In the shadow of Love

isplay. She was thirty minutes late, and Rachel, her boss, was not one to condone l

de her way to the parking lot. Fumbling her keys, she unlocked her car

the city. She tapped over her wheels, cursing herself repeatedly for sleeping through her ala

together for once?" she mu

acing as she parked in her usual spot. She swooped up her bag and hurri

and standing at the reception near the desk with

ied with an apologetic smile. "

achel clearl

surrender. "Okay, maybe I hit the

we have clients coming in today to preview the new

ickly slipping behind the counter. Rac

't happen again. We have a reputation to maintain. Clien

I will do bet

we have got

sting lighting to perfection. She greeted clients, guided them through the gallery, and answered questions about artists and their works. It was the k

ot en

n was exhausted. She leaned against the counter, rubbi

r voice softer. "Go rest Madison. T

lot, she was met with total silence, her heels clicking against the pavement. As Madison slid in

o tight, her thoughts swirling in fear. But as she drove

railing her. By the time she pulled up to her apartment building, the tension in her chest had twisted into some

little to ease her nerves. Tossing her bag onto the couch, she poured herself a glass of water in

g there?" she thought, frow

emails on her laptop from clients and artists, but one stood

clic

ief, just a sing

e being

pecting to find someone hidden from view. Her first thought was to delete t

to a separate folder, awaiting the o

tely seeking answers. "Who sent it? How do they know wh

the ceiling as her thoughts went wild. Images of the hooded figures in the

h she hadn't slept. She crawled herself out of bed and into the shower, letting t

ned. Rachel left first, waving goodbye with a tired smile. Madison stayed behind to close up, locking the doors and setting the alarm. She

s when sh

igures were standing be

his time, they weren't still. They were

he hooded men didn't run, didn't shout, and didn't make any attempt to s

r shut and locking it in one fluid motion. Her fingers shook a

tanding just a few

She backed out of the lot and sped away, her hands

. By the time she got to her apartment, Madison was shaking and sweating so profusely. She locked the door behind h

o the floor with he

they want

o answers. Only the gnawing certainty that whoeve

ad no idea ho