A bitter breakup turns deadly when an unexpected parting gift is left behind in the dark.
The Parting Gift
Brenda Jacobson stood in the bathroom steam, her skin raw and scarlet. She had spent a solid hour scrubbing away two years of Matt Lennon, yet the soapy scald couldn’t wash clean his cowardice. “It’s not you, it’s me,” he had mumbled before sliding his key onto the kitchen counter.
When the hot water finally gave out, a bitter chill took over. Brenda wrapped herself in an oversized towel, trying to blot away the lingering phantom of him.
On the marble vanity, her phone buzzed, vibrating against the glass. The caller ID glowed: Matt.
She swiped the screen and held the phone to her ear, stubborn silence her only weapon.
“Brenda,” Matt’s voice crackled, void of warmth. “I left a gift for you. Let me know if you find it. It’s a small rattlesnake.”
Click. The line went dead.
A harsh gasp hitched in her throat. Was it a sadistic metaphor? A cruel parting jab at her nerves? Or had he actually slipped something deadly into her sanctuary?
Heart hammering against her ribs, Brenda clutched the damp towel tight to her chest and took a slow, hesitant step into the hallway. The hardwood floor felt ice-cold beneath her bare feet. The apartment was dead quiet, save for the rhythmic dripping of the showerhead behind her.
Then she heard it.
From beneath the wicker laundry hamper in the corner of her bedroom—a faint, dry, papery rattle.
Brenda froze. The shadows along the baseboard seemed to shift. Slowly, she leaned forward, her trembling hand reaching toward the edge of the hamper.
How does Brenda’s story end? Does she confront a lethal predator, discover a sick psychological prank, or turn the tables on Matt entirely? Share your ending in the comments below!
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