Julia Cummings hurried up the street at ten o’clock at night. While it was late, it wasn’t out of the ordinary for her to head home from work at this hour. “If only the boss hadn’t wanted to work late, I’d be home, safe in my bed.” She wasn’t opposed to late nights, but usually she would be accompanied by some friends, wobbling down the street together after a grand time out.
Tonight was different, she thought, hurrying home after catching the train nearest to her house.
The night appeared dark and scarily dangerous.
Her heels clipped on the concrete, beating a rapid tattoo. She turned her head, searching over her shoulder. Was someone behind her?
The park lay ahead. She could hustle through there and be home in under three minutes. It might be dark, but she’d taken that shortcut before.
Edging past the old metal fence, she followed the path, the light in the centre of the park so far away.
Then she felt it, the whisper of air against the nape against her neck. Hot. Oppressive.
Her heart thudded in her chest.
Something brushed past her, and she stopped. “Who… who’s there?”
Julia trembled, tugged her purse tighter against her body. The air wasn’t cold, but there was a chilling finger sliding through her nerves.
“Hello?”
“Come to me.”
The voice flitted through her brain. Demanding her presence.
Her feet moved even as she opened her mouth to scream.
Nothing came out as darkness descended.