I was brushing my teeth, halfway through my nighttime routine, when my phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
“Nice pajamas. Smile for me.”
My blood ran cold.
I froze, glancing around the tiny Airbnb bathroom. That’s when I saw it—behind the vent, a tiny red light blinking steadily.
A camera.
Heart pounding, I grabbed my stuff and bolted for the door—only to find it wouldn’t open. The keypad lock just flashed red no matter what I pressed.
Then came another message.
“You’re not going anywhere. Not yet.”
Panic surged. My hands trembled as I tried calling 911, but the call dropped immediately. No signal. I texted my best friend—“HELP. Hidden camera. Locked inside.” It wouldn’t send.
Another buzz.
“I see you’re resourceful. But that was rude.”
I had hurled my suitcase at the vent, knocking the camera out. Its wires sparked against the floor.
I felt trapped. Every exit was locked, every window sealed. Then I noticed a shadow outside, standing in the bushes, still as a statue.
I had two choices: wait and hope—or try to escape now.
No way I was waiting.
I smashed the bedside lamp against the window—nothing. Reinforced glass.
Another text.
“Enough. Time to talk.”
The door clicked. Slowly opened. Darkness spilled into the room.
A man appeared—gray hair, cold smile. “You’re the first to notice the camera. Most don’t.”
My voice was steady, but my heart was racing. “Let me out.”
He stepped closer, calm. “People come here… some stay. I just like to observe. Learn. Play.”
I clenched the lamp base, ready to swing. But then—movement behind him. A second figure.
The man was yanked into the shadows before I could react. One yelp—and silence.
I sprinted to the keypad, desperate. Random codes. Beep. Red.
Then—click. Green.
The door opened. I ran into the night, didn’t stop until I burst into a gas station, breathless, begging the clerk to call the police.
They responded fast. But when we got back?
The Airbnb was empty.
No man. No camera. No listing online. Like it had never existed.
My phone? Call log wiped. Messages gone.
But there was one thing left.
In my suitcase, tucked between folded clothes… was a blinking camera.
Still recording.