"Three gone missing with a mangled body disposed in front of a mall at night according to the news yesterday" Camille said as she took her seat next to her best friend, Ashlyn.

Ashlyn gasped in shock, "Another one? Is it about that creature again?" she asked, her eyes wide with fear.

"Yea, it's that thing, again," Camille answered with a sigh, "And it's much closer this time too. From what I heard from the news, it happened in front of Icecove mall."

"What?" Ashlyn exclaimed with a shudder. Icecove mall was one of the most common shopping malls within the district. That meant that whatever it was that was killing and kidnapping people might be nearby, meaning that no one was that save anymore and could likely fall victim.

Ashlyn felt a hand rest on her shoulder. She turned to see Camille giving her an encouraging look. Ashlyn sighed, having not realized how she had tensed up on the news. At that point, the bus stopped and the destination was announced. "Oh! Welp, looks like I've reached my stop." Camile said with light quick taps on Ashlyn's shoulder. Camille was a cosmetologist in one of the most prestigious cosmetic companies but preferred to take the bus to work while Ashlyn was a pharmacist in a shop not too far from Camille's cosmetic company. As a result, they happened to bump into each other most times on their way to work. Camille had been Ashlyn's friend since they were in highschool and had kept in touch through college till they finally found their dream jobs.

Ashlyn waved Camille goodbye and headed for her own place of work. The day went by as any other day would with various clients entering for her services and others coming for just a chat. At noon she had lunch with Camille who was working at the agency's building that day and they went back home together in the evening.

"Remember to text me as soon as you get home!" Camille waved goodbye to Ashlyn as they went their separate ways home.

"Sure will!" Ashlyn waved her back.

The distance between their last stop and Ashlyn's home wasn't much and it was well lit so she had no issue walking home by herself. After freshening up and brewing a nice hot chocolate to combat the chilly air, she texted Camille as promised, even taking a picture of her chocolate and sending it to her. After her drink, she prepared dinner for herself, cooking extra for Vanessa, the elderly woman next door who was her friend and mental guide as well. For a few minutes, she shared her day with the old woman and saw to her medication. Vanessa's health had been deteriorating steadily over the last few months and Ashlyn was starting to grow worried for her.

"Ugh! Don't give me that face!" Vanessa said with a grumpy look on her face.

"But Ness, if we don't do anything, I'm not sure for how long I will be able to see you again!" Ashlyn complained.

"Oh you naughty girl!" Vanessa harrumphed. Then, with a gentle smile she added, "You know that I will eventually have to leave at some point. That's just the fate of all human beings. I've experienced both the good and bad sides if life and you've played a significant role in establishing sweet memories in my heart. Now it will soon be time for me to bid adieu to this world and there is nothing more for me to teach you. You are a grown woman with lots of capabilities that I admire. I would have loved to see you establish your own family but alas! This frail body of mine won't keep up. So just promise me one thing. Promise me that my death won't weigh you down."

Ashlyn felt a lump grow in her throat but she swallowed and nodded her head in agreement.

That night, as she sat on her bed jotting down significant activities and herbal recipes for the day, she couldn't help but eventually feel lonely. Suddenly, there was a rattling sound coming from the direction of her kitchen and she froze to listen more keenly. The rattling sound came again, this time accompanied with the lights flickering. Ashlyn began to panic. The rattling sound turned to a high pitched, low screeching sound, as though something was clawing against the window, heightening her fear.

She quickly turned her head across the room and her eyes landed on the butter knife she had used that morning during breakfast. It was on the bedside stool and was the only weapon close by she could see. Without hesitation, she grabbed the knife and slowly crept out of bed, brandishing the butter knife in front of her as though it were a real one and stealthily made her way towards the kitchen. The lights kept flickering with increasing frequency by the second and before Ashlyn could cover half of her room, there was blackout.

.....

Ashlyn could feel the blood literally drain from her system and all her muscles instantly cramped up forcing her to stay as stationary as a statue. In the span of a few seconds quick muffled shuffling was heard coming from below her followed by the sound of something like a body crashing against furniture. She heard the muffled sound of someone groaning and the screeching sound coming from her kitchen increased its vigor. Ashlyn couldn't help but stay still throughout the whole ordeal, her heart pounding hard as if threatening to break her ribcage.

A few more seconds later the lights came back on but the screeching continued. Summoning a bit of boldness with the appearance of the lights, Ashlyn continued her journey to the kitchen. The screeching sound had already stopped when she reached the door. Ashlyn slowly opened the door a crack and peeped inside for any sign of movements. She didn't see any but waited for a few more seconds. "Who's there?!" She asked with no response. "Whoever it is just know that I've got a pretty nasty weapon which I won't hesitate to use!" She called out once again, still with no response. Ashlyn took a deep breath, tightening her grip on the butter knife before swiftly flipping the lights on and blindly bursting into the kitchen, thrusting the knife into the empty space in the room with her eyes closed. She waited for a few seconds before she finally opened her eyes to see that nothing was amiss in her kitchen. Nothing except for the window she had tightly shut not long ago as she was retiring to bed, now slightly open.

Ashlyn's hair stood on end as a rattling sound reached her ears, this time coming from behind her. She quickly whipped her body towards the source of the sound and her eyes landed on the water dispenser.

"What the...?"