Let us take you on a journey.....

Emily had always taken comfort in the quiet of her small apartment, nestled away from the bustling city. The heavy rain pattering against the windows was a soothing backdrop as she sank into her armchair with a book and a cup of tea. The storm outside seemed like a gentle reminder of the peace within. But that sense of security was about to be shattered.

It was well past midnight when she first heard the noise. It started as a faint rustling, barely audible over the storm. Emily brushed it off as the wind rattling the windows. Then came a loud crash—her heart leaped into her throat. Someone was in her apartment. Her mind raced as she realized she was alone and unprepared.

With a shaky breath, she grabbed the baseball bat next to her bed. The power had gone out earlier, leaving the apartment in near-complete darkness. Emily moved cautiously through the hallway, every creak of the floor seeming amplified. The noise was coming from the kitchen.

When she peered around the corner.....