‘You think this is a joke?‘

I blinked the screen of my phone and glanced at the sender’s details. *Unknown Number*

I deleted the text, threw my phone on the coffee table, and stretched my legs out on the sofa. It had been a long day.

I rummaged around for the remote control. Now where did I put it?

Beep.

Another text.

I groaned as I bent over to grab my phone that was just a little too far away from me.

‘My patience is wearing thin. I do not take kindly to waiting.’

Same unknown number. From someone who clearly didn’t know how to text - brevity clearly wasn’t their one of their strengths.

I sighed and tapped a quick reply. ‘Sorry mate, wrong number.’

I threw the phone back on the coffee table and returned to rummaging around for the remote control. Ah! There it was!

Beep.

Seriously?

‘No, Jacob, I most certainly do not have the wrong number. And you are now 27 minutes late and counting.’

I frowned. They knew my name?

‘Who are you?’

Seconds passed.

Beep. ‘I suggest you get yourself down to Forkensten Alley, right this minute.’

I snorted. Yeh, go to alley to meet a stranger. Great idea. ‘Seriously mate, I think you have the wrong person.’

Beep. ‘1. Stop calling me mate.’

Beep. ‘2. You are Jacob Craft, of Flat 4, 21 Hiddlecrumb Drive.’

Beep. ‘3. Your favorite colour is mint green, you can’t stand yogurt, and you have a hankering for blood every full moon.’

The phone slipped through my fingers and clattered onto the coffee table as I shot up and stared at screen. How?

Beep. The screen flashed up another message again.

‘I suggest you put your coat and shoes back on, leave your apartment, turn right, and take another right into Forkensten Alley.”

I didn’t move, my whole body frozen in place.

Beep. ‘NOW.’

I cursed and ran my fingers through my hair. How did they know? Who were they?

I slowed my breathing as I tried to slow my racing heart.

‘Get the facts first.’ I thought to myself. ‘I don’t know who this is, how much they know, nor what they want.’

And with that, I went back to my hallway to put my shoes and coat on. And to see if the person waiting in Forkensten Alley would be someone else I’d have to kill.