Chapter Text
The low hum of music lingered in the background, a dance track that had once filled the house with joy. Only a few hours ago, the place had been teeming with people, enjoying a lively party and what should have been the most memorable time of their lives. But the night had taken a sinister turn, and now all that could be heard were the chilling screams of each victim as their lives were mercilessly taken away, one by one. A dark figure moved stealthily through the house, clutching a bloody knife in hand. The sound of the blood dripping from the blade was almost defining, cutting through the music that continued playing in the background. The sound rebounded off every wall, haunting the solitary individual who remained, their very existence teetering on the edge. Fuck I hope I’m not the only one alive. They couldn't help but desperately wish they weren't alone, the sole survivor in this desolate place, barely clinging to life.
Ava found herself surrounded by the lifeless bodies of her loved ones. Desperation consumed her as she reached out desperately with trembling hands, her arms covered in blood, she could feel her body burning as she tried to drag herself through the sea of red that now seemed to coat every inch of this once pristine white house. She wasn't even sure whose blood it was. Some of it definitely belonged to her, but not all of it. It wouldn’t be possible. She would be dead by now if all of the blood was hers.
She found herself unable to walk, reduced to crawling through the blood of her friends, her legs not functioning properly. Most likely caused by the large fucking knife lodged in the base of her spine. Ava attempted to flee, desperately following the instructions of her girlfriend. The voice of Beatrice echoed in her ears as she urgently shouted, "Run, Ava!" Amidst the chaos, Beatrice fearlessly tackled the masked assailant, who was wielding a knife to the ground. And that's exactly what she did: she ran, leaving Bea behind. I’m such a coward. She couldn't have gotten very far before she was cornered in the main part of the house. It seemed as if there were two of them on the prowl, engaging in a twisted cat-and-mouse game until no one was left alive.
A tall figure emerged in front of her, and a wave of fear ran through her as she abruptly halted and quickly turned on her heel. She sprinted as fast as she could, but her efforts proved futile. A hand reached out from behind, seizing a hold of her hair and forcefully yanked her head back. Her knee buckled as a foot struck the back of it, sending her crashing to the ground. In an instant, she could feel the killer's heated breath close to her ear, creeping through the small hole in the mask. Leaning in, the voice whispered, "This might hurt a little.
Before she could even react, she felt the sharp blade thrust into her back. Effortlessly slicing through her flesh. A gasp of pain escaped her lips. That's when she realized things were about to go from bad to worse. All sensation in her legs disappeared instantly, a feeling that haunted her from her childhood. It was a feeling she never thought she would experience ever again.
It was at that moment that she believed she lost consciousness. Judging from her blurred vision, she is quite sure she fainted, as she found herself lying face down in a pool of blood. And now, here she is, persistently attempting to drag her body to some kind of safety. Fuck, she hopes Bea made it to safety. Maybe I should just give up and accept my fate.
From the other side of the room, a groan spurred her on, giving her yet another reason to keep going. Through the haze, she heard the sweet voice of her friend calling out to her, softly uttering her name, "Ava." Though barely audible, she knew she had to move towards that voice. She’s alive.
"Cam?" Ava called out, her eyes fixed on her friend's lifeless body lying on the ground. Her yellow crop top was stained in various shades of deep red. Despite Cam's stillness, Ava could detect the faint, shallow movement of her chest as she struggled to crawl closer. "Cam," she whispered again, her voice filled with desperation. Oh God, please Cam, get up.
As she attempted to reach out and touch her friend, a boot suddenly descended, pressing down on her hand and trapping her arm against the ground. She screamed in agony as she felt the knife in her back forcefully being ripped out, followed by her body being kicked over, causing her to lie flat on her back. The bright lights overhead made it challenging for her eyes to adapt, or perhaps it was the limited circulation of blood in her body that caused this disorientation. Either way, her head was spinning.
"Why are you doing this?" Ava asked, her voice trembling with fear.
She glanced up at the imposing figure before her, a masked killer donning a chilling ghost mask. Her gaze fixated on the pitch-black voids beneath the mask, seemingly piercing into her very soul. The faceless individual tilted their head from side to side, adding an eerie touch to the encounter. Ava could do nothing but look up and wait for the end. Fighting back was out of the question at this point. Her only hope was that Bea had escaped unharmed and found help. Bea may return in time to save Cam.
