The Text That Saved Me

Last year, I was walking home late at night, scrolling on my phone,

barely paying attention to anything around me. Same street I’d walked a hundred

times before. Same shortcuts. Same silence. Then my phone buzzed. Unknown number.

The message just said: “Don’t take the usual way home tonight.” I laughed.

Thought it was spam. Almost deleted it. But something felt… off. I stopped walking.

Looked up. That’s when I noticed the streetlight ahead was flickering. And the alley I

always cut through was darker than usual. No cars. No people.

Just quiet. My phone buzzed again. “Turn around. Walk toward the