Emma froze.

Her father’s voice echoed in her mind: “If something feels wrong, don’t ignore it. Make light. Make noise.”

The man’s gaze found her. His eyes narrowed, sharp as glass.

He took a step forward. Then another. His head turned slightly, scanning the empty street—checking. No one else around.

Emma’s pulse thundered in her ears. Her palms grew slick. The man began to walk faster.

A Split-Second Decision

She turned—he was already too close. The stairwell yawned open behind her like a dark mouth.