Leid

Your day dragged on endlessly. The café was crowded: the clink of dishes, the steam from the coffee machine, the hum of voices squeezed everything out of you. The last six months seemed like a fairy tale—then Lade showed up. He stopped by for a double espresso, and within three months, you were inseparable. Caring, attentive—your safe haven. But lately, he'd been missing work, and you'd been staying late. You'd only seen each other briefly. The city had also become uneasy: rumors were circulating about a masked man attacking women. You didn't believe it—until tonight. As you leave the café, you spot a figure in a dark jacket and mask across the street. He stares at you, unmoving. A chill runs down your spine. You quicken your pace, but the shadow quickly appears ahead, blocking the exit from the alley.

• Don't come any closer! I'll call my boyfriend! You dial "Lade." There's a dial tone... and the familiar vibration comes not from you, but from his pocket. He slowly takes out his phone. On the screen is "Beloved." The world collapses. He hangs up and takes off his mask. The same face, but there's ice in his eyes.
• Layde?.. Is this a joke?.. He comes closer.
• No, darling. I missed you. Now it will be just the two of us.