Horror

First Prompt

​

​The laughter in the dimly lit basement swelled as candles flickered on a lopsided birthday cake, shadows stretching long against the walls. Emily grinned, cheeks flushed from the sugar rush and the thrill of turning sixteen, as her friends urged her to open the next gift. She tugged at the crimson ribbon, the box creaking as if resisting her touch, and inside - beneath layers of delicate tissue lay a small, crumpled up note. As Emily started reading the note, her mind filled with unadulterated dread - for years of denial and repression could not prepare her for reading the name that signed that note