Emily

We tried to do normal things, watching movies, cooking dinner together, even just sitting on the porch and talking, but there was always something lurking between us. We didn't talk about it, but I knew he was just as scared as I was. We both knew how lucky we were that David had been caught before he could do anything worse. One evening, Mark suggested I see a therapist. At first, I resisted.

I didn't want to talk about what had happened. I wanted to forget it. But the nightmares weren't going away, and the fear was eating me alive. So I went. The therapist was kind. She listened as I told her everything. The arrest, the journal, the plans David had made. She didn't judge me or tell me I was overreacting. She just listened. And somehow, that helped.

I didn't want to talk about what had happened. I wanted to forget it. But the nightmares weren't going away, and the fear was eating me alive. So I went. The therapist was kind. She listened as I told her everything. The arrest, the journal, the plans David had made. She didn't judge me or tell me I was overreacting. She just listened. And somehow, that helped.

it took time but slowly i started to feel a little stronger i began to trust myself again just a little i started to take small steps like walking to my car alone during the day without feeling terrified It wasn't much, but it was something. I knew I would never be the same as before, but maybe that was okay. I had learned that monsters could look just like regular people.

it took time but slowly i started to feel a little stronger i began to trust myself again just a little i started to take small steps like walking to my car alone during the day without feeling terrified It wasn't much, but it was something. I knew I would never be the same as before, but maybe that was okay. I had learned that monsters could look just like regular people.

They could sit next to you every day, smile at you and still hide terrible secrets. Stay safe out there. It was just supposed to be a fun night. Mason and I needed a break from our routine, so we went to the drive-in theater. A perfect pick. Cheap tickets. A horror movie. Just us under the stars. We parked, sat back to watch a movie, and had no idea that the real horrors would come afterward.

They could sit next to you every day, smile at you and still hide terrible secrets. Stay safe out there. It was just supposed to be a fun night. Mason and I needed a break from our routine, so we went to the drive-in theater. A perfect pick. Cheap tickets. A horror movie. Just us under the stars. We parked, sat back to watch a movie, and had no idea that the real horrors would come afterward.

It was after midnight that we finally pulled out of the drive-in. Mason lay half asleep beside me as I started the drive home. The freeway stretched off into the distance, dark and nearly empty. There was just the sound of the humming engine, and I felt that sort of calm you get in those quiet early morning hours. I glanced over at the sleeping Mason and couldn't help but smile to myself.

It was after midnight that we finally pulled out of the drive-in. Mason lay half asleep beside me as I started the drive home. The freeway stretched off into the distance, dark and nearly empty. There was just the sound of the humming engine, and I felt that sort of calm you get in those quiet early morning hours. I glanced over at the sleeping Mason and couldn't help but smile to myself.

All was well, until it wasn't. i had been driving in the right lane when i saw a slow-moving black suv ahead of us i flipped on my blinker and moved over to pass it glancing in my mirrors there was nothing behind me or so i thought out of nowhere headlights appeared a dark blue pickup truck sped up right behind us closing the gap in a matter of seconds

All was well, until it wasn't. i had been driving in the right lane when i saw a slow-moving black suv ahead of us i flipped on my blinker and moved over to pass it glancing in my mirrors there was nothing behind me or so i thought out of nowhere headlights appeared a dark blue pickup truck sped up right behind us closing the gap in a matter of seconds

The truck's high beams flashed on, and my mirrors were instantly awash in a blinding light. I winced, squinting into the glare. Did I cut them off by accident? I wondered, my heart starting to pound. I moved over into the right lane to let them pass, but instead of speeding by, the truck followed me. It was too close, way too close. The driver is flashing his brights over and over again.

The truck's high beams flashed on, and my mirrors were instantly awash in a blinding light. I winced, squinting into the glare. Did I cut them off by accident? I wondered, my heart starting to pound. I moved over into the right lane to let them pass, but instead of speeding by, the truck followed me. It was too close, way too close. The driver is flashing his brights over and over again.

I'm trying to keep my calm and think maybe I'm doing something wrong, but something doesn't feel right. Why wouldn't he just pass? There were three open lanes to the left of me, yet he just sat there on my tail, swerving every time I changed lanes. My hands began to shake on the wheel. I elbowed Mason, whispering, Mason, wake up. Something's wrong. He groaned, rubbing his eyes as he sat up.

I'm trying to keep my calm and think maybe I'm doing something wrong, but something doesn't feel right. Why wouldn't he just pass? There were three open lanes to the left of me, yet he just sat there on my tail, swerving every time I changed lanes. My hands began to shake on the wheel. I elbowed Mason, whispering, Mason, wake up. Something's wrong. He groaned, rubbing his eyes as he sat up.

I could sense his confusion turn into fear the moment he saw the truck through the rearview mirror. What's going on? He asked, his voice groggy. I don't know, I said, straining to keep my voice level. He won't stop following us. Can you call the police? Mason kept his eyes fixed on the truck, not speaking for a moment. The pickup still followed us, zigzagging from side to side, right on our tail.

I could sense his confusion turn into fear the moment he saw the truck through the rearview mirror. What's going on? He asked, his voice groggy. I don't know, I said, straining to keep my voice level. He won't stop following us. Can you call the police? Mason kept his eyes fixed on the truck, not speaking for a moment. The pickup still followed us, zigzagging from side to side, right on our tail.

My stomach twisted in fear. I could feel my heart beating faster as I hit the gas, the speedometer needle climbing higher. But no matter how fast I went, the truck kept up, the lights flashing in the mirror. It's like he wanted to push us off the road. Then I saw it coming up, an exit. It was an old highway I remembered from when I was younger.

My stomach twisted in fear. I could feel my heart beating faster as I hit the gas, the speedometer needle climbing higher. But no matter how fast I went, the truck kept up, the lights flashing in the mirror. It's like he wanted to push us off the road. Then I saw it coming up, an exit. It was an old highway I remembered from when I was younger.

It wasn't part of our route, but I knew I had to do something, anything to lose him. I glanced over at Mason, watching the truck, his face pale. Without thinking, I reacted. I yanked the wheel to the right and the tires let out a screech as we hurtled toward the exit ramp. The truck's headlights slewed to the left, and for one brief moment, under the street lamp, I saw his face.