The Shower's Dark Secret

Rose had always found solace in her evening showers. The warm water cascading over her skin was a daily ritual that washed away the stresses of her day. She lived alone in a small, cozy apartment, and the bathroom, with its gleaming tiles and polished fixtures, was her personal sanctuary.

One night, after a particularly grueling day at work, Rose stepped into the shower, eager for the comforting embrace of the hot water. As she turned the handle, a chilling draft brushed against her skin. She shivered but dismissed it, assuming it was just a breeze from the slightly open bathroom window.

The water started, but it was colder than usual. She twisted the handle to the hottest setting and waited, but the temperature barely improved. Annoyed, she considered calling the landlord about the water heater, but decided to endure it for now.

As the water continued to fall, Rose noticed something strange. The steam usually filled the room quickly, fogging up the mirror and the glass shower door, but tonight it seemed thinner, less substantial. She felt a prickling sensation on her skin, as if someone were watching her. She glanced around the bathroom, but it was empty. Trying to shake off the unease, she began to shampoo her hair.

With her eyes closed, she heard a faint whisper. Her heart skipped a beat. She paused, straining to listen. The whisper grew louder, more insistent. It was coming from the drain. Her eyes snapped open, and she bent down, ear near the floor, trying to make sense of the sound.

“Rose…”

Her name echoed softly, a hissing whisper that sent chills down her spine. She jerked back, slipping slightly on the wet tiles. Fear clutched at her chest. Rationalizing that she must be tired and hearing things, she continued with her shower, albeit quicker this time.

But the whispers persisted, growing louder and more distinct. They seemed to be chanting, though she couldn’t make out the words. Rose’s breathing quickened, panic setting in. She turned off the water abruptly, the sudden silence deafening.

Dripping wet, she stepped out of the shower, her feet leaving wet prints on the tiles. She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself, backing away from the shower. The whispers continued, now accompanied by a low, guttural growl that seemed to emanate from the very walls of the bathroom.

She glanced at the mirror. Through the fogged glass, she saw a shadowy figure standing behind her. Heart pounding, she spun around, but there was no one there. The growling intensified, and the air grew colder, the kind of cold that seeped into her bones.

Rose’s mind raced. She had heard stories about haunted houses and vengeful spirits, but she had never believed them. Now, she was living one. She needed to get out. She reached for the door, but it wouldn’t budge. It was as if an unseen force was holding it shut.

Desperate, she pounded on the door, screaming for help. The whispers turned to mocking laughter, echoing off the tiles. The shadowy figure appeared again in the mirror, closer this time, its eyes glowing a sickly yellow.

Rose’s screams grew frantic as the figure reached out a dark, clawed hand. The bathroom lights flickered, and the growling grew louder, almost deafening. She felt an icy hand on her shoulder and whirled around to find herself face to face with the figure. Its eyes bore into hers, and she felt her strength leaving her, her vision blurring.

As she collapsed to the floor, the last thing she saw was the figure’s twisted, malicious grin. The lights flickered once more, then went out completely, plunging the bathroom into darkness.

When the landlord arrived the next day to investigate the noise complaints from the neighbors, he found the bathroom door ajar. Inside, the shower was still running, but there was no sign of Rose. Only the faint sound of whispers remained, echoing through the empty apartment.

From that day on, no tenant stayed long in that apartment. They all complained of cold drafts, eerie whispers, and the feeling of being watched. The legend of Rose and the haunted shower grew, a chilling tale of a soul trapped in watery terror, forever reliving the night she vanished.