Aileen was awakened by a rustling sound and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was well after eleven. Black had finally arrived. She was lying on her stomach under the covers, but she'd left the light on in the living room adjoining the bedroom. Her hair was still damp from the shower. She leaned on her arm, pushed herself up, and rolled over onto her back.
The covers slid to the side, and she looked around the dark room. A dark figure stood frozen by the closet. “I was beginning to wonder if you'd show up at all. Thank you for the clothes and all the things you got…”
The dark figure lunged forward and fell onto the bed, pinning her to the surface. A gloved hand closed around her throat. She froze in shock, the fingers on her throat tightening as she began to choke. She opened he
