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The Man Who Never Slept

Oliver was used to working late, but the old man in the apartment across from his never turned off his lights—not even once.

At first, Oliver thought nothing of it. Maybe the man was just a night owl. But as weeks passed, he noticed something strange: the man never seemed to sleep.

Every time Oliver looked out his window, the man was there—sitting by the window, staring into the night. His expression never changed, his posture never shifted.

One night, Oliver’s curiosity got the better of him. He waved.

The man waved back.

Oliver hesitated, then decided to go over and introduce himself. The apartment door across the hall was old and worn, its number barely visible. He knocked.

No answer.

He knocked again. The door creaked open on its own.

Inside, the room was cold and empty. A single chair stood by the window. Dust covered the floor, untouched.

Oliver frowned. He had seen the man sitting there just minutes ago. Where was he?

Then, he noticed an old newspaper on the table. The headline read:

"Local Man Found Dead in Apartment—Sitting by Window."

The date was exactly ten years ago.

A chill ran down Oliver’s spine. Slowly, he turned back to the window.

The chair was no longer empty.

The man was sitting there again. And he was staring right at Oliver.

His mouth curled into a smile.

Oliver ran. He slammed his own door shut, his heart racing. When he dared to look out his window, the lights in the opposite apartment were off.

For the first time since Oliver moved in, the man was gone.

But later that night, as Oliver tried to sleep, he felt something watching him.

And when he turned toward his window, the lights across the hall were on again.

And the man was waving.

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Multiple Choice Questions

1. What strange habit does Oliver notice about the man across the hall?




2. How does Oliver first try to interact with the man?




3. What happens when Oliver knocks on the man’s door?




4. What does Oliver find inside the apartment?




5. What is shocking about the newspaper article?




6. What happens when Oliver turns back toward the window?




7. What is left uncertain at the end of the story?




Synonyms and Antonyms Table

Word Synonym Antonym
Stare Gaze, Look intently Glance, Peek
Habit Routine, Custom Change, Irregularity
Empty Vacant, Hollow Full, Occupied
Chill Shiver, Coldness Warmth, Heat
Hesitate Pause, Delay Rush, Act swiftly
Crease Wrinkle, Fold Smooth, Flatten
Creep Sneak, Tiptoe March, Stomp
Strange Unusual, Weird Normal, Ordinary
Flicker Blink, Flutter Steady glow, Constant light
Cold Chilly, Icy Warm, Hot
Curiosity Inquisitiveness, Interest Indifference, Disinterest
Old Ancient, Antique New, Modern
Shadow Silhouette, Shade Light, Brightness
Silence Quiet, Stillness Noise, Sound
Fear Terror, Dread Bravery, Courage
Smile Grin, Beam Frown, Scowl
Disappear Vanish, Fade Appear, Emerge
Haunted Possessed, Spooky Normal, Ordinary
Ghost Spirit, Apparition Human, Mortal
Mysterious Enigmatic, Secretive Clear, Obvious
Watch Observe, Stare Ignore, Overlook
Light Glow, Shine Darkness, Shadow
Empty Vacant, Hollow Full, Occupied
Whisper Murmur, Hiss Shout, Yell