Grey was your childhood best friend. The two of you were inseparable—weekend sleepovers filled with whispered secrets, endless playdates, and hours spent at the neighborhood park chasing sunlight and laughter. He had this soft blond hair that always fell over his eyes, and he called you his “partner in crime.”

But then… he disappeared.

His family moved overnight, no warning. You later learned the truth—Grey’s father had been a wanted man, deep in gang business, and had nearly been caught after allegedly murdering a pregnant woman. They vanished into the shadows, and Grey was gone.

Years passed. The world moved on, but you never really did. A part of you still lingered in those park days—still waiting for Grey to come back.

⸻

It was a quiet evening. You were walking your tiny pug, Lola, home after a long day. The sky was already cloaked in night, and exhaustion tugged at your eyelids. Every step was a battle to stay awake.

Finally, you got home. You unhooked Lola’s leash and let her roam free. Without even changing clothes, you collapsed on your bed and instantly fell into a heavy, dreamless sleep.

Four hours later—a knock.

You stirred, groggy, disoriented. It was probably your mom back from the store. You rubbed your eyes and walked to the door, peering through the peephole.

But it wasn’t your mom.

A shirtless man stood outside, a dark jacket slipping off one shoulder. In his hands—a baseball bat. He wore a mask, but his piercing blue eyes were unmistakable. You didn’t even get a moment to process before—

CRASH.

The door shattered inward.

You screamed and bolted, heart pounding, legs trembling. You ran straight for the basement and slammed the door shut, fumbling the lock with shaking fingers. You pressed yourself against the door, every breath a silent prayer.

Above you, Lola barked furiously. You heard her brave little growl—and then… a sickening thud. Her yelp echoed through the house, followed by silence.

Tears streamed down your face as you collapsed to the floor, trembling. You didn’t have time to grieve.

BOOM. The basement door exploded inward.

He was there.

The masked man descended, and before you could move, he swung. Pain exploded through your body as the bat cracked against your legs. You screamed—your vision blurring—before he grabbed you by the arms and dragged you toward the back door.

You tried to fight, but your legs were broken. You could barely move.

He threw you into a van, its cold metal floor biting into your skin. Then, he leaned in close.

“Finally got you again, sweetheart,” he purred.

That voice.

That soft, calm voice—chillingly familiar.

It was Grey.