The Night Visitor

The visitor

 Carlos relaxed in his room with his girlfriend, Anna, as they chatted. He glanced around his modest room, wondering why a woman like Anna would choose to be with him. The space was small, with the bed dominating the area. There were no electronics, and he relied on his phone for music. The walls were bare, and the paint was peeling. He sighed inwardly, assessing his surroundings. It was almost a quarter past eleven at night. It's getting late, he thought, contemplating whether to initiate intimacy or continue their conversation, knowing men are often accused of not listening.

Anna elbowed him. "Ouch," he complained.

"Are you even listening?" she asked.

"Of course," he replied.

"So, what was I saying?"

"You didn't say anything," he said, moving closer and placing his hand on her shoulder.

"I know that move," she said, swatting his hand away.

"What move are you talking about?" he asked, trying again.

"You know, this is how you always start," she said.

"It's not a fight; it's just me showing affection," Carlos said with a playful smile.

"Focus on what I'm saying, please," she said, removing his hand.

"Okay."

"Do you believe in ghosts?" she asked.

"Yes," he said, glancing around the room with a hint of unease. "Why ghosts at this time of night?"

"Well, someone told me she saw a ghost at exactly midnight when she woke up to use the bathroom."

"Ugh, babe, is this talk necessary?" Carlos asked, feeling uncomfortable.

"I don't know. She said she saw the ghost while coming from the bathroom. There was a mirror facing the door, and she looked, and there it was, standing behind her with its hands on her shoulder, grinning."

"So what did she do?" Carlos asked, despite his discomfort.

"She shouted and ran out of the house, only to see an old woman with a basket beckoning her."

"That was stupid, running out at that hour," he said, looking around his room, wondering if the shadow in the dark corner behind the door was a ghost.

"So what happened after she saw the old woman who beckoned her?" Carlos asked.

"According to her, the woman was ancient, leaning on a walking stick in her right hand and carrying a basket in her left. Her face was a roadmap of wrinkles, and the two front teeth were missing, the rest blackened by age. My friend was terrified and tried to retreat, but she couldn't move. The old woman approached slowly, lifting the basket. When my friend looked inside, what she saw froze her heart."

"What was inside?" Carlos asked, his eyes darting around the room. He glanced at his open window, and his blood ran cold. Standing just outside, staring at him and Anna, was an old woman with a toothy grin. His eyes widened, and he could only point at the window, not hearing Anna's words. When Anna followed his gaze, she screamed and fainted.