Malignant

Trent

Emmaline's hands gripped the steering wheel as she navigated the winding roads that led her into the heart of Trent. The small town contrasted with the bustling city life she'd left behind in New York. The threatening letters had been the final push for her to make this unexpected move, hoping that a change of scenery would breathe new life into her photography and offer a respite from the unsettling feeling of being watched.

Emmaline couldn't help but question her decision as her car rolled into Trent. Was this the right move? Would she find the inspiration she sought, or was this just another uncertain chapter in her life? The town seemed quaint, nestled against the backdrop of the Colorado landscape, yet she couldn't shake the apprehension that gnawed at her thoughts.

The search for her new home proved challenging, the directions she'd obtained becoming a maze of turns and unfamiliar street names. Frustration crept into Emmaline's mind, clouding her judgment. She stopped at a local market, hoping for guidance and a hint of connection in this unfamiliar place.

Entering the market, the warm scent of freshly baked bread and the gentle hum of chatter enveloped her. Emmaline approached the cashier, Lucas, a young man with sandy blond hair and light brown eyes. His friendly demeanor gave her a sense of ease and a glimmer of hope that she could find her way in this town.

"Excuse me," she began, her voice betraying uncertainty and determination. "I'm looking for Pike Drive, number 1212. Can you help me with directions?"

Lucas flashed a friendly smile, "Of Course!" his eyes reflected sincerity as he explained the route. Emmaline absorbed every word, grateful for his assistance. After Lucas explained the directions, they exchanged pleasantries, and she approached the exit. However, as she was about to enter the door, a hand suddenly gripped her arm, startling her.

Quickly turning around, she met Lucas's sheepish expression. "May I have your number?" He asked softly. His request for her number caught her off guard, but his awkward laugh and shy smile disarmed her. A small laugh escaped Emmaline's lips as she agreed to share her number. The brightness in Lucas's smile was infectious.

After exchanging their contact information, the two parted ways. Emmaline exited the store feeling relieved, but as she returned to the car, she was met with an eerie feeling. Instinctively, her head snapped to the left. A striking man dressed in all black caught her eye. Emmaline's confidence wavered for a moment as their eyes locked. They stood like that momentarily, gazing into one another's eyes. Neither one wanted to back down. However, the man tilted his head, and a not-so-subtle smirk played across his face. For some reason, this aggravated Emmaline, so she broke the connection and finished her walk to the car. She could feel his eyes tracing her every step. While driving to her new home, Emmaline couldn't help but replay the encounter. His subtle smirk left her puzzled, and she couldn't shake the feeling that his eyes were dissecting her every move.

"Who is this guy?" Emmaline wondered in confusion. "Is he playing some kind of game?" Shaking off the strange encounter, she began to think about the cabin.

Emmaline contemplated the distance from town. Her excitement about having her own space collided with a nagging concern. Trent was small, and the isolation meant help could be days away in an emergency. Though this place was beautiful, the tranquility of the snow-covered landscape masked the potential dangers lurking beneath.

Arriving at her cabin, Emmaline was taken aback by its modern black and white exterior. The term "cabin" seemed inadequate for such a sophisticated lodging. She stepped out onto the crisp white earth, feeling a mix of awe and uncertainty.

As she gazed at her new home, the beauty of the surroundings began to sink in. The brisk mountain air filled her lungs, and the silence was broken only by the distant rustle of trees. Emmaline couldn't deny the place's allure, but the mysterious encounters in Trent left her with a lingering sense of unease.

Emmaline took a deep breath as she stepped into her new home, closing the door behind her. The interior was as striking as the exterior, seamlessly continuing the modern black-and-white theme. With its sleek furniture and contemporary decor, the living room felt inviting. Emmaline couldn't help but think of the space's countless photo opportunities.

Her excitement bubbled up as she made her way to the kitchen. The open layout, black granite countertops, and state-of-the-art appliances elicited an audible gasp. "I can't wait to cook in here!" Emmaline exclaimed, imagining the delicious meals she could prepare in this beautiful space.

Curiosity led her to explore the guest bathroom, a pleasant but unremarkable part of the house. It was the second story that genuinely intrigued her. As she ascended the stairs, a noise reached her ears—distinct, like the sound of footsteps. Emmaline's senses heightened, and she tensed. She hadn't brought her gun inside.

"Damn," she whispered, deciding it was best to retrieve it from the car, just in case there were unwanted visitors. The woods could be unpredictable, after all. "I've seen bears open doors on FlickTok," she muttered half-jokingly.

Gun in hand, Emmaline cautiously re-entered her new abode and climbed the stairs. Her footsteps echoed in the air as she approached a beautiful mini-library/office space. A large window allowed natural light to flood the room, revealing an awe-inspiring view of the surrounding landscape.

Moving forward, Emmaline reached her bedroom. The door was ajar, and anticipation and caution filled the air. "Oh my—" she began, but was momentarily struck speechless. The room was a luxurious haven, from the king-sized bed with silky black bedding to the meticulously crafted black vanity.

"I am going to love it here," she thought, her excitement bubbling. The en-suite bathroom was equally impressive, boasting a rain shower head and a perplexingly large window. Emmaline questioned the choice of such a window for a space requiring privacy but couldn't deny its breathtaking view.

Her attention then shifted to the colossal closet, practically a room. "What am I going to do with all of this space?" Emmaline wondered, her mind buzzing with possibilities. As she explored further, her eyes drifted to a small door in the corner. It appeared barely big enough to fit through.

