The Empty Mall

It was closing time at the mall, and Julie was finishing up her shift at the department store. As she made her way towards the exit, she noticed something strange.

The mall was completely empty. Normally, at this time of day, there would be a few people still milling around, but tonight it was completely deserted.

Feeling uneasy, Julie quickened her pace. But as she passed by the food court, she heard a faint sound coming from one of the nearby stores.

It was a child's laughter.

Thinking that maybe someone had left their kid behind, Julie went to investigate. As she peeked into the dark store, she saw a little girl sitting in the corner, playing with a toy.

Julie approached the girl and asked if she was lost, but the girl didn't respond. Instead, she just kept playing with her toy, completely ignoring Julie.

As Julie tried to coax the girl into coming with her, she heard something moving in the shadows. Suddenly, the little girl vanished, leaving Julie alone in the dark store.

Terrified, Julie turned to run, but something grabbed her from behind. She felt cold hands wrap around her neck, choking the life out of her.

As she struggled to break free, Julie saw a figure emerge from the darkness. It was a man, but not like any man she had ever seen before. He had a pale, gaunt face and dark eyes that seemed to pierce through her soul.

Julie knew then that she was in the presence of evil, and she fought with all her might to break free. But it was too late. The man had taken her down to the empty mall's basement, and there was no one to save her.  Julie was never seen after that night.

From then on, people avoided the mall after dark. It was said that those who went there alone would never come back.