par Bill Tiepelman
Beware the Red Phantom
The first time Gerald saw the cat, it was sitting on the old stone wall outside his apartment, watching him. A striking red and white creature, its fur seemed too perfect, too soft, too...deliberate. Its icy blue eyes glowed in the dim light, and as Gerald fumbled for his keys, the cat smirked. Not a normal feline twitch of the lips. A full, knowing smirk. “Shoo,” Gerald muttered, shivering as he turned the key in the lock. The cat didn't move. The Cat Returns Days passed, and the cat appeared again and again—perched on the stair railing, slinking through the alley near his office, reflected in the window of a subway train he hadn't even boarded yet. Each time, its gaze lingered a little longer, as if studying him, as if waiting. One night, a sharp knock at the door startled him. He wasn’t expecting anyone. Through the peephole, there was nothing but darkness. Then, the low, deliberate sound of something scratching against the wood. Gerald’s breath hitched. He stepped back, pulse hammering. The scratching stopped, replaced by a whisper—just a breath of sound. “Let me in.” He didn’t move. Seconds passed. A minute. Silence. Finally, convinced it was his imagination, he crept back to his room and slid under the covers, the uneasy feeling still crawling up his spine. The next morning, the front door was unlocked. The Red Phantom It escalated from there. Lights flickered when the cat appeared. The television turned on by itself, always to static. His reflection in mirrors looked... wrong. At first, just slight details—his smile too wide, his pupils a little too big. Then, one night, his reflection didn’t move when he did. It just stared. And in the corner of the mirror, nestled in the shadows, the Red Phantom was watching, its grin spreading, stretching, filled with too many teeth. Gerald smashed the mirror. Under the Bed By now, he knew he was being hunted. But by what? One night, as he lay awake, his breath shallow, he heard a sound from under the bed. A soft, wet clicking. A deep, purring voice whispered: "Almost time." He leapt out of bed, grabbed a flashlight, and crouched to look underneath. The beam of light cut through the darkness, illuminating— Nothing. Then, slowly, the cat's head emerged from the shadows. Only, it wasn’t quite a cat anymore. Its grin was wider than its face should allow, jagged teeth gleaming. Its fur rippled unnaturally, shifting like something was moving beneath its skin. The blue eyes were impossibly deep, swirling like distant galaxies. Gerald screamed and scrambled back. When he looked again, it was gone. The Final Message He barely slept after that. He tried moving apartments, staying with friends, even checking into a hotel for a week. It didn’t matter. The cat was always there. Then came the final night. His phone buzzed. A message. Look outside. Against his better judgment, he did. The Red Phantom sat on the fire escape. Smirking. Behind it, something massive loomed in the darkness, shifting, pulsing, waiting. His phone buzzed again. Open the window. His fingers moved on their own, reaching for the latch. And as the glass slid open, the Red Phantom leapt inside. Everything went black. The Next Tenant Months later, the landlord leased the apartment to a new tenant. A young woman named Liza. She was excited to move in, though she had heard the last guy left without a trace. On her first night, she settled into bed, exhausted from unpacking. Just as she started to drift off, she felt something move at the foot of the bed. A small weight. Gentle purring. She smiled. She had always loved cats. Then the purring turned into something else. A whisper. "Almost time." Take the Red Phantom Home The legend of the Red Phantom doesn’t have to stay in the shadows. Bring this eerie, mesmerizing feline into your world with a selection of exclusive products featuring the hauntingly beautiful artwork. Whether you want to add a touch of mystery to your home, gift a chilling surprise, or carry a piece of the legend with you, we've got you covered. 🖼️ Tapestry – Drape your walls in eerie elegance with a stunning tapestry featuring the Red Phantom. 💌 Greeting Card – Send a message wrapped in mystery with this uniquely chilling card. 📖 Spiral Notebook – Jot down your own dark tales in a notebook that whispers secrets between the pages. 🛌 Fleece Blanket – Stay warm while the Phantom keeps watch... just don’t fall asleep too soon. Dare to invite the Red Phantom into your life? Click on your favorite product and let the legend live on.
