Mark worked late at a small delivery depot near the river. He liked the quiet hours because the phones stopped ringing and the city felt slower. On this night, a new parcel waited on his desk. It had no return address, only his name in neat black ink.

He felt a small cold wave in his stomach. Mark did not remember ordering anything. Still, he scanned the code. The system showed nothing. No sender. No history.

He picked up the box. It was light, but something moved inside. He shook it once. A soft click answered him.

Mark put the parcel down. He thought about leaving it there. Then his phone buzzed.

A message appeared: “Open it. You are safe.”

Mark looked around the empty office. The doors were locked. The cameras were on. He took a slow breath and opened the box.

Inside, he found a small recorder and a folded note. The note said, “Play me.”

He pressed the button.

A calm male voice filled the room. “Mark, someone plans to steal from the depot tonight. I need your help to stop it.”

Mark felt angry. “Who is this?” he said, but the recorder did not answer.

The voice continued. “Go to the loading bay. Check locker three.”

Mark hesitated. Then he walked to the bay. The lights flickered. Locker three was slightly open.

He pulled it open and stepped back. Inside, he saw a dark bag with tools and fake labels. His heart started to beat faster.

His phone buzzed again. “Good. Now call your manager and the police.”

Mark did exactly that. He spoke clearly and stayed calm. Within minutes, two officers arrived. They checked the locker and thanked Mark for his quick action.

Later, the manager shook his hand. “You stopped a serious crime tonight.”

Mark felt relief, but also confusion. He looked at the recorder again. “Who helped me?” he whispered.

The recorder played one last message. “A friend. You once helped me when I needed it. Tonight, I returned the favour.”

The device went silent.

Mark placed it back in the box and closed it carefully. He never learned the voice, but he knew one thing. Kind actions can travel far, and sometimes they come back when we least expect them.

He turned off the lights, locked the door, and walked into the cool night air, feeling lighter than before.

---

Vocabulary Notes

Parcel
Meaning: A wrapped box or package that is sent or delivered.
Example: “On this night, a new parcel waited on his desk.”
Similar words: package, box, delivery
Extra example: The courier left the parcel at the front door.

Hesitate
Meaning: To pause before doing something because you are unsure or nervous.
Example: “Mark hesitated. Then he walked to the bay.”
Similar words: pause, delay, doubt
Extra example: She hesitated before opening the email.

Flickered
Meaning: To shine or move in an unsteady or quick way.
Example: “The lights flickered.”
Similar words: blinked, flashed, trembled
Extra example: The candle flickered in the wind.

Relief
Meaning: A feeling of comfort when fear or worry is gone.
Example: “Mark felt relief, but also confusion.”
Similar words: comfort, ease, calm
Extra example: He felt great relief when the test was over.

Returned the favour
Meaning: To help someone because they helped you before.
Example: “Tonight, I returned the favour.”
Similar words: repaid kindness, helped back, gave support
Extra example: She helped me move, so I returned the favour later.

Whispered
Meaning: To speak very quietly.
Example: “Who helped me?” he whispered.
Similar words: murmured, said softly, breathed
Extra example: He whispered so nobody else could hear.

Story written by ChatGPT.

Image created by ChatGPT.

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