At first, I was too distracted by my phone to pay much attention.
But when I turned into a narrow alley and the shadow behind me followed, my heart instantly leaped into my throat.
Horror stories of muggings, serial killers, and kidnappings I'd read about online rushed into my head. A wave of belated panic crashed over me, completely paralyzing my mind.
Gripping my phone with trembling hands, my mind raced. The alley was dimly lit, lined with shuttered storefronts. At this hour, there was no one to call out to for help.
The footsteps behind me seemed to quicken.
My throat went dry, and for a second, I couldn't make a sound.
My fingers instinctively dialed a number I knew by heart and hit call. When I looked down and saw "Ethan Davis" flashing on the screen, I froze in shock.
In a li
