A work-free day. Anisa woke early with the intention of clearing her mind. She gave her apartment a thorough, cathartic cleaning. It felt like shedding an old skin. She stripped the bedsheets, took down the curtains, and washed everything. Occasionally, a breeze from the open window carried the scent of damp laundry throughout the space, a clean, simple smell. đŹ
In the afternoon, she made herself a simple brunch. It was modest, but it felt right. She had grown accustomed to eating alone by the window, quietly observing the world outside. đ„
By evening, she went to the nearby supermarket. She picked up a few light groceries, paid, and headed out. The sky was beginning to darken, so she hailed a taxi, which dropped her off at the start of the street leading to her apartment building.
The taxi drove away. Holding two bags, she began walking down the quiet street toward home. A few streetlights had yet to flicker on. đ
It was in that moment, a few steps behind her,that she heard a sudden, quick shuffle of feet. Before she could even process the sound, a group of figures surrounded her, grabbing her arms.
"Let go!" she screamed. đ
One of them shoved a hand against her collarbone, trying to snatch her necklace. Anisa fought back, pushing against the arms holding her. Her grocery bags fell to the ground with a thud.
Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat of terror. "Help! Help me!" Her voice echoed down the dark, empty street, trembling and desperate. đ
But the street was deserted. Doors were closed. Windows were dark.
Clutching her necklace with a white-knuckled grip, Anisa struggled. Tears, unbidden and hot, spilled from her eyes and streamed down her face. In that horrifying instant, a crushing realization dawned on her: she was utterly, terrifyingly alone. đ„
The darkness around her seemed to press closer, growing thicker and more suffocating. đ