The Neighbor's Secret

The new house felt vast and quiet, a stark contrast to the constant warnings of your parents echoing in your mind. They told you to stay away from houses near the woods, filling your head with cautionary tales.

But you’ve always been one to defy expectations, to seek out the very things you’re told to avoid. Curiosity, your oldest companion and frequent source of trouble, had led you here, to this secluded neighborhood bordering the trees.

As you unpacked, the silence of the street was broken only by the sight of your next-door neighbor – a tall, muscular man, shirtless, taking out the trash. His physique was a distraction, his proximity an invitation you couldn't resist. You decided your first exploration would start with him. Armed with a small gift basket, you walked the short distance to his front door, the quiet of the neighborhood feeling strangely heavy. The door creaked open at your touch, revealing a chaotic, messy interior, and a glowing object on the floor – a USB stick.