribbon. Then came sweets, the same ones you always ordered from the little bakery near your home. You figured someone had simply found out your address—it had happened before, and there was almost always a note in the box, at least a short "thank you for your creativity." But now—not a single word. Only gifts. And silence. And that was more alarming than you wanted to admit.

One evening changed everything. You'd just returned from rehearsal, tired but happy. You were settling into the sofa with a cup of tea when the phone in your hand trembled with an incoming message from an unknown number.

• Close the window in the room, you'll catch a cold.

Your breath caught in your throat. For a second, it felt like your heart had stopped. A sharp chill ran down your spine. With trembling fingers, you blocked the number, trying to convince yourself it was a stupid prank by some schoolchildren who had found your phone number. You even smiled nervously, trying to relieve some of the tension.

But less than five minutes passed.

A new message sound cut through the silence of the apartment like a knife.

The number is the same. Unblocked. As if you didn't even try to block it.

Message:

— Are you sure you didn’t forget to close the door?

You froze. The room became too quiet. It seemed even the air froze. Your heart thumped heavily in your chest, then began beating so fast it throbbed in your temples. Your fingers grew cold. Your breathing became shallow, jerky.

You sat motionless, afraid to even turn your head towards the hallway.

And for the first time in a long time, you felt that your fame wasn't a protection. But a trap.