Chapter 1: The Elevator's Anomaly

As dusk settled over the city, the corridors of the apartment building bathed in the soft glow of neon lights. The usual urban clamor seemed to fade, replaced by a hushed stillness that enveloped the hallways. Lin Xue stood before the elevator doors, her expression weary. The day's work had been particularly taxing, filled with back-to-back meetings and an endless stream of documents. All she yearned for now was the comfort of her home and a moment of respite.

She pressed the button for her floor, and the elevator began its ascent from the ground level. With each passing floor, a gentle "ding" signaled its progress, followed by the quiet closing of the doors. Lin Xue instinctively brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her tired eyes momentarily closing as she leaned against the elevator wall.

"Ping—"

The elevator unexpectedly halted at the fourth floor, accompanied by a subtle shudder that jolted her from her drowsiness. She glanced up at the display: 4th Floor. This was peculiar. The fourth floor was uninhabited, a vacant space that residents often referred to as the "dead floor." It was an unspoken rule that the elevator never stopped there.

A sense of unease crept over her. She hesitated, then pressed the "close door" button. Nothing happened. The doors remained ajar, the elevator stationary. She pressed the button again, more insistently, but to no avail. The display still indicated the fourth floor.

Five seconds passed, each one stretching into eternity. The atmosphere inside the elevator grew oppressive, as if an unseen force pressed down upon her. Lin Xue stared at the partially open doors, a chill running down her spine. Suddenly, a cold draft wafted through the gap, sending shivers through her body.

"Ping—"

The doors finally closed, and the elevator resumed its upward journey. Relief washed over her, but it was short-lived. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something in the mirror—a vague silhouette standing behind her.

She spun around. The elevator was empty.

Her heart pounded. The mirror had clearly reflected a figure, yet she was alone. The image had resembled her but felt... off. Her hands trembled slightly as she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. There had to be a rational explanation.

The elevator continued its ascent, nearing the 17th floor. She anxiously pressed the button for her floor, desperate to escape the confined space.

"Ping—"

The elevator stopped. The doors opened to the dimly lit corridor of the 17th floor. Lin Xue hurried out, her footsteps echoing as she made her way to her apartment. She unlocked the door, stepped inside, and closed it firmly behind her, leaning against it as she exhaled deeply.

She removed her coat and checked her phone: it was past 11 PM. Despite her exhaustion, sleep seemed elusive. The incident in the elevator replayed in her mind—the inexplicable stop, the cold draft, the mysterious reflection.

Seeking solace, she approached the window, gazing out at the city's vibrant lights. The bustling metropolis felt distant, disconnected from her current reality. She had never imagined that an ordinary evening could take such a surreal turn.

Her phone rang, breaking the silence. It was her friend, Xiao Ling.

"Hey, Xue, how have you been?" Xiao Ling's voice was warm and concerned.

"I'm okay, just a bit tired from work," Lin Xue replied, attempting to sound casual.

"You need to take care of yourself. By the way, have you heard about the fourth floor in your building? I read somewhere that a family used to live there years ago, but something tragic happened, and now no one wants to move in."

Lin Xue's grip on the phone tightened. She hadn't mentioned the elevator incident to anyone.

"What kind of tragedy?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Well, it's just rumors, but they say the previous resident disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Some claim to have seen a pale figure in the elevator late at night. But it's probably just urban legends."

Lin Xue's heart raced. She glanced at the mirror across the room, half-expecting to see that shadowy figure again.

"Xue? Are you still there?" Xiao Ling's voice brought her back.

"Yes, I'm here. Thanks for telling me," she responded, ending the call.

Determined to uncover the truth, Lin Xue resolved to investigate the history of the fourth floor. She needed answers. The events of the evening couldn't be mere coincidences.

She settled onto the couch, trying to calm her racing thoughts. Yet, the image of the mirror and the phantom reflection lingered, casting a shadow over her thoughts.

Tomorrow, she would seek the truth.