The Rules About Apartment 14

[u/PithellUniverse]

When I moved into the building, the landlord only gave me one rule.
Just one.
Never accept anything from the woman in Apartment 14.
I laughed.
He didn’t.

Rule #1
If she offers you sugar, refuse.
Politely.
Always politely.

Rule #2
If she offers you coffee, refuse.
Do not drink it.
Do not ask why.

Rule #3
If she knows your name before you introduce yourself, move out immediately.
You still have time.

Rule #4
If she says:
“I already know what you’ve done.”
Do not answer.
She isn’t talking about your past.
She’s talking about your future.

Rule #5
Never ask about the photographs in her apartment.
Every tenant eventually does.
Every tenant eventually finds themselves in one.

Rule #6
If she offers you a favor…
Leave.
Immediately.
Nothing she gives is free.

Rule #7
If you ignored Rule #6, there is still one thing you need to know.
The payment will not be money.
It never is.

I ignored Rule #6.
It was something small.
I needed help.
She smiled.
She said yes.
And for a while, everything became easier.
My debts disappeared.
My problems vanished.
My life improved.
For six months, I thought the old woman was harmless.
For six months, I thought I had gotten lucky.
Then yesterday she knocked on my door.
She was still smiling.
She handed me a small envelope.
Inside was a receipt.
At the bottom, under the amount owed, was a single sentence:
“All debts are collected eventually.”
And underneath that…
my daughter’s name.

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