eching to a halt outside. The operator's voice was still c

es scanning the room for any sign of the stra

ights casting eerie shadows on the walls. "Po

e of the officers approached me, his eyes scanning the room

e events of the night. "He was here," I said, my

"We'll take a statement from you, but fir

ng and waiting. And I knew that this was far from over.The sirens grew louder, and I heard the sound of cars screechi

Just stay where you are, and th

ed. The stranger had been here, in my house, and then

e was a welcome relief. I stood up, my legs shaking

, his face kind and concerned. "E

round at the officers, the chaos, and the flashing lights outside, I realized that this w

king as I saw the message scrawled on it: "Until next time.My heart skipped a beat as I stared at the words. Until next time. I

pression turned serious as he read the message. "We'll take this

ow, and they would protect me. But as I looked around the room, I couldn

that the perimeter was secure. The officer nodded, then turned to me. "We'

I began to recount the stranger's visits, the messages, and the break-in, I

rike again?As I finished my statement, the officer nodded sympathetically, his eyes filled with conc

t up, displaying an unknown number. My heart sank as I recog

ed. "Answer it," he said quietly. "Let's

picked up the phone. "Hello?" I sa

then the stranger's low, husky voice spoke up. "You

my heart racing with fear. The officer's expression turne

s running out of time.The officer's phone rang, and he answered it, listening intently. After

The stranger was always one step ahead,

meantime, I recommend you stay with family or friends for the night. We'll provi

essentials and followed the officer out of the h

g that the stranger was watching me, waiting for his next m

feeling a sense of relief wash over me. But as I looked bac

Waiting for me.I gasped, my heart racing as I pointed at

here. He turned back to me, his expression concerned. "Emil

there, watching me. I felt a chill run down my

tell them everything. The strange messages, the break-in, the

as waiting. She introduced herself as Detective James,

ious. When I finished, she nodded. "We'll do everything we can to catch him," she said.

p ahead. But how?Detective James leaned forward, her eyes locked on mine. "We'll increase patrols around your temporary res

elief wash over me. At least s

inued. "If you notice anything suspicious, don't hesitate to

e station with the officer, I felt a sense of determinat

be staying for the time being. As we pulled up to the c

rapped in black paper with a si

erious. "Let's get you inside, now.The officer carefully picked up the package and

the feeling that the stranger was always one ste

to stay. I was grateful for her kindness, but my mind was p

to keep me updated on the investigation. As the

y. I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But

ing me," I said, my voic

ck. "Oh my god, Emily. We'l

owards her. But the feeling was short-lived

r: "You can't