CRIMSON DEVOTION

Michael arrived at Emily's house, his anxiety palpable as he burst through the door and enveloped his fiancée in a tight embrace. His face was etched with worry.

"What happened, honey?" Emily asked, her arms wrapping around him in return.

"There was an unusual woman at my place," Michael began, his voice trembling slightly. "I don't know how she got in. She made dinner, ate with me, and then just left. There were no signs of a break-in. Afterward, she told me to say hello to you."

Emily stared at Michael, her expression one of shock and confusion. "What do you mean?"

"She said not to call the police because she had already kept them occupied," Michael continued, his tone filled with distress. "She told me to tell you that Morgan sent her regards before she left."

As Michael finished speaking, Emily's face went ashen, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably. Her breathing became rapid and uneven, and she looked as if she might collapse.

"Emily?? Babe, you're shaking," Michael said urgently, his concern mounting. He gently but firmly took her by the shoulders and guided her towards the living room. His movements were deliberate and calm, trying to provide a sense of security.

Once they were in the living room, Emily sank into the sofa, her panic becoming more apparent. Michael knelt beside her, his hand gently rubbing her back as he spoke softly.

"Emily, breathe. You're okay," he said, his voice soothing. "Just focus on my voice. Inhale slowly and deeply… hold it for a moment… now exhale gently. You're safe here with me."

Emily's eyes were wide, tears streaming down her face as she struggled to regulate her breathing. Michael's presence was a steady anchor in the storm of her emotions. He continued to speak in a calm, reassuring tone, guiding her through the breathing exercises.

"Good, just like that. Slow and steady," Michael encouraged. "We're going to get through this together. Nothing is going to hurt you."

As Emily's breathing gradually steadied and her trembling subsided, Michael looked at her with concern. "What happened, baby? Do you know her?" he asked, still confused by her reaction.

Emily hesitated, trying to collect her thoughts. "No, it's nothing… she's just a friend," she said, her voice shaky. "I thought she was dead."

Michael frowned, sensing there was more to the story but deciding not to press further. "Okay, we'll deal with this together," he said, squeezing her hand gently. "For now, just focus on calming down. I'm here with you, and we'll figure out what to do next."

Emily nodded, taking comfort in Michael's unwavering support. The warmth of his presence helped to ease the lingering fear, allowing her to start processing the unexpected encounter with Morgan.

Michael's concern remained palpable, but he did his best to keep his composure for Emily's sake. He gently guided her to sit more comfortably on the sofa and then sat beside her, still holding her hand.

"So, what do you know about this woman?" Michael asked carefully. "Did she give you any clues or hints about why she showed up like this?"

Emily took a deep, shuddering breath before responding. "Morgan was someone from my past, someone I thought was gone. Hearing her again—it's just overwhelming. I don't know why she would show up like this, but it's clear she wanted me to know she's still around."

Michael's brow furrowed as he absorbed the information. "I understand this is a shock. Do you think she might be a threat? Should we take any precautions?"

Emily shook her head, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't know. Morgan was always unpredictable. I never expected her to come back like this. I need to figure out what she wants and why she's involved with this."

"Alright," Michael said, his voice firm with resolve. "We'll start by making sure you're safe. I'll stay with you tonight and we'll contact the police tomorrow to report the incident, even if it's just to get their advice. We need to be prepared."

Emily nodded, feeling a bit of relief at Michael's proactive approach. "Thank you, Michael. I don't know what I'd do without you right now."

They spent the next few hours in quiet conversation, Michael doing his best to keep Emily's mind occupied and calm. He reassured her that they would face this challenge together, and when the time came to rest, he made sure Emily was comfortable and secure.

As they settled in for the night, Michael kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, determined to ensure Emily's safety. The unexpected visit from Morgan had left them both on edge, but Michael's unwavering support provided Emily with a much-needed sense of stability as they prepared for whatever might come next.

The next morning, after a restless night, Michael and Emily decided it was time to contact the police. Michael made the call, and soon, two officers arrived at their house to take a statement.

In the living room, the officers took out their notepads and began their questioning. "Can you describe the woman who visited you?" one of the officers asked, his tone professional but concerned.

Michael glanced at Emily before speaking. "She was tall, with long dark hair. She had a sharp, intense look in her eyes, and she wore a dark, sleek coat. Her presence was... unsettling. I identified herself as Morgan ."

The officer nodded and scribbled down the details. "Was there anything else unusual about her or her visit?"

Michael interjected, "She seemed to know a lot about us. She knew Emily's name and specifically mentioned me. But beyond that, there was nothing out of the ordinary during her visit—no threats, just an eerie message."

The officer finished taking notes and assured them they would start an investigation. "We'll see if we can find any leads or surveillance footage that might help us locate her."

After the officers left, Michael and Emily waited anxiously for any updates. The day stretched on with no word from the police. As the hours passed, Michael decided to follow up.

The next morning, the officers returned with disappointing news. "We've checked all available sources," one officer explained. "There are no records of anyone matching the description you provided. No bank accounts, no phone numbers, no social media presence. It's as if she never existed."

Emily's face grew pale. "What do you mean, she's gone?"

The officer nodded solemnly. "We've looked through security footage, contacted local businesses, and checked databases. There's no trace of her. It's as if she vanished without a trace after your encounter."

Michael and Emily exchanged worried glances. The reality of Morgan's elusive presence was sinking in. It felt surreal—like the woman had been a ghost, appearing only to unsettle their lives and then disappearing completely.

"We appreciate your efforts," Michael said, trying to keep his voice steady. "But what do we do now?"

The officer offered a sympathetic smile. "We'll continue to monitor for any further incidents. If you see or hear anything else, don't hesitate to contact us. For now, it's important to stay vigilant and take any precautions you can to ensure your safety."

As the officers left, Emily's sense of dread deepened. The fact that Morgan had left no trace behind only added to her anxiety. Michael tried to offer comfort, but the eerie feeling of being watched—or haunted—by someone who seemed to have vanished left both of them on edge. They knew they would need to stay alert and be prepared for whatever might come next.