Three Rings After Midnight
Bell
The first time the bell rang after midnight, Mara Bell was standing alone in the pharmacy with both hands under the hot tap.
It was an old brass bell fixed above the front door. During business hours, it gave a weak little jingle whenever someone entered. That night, the door did not move. The deadbolt remained locked. Beyond the glass, Market Street lay empty beneath a thin October rain.
Still, the bell rang three times.
Not loudly.
Just three careful notes, as if someone had opened the door, stepped inside, and closed it gently behind them.
Mara turned off the tap.
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What is Three Rings After Midnight about?
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How long does it take to read?
This story runs 1 chapter — most readers finish in one sitting, and you can stop and return to any chapter using the contents list.
Who wrote it?
Nimra Khan — original fiction published on RapidTale.