New threats

I was in the middle of sifting through yet another stack of encrypted files when my phone buzzed, a vibration that cut through the house. 

I glanced at the screen and felt my heart thump: an unknown number. With a hesitant swipe, I opened the message. It read simply:

"Secrets come at a price. Meet me if you're ready to pay."

The words sent a chill down my spine. I stared at the screen for several long seconds, my mind racing. This wasn't the first time I'd received a cryptic message, but this one felt different, more urgent, more personal. My thoughts churned as I wondered who could be sending it. 

The unknown number carried an air of menace and mystery. The promise of further secrets, and a price, was as enticing as it was foreboding.