Unable to resist her curiosity, Emmaline reached out to open the door but froze at another noise, louder this time. "The front door," Emmaline whispered. She hastily stashed her gun in her back pocket and descended the stairs. She then crept through the kitchen, trying to be as quiet as possible. When Emmaline reached the doorway, her heart began to race. "I can't catch a break," she sighed as she poked her head out to see into the other room.

The living room, previously empty, now harbored a tall man with caramel skin studying the painting hung above the couch. "Where have I seen him before?" she mused. Then it hit her, the Mayor. Emmaline stowed her gun in the closest island drawer and proceeded to the living room. "Mr. Lile!" Emmaline called out as she entered the room.

"Emmaline," he greeted with a warm smile, acknowledging her presence. The unease on his face was palpable, "I just wanted to make sure you found your way," he explained. She gave him a soft smile, "I got a little lost, but thankfully, the cashier at the market was kind enough to help."

The Mayor chuckled, "Ah, yes, Lucas is a good kid."

Emmaline shot him a playful look of suspicion, "How did you know it was Lucas?"

The Mayor tensed but quickly relaxed, "Lucas always works on Tuesdays."

How odd. Why would he-

The Mayor cut off Emmaline's thought, "Anyway, I'm sorry I barged in. I was worried that something dangerous might get in with the door open." His face turned serious.

Emmaline's confusion lingered, but she decided not to press further. "I'm not scared of the animals," she laughed lightly, trying to dispel the tension. The Mayor's expression didn't change as he mumbled, "It's not the animals I'm worried about."

Emmaline pretended not to hear, prompting a return to his friendly demeanor. As the Mayor prepared to leave, he offered assistance to move in, but Emmaline declined with a smile. "Well, then I'll be off. See you in the morning?" he inquired. "8 o'clock sharp," she replied, bantering lightly.

After he left, Emmaline couldn't shake the oddity of his earlier comment. "What is dangerous out here besides the animals?" she wondered aloud. How peculiar. After her weird encounter with the Mayor, Emmaline decided to finish bringing in her boxes. As she took the last box into her room, her mind still wrestled with the Mayor's words. However, as she placed the box, Emmaline noticed an unexplored room across the hallway. Curiosity gnawed at her, and though she knew she should unpack, she couldn't resist the allure of the mysterious room.

The door to this room stood out; unlike the others, it had an old-fashioned appearance with a keyhole on the handle. Emmaline found herself intrigued by its rustic charm. "Why would there be such an old-fashioned door in this modern house?" she mused. Her fingers traced the edges of the keyhole, and with a push on the creaky handle, the door swung open, revealing a pitch-black room.

The room seemed empty initially, except for a small window allowing a sliver of moonlight to illuminate a perfectly made bed. Emmaline's gaze fell upon the bed where two glowing eyes met hers. A momentary chill ran down her spine, but she recognized what eyes belonged to. "You're the intruder from earlier," Emmaline spoke, amused. The creature, seemingly unbothered, lay motionless. Emmaline moved to find the light switch in the dimly lit room; then she heard tiny feet approaching. Flicking the lights on, she discovered the sleek black cat with deep green eyes. The cat stared at her for a moment, then began purring and rubbing along her legs.

As Emmaline reached down to pet the cat, an unexpected tension gripped the room. The cat, too, froze, and both pairs of eyes locked onto each other. The sudden realization of a loud creak from the closet interrupted the stillness. Emmaline hesitated, realizing she had forgotten to retrieve her gun from the island drawer downstairs.

The cat, unalarmed, led her to the closet.

Emmaline hesitated before opening the door, remembering the footsteps and the strange feeling of being watched. The cat let out a loud "Mrawww," Emmaline, reassured by its calm demeanor, decided to face whatever might be inside. But to her surprise, the closet held only old coats and a dusty floor.

The cat, seemingly on a mission, entered the closet and began searching as if looking for something specific. Emmaline stood stagnant, taking a moment to observe the floor better. Footprints. There were large footprints on the dusty floor. Emmaline decided it would be best to act as if she saw nothing, so she shrugged and walked out of the closet. She then left the room, closing the door behind her. The cat followed her back to her bedroom.

Seated on the edge of the bed, Emmaline sighed, questioning whether the footprints were remnants of the movers or something more sinister—the nagging thought of her stalker's footprints from before haunted her.

Despite her attempts to dismiss the unease, the lingering doubt persisted.

Deciding to prioritize her safety, Emmaline retrieved her gun from the kitchen and proceeded to the bathroom. She turned on the shower, glancing at herself in the mirror, her tired eyes reflecting the stress of recent events. Thoughts about the gym flitted through her mind, but the need for relaxation took precedence.

As she undressed, Emmaline's eyes examined the large window. The lack of curtains bothered her momentarily, but she shrugged it off, dismissing any potential prying eyes. Besides, she was proud of her well-toned body. The countless hours spent in her local gym and self-defense classes had molded her into a fit but still feminine woman. Emmaline broke from her thoughts and entered the shower. The warm water cascading over her served as a soothing balm, helping to wash away the tension.

With the shower complete, Emmaline acknowledged her fatigue and called it a night. Her four-legged companion had already settled on the bed. Emmaline chuckled, remarking, "So this is a thing now?" She closed the door, climbed into bed, and wished her mysterious feline friend goodnight, cautioning against night suffocation, referencing comical FlickTok videos.

Finally, before closing her eyes, Emmaline reflected, "God, thank you for my safe travels. I'm grateful for everything, and I ask for forgiveness. I will do better." With those words, she drifted into a peaceful slumber, hoping this new chapter in her life would be free from her previous troubles.