“Fucking show me your face, you coward” Ava grunted as she spat out a mouthful of blood.
A chilling laugh emerged from behind the mask, a devilish and utterly evil sound. It drew nearer and nearer as the figure standing over Ava bent down, enveloping her in its shadow cast by the overhead light. She observed as the hand approached the mask, their fingers tightly gripping it and gradually peeling it away to reveal the face underneath.
Ava was filled with horror as she locked eyes with the familiar face that looked back at her. "No," she gasped, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Hello, Ava," her friend's voice spoke back as they raised the knife above their head, prepared to deliver the final blow.
1 month earlier….
September, the beginning of a fresh school year. The sun was streaming through the window, as always left open every night by Ava without fail. Considering everything that had been happening lately, she really ought to make it a habit to close it. Struggling against the glare of the bright sun, she forced her eyes open and shielded them with her hand. She turned her head and glanced at the clock. Great, of course, I’m late. She let out a sigh and wished she could have five more minutes or even the rest of the day in bed. Slowly, she kicked her legs out from under the covers.
A knock at the door interrupted her and caught her attention. It was her brother, Michael, who called out to her from the other side. "Ava, hurry up! You're running late. Mom said to get your ass downstairs."
"I'll be there in a minute!" Ava grumbled.
“I’ve made pancakes”
"Okay, I'm on my way!" Ava exclaimed with excitement, her mind now consumed by thoughts of pancakes.
She stood up and stretched her back, a routine she performed every morning. With hands extended, she leaned forward to touch her toes before raising them above her head. As her spine crackled with each movement, she listened intently, a mix of pleasure and discomfort overcame her. The sound brought back memories of her childhood when she had a car accident and almost lost her ability to move. However, thanks to rigorous physiotherapy and the support of her adoptive family, she managed to fully regain her mobility.
Ava eagerly bounded across the room and carefully selected her outfit for the day, a cropped black shirt adorned with geometric patterns, paired with a stylish denim skirt. With her hair perfectly styled in a trendy half up half down do that she had been experimenting with lately, Ava couldn't help but admire her newfound look. Beatrice is going to love this.
The scent of freshly cooked pancakes filled the house, drawing Ava's attention. She instinctively followed the aroma to the kitchen, where she discovered her brother preparing an excessive amount of breakfast food for everyone in the house.
"You know there's no way the three of us will eat all those?" Ava laughed as she took a seat next to her mom at the counter.
"I don't think you realize how much you eat, dear sister," Michael teased playfully. He effortlessly flipped a pancake in the pan, flashing one of his charming smiles.
Ava nonchalantly shrugged, picked up a fork, and leaned over to spear her fork into the stack of fluffy pancakes. She grabbed a generous portion and carefully piled them onto her plate. Her older brother gave her an "I told you so" look in response.
"What?" Ava tried to speak, but her mouth was full of food, preventing her from forming a proper word.
He laughed as he flipped another pancake, adding it to the growing pile.
Ava remained silent, her attention fixated on the television screen positioned in the corner of the room. A news channel was broadcasting, featuring a journalist standing in front of a house cordoned off with crime scene tape. As the words "murdered" flashed across the screen, Ava narrowed her eyes. Without averting her gaze, she questioned, "Another one?"
"It's terrible, isn't it?" her mom said, placing her mug of coffee on the counter. "They're saying she was murdered in her own home last night while her parents were out."
"Doesn't she go to our school?" Ava gasped, glancing at her brother before turning her attention back to the TV screen. "It's Ellie Jackson!"
"Yeah, I think she's in the year below you," Michael said, a sad expression crossing his face.
Ava breathed out the word "fuck" and pushed her plate away from her.
"Language Ava," her mom replied, placing her mug and empty plate in the sink. She turned to look at her two children. "I'm going to be working late in the lab tonight. Please make sure you lock the door when you get home," the older woman instructed, her last comment specifically directed at her daughter, who frowned in response.
"I'll also be back late tonight," Michael said.
