The Envelope
340 Words
My fingers trembled as I slid one beneath the flap.
The paper gave way with a soft tear.
For a second...
I couldn't bring myself to look.
It was ridiculous.
It was just an envelope.
But somehow, it felt heavier than anything I'd ever held.
I reached inside and pulled out a single folded sheet of paper.
No signature.
No logo.
No handwriting on the outside.
Just one page.
I unfolded it slowly.
The first line stole the air from my lungs.
If you're reading this, you're already too late to go back to the life you had this morning.
I read it again.
Then again.
My throat tightened.
Below it were only a few more lines.
Leave this house before nightfall.
Do not go back to the university.
Do not go to the police.
The people looking for you will expect all three.
My heartbeat pounded in my ears.
Who...
Who wrote this?
How did they know?
I turned the paper over.
Blank.
No name.
No explanation.
Nothing.
A wave of frustration crashed over me.
"What does any of this mean?" I whispered into the empty house.
My voice sounded strangely loud.
I searched the envelope again.
This time, my fingers brushed against something small.
I tipped it upside down.
A tiny silver key fell into my palm.
One side was completely smooth.
On the other...
A single number had been engraved.
214.
I frowned.
It wasn't one of our house keys.
It wasn't labelled.
It came with no instructions.
Just...
A room?
A locker?
An apartment?
I had no idea.
I stared at the key resting in my hand.
It felt like someone had handed me the first piece of a puzzle...
Without showing me the picture on the box.
Then—
The crunch of tyres echoed outside.
I froze.
A car.
Then another.
Doors opened.
Footsteps.
More than one person.
Coming up the driveway.
My heart lurched into my throat.
I closed my fingers around the key.
The front doorknob rattled.
Someone was trying to get in.
- Writer
