Level 667.2

The fading remnants of ethereal light gracefully dissipated into the vast expanse of the cityscape as evening descended. The street, still adorned with the glistening remnants of a recent rainfall, shimmered delicately. The luminous glow of the streetlights had yet to awaken, leaving the street suspended in a captivating moment between the realms of illumination and obscurity.
Weary and burdened by the weight of a challenging day's work, I embarked on my journey homeward. Each stride I took was purposeful, my hands clenched into resolute fists, buried deep within the recesses of my pockets. The air carried a chill, not a harsh and biting cold, but rather a gentle and murmuring one. It was a cold that caressed the skin with its pallid fingers, leaving behind a trail of goosebumps, a subtle reminder of its presence. It whispered its touch, evoking both a sense of trepidation and intrigue. My heart raced, my breaths grew labored. In that moment, I paused, allowing my eyes to flutter shut, and amidst the silence, I discerned the faint sound of a solitary footstep. And then, nothingness. 
Unmistakably, there was someone trailing behind me. 
Without hesitation, I propelled myself forward with an unwavering determination, my movements akin to the intricate workings of a well-oiled machine. The truth was undeniable; I was being pursued. I dared not cast a glance over my shoulder, for my focus was solely on escape. The resounding echo of my feet striking the pavement reverberated with a jarring intensity. Together, my pursuer and I engaged in a frenzied and exhilarating dance, fraught with high stakes. Through labyrinthine side streets, concealed back alleys, and even over the obstacle of garbage cans, we raced on. Finally, we arrived at my street, where I effortlessly vaulted over a fence with a single hand, traversed a backyard, and sprinted towards my front stoop. My arrival at the sanctuary of my front door was accompanied by a frantic scramble to locate my keys. Deep within, I knew that if I could only reach the refuge of the basement before my pursuer caught up, I would be liberated from this perilous pursuit.
I sprinted towards the entrance of my opulent basement, forcefully swinging open the grandiose door, and descended the magnificent staircase with unparalleled agility. With a graceful leap, I effortlessly cleared the final two steps, seamlessly blending into the ethereal shadows that enveloped the lower level. 
My relentless pursuer, consumed by trepidation, cautiously descended the steps of my subterranean sanctuary. Each deliberate footfall propelled him deeper into the enigmatic abyss. A feeble beam of light cascaded down the staircase, granting me a glimpse of his hand, gingerly tracing the frigid basement wall, desperately seeking a source of illumination. The sound of his labored breathing, raspy and saturated, reverberated through the air. As his trembling hand encountered the light switch, he hastily flicked it on. 
I observed with a sense of satisfaction as the man adorned in a resplendent blue uniform stood petrified, his eyes scanning the room in sheer terror. His gaze traversed the walls, adorned with macabre stains of crimson, before settling upon the grotesque freezer nestled in the corner. The remnants of my previous indulgence, meticulously displayed upon the surgical table, further intensified his horror. 
Unbeknownst to him, I stealthily approached from behind, my presence masked by the silence of the abyss. The pulsating bulge concealed within my trousers betrayed my sinister intentions as I injected a potent concoction into the tender flesh of his neck. A hushed whisper escaped my lips, caressing the officer's ear as his body succumbed to the effects of my concoction. "Ah, dear officer," I murmured, relishing in the moment, "it appears that you have unwittingly unraveled this intricate puzzle." 
A maniacal grin, brimming with malevolence, etched itself upon my countenance.
Category:Levels
Category:Cluster I
Category:Format Screws
Category:Tales