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The Prompt

Diego’s night shifts at the 24-hour gas station were usually chill. A few truckers passing through, some tired college kids grabbing energy drinks, and the occasional confused tourist asking for directions. Nothing out of the ordinary. But on the seventh night of his new schedule, things got weird.

At exactly 2:17 in the morning, a rusted blue sedan pulled into the lot. The driver didn’t get out. He just sat there, staring straight at Diego through the glass for a few seconds, then drove off. It was odd, but not scary. At first.

When it happened again the next night, and the one after that, Diego started feeling uneasy. The guy never did anything. Just watched. Like he was waiting for something. Or someone.

Diego told his supervisor, who barely looked up from his old computer. “People are weird,” he mumbled, typing one-handed while sipping gas station coffee.

Still, Diego couldn’t shake it. The man’s face looked kind of familiar, though he couldn’t place it. On the fourth night, Diego finally stepped outside to ask what was going on. But the sedan had already disappeared.

Later that shift, while taking out the trash, Diego spotted something behind the ice machine. A plain white envelope. His name was written on the front in neat, block letters.

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Diego with his surprised face tried to open the envelope when a colleague approached him to check if he was okay. Diego quickly hid the envelope and replied, 'Oh yes, I'm doing great.'

Diego, eager to see the letter, slipped into a cabin at the office, hid, and opened the envelope. To his surprise, it contained a note asking, 'How do you like your new job? Hahahaha.' Startled, Diego felt a rush of fear and left the cabin to head home. On his way, he sensed someone was following him and couldn't shake the thought of the man in the blue sedan.

Diego felt lazy preparing for work the next day, curious about what surprise awaited him at the gas station. He got dressed when it was time, and upon arriving, he saw the same sedan leaving, with the driver looking at him in the side mirror. Night shifts had always been tough for Diego, but just when he thought he had experienced everything, he found another envelope. This one read, 'Can you feel me? I am very close.'

Hey, stop fighting! This is a gas station, not a place for that! A fight broke out at the gas station while Diego still had the envelope. The fight escalated and became more dangerous, making Diego scared since he disliked violence. Memories of his father hitting his mother flashed in his mind, prompting him to flee to a cabin where he hid until the fight ended.

Diego kept looking over his shoulder while walking to work, but unfortunately, he didn't see the men who walked by and bent down. He attempted to yell, but they silenced him. They grabbed his hands and knocked him out with a handkerchief.

They drove him away in their car. Now Diego's worst fears are coming true. 'Who are you? Show yourself, you coward!' Diego yelled from the room where he was held after waking up. A voice replied from behind, 'Diego, how do you like your new home?' Diego recognized it as his father's voice. 'Dad, was it you all this time? When did you get out of prison?'

Did you get all the envelopes? the dad asked. I have missed you, my son, since your mother passed away. You left me, so I had to come find you.

Diego cried out sadly, 'You killed her in front of me. You wanted to kill me too, so I had to escape. You've never been a good father, so what do you want from me?'

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'We are family, and we need to stick together,' Diego's dad replied.

'I am not your family and never will be. How can I be related to a monster who killed his wife? If I have to have a family, it can't be you. I hate you.'

At the gas station, people noticed Diego was missing and wondered where he was. No one had any information, but they tracked his phone and found his location. Diego had never missed work, so his boss questioned what he could be doing so far away.

Meanwhile, Diego's dad gave him dinner and shut him in a room. Diego attempted to get out but saw no way to escape. He kept thinking about his mom and wished he could harm his dad.

The building is surrounded by armed men. It's best to surrender and keep everyone safe. Diego texted his boss about his location, so they sent armed men to rescue him.

Diego's dad hurried into the room and said, 'Diego, did you call the police on me? I can't believe I forgot to take your phone. Hand it over! Do you want me to go back to jail?' Diego replied, 'I want you to suffer in prison and never come out. That's how much I hate you.'

Diego's dad realized he couldn't escape, so he chose to surrender. However, just when they thought he was giving up, he took Diego hostage at gunpoint and warned that he would kill him if anyone tried to intervene.

As he attempted to leave with Diego, a sudden gunshot struck him in the forehead, causing him to fall and leaving everyone shocked about the source of the shot. It turned out to be Diego's mom who fired the gun; she had not died but was seriously injured and had been undergoing treatment all this time.

Mom! Diego shouted, I believed you abandoned me the day dad hurt you. I was told you were gone. I really missed you, Mom.

Yes, I was gone because I thought the same, but I was secretly recovering so your dad wouldn't discover me. I'm sorry I didn't come sooner to rescue you, and I'm sorry you have to deal with this monster again.

Mom, everything is okay. You're with me, so I'm not worried anymore. The monster is gone for good. They both left feeling happy.

I invite @okere-blessing @mariami @ruthjoe