"Really? Where are you going?" Ava asked, her face displaying a playful expression.
“Just to Adriels”
"Are you gonna finally do it?" Ava couldn't help but ask.
The comment caused her brother to toss the pancake he was flipping wildly into the air, sending it soaring and eventually colliding with the ceiling, making a mess. Ava couldn't contain her laughter as she observed her brother's face gradually turn a light shade of pink.
"I knew it! The excessive pancake-making gave it away, Mikey" Ava laughed.
"Ava," her mother said, giving her a look that pleaded for her to be nice to her brother.
"Sorry, Mom," she said as she picked up her plate and placed it in the sink. "Anyway, I was planning on asking Bea to come over. Maybe Cam and Lilith too, if that's alright with you?"
"Sure, just try not to be too loud," she said, pouring the rest of the coffee from the pot into her travel mug.
"Mom, do you realize we live in the middle of nowhere?" Ava questioned.
"Yes, I suppose we do," she laughed, picking up her work bag and walking around the counter. She placed a kiss on both Michael and Ava's heads. "I'm going to work, so please be safe, both of you," she said sternly. Ava couldn't help but feel that her mother's concern extended beyond the possible murderer roaming the streets.
The blast of a horn echoed outside the house, abruptly catching Ava's attention. In an instant, she sprang into action, seizing her bag and hastening toward the door. "Come on, lover boy!" she called out urgently, practically sprinting through the front entrance and onto the expansive porch. Ava's eyes widened as much as they possibly could. It was as if time had slowed down to a crawl. She witnessed her girlfriend Beatrice stepping out of her car and made her way around to the passenger side. Beatrice's hair was neatly tied up in her signature bun, with two loose strands that elegantly framed her flawless face.
It felt like a scene straight out of a fucking 90s rom-com as Beatrice leaned casually against her sleek black jeep, her hands resting behind her. She tilted her head to the side and flashed Ava her smile. The one that never failed to make Ava's knees weak. That smile had the power to make Ava go to extraordinary lengths, hell she would slay demons from another world if she had to, just to catch a glimpse of it. Oh, that fucking smile. She inhaled deeply and silently muttered, "Fuck, she’s so hot." At least, that's what she thought.
"Stop drooling, Ava," Michael teased as he walked past his sister and headed towards the Jeep. Beatrice was still leaning against it, but now she was laughing a little.
"I'm not-" Ava started to say, but quickly interrupted herself, realizing she was actually drooling a little. She shook her head, wiped her mouth, and walked directly towards Beatrice. As soon as Ava was within reach, Beatrice embraced her tightly, lifting her up from the ground and spinning her around. Ava couldn't help but let out a small squeal of delight, burying her head in the crook of Beatrice's neck.
Beatrice gently lowered her back down and planted a soft kiss on her girlfriend's lips. "Hello, love," she greeted in that sexy British accent of hers.
"Hey babe," Ava replied, wearing the biggest smile she could possibly muster. Standing on her tiptoes, she leaned in for another kiss.
"Come on, we're going to be late!" Michael called, sticking his head out of the back window.
Beatrice stepped away, laughing, as she reached for the passenger door and gracefully opened it for Ava. Afterwards, she made her way around the car and settled into the driver's seat. Ava couldn't tear her gaze away from the taller woman, finding every little action she took incredibly seductive. Whether it was the way she effortlessly inserted the key into the ignition or how she checked her mirrors before backing out of the driveway, everything Beatrice did was an immense turn-on for Ava. Fuck, pull yourself together Ava.
"Are you okay, love?" Beatrice's question startled Ava, leaving her struggling to articulate a response. Settling for a simple nod in reply.
"You'd think that you two hadn't been dating for two years, based on your behaviour."
"Oh, shut up, Mikey," Ava retaliated.
The drive to school was like any other day, but there was a slight sense of difference in the air today. It marked the beginning of the final year for the seniors, which included her brother and, of course, Beatrice. This was the last year before they headed off to college. Beatrice had already been shortlisted for all the top colleges in the country. Ava sighed and gazed out of the window, watching the trees go by as thoughts of their future filled her mind. Above all else, she longed to remain with Beatrice, but she also understood that the possibility of Beatrice accepting a position at a local college was highly unlikely. It was a topic she preferred not dwelling on too much; instead, she tried to concentrate on their final year together before things grew too complicated.
