Marked for Death

In the quiet town of Havenwood, nights were often serene, punctuated only by the rustling of leaves and the distant howls of nocturnal creatures. However, on this particular evening, a sense of unease pervaded the air, thick as the fog that rolled in from the nearby forest.

Emma Caldwell, a 32-year-old nurse, had just finished her late shift at St. Mary's Hospital. Exhausted, she trudged to her car in the dimly lit parking lot, her footsteps echoing in the stillness. She fumbled with her keys, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of her cozy apartment and the promise of a hot shower.

As she unlocked her car, she noticed a small, folded piece of paper tucked under the windshield wiper. Puzzled, she retrieved it and unfolded the note, her breath catching in her throat as she read the message scrawled in crimson ink: "You’re next."

A cold shiver ran down her spine. She glanced around the empty lot, her eyes straining to penetrate the darkness. The only sound was the distant hum of the hospital’s generator. With trembling hands, she stuffed the note into her pocket and quickly got into her car, locking the doors behind her.

As she drove home, the eerie message replayed in her mind, mingling with the recent news reports of a serial killer on the loose, a predator who left similar notes for his victims. Known only as "The Night Stalker," he had terrorized the region for months, his victims found with a hauntingly familiar note clutched in their lifeless hands.

Emma’s anxiety grew as she pulled into the driveway of her small, secluded house at the edge of town. She scanned her surroundings before bolting to her front door. Once inside, she locked and bolted every entrance, her heart pounding.

In the relative safety of her living room, she unfolded the note again, hoping it had been some kind of cruel joke. But the message remained unchanged, the crimson ink seeming to pulse with a life of its own. She thought of calling the police, but what could she tell them? That she found a note on her car? Would they take her seriously?

Determined to shake off her fear, Emma decided to take a hot shower. The sound of water cascading down soothed her nerves, and for a moment, she allowed herself to believe that it was all just a prank. But as she stepped out of the shower and wiped the fog from the mirror, she saw it – another message, written on the steamed glass: "I’m watching."

Panic surged through her. She hadn’t heard anyone come in. How could this be happening? Her mind raced, piecing together fragments of information and fear. She was the Night Stalker’s next target, and he had already infiltrated her sanctuary.

With shaking hands, she dialed 911, her voice trembling as she explained the situation. The operator assured her that officers were on their way, but the minutes stretched into an eternity as she waited, every creak of the house amplified in the oppressive silence.

Finally, the flashing lights of a patrol car pierced the darkness outside. Emma rushed to open the door, relief flooding her as two officers stepped inside. They searched the house thoroughly but found no signs of forced entry or any intruder. The notes were collected as evidence, and Emma was advised to stay with a friend or family member for the night.

As the officers left, Emma packed a small bag, her mind made up to stay with her sister in town. But as she grabbed her keys, she noticed something on her bedside table that hadn’t been there before – a small, blood-red rose. Attached to it was another note: "See you soon."