Elias’ Crimes and Punishments of Romance

“What are you talking about? There’s nothing beside me,” Amanda replied, her fear mingled. with a suspicion that Elias might be playing a prank on her.

“Honey, I swear something is moving next to you. Just turn around and see for yourself.”

She reluctantly complied, but there was nothing there. It was becoming evident that the man. was attempting to spook her. “Elias! Seriously? How old are you? How childish can you be? You scared me!”

Elias couldn’t help but chuckle at Amanda’s irritation. “Since you’re so scared, why don’t you. your dear husband keep you company while you sleep? I promise not to do anything. I’ll just obediently stay by your side.”

“No, thanks! No matter what happens tonight, you can’t sleep on the bed. If you dare to, I’ll get mad and won’t talk to you for a month.”

“Alright, alright, you go to sleep. I won’t bother you anymore.” Although he wanted to sleep. on the bed, he didn’t want to provoke his wife or risk her leaving home.

Amanda lay back down and chose to ignore Elias, but she still couldn’t fall asleep.

Noticing her restlessness, he suggested, “If you can’t sleep, how about I tell a story, just like we did to help Aiden fall asleep?”

She didn’t respond but let him proceed.

So, Elias adjusted into a more relaxed position, facing Amanda from the couch, and began, “Let me share a real-life experience from when I was studying abroad. My father insisted I keep my background a secret, so I rented an apartment. Most of the tenants were working professionals and students. Nothing unusual happened during my first week there, but I sensed movement under my bed one night while I was asleep.”

story, and her body tensed involuntarily.

that she took the bait, he continued, “So, I turned on the

find? Tell

said, “I found a woman’s bracelet. At first, I thought it belonged to the previous

gaze fixed on him. “So,

movement. under the bed stopped for the night. However, I started hearing strange noises

it something supernatural?” Amanda unconsciously held onto her blanket tightly. She had a deep fear of ghosts and the

but find her fear endearing. He continued, “So, the following day, after my classes, I visited the landlord and informed her about the bracelet. Her response was quite peculiar. Her face went

asked, “What does that imply?”

I learned that a murder occurred in my rented room. It was a tragic incident involving a couple

How is that even possible? The police would have investigated the scene thoroughly and wouldn’t leave such a crucial piece of evidence. behind. And even if they somehow overlooked it, how could the landlord

and replied, “It’s quite the mystery, right? I can’t

beyond the grave. That’s why you’ve been hearing those noises under the bed, and after you. picked up the bracelet, the eerie sounds resumed.” She had let her imagination run wild, concocting a

silent, allowing her to indulge in her

She had a deep fear of such supernatural occurrences. At that moment, she couldn’t bear to stay on the bed any longer and even sensed some movement underneath it.

there, I suppose.” Elias could even discern Amanda’s

to turn around. Even though a

atmosphere to get an opportunity to snuggle up with his warm and

Amanda found herself unable to sleep, a constant feeling of something lurking under the bed haunting her. This unease was precisely why she avoided horror movies. altogether. After a