In the stillness of the night, where shadows stretch and silence suffocates, terror waits in the most unexpected corners. *Shadows Unleashed* is a chilling collection of short stories that delves into every facet of horror-from spine-tingling encoun...
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The moon hung low in the night sky, casting a pale glow over the suburban street. The air was still, the only sound the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze. Tom, Eddie, and Marc crouched behind a row of bushes, their breaths shallow and eyes focused on the modest two-story house in front of them. A single light shone through the living room window, casting shadows across the neatly manicured lawn.
"This is it," Tom whispered, adjusting the dark mask over his face. "The woman lives alone. No security system, no neighbors too close. We’re in and out before anyone knows what’s happening."
Eddie glanced at Marc, a nervous grin stretching across his face. "Just one lady? This is gonna be easy, man. You sure she’s got the goods?"
Tom nodded. "Word is, she's got a stash of jewelry worth more than that entire house. We get in, grab the stuff, and we’re out of here before anyone’s the wiser."
Marc, the quietest of the group, adjusted his backpack and scanned the street for any sign of movement. "Let’s get this over with," he muttered. "The longer we wait, the riskier it gets."
They approached the house, creeping across the lawn and toward the back door. Tom pulled out a set of lockpicking tools, his hands steady as he worked the lock. Within seconds, the door clicked open.
"Piece of cake," he whispered, pushing the door open with a soft creak.
The three men slipped inside, their eyes adjusting to the dimly lit kitchen. It was quiet—too quiet. For a moment, Tom hesitated, sensing something off about the place, but he quickly shook the feeling off. They had a job to do.
"Fan out," Tom ordered in a hushed voice. "Marc, you check the upstairs. Eddie, keep an eye on the back. I’ll check the living room."
They moved quickly, their footsteps light on the hardwood floor. Tom headed toward the living room, scanning the shelves and cabinets for anything valuable. He opened a small jewelry box on a side table, his eyes lighting up as he found a handful of gold rings and necklaces.
"Jackpot," he muttered to himself, stuffing the loot into his pocket.
Upstairs, Marc moved cautiously through the hallway, peeking into the master bedroom. The bed was neatly made, clothes were folded on the dresser, and everything looked… normal. Too normal. He couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched, but when he looked around, there was no one. Just the stillness of an empty house.
Downstairs, Eddie lingered near the back door, glancing out the window every few seconds. His hand rested on the handle of a knife tucked into his waistband, more out of habit than necessity. As he stared into the darkness of the backyard, something caught his eye—movement.
A dog.
It was a large German Shepherd, sitting silently in the middle of the yard, its eyes locked on Eddie through the window. He hadn't seen it when they arrived, but there it was now, motionless, staring.
