It started as one of those forgettable days — the kind that blurs into the rest. I was tired after work, just stopping by the grocery store before heading home. My mind was already miles away, thinking about tomorrow’s errands, what to cook, what bills needed paying. Everything about that moment felt ordinary — until it wasn’t.
At the self-checkout, I scanned my groceries, paid, and gathered my bags. As I turned to leave, a soft voice stopped me. “Excuse me,” a woman called out, holding out a small slip of paper. “You forgot your receipt.”
I smiled, thanked her politely, and tucked it into my bag without a second thought. It seemed like nothing — just another forgettable exchange between strangers. But later that evening, while unpacking my groceries, that little piece of paper caught my eye again.
I reached for it, ready to toss it away — and froze. There, on the back, written in quick, uneven handwriting, were four words that made my stomach drop: “Check your back seat.”
For a moment, I just stared. My mind raced through every possible scenario — was it a joke? A warning? A threat? The words felt urgent, and yet, strangely calm. I stood at my door, keys in hand, debating whether to go outside. Finally, curiosity — mixed with a touch of fear — got the better of me.
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