Writetober 2024, Horror Haven: Day 4: A Neighbor

Rachel had always been a city girl. The quiet small town street she now called home was a stark contrast to the bustling metropolis she'd grown up with. But it was the peace and tranquility she craved, and she was determined to adjust for it.


Her new neighbor, a man named Karl, was a labyrinth. He rarely left his house, and when he did, he was always bundled up, his face obscured by a scarf and hat. The only time Rachel had seen him clearly was when he'd accidentally left his front door open while collecting his mail. She caught a glimpse of his eyes, cold and calculating, and a shiver ran down her spine.


At first, she dismissed her unease as a case of nerves. New surroundings could be unsettling. But as the days turned into weeks, her suspicions grew. She'd seen him lurking in the shadows, watching her house. Once, she'd even heard a faint noise coming from his backyard late at night - a muffled scream, she was sure.


Rachel started to keep a journal, documenting every unusual occurrence. She noticed the strange packages that were delivered to his house - unmarked and double-sealed. She saw him talking on his phone late at night, his voice hushed and urgent. And she heard the rumors at the local grocery store: whispers about a missing woman in a nearby town, a woman who matched the description of someone she had seen entering Karl's house. At one point, she even tried to get the police involved, but they dismissed the case due to the lack of concrete evidence.


Fear began to consume her. She couldn't shake the feeling that Karl was a serial killer, and she was his next target. She considered calling the police again, but she had no proof. What if she was wrong? What if she ruined Karl's life based on mere suspicion?


One night, as she lay awake in bed, she heard a noise coming from Karl's house. It was a soft, rhythmic thumping sound. Footsteps, perhaps? She crept closer to the window, her heart pounding in her chest. Then, she saw it: a silhouetted figure, dragging something heavy across the floor.


written by Zoe

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