As the door swung open, Officer Morales was hit with a faint, musty smell that clung to the walls like an invisible shroud. The hallway was dimly lit, the curtains drawn tightly shut, and there was an unsettling stillness that seemed to gnaw at the edges of his consciousness.
Jimena stepped inside, her small figure moving with a caution that suggested this wasn’t just a house; it was a cage, and every shadow held a secret. She led him through the narrow corridor, past faded family photos that lined the walls. Each picture seemed to tell a story of happier times, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere now permeating the household.
