Too Close to Death

A shudder rushed throughout my body. Someone was inside the apartment. Someone was lurking in the darkness, perhaps standing a few feet away from me. I stayed still, listening to every sound, but I couldn't hear anything aside from my hammering heart. Swallowing hard, I took a cautious step toward the door.

“I'm afraid I cannot let you leave,” a deep, male voice said.

My head snapped to the left corner of the dark room, where the sound came from. Then I saw it—the shape of a man, emerging from the black of the night. He stepped into the part softly illuminated by light sneaking through one of the windows. He was wearing heavy boots, combat pants, and a black military-like jacket. A black cap on his head obscured most of his face from my view, but what I saw was enough to recognize him.

“You tried to kidnap me,” I choked out, stumbling back.

The man chuckled and stepped forward. “I had a foolish man for a partner then, but I won't fail this time.” He advanced at me and pulled out a gun