I woke up on an early May morning to the sound of my doorbell ringing. Throwing my covers off I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stared at the wall, trying to shake off the morning drowsy feeling. I pulled my long auburn hair back into a low bun, trying to smooth down the frizz. It rang again, the sound vibrating through my small townhouse. “I’m coming,” I said to no one in particular.

I opened the door and almost laughed at the florist’s face when he saw my appearance. He blushed and looked down, “Sorry to wake you, ma’am.” Thrusting the vase of flowers at me, he left wishing me a happy birthday as he scurried down the small steps and back to his van. I stood confused for a minute before it dawned on me that today was in fact my birthday.

I must be losing it, I thought as I shut the door and examined the big arrangement of beautiful flowers I had been given. It was the same every year, deep red roses that smelled as fresh as a summer day with white Yarrow mixed in. The simple bouquet captivated me with both the sight and smell like it had each year before. I received this exact bouquet of flowers each year on my birthday, the only thing is, I have not been able to figure out who they’re from. Of course, there’s my family, but every year for the first few I would inquire and they would deny it being them, so I simply quit asking. Then there was my fiancé, but he hasn’t known me long enough for it to be him. Each year I’m left wondering who they’re from, but my curiosity only lasts as long as the flowers.

I walked into my tiny kitchenette and set the vase on the counter, turning it to find the best angle. I then headed to my room to get ready for the day. I had a meeting at the office at 10 and then I was to meet Elias, my fiancé, at our favorite café for a quick lunch. Dinner with my family will have to wait until closer to 7, I murmured to myself as I looked through my closet for a classy yet eye-catching outfit.

I was finishing putting in my gold hooped earrings when I heard a loud crash in the kitchen. I ran out of the bathroom to see what had happened and found my sweet tabby cat hiding under the kitchen table with the vase shattered on the floor and flowers strewn about. “Poor Milo, let me check and make sure you aren’t bleeding anywhere.” After examining his paws and body to make sure he hadn’t got cut by the glass, I began to clean up the mess.

As I was sweeping I couldn’t help but notice a small, folded piece of paper stuck between two roses. I dumped out what was in the dust pan and reached for the paper. Opening it I found the words, meet @ the cabin. come alone. don’t think about not showing up–your family depends on it. J.H. scrawled in pen.

My heart began to race. Who could possibly know about the family cabin? I only ever told my few close friends. And certainly none of them would threaten my family. I thought back to high school up until where I was now but couldn’t think of anyone with those initials.

Worried about my parents and not sure if this whole thing was just some joke, I grabbed my phone and dialed my mom’s number. It rang for a while before an unfamiliar voice answered saying, “Ah, Tessa, I see you received my note. I suggest you cooperate, I’d hate to hurt you or your family. I’ll see you soon. Oh and Tess? Don’t tell anyone about our conversation.” The line went dead. My face was ashen and my palms were sweaty. I couldn’t tell if it was a man or woman on the other side, they must have used a voice changing app. I couldn’t concentrate on anything except the recent threat.

After little consideration or planning, I grabbed my suitcase, shoved clothes and other small travel things into it, grabbed my keys, poured Milo some extra food, scooped him up for a hug, then flew out the door and into my car. I raced down the highway, trying to make the four hour drive into a three hour drive. When I pulled into a gas station for gas I texted Elias quickly, making up an excuse for not being able to make lunch. The whole time I was at the gas station I had an uneasy feeling, like I was being watched. I told myself that was ridiculous, I was just paranoid, trying to calm myself. My head throbbed from stress and worry, but I drove on, more out of fear for my family than a desire to meet whoever was on the other end of that line.

I pulled into the long driveway back to the cabin a little before night. The sky was a blood read with pink streaks in it. The woods that once felt alive and homely now felt ominous and cruel. As soon as I saw the cabin my body began to shake. The single light on the porch sent a clear message: meet on the porch. I shut the car off and sat there for a minute, trying to nonchalantly slide a tiny hammer into my coat pocket–the only weapon I owned.

I approached the familiar family cabin just in time for the door to open. My jaw dropped as my high school nemesis and bully, Jennifer Hadley stepped out with a devious smirk on her face.

“Jenn…?” I couldn’t believe my eyes.

She just stood there smiling. “Been a while.” I couldn’t read her entirely, she had changed a lot. Her hair was short and dyed jet black. She wore all black, contrary to the old Jenn. From out of nowhere she lunged off of the porch at me. I screamed and tried to side-step her, but she caught my coat and pulled me to the ground.

“What did I ever do to you?” I screamed, trying to get away.

“You are always miss perfect and I can’t handle it anymore.” She screamed back. Her hands closed around my throat and my vision started to blur. I tried to crawl away but couldn’t go anywhere under her tight grip.

It’s over. Why did I come here? I thought as everything went dark.