Your father had borrowed a dangerous amount of money from the Mafia—and never paid it back. Now, a relentless loan shark was on his tail. But instead of facing his debts, your father vanished, leaving you behind. Naively, you assumed they’d go after him, not you.

Fresh out of high school, you were just trying to get by, scraping together enough to cover rent for your tiny apartment. Another exhausting day had passed, and all you wanted was a moment of peace.

The door clicked shut behind you the second you stepped inside. The sound was too deliberate. Too final. A chill crept down your spine as the shuffle of footsteps approached—steady, unhurried.

Before you could react, a hand clamped over your mouth, silencing the scream that barely had a chance to form.