It was one of those forgettable afternoons—the kind that slips between errands and obligations without leaving a trace. I’d stopped by the grocery store, tired and distracted, already thinking about tomorrow’s to-do list.

Nothing about the moment felt special. At the self-checkout, I scanned my items, paid, and turned to leave. I barely registered the woman behind me until she called out, holding up a small slip of paper. “Your receipt,” she said softly, smiling. I thanked her, tucked it into my bag, and walked away—unaware that her simple gesture carried something more.

Later that evening, while unpacking groceries, I reached for the receipt to toss it. That’s when I saw it: a quick, uneven scrawl on the back. “Check your back seat.” My heart skipped. The words didn’t make sense. Was it a joke? A warning? I stood still, staring, unease creeping in.