CHAPTER NINE

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sleep paralysis

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sleep paralysis

warning: this chapter contains homophobia, extreme violence, and character death as part of a dream

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

warning: this chapter contains homophobia, extreme violence, and character death as part of a dream. please proceed with caution.

. ✧ ・゜. +・o ✧

Gabe stood in the back hallways of Starcourt Mall, clutching a knife in each hand. His chest heaved; sweat dripped down his forehead. He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and his face was slightly bruised, remnants of multiple earlier attacks. Beside him stood Max, Mike, and El, their faces milk-white with fear, shudders trembling down their bodies as they awaited the threat that was slowly making its way towards them.

The footsteps drew closer and closer, and with them grew the speed of Gabe's rapidly beating heart. He was paralyzed, his limbs frozen solid, unable to do anything but stand there, open-mouthed, and prepare for what was coming.

It didn't take long.

Billy Hargrove rounded the corner, black streaks crawling up his arms. His hair was matted to his face, burns glistened on his bare skin, and his face was twisted into a snarl. His eyes were two pools of black hatred, and, even from a distance, Gabe could see his terrified face reflected in their pupils.

Move, he thought. His legs refused.

"Billy," Max tried, her voice trembling. "Billy, you don't have to do this. Billy. Your name's Billy, Billy Hargrove. You live on 4819 Cherry Lane. Billy, please, I'm Max, I'm your—"

Billy struck her across the face, sending her flying. Gabe let out a whimper when she finally collapsed, her braids cutting across her cheeks. Her skin was milk-white, bleached under her freckles. Her eyes were open but clouded over—the blue of her irises had turned glassy. She lay completely still, without even the slightest twitch. Her chest refused to rise and fall.

No.

No, no, no, no, no—

"Max!" Mike shouted, lunging towards Billy. Gabe wanted to join him, wanted to scream, wanted to do anything but stand here, but he was completely immobile, trapped in place. Which meant that he could do nothing but watch as Billy slammed Mike's head against the wall. There was a sickening crack, and Mike was the next to fall.

CYNEFIN- Lucas Sinclair ⁴Where stories live. Discover now