As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the quiet town of Willow Creek, Kate stood outside her quaint duplex, a sense of unease tugging at her. The evening was peaceful, the only sound was the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

  The outside of Kate's duplex is charming and unassuming, fitting in perfectly with the small-town feel of Willow Creek. Their building is a two-story structure with a cssic, yet slightly worn, facade that hints at its age. The exterior is painted a soft, pastel blue with white trim, giving it a friendly and inviting appearance.

  The front yard is modest but well-maintained, with a neatly trimmed wn and a few flower beds filled with seasonal blooms. A narrow pathway made of stone pavers leads from the sidewalk to the front steps, inviting visitors to the front door.

  Taking a deep breath, Kate stepped inside, greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of home. But as she made her way through the house, a sense of foreboding grew stronger. The silence felt oppressive, suffocating. She paused in the kitchen, trying to calm herself.

  The kitchen, though compact, is well-organized and functional. It features a small dining table with two chairs, perfect for intimate meals. The counter tops are clutter-free, save for a few essential appliances like a coffee maker and a stand mixer. Bright curtains hang over the window, letting in natural light that makes the space feel inviting and cheerful.

  Nothing is out of pce, thus making Kate’s uneasiness unsubstantial in her mind. She tries to brush it off, but deep down she couldn’t shake off the uneasy feeling. She feared it was more than just her overactive imagination.

  SMASH!

  Kate jolted to the sound of shattering gss that echoed throughout the quiet house. Heart pounding, she rushed to the source in Maggie's room, only to find chaos. Maggie y on the floor, blood pooling around her, a look of terror frozen on her face. A dark shadow was lurking over her. Kate's screams pierced the silence as she frantically tried to pull her phone out of her pocket to dial 911.

  Before she could call for help, the intruder turned toward her. The only thing she could see were his eyes—cold and menacing. With a swift motion, he knocked the phone from her hand, sending it crashing to the floor. Kate screamed for help, but no one could hear her.

  The intruder advanced, his intentions clear. Fear gripping her, she fought back with all her strength, desperate to escape. He grabbed her by the throat, as his other hand groped her body. Kate began to kick and fight with him. He pushes her up against the bedroom wall. She tasted blood as her head hits the cold drywall, pain shooting down her spine as she struggled to break free. His hand remained tightly griping her throat as she kicked at him, hoping to make him stop choking her.

  In the brief struggle that followed, she managed to break free. She pushed him away and started to run, a sharp pain lingering in her head, and covered in blood. Somehow she managed to run out into the night, and away from the danger in her home.

  She colpsed outside in the front yard.

  The minutes that followed were a blur of fshing lights, questions, and tears. Neighbors had heard the girls’ cries for help and called the police.

  The attack had been swift and brutal, leaving Kate and Maggie's lives shattered in its wake.

  ***

  When Kate regained consciousness, she was lying in a hospital bed, the harsh light stinging her eyes. She tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through her head, forcing her back down.

  “Easy there,” a calm, handsome voice said, “You took quite a hit. How are you feeling?”

  She turned her head to see a man in a sheriff's uniform sitting beside her bed. He is a tall, handsome man, with a strong, athletic build. His facial features are rugged yet refined.

  Kate winced, trying to piece together what had happened. “I... I don't know. What happened?”

  The man leaned forward and offered her a reassuring smile. “I'm Sheriff Jonathan Sanders. Last night you and your friend, Maggie Greene were attacked.”

  Kate's head was spinning. “Attacked? ….Where's Maggie?”

  "Miss Whitehall," he said gently, "I'm so sorry. Your friend, Maggie, didn't make it. We're still investigating, trying to piece together what happened. Do you have any idea who might have done this to you?"

  Kate shook her head, a sense of unease settling in. "No, I don't... I don't know.” Tears welled up in Kate's eyes as the reality of what had happened sunk in. Her friend, her roommate, had been taken from her in a senseless act of violence.

  He nodded, his expression grave. "That's okay. You've been through a lot.”

  "I don't understand," Kate whispered, her voice trembling. "Why would someone do this?"

  He took her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "We don't know yet, but we're going to find out. I promise you that."

  As Kate y in the hospital bed, her body bruised and her heart heavy with grief, she knew that finding justice for Maggie was the only thing that mattered now.

  ***

  In the days that followed, Kate struggled to come to terms with the loss of her friend. After a brief stay in the hospital for her injuries, she returned home to the duplex she once shared with Maggie. The familiar sights and sounds of the small town offered little comfort as she navigated the physical and emotional scars left by the attack. The duplex that had once been filled with ughter and shared dreams now felt empty and cold. Every corner of the duplex held memories of her friendship with Maggie, a painful reminder of the life she had lost.

  Kate hesitated at the doorway to her roommate's room, the room now empty of life. Everything was still a mess and the floor was stained with her friend’s blood.

  A pang of sadness washed over her as memories of her friend flooded back – the te-night chats, the shared ughter, the bond they had formed in this small town far from the bustling city they both once called home.

  As she turned to leave, a flicker of movement caught her eye. Kate froze, her heart racing as she realized she was not alone. Standing in the shadows was a figure, their features obscured by the darkness.

  "Who's there?" Kate called out, her voice trembling slightly.

  No response. The figure remained silent, unmoving.

  Heart pounding, Kate reached for the light switch, flooding the room with light. But the figure was gone, leaving behind only a lingering sense of dread.

  Kate’s mind raced as she tried to make sense of what she had seen. Was it just her imagination, or was there someone in the house with her?

  Determined to shake off her fears, Kate forced herself to believe it was nothing more than a trick of the light. But deep down, she knew that the peaceful facade of Willow Creek had been shattered, and darker days were ahead.

  She retreated back to her bedroom, locking the door behind her. As she y in bed, the whispers of the night seemed to grow louder, taunting her with a sense of danger that lurked just out of sight. But Kate refused to let fear consume her.

  In the morning, Sheriff Sanders would come to check on her. She would share her experience and he would help her make sense of it all. But for now, she would try to get some rest, hoping that the whispers in the dark would stop haunting her and that justice would be served for her friend. As she drifted off to sleep, she vowed to herself to never let the whispers scare her.