Chapter 29: The Shadowy Figure

As Emily's eyes locked onto the shadowy figure, she felt a shiver run down her spine. Who was this person, and what did they want?

The figure didn't move, didn't make a sound. They just stood there, watching Emily and the others with an unnerving intensity.

Rachel seemed to sense Emily's unease, and she smiled again, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Don't worry about him," she said. "He's just a...friend. Yes, that's it. A friend."

But Emily wasn't convinced. There was something about the figure that didn't feel right. Something that made her skin crawl.

As they turned to leave, Emily caught a glimpse of the figure's face. It was a man, with piercing blue eyes and a sharp jawline. He looked familiar, but Emily couldn't quite place him.

"Wait," Emily said, turning back to Rachel. "Who is that?"

Rachel's smile faltered for a moment, and Emily saw a flash of annoyance in her eyes. "I told you, he's just a friend," she repeated.

But Emily wasn't buying it. She took a step forward, her eyes locked on the figure. "I want to know who he is," she said, her voice firm.

The figure didn't move, didn't respond. But Emily saw something in his eyes, something that made her heart skip a beat.

It was a glimmer of recognition. A spark of connection.

And Emily knew, with a sense of certainty, that she had seen this man before. But where?

As she stood there, frozen in uncertainty, the figure finally moved. He stepped forward, his eyes locked on Emily's, and spoke in a low, gravelly voice.

"Hello, Emily," he said. "My name is Jack. And I've been waiting for you."