The effect was immediate. By the time she returned that evening, the entire building buzzed with murmurs of strange happenings. Neighbors exchanged wary glances in the hallway, whispering about flickering lights and strange sounds. The chilling tales seemed to grow with each passing hour.
Some whispered that the building was constructed on an old burial ground, now disturbed by restless spirits. Others claimed someone had died tragically in Stacey’s apartment years ago, a spirit now lingering. Stacey feigned innocence, listening with a straight face as the rumors gained traction.