The car stopped in front of the school, and Ava quickly hopped out. She walked straight over to Beatrice, who eagerly interlocked their fingers. Together, they made their way onto the grassy section of the school grounds where their friends were already waiting, seated at their usual picnic bench.
"Ava!" Camila squealed, running over and wrapping her arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.
"Hey, Cam," Ava beamed in response to Camila pulling back from their embrace. Camila's large, brown doe eyes locked onto Ava's for a short moment.
Lilith nodded in acknowledgement, saying "Ava, Bea," as Camilla returned to her side. Her tall girlfriend immediately pulled Camila close, wrapping her arm around her.
"Hey, guys," Yasmaine spoke without looking up from her phone, completely absorbed in the content she was reading.
"What are you reading, Yas?" Beatrice asked, trying to catch a glimpse of whatever had captured her attention.
Chanel, sitting on the other side of the bench, leaned into JC with his arms wrapped around her and spoke up, “She's reading the news reports from last night.'"
"Yeah, she's a little obsessed with it," JC laughed.
"I am not!" Yasmine shot back.
"What do they know?" Ava questioned, her grip tightening slightly on Beatrice's hand. She couldn't understand how everyone could be so calm and accepting of the news, especially considering that a girl from their school had recently been murdered.
Yasmine glanced up from her phone and locked eyes with Ava, her face brimming with excitement. "They're saying she was stabbed 47 times," she exclaimed, "with a knife pulled from her own kitchen!"
Ava felt her heart pound harder as she tried to process the information. Who could possibly do such a thing? Before she could even voice the burning question in her mind, she heard her girlfriend's voice coming from beside her.
"Did they find out who did it?" Beatrice asked.
"No," Yasmine replied, her face still filled with the same level of excitement.
Ava's shock was evident as the words left her mouth. "So, the killer is still out there?"
Yasmine shifted in her seat, her eyes fixed on Ava. "Now, here's the exciting part," she began. "They discovered a ghost mask."
"Do you mean the ones that people wear at Halloween?" Ava asked, receiving an enthusiastic nod from Yasmine.
"Didn't you know her, Lilith?" JC questioned, leaning over to get a better look at the taller woman.
Lilith simply replied, "Yes, she was on the volleyball team, but she wasn't a starter."
"Are you not upset?" Chanel asked.
"Lilith?" JC nearly burst into laughter. "Stone cold heart over here, she's probably the killer." JC laughed once more before realizing the stern expression on Lilith's face. He quickly shifted himself to sit more closely behind Chanel, as if using her as a human shield.
"Lilly," Camila chirped, attempting to calm her girlfriend. "Leave him. You don't have a cold heart for me." She gently grasped the taller woman's face, turning it to meet her gaze, and placed a tender kiss on her lips.
JC smiled and nodded behind Ava, saying, "Talk about cold hearts, look who it is Ava."
Ava turned to see who her friend was talking about, feeling an immediate surge of hatred as she watched the tall woman approach them. A toothy smile adorned her fucking perfectly flawless face, intensifying Ava's anger. She instinctively tightened her grip on Beatrice's hand, drawing her girlfriend closer to her side.
"Hey, Beatrice," Lucia said, not bothering to glance at Ava.
The fucking bitch who does she think she is?! I’m standing right here!
"Hello, Lucia," Beatrice greeted her with a tone that was far too friendly for Ava's liking.
Ava observed the interaction between the two, noting that they were both the same height, just a few inches taller than her. For some reason, this infuriated Ava, although she couldn't quite pinpoint why. Why does she have to be so tall? Beatrice prefers shorter girls anyway, or at least that’s what Ava told herself.
"Hello, Lucia," Ava chimed in, interrupting their conversation. She pulled Beatrice even closer to her, as if it were somehow possible, while straightening her back to appear slightly taller than her usual height.
"Oh, Ava, I didn't see you down there," the taller woman said, her eyes still fixated on Beatrice as she spoke, not bothering to look at Ava.
