The Cottages of Lavender Lane
Sophie had been searching for a fresh start when she found it—Lavender Lane, a hidden little street lined with pastel-colored cottages, each one more charming than the last.
It wasn’t on any map.
She had been driving through the countryside when she spotted a sign at the end of an overgrown road:
“Lavender Lane – Homes Available.”
Curious, she followed the path and was instantly enchanted. The air smelled of lilacs and fresh rain, and the cobblestone walkway led to a row of perfect, untouched houses.
A friendly woman greeted her.
“We’ve been expecting you, dear.”
Sophie hadn’t told anyone she was coming.
But the cottage was cheap, the neighborhood peaceful. It felt like a dream.
At least, at first.
The Smiling Neighbors
The people of Lavender Lane were too friendly. Always watching. Always smiling.
“You’ll love it here,” they would say. “You won’t want to leave.”
At night, she heard soft footsteps outside, moving up and down the cobblestone path.
When she peeked through the curtains—
Nothing.
No one.
Yet every morning, fresh flowers appeared on her porch.
She never saw who left them.
The Doors That Lock Themselves
By the third night, Sophie started feeling uneasy.
She woke up to find her front door locked.
Not just locked—bolted shut from the outside.
When she finally forced it open, a neighbor stood outside, smiling.
“Oh, don’t worry, dear. It’s for your safety.”
Safety from what?
She started noticing more things.
The gardens never wilted. The paint never faded. And no one ever seemed to leave.
The Letter
Determined to find answers, Sophie searched her cottage from top to bottom.
That’s when she found it.
An old letter, tucked inside a kitchen drawer.
The ink was faded, but the words chilled her to the bone.
“If you’re reading this, you’ve checked in. But you won’t check out. They don’t let us leave.”
“Smiling is required.”
A shadow passed outside her window.
Then—
A knock.
Soft. Patient.
She held her breath as the doorknob turned on its own.
She never unlocked it.
But someone was already inside.
