Anna stands on the porch, clutching a box of family photographs, while David, her husband, fumbles with the keys. Their daughter, Mia, skips past them, eager to explore. The house seems to watch, its windows glinting in the fading light. "Can I pick my room first? I want the one with the big window!" "Let's see which ones are open, honey,"

David pushes open a heavy wooden door, revealing a labyrinthine hallway that seems to stretch far beyond the house's exterior. Anna pauses, feeling an inexplicable chill, the hairs on her arms prickling. "Did this hallway look this long from the outside?" "Maybe it's just the angle. Let's stick together,"

Mia[/@ch_3] opens a door to what she thinks is her bedroom, but finds instead a narrow staircase spiraling downward.] "Mom, Dad, come see this! There's a secret staircase!" Anna and David exchange uneasy glances, following her down. The air grows colder, the walls closer, as if the house is drawing them in.

"This can't be real. Did you see that door just move?" "We need to get back upstairs. Now." They turn, but the way back is gone, replaced by a brick wall pulsing with a heartbeat rhythm.

Anna[/@ch_1] toward a glowing doorway while David and Mia are ushered by unseen forces in another direction.] "Don't let go of my hand, Mia!" "Anna, wait—this way!" But the house will not listen, herding them through winding corridors, separating them with deliberate intent.

"Will the house do that again?" "I think... it was trying to show us something. Or test us." "Maybe it just wants company," Anna whispers, gazing at the shifting patterns on the floor as the house settles into silence, waiting.