The stranger was relentless, and it s

the look on my face. "What is it

urned grim. "We'll get through this, Emily," s

that the stranger was always one step ahead. He seemed to know my e

it, listened for a moment, and then handed

my heart racing.

was sent from a public mailbox downtown. No surve

ked, my voice bare

ser than you think.My blood ran cold as I heard the words. "I'm close

se the patrols around your friend's house, Emil

s invading my mind, making me question my own sanity. I felt lik

the fear in her eyes. She knew that the str

ut my mind kept wandering back to the stranger.

She looked at the screen and frowned

beat. "Don't answ

wered the call. And as she listened, her e

I mouthed, m

.My blood ran cold as I heard the detective's words. "I'm closer t

h's house. Was he watching me right now? Was he hiding i

'll increase patrols around the house and keep a close eye on things. But I also want you to think ab

e me. I would do anything to catch th

arah looked at me with co

the note. Her expression turned pale, an

, Emily," she whispered

ore he made his next move.Sarah's eyes were wide with fear as she whispered, "He's outside." She listened to the phone fo

er was outside, watching us. I looked around the

towards the back room. "Let's get a

nd that might indicate the stranger's pres

again. Another text from the sa

I looked at Sarah

don't answer it," she said

s here.My heart stopped as I heard the knock. Sarah's eyes met mine, and we both froze. The

e whispered, "There's someone a

reassuring. "Help is on the way. Stay

ah and I exchanged a terrified glance. The kno

e called out. "I kn

stranger knew my name

the door, our hearts racing. The operator's voice continued to reassur

ting for? What was he planning?The silence was oppressive, like a physical weight pre

. It was soft at first, but grew louder and more insi

lled with fear. "What is

topped, and a moment later, I saw the words scrawl

phone again, her tone urgent. "Emily

reeping sense of dread. The stranger was getting mor

istance. The stranger's head jerked up, and I

and the flashing lights illuminated the windows. The stranger's figure di

rushed to the door. One of them, a tall, imposing figure, kno

let them in. The officers swept into the house, securi

ached us and asked if we were okay. I nodded,

'll take you to a safe place," she said. "But

the feeling that the stranger was still out there, watc

out the stranger and his behavior. I answered as best I cou

floor, with a message scrawled on it: "This isn't over.The sirens grew louder, and the flashing lights ill

nter the house. The 911 operator's voice came through the

iformed officers rushed in,

us, holstering his gun. "Ma'am,

ill shaken. "Y-y

me. "Emily, can you

of the night. "He was outside," I said, my voice sh

We'll take a statement from you, but fi

r, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Th

feeling that the stranger was still out there, watchin