"Evelyn drove down the darkened road, the streetlights casting long shadows as the night sky twinkled with stars above. The only sound was the soft hum of her car's engine, a gentle accompaniment to the darkness. Still wearing the same clothes from her earlier visit to her grandfather's grave, her phone rang, breaking the silence. She answered, and Rachel's voice came through the line, a sudden intrusion into the quiet of the night."
"Hey, Evelyn, are you home?" Rachel asked.
"No, I'm driving," Evelyn replied, her eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"I suggest you return home ASAP," Rachel advised, her voice laced with concern. "I just watched the weather broadcast, and a storm is heading our way. They're telling everyone to stay indoors."
"Evelyn's gaze drifted upward, her eyes locking onto the sky as dark clouds congregated, their ominous presence heightened by the flickering lightning on the horizon. The storm's approach had gone unnoticed until now, its sudden revelation a stark contrast to the peacefulness of the night."
"'Okay, I'm on my way,' Evelyn replied, touching the screen on her car to disconnect the call. As she focused back on the road, a truck suddenly appeared, heading towards her. Evelyn's heart skipped a beat as she swiftly turned the steering wheel to avoid a collision. However, in her startled state, she accidentally veered into the path of a motor scooter traveling in the same direction. The scooter's rider, caught off guard, was struck by Evelyn's car. The sound of metal and shattering glass filled the air.
Evelyn quickly applied the brakes, removed her seatbelt, and rushed out of the car to check on the rider. Landon, waking up on the ground, removed his helmet as Evelyn approached him.
'Are you okay?' she asked, concern etched on her face."
"Yeah, I'm alright," Landon replied, wincing in pain as blood started dripping from his jawline.
Evelyn's eyes widened in distress. "You're bleeding! I'm so sorry... a truck came at me, and I lost control."
Landon looked at the damaged scooter, its backlight broken and rear mangled, before his gaze returned to Evelyn. "Don't worry, I'm alright," he reassured her, his voice fading to a whisper as his eyes rolled back, and he fell to the ground, unconscious.
The sky, which had been darkening, finally unleashed a torrent of rain, casting a gloomy veil over the scene. Evelyn was shocked, as the rain soaked through her clothes.
Landon opened his eyes, regaining consciousness. When he woke up, he found himself in a cozy bedroom, surrounded by warm, inviting decor. The bed he lay on was a plush, queen-sized one with a soft, white duvet and a few pillows propped up against the headboard. The walls were painted a soothing light blue, and the room was illuminated by a table lamp on the nightstand, casting a warm, golden glow.
Evelyn sat in a comfortable, armchair beside the bed, her eyes fixed on Landon with concern. A large window behind her framed a view of the stormy sky, the rain lashing against the panes.
Landon looked around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. A dresser, a closet, and a small desk with a chair completed the furniture in the room. The walls were adorned with a few framed photos and a beautiful piece of artwork, adding a touch of personality to the space.
"Where am I?" Landon asked, his voice slightly groggy.
"This is my home," Evelyn replied. "There's a storm outside, and I couldn't see the road, so I brought you here to be safe."
"I recommend that you don't move much," Evelyn said, "You had a concussion and a minor head injury, so I patched it up."
Landon's hand instinctively went to his forehead, feeling the smooth, white bandages that perfectly covered the injured area. Evelyn had carefully cleaned and dressed the wound, applying a thin layer of antibiotic ointment before securing the bandages with gentle, precise movements.
The bandages were wrapped around his forehead in a neat, crisscross pattern, with a small, white pad pressed directly onto the injury. The edges were secured with tiny pieces of medical tape, and a faint scent of antiseptic lingered on the skin.
Landon's fingers traced the edges of the bandages, feeling the gentle pressure and the softness of the gauze.
"How long was I out?" Landon asked, his voice still slightly groggy.
"'About half an hour,' Evelyn replied. 'Look, I'm sorry for what happened. I'll pay for the damages.' Evelyn continued..."
"'It's alright, I've got insurance covered. You don't have to worry about that,' Landon replied, his brow furrowed with concern. 'Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?' Landon continued.
"Evelyn's eyes widened in surprise, her expression softening. 'Yeah, I'm fine,' she stammered, still taken aback by his response. Landon nodded gently, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled, putting her at ease.
Your parents must've been shocked bringing a stranger to home, Landon asked.
"I live alone," Landon surprised, "Oh," saying that, Landon started coughing.
"You must've caught a cold; you were soaked in the rain when I was trying to get you into my car," Evelyn said.
"I'm okay," Landon replied, coughing. "Let me get you some water." Landon nodded, still coughing.
Evelyn left the room and entered the kitchen in her lavish home, which featured sleek marble countertops, high-gloss cabinets, and a spacious center island made of rich, dark wood, adorned with a beautiful pendant light fixture. The kitchen was equipped with top-of-the-line appliances and offered a stunning view of the surrounding landscape through the floor-to-ceiling windows. She's drawing water from the filter.
Suddenly, the power went out, plunging the kitchen into darkness. Evelyn's eyes struggled to adjust, but then, flashes of lightning illuminated the space, casting eerie shadows.
Under the fleeting glow, a man became visible behind her. He wore a black mask covering his face and was concealed in black attire, making him almost invisible in the shadows. Evelyn, still focused on her task, continued to fill the glass with water from the filter, now half full. The soft gurgle of the water and the creak of the floor beneath her feet were the only sounds. Then, the man silently approached her from behind, his movements stealthy. As he sheathed a 4-inch black knife, the sound of metal on leather echoed through the room, catching Evelyn's attention.
Evelyn took a kitchen knife from the wooden kitchen knife holder, acting as if everything was normal. But by the time the man was behind her, her composure faltered. She turned, and in a swift motion, dropped the glass. The sound of shattering glass filled the air as the fragments hit the marble floor.