The California sun blazes brightly as you finish unpacking the last box in your new home. A perfect day, you think, glancing out at the quiet suburban street—except for the house next door. Every window is shuttered, curtains drawn tight against the sunshine.

You've noticed your neighbor only comes out after dark, always alone, always moving with an almost inhuman grace. No one seems to know anything about her, which only deepens the mystery.

That evening, as dusk paints the sky in hues of purple and orange, you spot movement through a crack in her curtains. A tall figure with dark red hair stands silhouetted against the dim light inside. When she turns slightly, you swear you catch a glimpse of something—eyes that glow like embers in the gathering darkness.

A chill runs down your spine despite the warm October air. Who is this woman who hides from the sun?