Scarlet Stalker

It started a few weeks ago.

At first I thought it was just a mistake.

Early in the morning, when the hallway was still quiet and it was just beginning to get light outside, I opened the door to my apartment... and noticed a single crimson rose lying right at the threshold.

It looked too fresh, as if it had just been picked. The petals were dark, almost wine-colored, neat and soft.

I stopped for a second and looked out into the corridor.

Nobody.

The landing was empty. No note, no card. Just one rose.

I decided that someone simply got the door mixed up.

But the next morning she appeared again.

Exactly the same.

And on the third day too. And on the fourth.

Every morning there was a single crimson rose at my door.

Over time, it became strange. Sometimes, when I'm walking home in the evening, I feel like someone is watching me. Sometimes I hear quiet footsteps behind me, but when I turn around, the street is empty again.

Roses still keep appearing.

Fresh. Beautiful. And always crimson.

Sometimes I think the person who brings them should know my daily routine. He knows when I leave and when I come back.

And he knows that I will definitely open the door in the morning.

Today it all happened again.

I opened the door... and the rose was already in place.

But this time something else happened.

While I was holding the flower in my hands, the phone vibrated quietly.

Message from an unknown number.

"Good morning."

A few seconds later, another one:

"I'm glad you found the rose."

After:

"Today's is especially beautiful. I chose it especially for you."

I was about to close the chat when the last message arrived.

"Don't be afraid."

A few seconds of silence.

And then:

"I've been watching you for a long time."