The Delivery Driver

The rain had been relentless that evening, turning Brinlake's Streets into shimmering ribbons of light and shadow.Ethan Cole adjusted the collar of his jacket,the damped fabric clinging to his neck has he navigate the maze of alleys in the Hollow district.His van,a battered white van with the faded logo of "SwiftDrop Couriers," idled behind him, it's headlights casting elongated shadows that danced across the graffiti-covered walls

He glanced at the package in his hand—no return address,no recipient name,just a scrawled instruction:"Deliver to 47 Ashmoor Lane".Ethan had been making deliveries for years but something about this particular delivery felt...off.The handwriting was hurried, almost frantic and the package itself was unusual heavy for it's size.

As he approached the address,sense of unease settled over him.The building at 47 Ashmoor Lane stood in stark contrast to it's surroundings — an old dilapidated structure boarded-up windows and a door that hung slightly ajar.He hesitated,the package growing heavier in his grasp before pushing the door open.

Inside,the air was thick with dust and decay.The faint glow of a single lightbulb flickered overhead, casting erratic shadows that seemed to move of their own Ethan stepped cautiously into the room,his footsteps muffled by the grime-covered floor.

"Hello?" he called out,his voice barely above whisper.No response.He placed the package on a nearby table, it's surface coated in a layer of dust that puffed into the air upon contact.As he turned to leave,a sudden creak echoed from the floor above.

Ethan froze.The sound of footsteps —slow and deliberate –descended the stairs.He backed away,his heart pounding in his chest,as a figure emerged from the shadows.A man,tall and gaunt, with eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness.

"You're early," the man said,a hint of surprise in his voice.

Ethan's mouth went dry. "I... I was just delivering a package."

The man's gaze shifted to the table."Then your job here is done." He stepped forward, placing a hand on Ethan's shoulder."But remember Mr. Cole,some deliveries come with more than just destinations."

Ethan stumbled back,the door slamming shut behind him as he fled into the night,the rain washing away the remnants of the encounter–but not the dread that now clung to him like a second skin.

Ethan Cole stumbled into the rain-soaked streets of Brinlake,his breath coming in ragged gasps.The encounter at 47 Ashmoor Lane had left him shaken,the stranger's cryptic words echoing in his mind:"Some deliveries come with more than just a destination."

He reached his van,the familiar hum of the engine gave a small comfort admist the chaos in his thoughts.Sliding into the driver's seat,he gripped the steering wheel tightly, knuckles whitening .The city lights blurred through the windshield, distorted by the relentless downpour.

Ethan's mind raced.Who was that man? What was in the package? And why did he feel like he had just become a pawn in a game he didn't understand?

He drove aimlessly,the city's labyrinthine streets offering no solace.Eventually,he found himself parked outside his modest apartment complex in the Hollow District .The building loomed, it's facade worn by time and neglect.

Inside,the apartment was sparse but tidy.Ethan shed his damp clothes, wrapping himself in a threadbare towe.He moved to the kitchenette, brewing a cup of coffee in hopes of steadying his nerves.The bitter aroma filled the room grounding him momentarily.

Sitting at the small dinning table,be pulled out his delivery logbook.Flipping through the pages,he searched any record of the mysterious delivery.Nothing.No entry for 47 Ashmoor Lane.No note about an unmarked package .It was as if the delivery never happened.

A chill ran down his spine He reached for his phone, contemplating on calling the police.But what will he say? That he delivered a mysterious package to an abandoned building and met a man who spoke in riddles? They'd think he was crazy.

Ethan decided to sleep on it.Perhaps things would make more sense in the morning.He climbed into bed,the events of evening replaying in his mind until exhaustion claimed him.