The moment the cold hand gripped the constable’s leg, he jumped back in fear. He pointed his fshlight toward the ground.

  There—curled up behind the car—was a little girl. She was shivering, her clothes dirty, her face pale, and her small hands covered in dried blood.

  Her eyes looked big and scared. Her lips were trembling.

  Steven slowly walked toward her, his hands raised gently to show he meant no harm.

  “Sweetheart… are you the one who called us?” he asked softly.

  The girl didn’t speak. She just stared at him, breathing fast and heavy.

  He came closer, knelt down, and said, “It’s okay… we’re here now. You’re safe.”

  She looked at him, eyes filled with tears, and whispered,“He… he make mama like that... he say me next if I scream…”

  Steven’s heart sank.

  “What’s your name, dear?”

  “Piya…” she said in a soft, shaking voice.

  “Piya, can you tell me—where is he now?”

  She shook her head fast. “Gone… in forest. He go when red light come.”

  The officers looked around. The highway was surrounded by thick woods. The fog was starting to set in. It made everything look darker.

  “Sir,” one constable said, “Should we search the area?”

  Steven stood up and nodded. “Take two officers. Do not go too far. Look for any signs. Anything.”

  The team split into groups.

  Steven picked up a bnket from the emergency kit and wrapped it around Piya. She held onto his arm tightly, her body still shaking.

  “I stay here… mama cold. I don’t want mama to be alone,” she whispered.

  Steven looked at the body, then back at Piya.“I promise, we’ll take care of her. You don’t have to be afraid.”

  She nodded but didn’t move.

  One of the constables came back, running.

  “Sir! We found something!”

  Steven rushed over with two others. The constable pointed at the trees.

  On one of the trunks, something was scratched in with nails or a knife.

  It read:

  “SHE SAW ME. SHE SHOULDN’T HAVE.”

  Below the message was a drawing. A stick figure of a woman lying down… and another stick figure of a child with big round eyes.

  Steven stared at it.“This wasn't just a random kill,” he said quietly.“This was pnned.”

  Suddenly, a sound came from the trees.

  Snap.

  Like a branch breaking.

  All fshlights turned toward the forest.

  But there was nothing.

  Just shadows.

  Steven stepped forward slowly.

  “Hello?” he called.

  Silence.

  Then… another sound. This time behind them.

  They turned.

  Nothing.

  Steven narrowed his eyes.He whispered to his friend, “He’s watching us.”

  The wind picked up. The trees swayed. The air grew colder.

  Steven turned to the officers.“We leave. Now. Take the girl. Secure the area. This is not over.”

  As they were leaving, little Piya turned her head toward the forest.

  She whispered, almost like she was talking to someone only she could see:

  “I still see you…”

  {Chapter 02: Complete}