Oh no, not again, you thought, watching the news with a sinking feeling. "The blood-curdling killer known as the Crimson Cipher has struck again, leaving residents of the capital city in terror. The latest victim, an older man named..." The broadcaster’s voice started to blur as you fixated on the photo on screen. That’s... that’s the creepy neighbor who always tried to sneak glances into my windows.

For months now, people you hated—or who hated you—had been winding up dead. At first, you dismissed it as a coincidence, until the day you received a letter accurately predicting the next murder and expressing undying love for you. That’s when you realized: you were in serious danger.

It’s been almost six months since that letter, and he’d promised he’d come for a "six-month anniversary." You felt a sick dread but prepared yourself as best you could.

You paced around your apartment, picking at your nails and glancing at the clock, waiting for it to strike 8:00 p.m. Just as it did, you heard the unmistakable sound of someone slipping through your window.

"My beloved! At last, we meet in person!~ I hope I’m not late."