I’m seeking a skilled fiction author to craft an original mystery short story of up to 7,500 words. The piece should feature a compelling hook in the opening pages, layered clues that invite reader deduction, and a satisfying twist that resolves every loose end. I’m keen on immersive atmosphere and memorable characters rather than graphic violence or gore, so tension should rise from psychological stakes, red herrings, and clever misdirection. You’ll have creative freedom over setting, era, and narrative voice as long as the final manuscript feels cohesive and polished. Please deliver: • The full story in an editable file (DOCX or Google Doc) • A brief (150-300 word) synopsis outlining the central mystery and its resolution I’ll consider the job complete once the manuscript meets the word-count range, flows smoothly without plot holes, and is free of spelling and grammar errors. If the story grips me from start to finish, there’s potential for future collaborations in the same genre.