The ancient city of Rome hummed with a timeless rhythm as Sarah, a vibrant splash of strawberry blonde amidst ancient stone, set out. Her first day here was a triumph—a whirlwind of Colosseum grandeur and Forum history. She’d savored seafood pasta, the rich flavors a testament to Italy's soul, and lingered until the last guest had departed, reluctant to break the spell.

Now, close to midnight, she wandered the labyrinthine streets of Old Town, seduced by the romance of dimmed streetlights and the quiet echoes of history. A soft breeze whispered secrets through narrow alleys, each turn a new discovery. She walked, lost in thought, until the unsettling silence hit her. The streets grew darker, emptier. Panic, a cold knot in her stomach, tightened with the realization: she was lost. Her phone, of course, was dead.

Then, the goosebumps. A prickling sensation on her neck. She wasn’t alone. Footsteps echoed behind her, quickening. Fear, sharp and cold, pierced through the romantic haze. She ran, stumbling through the unfamiliar maze, desperate for a patch of light, a sign of civilization. Just a few more steps. Safety. But before she could reach it, a strong hand gripped her, slamming her against a rough stone wall. Darkness swallowed her.