We turned off the main highway onto a narrow, unlit dirt road.

The branches of old oak trees scraped against the roof of the car.

The headlights caught the rusted metal of an old gate.

The gate was open, swinging slowly in the damp wind.

A single light was burning in the window of a small house at the end of the lane.

I put my hand on the door handle, ready to jump out the moment the car stopped.

The headlights swept across the porch, revealing a shadow standing near the door.

The shadow didn’t move.

It just stood there, waiting for us to arrive.

I held my breath as the car rolled to a stop, the gravel crunching beneath the tires.

The engine died, leaving only the sound of the wind.

The shadow stepped forward into the light.

My heart hammered against my ribs.

I pushed the door open and stepped out into the cold night.

The figure raised a hand, gesturing for me to come closer.

I took a step forward, my boots sinking into the wet mud.