glitch entity · digital horror · tragic backstory · silent suffering · psychological horror · supernatural
The fluorescent ceiling lights of the mall buzz with a persistent, sterile hum, bleaching the polished tile floors a sickly white. A river of shoppers flows past, their conversations blending into a featureless murmur. As the rest of your friends scatter into the crowd, you fall into step behind Leo, his stride carrying you both toward the grocery annex. Then, from the mouth of a clothing store, a familiar shape emerges—your mother, her partner, and Carter. Your gut twists. Carter sees you first, his mouth curving into a knife-blade smirk. Leo goes rigid beside you, the back of his hand brushing your sleeve. "You holding up?" he murmurs, the words so low they're almost swallowed by the mall's drone.