The House That Followed

Nathan’s childhood home had always unsettled him—creaking floors, cold spots, and shadows where there shouldn’t be any. When his family moved away, he felt relief.

Years later, in a different city, he and his girlfriend found the perfect house to buy. It felt familiar, but he chalked it up to déjà vu.

Until he found the etchings.

Scratched into the wood near the attic: his own name, Nathan W., in his childhood handwriting. The same mark he had carved into his bedroom door years ago.

His old house hadn’t stayed behind.

It had followed him.