The Hollow Smile

It had been a long week for Sarah. Work had been grueling, and she was ready for a quiet weekend to unwind. So when she found the old, rundown cabin for rent by the lake, it seemed like the perfect escape. Quiet, remote, surrounded by nature—nothing could go wrong.

She arrived just as the sun began to dip below the horizon. The cabin was exactly as the listing had described: charming, if a little worn down, and surrounded by towering trees. After unlocking the front door, she let out a sigh of relief. The place felt peaceful.

She set her bags down and opened the windows to let in the fresh evening air. The sound of the nearby lake’s waves lapping against the shore filled the silence. It was perfect.

But as the night wore on, Sarah began to feel uneasy. There was something off about the place, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. The house was too still, the air too thick. Even the sounds from the lake seemed muffled, distant.

When she went to bed, it was nearly midnight. She pulled the covers up to her chin and closed her eyes. Sleep came quickly, but it wasn’t restful.

She awoke to a sound—soft, faint. A tapping. It was coming from the window.

At first, she thought it was just the wind. But then the tapping grew louder, more deliberate. Sarah sat up in bed, her heart racing. She cautiously reached for the light switch, but before she could turn it on, the tapping stopped.

She stared at the window, her breath caught in her throat. Nothing. It was dark outside, too dark to see anything. But she swore she felt eyes on her.

Unable to ignore the feeling, she decided to check the outside. Sarah grabbed a flashlight and made her way to the door. She stepped out onto the porch, shining the light around the yard. The trees loomed, casting long shadows.

There was nothing. No sign of any movement.

The tapping was gone.

Shaking her head, Sarah turned to go back inside, but then something caught her eye—a figure standing just beyond the tree line, partially hidden by the darkness.

Her breath caught. A man, standing still, facing the cabin. His body was rigid, his head tilted slightly. He stood motionless, as if waiting for something.

“Hello?” Sarah called out, her voice trembling.

No response.

The figure didn’t move. It was as though it hadn’t heard her. But then, a smile stretched across the man’s face. Wide. Too wide. His lips curled unnaturally, a grotesque grin that seemed to stretch impossibly far.

Sarah felt her stomach churn. She stepped back, heart pounding. The figure didn’t move, but his smile grew wider. The flashlight in her hand flickered, dimming, then suddenly went out completely.

In the sudden darkness, she heard the voice.

“Come closer…”

Her legs froze. She wanted to run, but her body wouldn’t respond. She was rooted to the spot, unable to tear her eyes away from that terrible, hollow smile.

And then, the figure disappeared.

She stumbled back into the cabin, slamming the door behind her. Her heart raced as she leaned against it, gasping for air.

But the tapping started again. Softer, closer.

And when she turned to look, there, at the window, was the same wide grin. Only now, it was on the inside, staring back at her.