SOON SERIES 1: Whispers In The Shadows

Chapter 5: The Arrival

The night was thick with tension as Sarah and Jason waited on the porch, watching the dark gravel road winding toward the house. Every passing second felt heavier, the silence wrapping around them as if the night itself was conspiring to conceal whatever threats lurked in the shadows.

Finally, the distant glow of headlights cut through the darkness, casting long, eerie shadows across the yard. A patrol car, rolling slowly up the drive. Relief washed over Sarah, though the tension in her chest didn't ease entirely. The sound of gravel crunching beneath the tires was almost a balm, breaking the suffocating silence.

Two officers stepped out of the car. The lead officer, a tall, graying man with a serious expression, held up a flashlight and approached the house, nodding at Sarah and Jason. His partner, a younger officer with sharp eyes and a purposeful stride, followed behind him, scanning the area as if expecting something to jump out from the shadows.

"Ms. Riley?" the lead officer asked, his gaze steady and professional.

Sarah nodded, her voice catching in her throat. "Yes. Thank you for coming."

The officer's gaze shifted between Sarah and Jason, taking in their strained expressions and the broken glass on the driveway. "I'm Officer Grant," he said, his voice calm and measured. "This is Officer Park. Why don't you both walk us through what happened tonight?"

Jason stepped forward, speaking for Sarah as she tried to steady her breathing. "We got here and found Sarah's car windows smashed. The house had signs of a break-in, and she's been getting threatening messages for weeks now."

Officer Grant's expression darkened as he took in the shattered car window and the damage to the front door frame. "This isn't the first incident, then?"

"No," Sarah replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "There have been notes left at my door. Threats... and strange warnings." She swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her words. "Tonight, a man showed up on my porch, saying I 'can't stop what's coming'—and that I should get ready."

The officers exchanged a look, one that was brief but filled with unspoken meaning. Officer Park cleared his throat. "Ma'am, did you recognize the man who came to your door?"

Sarah shook her head, the memory of the man's face flashing in her mind. "No... but he looked like he knew me. The way he spoke... it was personal."

"Did he touch anything while he was here?" Officer Park asked, scanning the area near the front door as if he might spot fingerprints in the dim light.

"I don't think so," Sarah replied. "He was gone so fast, and... I didn't have a chance to stop him."

Officer Grant nodded, taking notes. "We'll do a quick sweep of the property and check for any signs of forced entry around the house. I'd recommend you don't stay here tonight," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "This isn't a random act of vandalism; it's targeted. Whoever did this is likely still out there, and your safety is our priority."

Sarah looked down, fighting back a wave of frustration. This was her home, her refuge, and she'd always felt safe here. But now, the walls felt fragile, the shadows filled with unseen threats. Leaving felt like a concession, a loss.

Jason gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You can stay with me tonight. Just until we figure this out."

The words settled on her, as inevitable as the sinking feeling in her stomach. She knew he was right. There was no way she could sleep here now, not after everything that had happened.