From "Murder Stalks" by Sara Thacker

A hollow thud echoed behind Marissa Santos. She picked up her pace, not wanting to be caught alone in the dark stairwell. Had there been anyone in the lot when she pulled in?

Her pulse quickened when she hit the top step. She ran to her door, pulling the keys from her purse. Nervous energy caused her hand to jerk. The keys fell to the cement floor with a jangling clatter. She scooped them up, sifted through the ring, and found the one to her apartment.

Relief pulsed through her body, she was almost in. The grocery bag split as she slid the key into the lock, spilling the box of microwave popcorn onto her sandal clad foot.
“Ouch.”

The thud sounded again, closer this time. The skin on the back of her neck prickled and her hair stood on end. Grasping the bottom of the bag to her chest, she held on tight. Marissa pushed the door open and stepped over the threshold, kicking the box of popcorn as she moved. She was almost home free when two books from the library fell out of her purse.

Damn it. She should have been home before dark.