Exactly at 23.57, the train arrived at Hornsby Station. Nora immediately got off the train and rushed towards the station exit.
Working as a nurse at a hospital in the Neringah area requires her to come home late tonight.
Nora was supposed to be able to go home in the afternoon, but today two nurses suddenly couldn't come in.
The doctor asked him directly to help treat an elderly patient whose condition was getting worse as the afternoon approached.
Luckily, the patient's condition began to improve three hours later after the patient's beloved child arrived.
Finally, he was allowed to go home. And right now, Nora couldn't wait to lie down in bed.
His body was tired, and so were his legs. However, he still enjoys carrying out his routine every day.
Nora is no longer young, she is already five years old. However, the energy and enthusiasm in her are like a girl in her twenties.
He loves his job, very much, but he loves his only daughter more.
Nora lives alone with her daughter, Soraya, who is currently 26 years old.
Soraya works as a waitress at one of Sydney's famous coffee cafes. The distance between Soraya's workplace and the unit where they live is quite far.
But at least, the salary Soraya earns is quite large when compared to other places.
They both have to work hard to pay the remaining monthly installments for their residence.
Nora also sets aside her monthly income to finance Soraya's educational plans for the next two years. His son wants to become a graduate.
Even though she is almost three years old, it is never too late for Soraya.
That's why Nora continues to work hard to provide for their living needs and their children's future.
Under the night sky, Nora walked from the station to her residence four blocks away.
It only takes 15 minutes if he walks slowly. However, tonight Nora slightly accelerated her steps because the surroundings were quiet and still.
The air feels quite cold tonight. Nora tightened the jacket she was wearing while putting her hands in her pockets to keep her body warm.
A car suddenly appeared from behind, driving down the quiet street with a roaring sound that made Nora startle slightly.
Nora continued to walk past two residential blocks while occasionally glancing to her right, hoping to find someone or a group of people there.
However, tonight was really quiet. Maybe it's because it's winter and the temperature outside is getting lower, So people prefer to stay indoors and pull the blankets up to cover their noses.
Nora continued walking on the sidewalk under a row of shady trees. The sound of an incoming message on her cellphone shocked Nora until her breath hitched. He immediately took out his cell phone from his small bag.
‘Where is Mom now?
The cafe is about to close.
I'm tidying the table.
I'll be home in 15 minutes.
Kevin will accompany me.
Let me know, Mom.'
A smile spread across Nora's face when she read the message. Nora is very familiar with Soraya. The two of them are like best friends.
Today Soraya had her last shift which meant she had to go home at midnight.
Luckily, Soraya works with Kevin, a neighbor who lives in one of the units in their apartment building.
Kevin was also the one who offered the job to Soraya. At least, Nora felt calmer because Kevin was there to look after Soraya if her child had to come home late at night like this.
‘Mom is already on her way home.
Coming soon.
Let Mama know when you want to go home, okay?
After replying to the message, he put his cellphone back in his bag and continued walking until he passed the third block. His heart was happy and joyful even though his body was tired.
Not because he is too good like an angel, but because he is happy living a life full of love with Soraya.
Nora only lives alone with Soraya, but she feels that everything is very complete and perfect. Husband?
Nora never thought about how or what her current husband—or ex-husband to be more precise—did. The man just left him when Soraya was three years old.
He had forgotten those sad times and got up as quickly as possible to raise Soraya.
Nora doesn't want to sink too long into sadness and a dark vortex that can make her world fall apart. Now, he is happy living his life with Soraya, and that alone is enough for her.
However, Nora didn't realize one thing.
The happiness he felt right now would change in a matter of seconds to a painful feeling accompanied by screams of fear.
Because without Nora realizing it, a man had been waiting for her arrival all along. A man who was standing behind a large and tall tree trunk.
A man who is ready to take her life.
The man deliberately chose a tree that was not exposed to street lights in order to hide his presence under the dark of night.
With a knife in his right hand and a cloth in his left, the man occasionally peeked out from behind a tree, waiting for the arrival of Nora, whom he had been stalking for several days.
After reaching the fourth block, Nora turned left and continued walking on the fairly wide sidewalk.
The three-story building they had lived in for ten years was visible from a distance. The living unit is on the second floor.
The place only consists of two bedrooms, one bathroom, as well as a kitchen and TV room. Not too big, but comfortable to live in.
The atmosphere in the residential area was very quiet. Occasionally there was the sound of a car horn in the distance, but it still couldn't fill the silence of the night.
One of the visible street lights was starting to dim, occasionally blinking weakly before finally turning off.
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