Chapter 10: A Shadow in the Dark
384 Words
Emma’s breath caught in her throat.
The room was pitch black.
Outside, Liam’s voice was eerily low.
> “Emma… don’t move.”
Her skin crawled.
There was something in his tone—not fear, not anger—something worse.
Pure terror.
Then—
A floorboard creaked.
Emma’s heart stopped.
She wasn’t alone.
Someone was in the apartment with her.
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Fight or Flight?
Emma’s hands trembled as she backed away slowly.
> Who was here?
Was it Daniel?
Or… someone else?
She reached for her phone, but before she could turn on the flashlight—
A sharp breath sounded from across the room.
Close.
Too close.
Her stomach twisted.
A whisper followed—low, raspy, inhuman.
“You should’ve stopped digging, Emma.”
Her blood ran cold.
Then—
A hand grabbed her wrist.
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A Desperate Escape
Emma screamed.
She ripped her arm away and stumbled backward, knocking over a chair.
From outside, Liam’s voice was sharp. “Emma! Open the door—NOW!”
Her hands scrambled for the doorknob.
But before she could reach it—
A strong grip yanked her back.
Her attacker’s voice was like ice.
“Sophie didn’t listen either.”
Emma’s body turned to stone.
This wasn’t Daniel.
And this wasn’t Liam.
It was someone else.
Someone who knew what happened to Sophie.
Someone who was dangerous.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
> If I don’t get out now—I’ll disappear too.
With all her strength, Emma kicked backward, hitting her attacker’s leg.
A curse echoed through the darkness as the grip loosened.
Emma lunged for the door, unlocked it, and yanked it open.
Light from the hallway spilled in—
And that’s when she saw him.
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A Face from the Past
A tall man stood in the middle of her apartment.
Dark hoodie. Cold eyes.
Emma’s chest tightened.
She had never seen him before.
But he knew her.
And worse—
He knew Sophie.
Liam grabbed her arm. “Come on!”
Emma stumbled into the hallway as Liam slammed the door shut behind them.
Then—
BANG.
Something slammed against the door from the inside.
Emma choked on a sob.
The stranger was trying to get out.
Trying to get to her.
Liam’s grip tightened. “Run.”
And Emma ran.
- Writer
