I heard a scream.
Two people came into view—one was a woman, and the other was a tall man, at least seven feet. He wore a long black coat that covered him completely. In his hand was a knife, and he was stabbing her—again and again. Then, with a brutal motion, he thrust the blade under her neck and dragged it down, as if trying to rip her body apart.
I knew her.
She was my neighbor.
But I couldn't move. Not even an inch. I wanted to scream, to cry out—but even my breath was trapped inside me. I watched as her soul seemed to slip away. I saw her final breath.
Still frozen in place, I somehow managed to take one slow, trembling step toward home.
Then he turned around.
I panicked and ducked behind the old oak tree nearby. I pressed myself against it, heart pounding. But he had already seen me.
Clearly.
He began walking toward me.
I could hear each footstep—slow, heavy, deliberate.
I was too afraid to run. I stood there, frozen like ice, holding my breath.
He reached the tree.
And then…
He stepped around it.
Now he was face to face with me..