TDSMC

The town of Oakwood was the kind of place people left before they even turned twenty-five. Narrow streets, red brick houses, and the smell of pine that never left your clothes. Everyone knew everyone else, and yet, secrets thrived beneath the calm, tree-lined roads. Evan Carter had returned after ten years. He had left Oakwood right after high school, chasing college dreams in Chicago, then a career that promised everything but gave little. Life had a way of wearing him down. That’s why he came back—old house, old memories, and perhaps, a chance to figure out what he had been running from all this time. The Carter house stood at the edge of town, partially hidden by an ancient oak tree whose branches stretched like skeletal fingers. The place had not changed much—its wooden siding still peeling, the front porch sagging, and the garden overrun with weeds. Evan ran his hand across the doorframe and felt a twinge of nostalgia mixed with unease. He was unpacking boxes in the attic when...

  My Best Friend Vanished After Our Last Phone Call The last time I heard Mark’s voice, he was laughing. Not his usual careless laugh. This one was tight. Forced. The sound someone makes when they’re scared but trying not to show it. “Hey… if anything happens to me, promise me you’ll go to my apartment,” he said. I laughed. “What are you talking about? You watch too much crime TV.” There was a long pause. “Just promise.” I did. That was the last thing I ever said to my best friend. 1. The Friend Who Never Went Silent Mark wasn’t the type to disappear. We met in college. Same dorm. Same late-night pizza runs. Same dreams of getting rich before 30. No matter how busy he got, Mark always called. If he went quiet for one day, that meant something was wrong. After that strange phone call, he vanished. No texts. No calls. No social media activity. Three days passed. On the fourth day, I drove to his apartment. 2. His Apartment Looked Erased The door was locked. Tha...

  The Station Was Empty The station was nearly empty, the cold wind cutting through the benches. Emma clutched her coat tighter, staring at the digital board as the seconds ticked away. She wasn’t usually late. She wasn’t usually reckless. But tonight, everything felt off. A Shadow in the Dark A flicker of movement caught her eye. A man, leaning against a pillar, watched her intently. She shook her head, telling herself she was imagining things. The train’s rumble grew louder, vibrating beneath her feet. The Moment of Decision As she stepped onto the platform, the man followed. Her heart raced, but she couldn’t move fast enough—not without looking like a fool. Then the train arrived, doors sliding open with a mechanical sigh. She hesitated for just a second. That second felt like an eternity. The Note When she finally boarded, she glanced back. The platform was empty. The man was gone. For a moment, she thought she had imagined it all. Then, tucked under her coat on the se...