Regrettably, my momentary relief dissipated as soon as I unlocked the door and took a step inside. A cold, wet hand gripped tightly around my ankle, sending a shiver down my spine and causing goosebumps to erupt on my skin.
In the doorway, my body froze, legs awkwardly positioned with one foot inside the room and the other outside, ensnared by the grip of an unknown man. Fear paralyzed me, and I dared not look back to identify the intruder. Sweat streamed down my face, as if a bucket of water had been dumped over my head.
Desperation urged me to push against the slippery hold on my ankle, but my attempts to break free proved futile. A voice, hauntingly familiar, whispered, "Bella, don’t go. I need you."
Compelled to confront the source of the plea, I turned my head to find him. He lay o
