Emily checked into the old roadside motel just after midnight.
The clerk hesitated when she asked for a room.
“There’s only one left. Room 413. You sure you want it?”
Emily was too tired to care. “Bring it on.”
The room smelled like dust and something else… metallic.
She turned on the lamp. It flickered.
The mirror looked cracked — but when she leaned in, her reflection didn’t move.
She froze.
“Nope,” she whispered. “I’m just overtired. Seeing things.”
She shut the light and tried to sleep.
At 3:13 a.m., she heard a knock from inside the closet.
Emily sat up, heart racing.
“This can’t be real,” she said, inching toward the door.
She opened it.
Nothing.
But when she turned around, the reflection was standing behind her — still not moving.
Emily screamed. Then everything went black.
She woke up in the motel lobby.
Same clothes. No luggage.
The clerk looked up, confused. “Checking in?”
Emily blinked. “Wait… haven’t I done this before?”
He smiled.
“Déjà vu, huh?”
Idioms Used in the Story
1. Bring it on
Meaning: Used to show confidence or readiness to face something difficult.
Examples:
- “You have to work double shifts.” / “Bring it on!”
- “A storm’s coming.” / “Bring it on — I’ve got my umbrella.”
2. Seeing things
Meaning: Imagining things that aren’t really there (often due to stress, tiredness, etc.)
Examples:
- I swear I saw someone outside — maybe I’m just seeing things.
- She thought the painting moved. “You’re seeing things,” he said.
3. This can’t be real
Meaning: Said when something feels too strange or shocking to believe.
Examples:
- “I won the lottery?” / “This can’t be real!”
- He looked around the haunted house. “This can’t be real…”
4. Inside the closet
Meaning: (Literal here) A creepy or unexpected location — common in horror.
Examples:
- I heard something inside the closet.
- Don’t open the door — it’s coming from inside the closet.
5. Déjà vu
Meaning: The strange feeling you’ve experienced something before.
Examples:
- Walking into this café gave me déjà vu.
- I’ve met her before — or maybe it’s just déjà vu.