Dani turned back, flew the last few yards and lunged towards the security door. She pressed the fob against the keypad, heard the lock release, flung open the door and raced inside. She pulled the security door closed without daring to look outside – she just wanted to get to the safety and comfort of her home. She let go when she felt the magnets lock in place.

Stairs or lift? They were both in the same place, and Dani darted over and banged on the call button for the lift several times. If the lift wasn’t already on the ground floor she’d take the stairs.

Luckily it was right there. The doors opened. Dani was already inside and slamming on the button for floor six before the doors had even finished opening fully. Despite her repeatedly pressing the close button, they shut painfully slowly.

‘Come on!’ Dani said through gritted teeth.

The dim orange street lamp outside by the canal cast a tall but unidentifiable shadow through the glass doors and across the foyer. Dani stared at the shadow, looking for movements. She strained her ears for any sounds of the security door opening.

As the lift doors edged closed, the shadow began to take the shape of a person, and Dani heard the security door wheeze open.

She heard footsteps, slow at first then getting faster. Her heart was bursting in her chest as the lift doors finally closed and the mechanical motor chugged into life.

Even though she was finally on the move, Dani remained panicked. She watched the numbers on the little digital screen. One, two, three, four, five…

‘Come on!’

Six. The doors opened and Dani sprinted across the corridor to her door. The key was in her hand but it took her several rushed attempts to get it into the lock because she was shaking so much. When she finally stepped into the dark apartment she kicked the door shut behind her, turned and pulled the latch over.

A shiver ran through her as she switched on the hall light. Her eyes darted around what she could see of the darkened apartment beyond.

Everything seemed quiet and as it should be.

Dani slumped down against the wall.

What the hell had just happened?

She held her head in her hands. She was out of breath. Her pulse was racing. Beads of sweat covered her brow, tears were streaming down her cheeks.

Dani sat there, in silence, while her breathing and her heart and her mind calmed, listening for any sounds from out in the corridor.

None came.

It was only then that Dani realised how alone and vulnerable she felt. She thought about calling someone. But what would she say? And who would she call, anyway? Jason? Gemma? Easton?

Dani shook her head, annoyed at herself for being such a mess.

After a few minutes she finally found the strength to get back to her feet.

She headed straight for the bathroom cabinet.