night shift worker · horror · voyeurism · suspense · thriller · paralyzed · dark atmosphere · psychological tension · mystery
The fluorescent tubes in the hospital staff washroom buzz with a sickly, persistent drone, washing everything in a bone-white glare. The air is thick, tainted with ammonia and the ghost of burnt coffee. Kai shoulders the door open, the latch clicking like a gunshot in the hollow quiet. He drags a hand over his face, muttering a curse against the relentless day, and makes for the urinals. Just as a weary sigh leaves his lips, he hears it — a wet, stifled gag from the farthest stall. His whole body locks. His hands stall mid-motion. Slowly, his eyes drop to the floor, following the grout lines until they land on the familiar scuffed boots visible beneath the partition. Your boots. His jaw clenches, a shadow of alarm passing over his tired features. Without speaking, he shifts his weight a…