Chloe usually knew better than to be walking home alone, this late at night. The alcohol buzzing in her veins made her blissfully unaware. She’d stayed late at the party, drinking and dancing the night away. Now it was time to get home.
It was only a short walk. A few blocks. It shouldn’t have been any big deal. She shivered slightly, wishing she had thought to bring a jacket to protect against the cold wind. Her jeans and black shirt did little to stop the frosty bite.
She made it over half the way home before she noticed the van. It was creeping along slowly behind her, as if watching and waiting. Still, she didn’t pay it much attention. There wasn’t much traffic at all this late at night, but she didn’t see any danger in it.
It was only when the van accelerated and pulled it beside her that a distant part of her brain began to sound an alarm. She glanced over, watching the van as she began to walk faster. The van kept pace with her, right alongside her.