Chapter 68

• The sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the streets in hues of orange and purple as Jane walked home from the library. She clutched her tote bag filled with books and her jacket, enjoying the cool evening air. The streets were quieter than usual, the occasional hum of a passing car or the rustle of leaves breaking the silence. It was peaceful, a time she often cherished to clear her mind.
• But tonight, something felt off.
• She couldn’t quite put her finger on it—a sense of unease that prickled the back of her neck. She glanced over her shoulder, her pace slowing. The street was empty, save for the soft glow of streetlights and a shadow cast by a tree swaying in the breeze.