The Footprints Outside the Mausoleum
Henry returned to the cemetery before sunrise.
Leo followed him.
The grounds were empty.
Henry walked toward Richard's mausoleum.
Fresh mud covered the path.
There were footprints.
Two sets.
One belonged to a large man wearing expensive dress shoes.
The second belonged to someone wearing military-style boots.
Henry photographed both.
Then Leo stopped.
His head lowered.
He sniffed the ground near the mausoleum.
Suddenly, he began scratching at the earth.
Henry looked down.
Something metallic was buried beneath the soil.
He dug it out.
It was a small silver box.
Inside was a USB drive.
Henry rushed home.
He connected it to his computer.
There was only one file.
A video.
Richard appeared on screen.
He looked exhausted.
"If you're watching this, I'm probably dead."
Henry froze.
Richard continued.
"Henry, do not trust the people around you."
The recording paused.
Then Richard said something that made Henry's blood run cold.
"Your father's death was not an accident."
Henry stared at the screen.
His father had died when Henry was ten.
Everyone had always said it was a highway accident.
Richard continued.
"The same person responsible for your father's death is now coming for me."
The video ended.
Henry sat motionless.
Leo suddenly growled.
The computer screen flickered.
A second file appeared.
Henry opened it.
It contained only one sentence:
HE IS ALREADY INSIDE YOUR HOUSE.
Henry slowly looked toward the hallway.
May you like
A shadow moved beneath the door.
Someone was standing outside.
