One night, the screen stayed black, save for a small, glowing white cane icon.

Mark tapped the screen. The phone vibrated with a sharp, rhythmic pulse—like a cane hitting a linoleum floor. “Is this an interactive fan-fic?” Mark muttered.

A notification popped up:

The phrase "skachat knigu telefon doktor khaus" (download book phone House M.D.) sounds like a search query from someone looking to carry the cynical, brilliant Gregory House around in their pocket.

Here is a short story inspired by that "digital ghost" of House living inside a smartphone.