Sheila stood outside her boyfriend Martin's house, preparing herself to visit her close friend—Sharlene.
"Sharlene," she called softly as she approached her. It was still early; they had made sure to come before the wake became crowded again.
Martin was Sheila's boyfriend, but he was also Sharlene's husband. Despite being married to Sharlene, Martin had long since lost all love for her—a truth Sheila knew too well.
Sharlene turned to face them. A faint smile curled on her lips.
"Sheila," she said, her voice quiet.
Sheila embraced her gently. "My condolences," she whispered sincerely.
"Thank you." Sharlene stepped back from the hug.
"So, you and Martin ended up together, huh?" Sharlene said, her gaze resting on both of them.
"Ah, yes," Sheila replied, caught off guard. "I bumped into him at the gate. He said he was dropping by a friend's house first."
Sheila was careful with her words. Her instincts told her that Sharlene sensed something—perhaps more than she let on.
Sharlene nodded slowly, eyes lingering on Martin. A subtle, unreadable smile crept across her face.
"I'm still feeling a little dizzy. So many people visited last night," she said, glancing toward the coffin in the room.
"You should rest," Sheila said gently, concerned.
Sharlene shook her head. "Don't worry, I managed to get some sleep earlier."
Just then, a little girl stepped out of the house.
"Ashley!" Sheila greeted her joyfully.
"Aunt Sheila!" The girl ran into her arms, hugging her tightly. When she saw Martin, she brightened even more. Martin picked her up, smiling at her excitement.
"Ashley," someone called from behind.
"Tashia!" Ashley responded cheerfully.
Tashia's eyes flicked toward Sheila and Martin, lingering on them with subtle suspicion.
"Come on, let's eat. I need to take you home after," Tashia said, reaching for Ashley's hand.
Ashley obediently followed. Before leaving, Tashia gave the couple a knowing glance.
"Sister, breakfast is ready over there," she said to Sharlene before walking off with Ashley.
Sharlene smiled faintly. It didn't reach her eyes. Something simmered beneath the surface, but she stayed composed.
"If you're not in a hurry, why don't you join us for breakfast?" Sharlene offered.
"Ah, no," Martin said quickly. "We still have some work to finish at the office."
Sheila nodded, supporting his excuse. "Yeah, the manager's already been calling me. Sorry, Sharlene. We'll make it up to you once things at work calm down."
"I understand," Sharlene replied, her voice soft. "Take care."
"Thank you. Again, my condolences," Sheila said.
"Thank you," Sharlene murmured. Her gaze lingered on them. "At least you know I'm grieving. Too bad my own husband doesn't."
Sheila couldn't respond. There was something chilling in the way Sharlene smiled as she said it.
"Sharlene..." Martin began, sighing. "I'm just really busy. I promise I'll come home early today."
"To help?" Sharlene laughed bitterly. "Don't bother. It's embarrassing at this point."
Then her voice changed.
"Do you believe in karma?" she asked.
Suddenly, the air turned cold, an unnatural chill wrapping around Sheila. Sharlene bowed her head, then lifted it slowly. Her eyes were sharp and intense—and blood dripped from her face.
Sheila froze.
This wasn't Sharlene. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.
"Karma will come for you, Sheila," the woman whispered, stepping closer. Sheila hadn't even noticed how near she had gotten.
"Don't you recognize me anymore?" she whispered in her ear. "You will. Soon, my dear."
Sheila gasped.
Suddenly, Sharlene was smiling at her again—normal, calm.
Sheila said nothing. Her heart raced as she turned and walked quickly back to the car. Martin followed a few moments later.
From the corner of her eye, she saw it.
Sharlene—floating slightly above the ground. Mud and blood trailed beneath her feet.
Sheila slammed the door shut, trembling.
Am I going crazy? she thought.
"Sheila, are you okay?" Martin asked, concerned.
She looked at him, eyes filled with fear.
Martin hugged her tightly. It helped—a little.
"I don't know what's happening to that woman," Martin muttered.
"She's scaring me. I think she might threaten me," Sheila admitted.
"Don't worry. She's not the type. She loves her job too much," Martin reassured her. "She's a coward."
Sheila nodded weakly and sighed.
"Are you okay now?" Martin asked, looking into her eyes.
"I'm okay," she replied, forcing a smile.
"Good. I'm glad."
They drove in silence for a while. Martin would drop her off at the office.
"Hey, honey," Sheila said, breaking the silence.
"Yeah?" Martin glanced at her.
"Don't we have... other things to do?" she asked, giving him a meaningful look.
He smirked. "Here I am, worried about you, and you're back to seducing me."
"Why? Don't you want to?" she teased.
Martin pulled into a quiet parking lot. "You know I can never say no to you."
Sheila climbed onto his lap as he reclined the seat. Their passion flared.
"You're so wild today," Martin whispered.
Sheila smiled. "You're already hard."
"I can't hold it anymore," he groaned.
Their bodies moved in rhythm. Moans escaped their lips, lost in the silence of the empty lot.
"I'm close, hon," Sheila gasped.
Just then, she glanced at the rearview mirror.
A woman was watching them.
No face. Just a presence. A twisted, eerie smile.
Sheila's heartbeat spiked. She looked again. The woman was still there, grinning.
Loud knocks banged against the window. They ignored it—Martin was too far gone.
They finished in a blur of heat and fear.
Martin quickly dressed. Sheila followed, still shaken.
No one was outside. The lot was empty.
They exchanged a worried glance.
"People with nothing better to do," Martin muttered. "Come on."
As Sheila stepped out, something caught her eye.
A bloody handprint on the car.
Words were scrawled in blood: Karma will approach you.
She blinked. It vanished.
But the fear remained.