Ava clenched her jaw, attempting to maintain composure despite the infuriating comment. She heard a snigger from behind her, most likely JC struggling to suppress his amusement at Ava's jealousy. As she started to move forward, fully aware that she would regret her next actions, Beatrice swiftly released their intertwined hands and rapped Ava in her arm, pulling her close. Instantly, the bubbling rage that had begun to consume Ava was soothed, as Beatrice always knew how to calm her down.
It was at that moment when Lucia finally cast a subtle glance at Ava. Her smile immediately transformed into one tinged with disgust. Tilting her head upwards, she shifted her gaze back to Beatrice and said, "Well, Beatrice, I'll be in the library after school if you'd like to study." She extended her hand and casually brushed Beatrice's arm, before winking and turning away to make her way toward the school's main building.
No that's it, she's gunna get it.
Ava tried to follow her, consumed once again by rage. However, before she could reach her, two arms wrapped around her in a tight embrace. "Calm down, love," Beatrice whispered into her hair.
JC burst into laughter from behind, exclaiming, "Ohhhhhhh Ava!"
"Bea” Chanel said, “She definitely has a crush on you.'"
"Beatrice tried to argue, 'She does not. She's just being nice.'"
"I must admit, Beatrice," Lilith joined in, "she does."
"If looks could kill, Ava," JC said through fits of laughter, "maybe you're the killer."
"Me?!" Ava spat back, both surprised and offended by the comment.
"Didn't Ellie used to date Beatrice?" Camila questioned, tilting her head.
"You did?" Ava asked, taken aback by the new information. She looked up at her tall girlfriend, eager for more details.
"Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a date," Beatrice tried to downplay the comment, then looked down at Ava. "It happened a long time ago, my dear."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Ava questioned.
"I didn't consider it to be important."
Ava's face was covered in shock as she asked, "You didn't think it was important to tell me that your ex-girlfriend was brutally murdered?"
Beatrice could only gaze at Ava, her mouth slightly opening and closing. Ava couldn't comprehend why Beatrice didn't speak up. Why keep it a secret? If she had been dating the girl, wouldn't she feel a little sad that she had been ruthlessly murdered? Before the taller girl could utter a word, it was as if some higher power intervened. The bell chimed, indicating the beginning of class.
"The plot thickens," Yasmine exclaimed, as she rose from the table and neatly stacked her books. She then made her way to the main building for class.
"Maybe you're colder than me, Beatrice," Lilith teased as she walked past them both. Camila clung tightly to her, shooting Ava a sympathetic smile.
"Come on, JC," Chanel said, urging him to stand up and follow her.
"No, I want to see how this plays out," he said excitedly, nodding towards Ava and Beatrice.
"Now, JC," Chanel hissed, her tone implying that he would be wise to pay attention.
"Okay, okay. I'm coming," he quickly said, grabbing his bag and hurrying after his girlfriend.
"I should be getting to class," Ava said, uncertain whether she wanted to have this conversation at this moment.
"Love," Beatrice said, trying to draw Ava closer to her. However, Ava squirmed free from her grasp.
"Bea, let's have this conversation later," Ava said in a melancholic tone as she took a step back from the older girl. Bea was looking at her with a sad expression that reminded her of a puppy. Ava had to remain strong and not give in.
"Okay, love," Beatrice said as Ava turned and headed for class.
To say that Ava did not enjoy her first day back at school would be an understatement. Since the morning, she had not spoken to Beatrice. A feeling of unease gnawed at her stomach, and it seemed impossible to shake it off. Ava couldn't work out why Beatrice had kept her relationship with Ellie a secret. If it had happened a long time ago and didn't last very long, why should it matter?
Ava sighed as she poured the freshly made popcorn into a large bowl. Camilla and Lilith were already present, eagerly anticipating their movie night. They were simply waiting for Beatrice. Beatrice, who was typically known for being early, no she was always ahead of schedule. So her lateness puzzled Ava, as she was known for being so punctual.
Instantly, her attention was drawn to the sound of her phone ringing. Without even checking who was calling, she quickly picked it up and placed it against her ear. "Bea?" she asked.
