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The Shadows We Keep

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Sarah stepped off the bus and breathed in the crisp Pacific Northwest air. She looked around at the quaint town that would be her new home. It was smaller than she was used to, but that was exactly what she needed. A fresh start.

She pulled her suitcase behind her as she made her way down the quiet street. The only sound was the crunch of leaves under her feet. It was a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the city she had left behind.

Sarah had always loved books, so it was fitting that the first place she stumbled upon was a small bookstore. She peered through the window and saw a man behind the counter, lost in thought as he flipped through the pages of a book.

As she walked into the store, the bell above the door tinkled, and the man looked up. He was tall, with jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes. Sarah felt her heart skip a beat.

"Can I help you with something?" he asked.

Sarah shook her head, momentarily forgetting why she had come in. "Uh, no, I'm just browsing. Thanks."

She made her way through the aisles, running her fingers over the spines of the books. It felt good to be surrounded by the familiar smell of paper and ink. She picked up a copy of Jane Eyre and settled into a cozy armchair to read.

As she lost herself in the pages, she felt a presence beside her. She looked up to see the man from the counter standing over her.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked.

Sarah felt a flutter in her stomach. "Sure."

They talked about books and life, and Sarah felt a connection she hadn't felt in a long time. She didn't want to leave, but eventually, she had to.

As she made her way back to the bed and breakfast she was staying at, she felt a sense of excitement for the first time in a while. Maybe this small town was exactly where she was meant to be.

But as she settled into bed that night, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was lurking in the shadows, dark and sinister. She pushed the thought from her mind and drifted off to sleep. Little did she know, the nightmares were just beginning.