Night Stalker in Maple Heights / Chapter 3: Paranoia in the Halls
Night Stalker in Maple Heights

Night Stalker in Maple Heights

Author: Patrick Galloway

Chapter 3: Paranoia in the Halls

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I remembered that incident.

We almost called the cops, and building management had to clarify several times, even posting notices in the lobby, telling everyone not to make wild guesses. It was like one of those stories you see on the local news—neighbors gossiping in the elevator, everyone convinced something sinister was going on.

It was a whole thing—people posting grainy photos of the maintenance closet, speculating about the weird smell, tagging each other in the thread. In the end, it was just a busted pipe and some old food in the trash chute, but for a week, everyone looked at each other sideways in the elevator.

I reminded her: "Anyway, be careful. Tomorrow I’ll talk to building management—let them handle it. Anyone can join the group, and we don’t even know if they’re real residents. What if some actual psycho gets in?"

Wife: "I’ll go with you tomorrow."

Me: "Where’s Ellie?"

Wife: "She heard the kitten meowing just now and almost went out to bring it in. Luckily, I stopped her. I’m watching her now."

I let out a shaky breath: "Okay, I’ll be home soon."

Wife: "No rush, take your time. I’ll heat up the food. Ellie hasn’t had dinner yet—she wants to eat with you. She’s so attached to you."

As she said this, she sent a voice message. It was Ellie’s voice: "Daddy, are you coming home soon? Ellie misses you so much."

I gently replied: "Ellie, be good. Daddy will be home soon, and I brought your favorite cookies."

Ellie is just five, at that clingy age—five-year-olds are like little koalas, always wanting to hang on you.

She’d probably be waiting by the door, listening for my key in the lock, her face lighting up when I walked in. It made the whole night feel heavier, knowing how much she depended on us to keep her world safe.

My phone buzzed, pulling me back to reality.

A girl named Cassie Young posted in the group: "Sorry, my kitten ran out just now. I looked for it everywhere. It’s really shy and kept meowing. Sorry to bother everyone, my apologies."

Goat-head: "Oh, that’s your cat?"

Cassie Young: "Yeah. Everyone go to bed early, don’t stay up. Look at the nonsense you’re all talking—it’s creepy. Someone might actually call the cops."

Smiley face: "Hehe, I’ll go to bed soon."

Goat-head: "I’m not sleeping. Can’t sleep, so annoyed."

Cassie Young: "Annoyed about what?"

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