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.

From "Concerto" by Sandra Miller

The dream was always the same.

I was running, running as fast as I could, running for my life--and for someone else's.

Cold sweat pasted my clothes to me, and my feet screamed in painful protest. My throat made ragged choking sounds as I struggled to pull in air.

But I knew it didn't matter. I knew I was too late.

A building loomed up ahead, a building I had to get inside. I felt a doomed hope rush through me, and I did what I would have sworn couldn't be done--I ran even faster.

I was holding nothing back now. One of my blood-spattered canvas tennis shoes worked itself completely off my foot on the stairs. I didn't slow down, really didn't even notice. Just around the corner now....I had to go faster....

I heard a woman scream, but I couldn't have told you if it was me or her.

The door was cracked open. But even then I knew I was too late; even as I first saw her lying bleeding on the living room floor I knew I couldn't save her....

And then I heard the footsteps, and I knew I couldn't save myself.