The most terrifying part was that the stranger's face was obscured by shadows, making it impossible for her to tell who he was.
As he drew closer, his face was briefly illuminated by a distant street lamp. Evie didn't hesitate. She grabbed a heavy piece of wood from the ground and pointed it at him, her hands trembling as she prepared to defend herself.
The man stopped abruptly, raising his hands and stepping forward slowly.
"Stop! Please, I mean no harm!" he pleaded in a shaking voice. "I'm being chased. I got into a game at a casino and lost everything because of my own carelessness. Now I have a massive debt, and those thugs are after me. Please help me! I don't want to die... I'm too young to die!"
