Ominous Message

Emilia's heart racing, she stared at the word "Soon" scrawled on the wall. Who could have written this? And what did it mean? The word seemed to loom over her, casting a dark and ominous shadow over her studio.

She felt a chill run down her spine as she wondered if the stranger was trying to send her a message. Was this a threat? A warning? Or something else entirely?

Emilia's mind was racing as she tried to make sense of the message. She looked around the hallway, but there was no one in sight. The building was quiet, except for the sound of her own ragged breathing.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. Maybe it was just a prank, she told herself. Maybe it was just some kid playing a trick on her.

But deep down, Emilia knew that wasn't true. The message seemed too deliberate, too calculated. It seemed like someone was trying to tell her something, but what?

As she stood there, frozen in uncertainty, Emilia heard the sound of footsteps coming from the stairwell. They were light, cautious footsteps, and they seemed to be getting closer.

Emilia's heart skipped a beat as she wondered who was coming. Was it the stranger? Was it someone else? She didn't know, but she knew she had to be ready.

The footsteps stopped outside her studio door. Emilia held her breath, waiting to see who would enter. The door creaked open slowly, and a figure slipped inside.

It was Rachel, her friend and fellow artist. Rachel's eyes scanned the room, and when they landed on Emilia, she looked concerned. "Hey, what's wrong?" Rachel asked, noticing Emilia's tense expression.

Emilia let out a breath, feeling a mix of relief and confusion. "I thought you were...someone else," she said, trying to shake off the feeling of unease.

Rachel's eyes narrowed. "Who did you think I was?" she asked, her voice low.

Emilia hesitated, unsure of how to put it into words. "Just a stranger who came to my studio earlier," she said finally. "He was...odd. And then I found some weird messages."

Rachel's expression turned serious. "What kind of messages?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room as if searching for clues.

Emilia showed Rachel the note on the painting and the word "Soon" on the wall. Rachel's eyes widened as she read the notes, and she looked at Emilia with a mixture of concern and curiosity.

"This is freaky," Rachel said. "Do you think it's related to the stranger?"

Emilia nodded. "I don't know, but I have a feeling it is. I just wish I knew what he wanted."

Rachel put a hand on Emilia's arm. "We'll figure it out," she said. "But for now, let's get out of here and grab some coffee. Maybe some fresh air will clear your head."

Emilia nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friend. Maybe Rachel was right. Maybe a break was exactly what she needed.