Instead of hearing the British accent she had expected, she was greeted by a low hum and the sound of heavy breathing. Puzzled, she lowered the phone from her ear to check the caller's identity, only to be surprised by an unfamiliar number, not displaying a name. Curiosity got the better of her as it always does. She brought the phone back to her ear and listened carefully to the eerie sound once again.
"Hello?" she asked, feeling a bit confused about who was on the other end.
"What's your favourite scary movie?" the croaky voice asked.
Ava was slightly surprised by the question. She poured the freshly made popcorn into a large bowl as she mulled it over. After a moment of contemplation, she decided to go with it and replied, "That's easy. The Saw movies." She leaned back onto the counter as she spoke.
The voice on the other end of the phone hummed softly, "Would you like to play a game, Ava?" it asked with a hoarse tone.
"What kind of game?"
The voice simply said, "Would you rather?"
Ava couldn't help but chuckle at the idea of playing a childish game with an unknown person over the phone. Still consumed by curiosity, she simply replied, "Sure."
"Which would you prefer to witness: me slitting Beatrice's throat or your brother's?"
Ava straightened her back, her mouth falling open in shock as the eerie words reached her ears. "What the fuck?" she exclaimed, barely able to contain her anger.
"Or do you prefer me to violently attack Camlila, spilling her guts onto the floor?" the menacing voice proposed.
Ava shouted, "Don't ever call this number again!" and promptly ended the call. Her heart began to pound slightly in her chest.
She grabbed the bowl of popcorn and quickly made her way through to the spacious living room, where a large couch dominated the modern living space. Camilla and Lilith were nestled in one of the corners, cosied up together.
Camila looked and instantly noticed the discomfort on Ava's face “what's wrong? Is it Bea?”
"No, no” Ava spoke shaking her head trying not to think about the previous prank call ” Nothing yet," Ava said, forcing a smile as she placed the bowl of popcorn on the table. She slumped down into the soft cushions of the couch.
"Perhaps she went to meet Lucia at the library?" Lilith said, reaching out for a handful of the savoury snack.
"Lilith," Camila hissed, nudging her girlfriend. "I'm sure she will have a good reason for being late, Ava. I wouldn't worry about it."
"I don't know," Lilith said, popping pieces of popcorn into her mouth. "Beatrice used to be quite the player before she met young Ava here."
Ava angrily glared at Lilith. She was well aware of Beatrice's reputation, dubbed her "player" days. Everyone knew about her reluctance to commit and how desirable she was to everyone. "I'm not naive, Lilith," Ava retorted “I know about Bea's past”
Lilith responded with a smug look, "You weren't aware of Ellie, were you?"
"Lilly," Camila spoke sternly.
Lilith raised her hands, leaning back on the couch with her arm draped around Camila. Just then, her phone vibrated by her side, prompting her to reach for it and glance at the screen in annoyance. "It's my father," Lilith sighed, standing up and making her way to the front door.
Ava observed Camila's eyes tracking her girlfriend until she walked out the front door and departed. As soon as her girlfriend was gone, Camila's gaze shifted to Ava, accompanied by a subtle smile. "Looks like it's just you and me now, Avs. She's going to be a while," she said, her smile expanding slightly.
"I guess so," Ava chuckled, lifting her arm out, ready for what was about to happen next.
Camila let out a joyful squeal as she eagerly joined Ava in the available spot, adjusting her position to make room for herself beside her best friend. She retrieved a blanket and carefully engulfed them both, settling in to get cosy.
Camila looked up at Ava, a smile on her face as she reminisced, "It feels just like the good old days. Before we started dating those hot British girls."
"Yeah," Ava whispered, her disappointment evident as she tried to hide it. She had been hoping Beatrice would be here, especially after the unsettling prank phone call.
It was around 9pm, a late hour for anyone to be at the school library. Especially given the current events and the potential danger posed by a possible mass murderer on the loose. However, Lucia seemed unfazed by these concerns. Placing yet another book onto the table, she began to flip through its pages. It felt like she had already read everything there was to read about Biomechanics in this fucking library, frustration started to build inside her.
