Lena whimpered, covering her mouth. Tom collapsed, paralyzed with fear. Alex pulled them up, whispering, "Don't stop. Move!" Suppressing his own terror, he analyzed the situation: The creature was fast, but the narrow space might restrict its movements. He picked up a brick and hurled it at a corner, shattering it against the wall. The creature lunged towards the sound. They seized the opportunity, sprinting towards the light at the end of the passage.
The light grew brighter, revealing a half-open wooden door. Beyond it seemed to be another open space. Alex pushed the door open, finding himself in a deserted parking lot, surrounded by derelict cars and weeds. The creature roared, pursuing them. They had barely taken a few steps when Tom tripped, falling to the ground with a cry of, "Ah!"
The sound, though small, was fatal. The creature burst through the doorway, its claws plunging into Tom's chest. Blood sprayed as he was dragged back into the passage, silenced in an instant. Lena gasped, nearly screaming. Alex clapped a hand over her mouth, whispering, "Run! Don't look back!" He pulled her deeper into the parking lot, the sounds of the creature's gruesome feast echoing behind them.
At the far end of the parking lot stood a high wall. A small hole near the base, just large enough to crawl through, offered a glimmer of escape. Alex pushed Lena through first, following close behind. The creature roared, its claws reaching through the hole, grazing his heel. He scrambled out, glancing back to see that the other side of the wall had reverted to the familiar Broadway side street, dimly lit, with a few pedestrians passing by. The grotesque realm had vanished.
Lena collapsed, sobbing, "They're dead…all dead…" Alex helped her up, his voice low and steady, "We survived. Don't think about it." His outward calmness belied the turmoil within. He patted his pocket, confirming his phone was still there. The screen was normal again, the time displaying just past seven o'clock, as if only moments had passed.
"What will you do?" Lena asked, her voice trembling. Alex adjusted his glasses, his voice resolute, "I have to understand what this is. That thing... I won't let it find me again." He helped her to the curb, hailed a taxi, and watched her depart.
Back in his dormitory, late at night, Alex sat at his desk, opening his notebook. He documented everything: the alleyway entrance, the Friday evening timeframe, the rule of silence, the creature's appearance – a blind hunter that tracked by sound, which he tentatively named the "Sound Thief." His fingers trembled slightly, but he forced himself to analyze the events logically. Why did this place exist? Why was he pulled in? How many others had entered before him?
Outside, the neon lights of New York City shimmered as usual. But he knew this city, with its numerous disappearances, harbored darker shadows. He closed his notebook and switched off the desk lamp.It was not destined to be a good night.