She let out a sigh and leaned back in the uncomfortable wooden chair, her hand reaching up to touch the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. "I knew she wouldn't come," she murmured in frustration, addressing the empty school library. It wasn't a surprise to her that Beatrice didn't show up; after all, she was always with Ava. No matter how hard Lucia tried to get closer to Beatrice, she remained loyal to that irritating girl who Beatrice seemed to think was the beacon of light in a gloomy world.
"Fuck!" Lucia muttered, closing the book abruptly and hurriedly packing her belongings into her bag. She had made up her mind: it was time to head home.
Looking around the empty library, she glanced down at her watch. It was later than she had anticipated, and the room seemed much darker than expected. As she made her way towards the exit, leading back to the main corridor of the school, a noise caught her attention from the shadowy depths of the library shelves on the far side of the room. Intrigued, she looked back, narrowing her eyes in an attempt to discern the source of the sound.
"Bea?" she called out, holding onto a glimmer of hope that Bea had shown up.
The room descended into an eerie silence once again. Lucia mustered the courage to take a few steps forward, heading toward the source of the sound. Despite the nagging voice in her head urging her to turn around and head for the door, curiosity won over.
"Hello?" she called out once more, her voice echoing through the dimly lit section of the library as she ventured deeper into its mysterious depths. Stopping abruptly, she strained her ears, instinctively knowing that she wasn't imagining it. And she was right, the sound of breathing was unmistakable. Though soft and barely audible, it emanated from the shadows, casting an eerie aura over the room. Her heart raced with a mix of curiosity and fear. One question resounded in her mind: Who could possibly be lurking there?
"Beatrice, if that's you, stop playing games and come out here. We both know why you're here," she said with a smile on her face.
As Lucia received no response, she huffed in frustration and dropped her bag onto the ground. She was fully prepared to play the game that she believed Beatrice was orchestrating. "Okay, fine. I'll play your game," Lucia muttered, glancing anxiously from side to side at the dark room ahead of her. With cautious steps, she ventured into the shadows, straining her ears for any sign of approaching breaths, now growing louder with each passing moment.
As she ventured deeper into the darkness, her doubts about this peculiar game grew stronger. Why had Beatrice led her to this isolated corner of the library? Frustration mounting, she reached for her phone and activated the flashlight, casting a glow on the area surrounding her feet. "Beatrice, reveal yourself before I blind you with this light," she declared, lifting the light source to illuminate the abyss ahead. But to her bewilderment, there was no one to be found. Puzzled, she hummed in confusion, almost convinced that someone had been just steps ahead of her.
That's when the breathing became inexplicably loud as if it were right beside her. She could almost feel it on the back of her neck, causing her hair to stand on end. Her heart rate quickened, and she took deeper breaths. Pausing for a moment, she braced herself to turn around and come face-to-face with the taller girl she had been lusting after.
With a mischievous look on her face, she swiftly turned around, only to be confronted by the sight of the ghost face mask staring back at her. Its large black eyes somehow pierced through the darkness. Lucia found herself unable to move or think, her body frozen as she watched the knife being thrust up into her gut. She screamed out in agony as a searing pain shot through her body. The knife was forcefully removed, causing her to stumble sideways into the bookshelf, which resulted in a pile of books falling to the ground.
Before she could react, the masked killer lunged forward gripping the back of her neck and plunging the knife into her gut, repeatedly stabbing her, each time increasing the force. Each time more and more blood spilt onto the floor. The pain gradually faded, leaving her body numb and only a dull sense of pressure remained as the knife's blade sliced into her over and over again.
And then it stopped. She fell backwards onto the unforgiving surface, her phone landing next to her, casting a small light just above her. She couldn't move; all she could do was look up into the black void above. The ghostly face was no longer visible; instead, there were only black blotches in her vision, slowly taking over.
She was fully aware that her time was running out, and all she could do was gargle on the pooling blood in the back of her mouth, her desperate attempts to cough up the thick liquid were futile. In that moment she wished for her own death, almost begging for it, hoping the multiple stab wounds in her gut would end her misery as she began to drown in a pool of her own blood.
In her final moments, the ghostly face emerged from the darkness and into the light, gazing down at her. It tilted its head with curiosity, observing her. That was all she managed to see before taking her last breath and surrendering to the darkness.