One Out of Four

Chapter 4.

Kyle and Kacey arrived at the house. Kyle opened the door, revealing the interior. Meanwhile, Kacey followed closely behind him, her expression weighed down by gloom. The rain may have stopped outside, but inside, their hearts still felt like they were drowning in a never-ending downpour of sadness.

Before entering, they heard Diana's voice creeping up. "Hey, kiddos, come in," she said in an encouraging tone. "Uh oh," Kacey blurted out with fear.

As Kyle and Kacey officially entered, Diana slammed the door shut. Kacey and Kyle both stared at each other, their faces carved with terror as the realization of being trapped inside with Diana's hatred against them sank in. The atmosphere grew tense, and they knew they were in for a distressing ordeal.

Later on, Diana opened the door to an unknown bedroom. She grabbed Kacey's arm as she tried to avoid entering. "Let me go!" Kacey shouted, fearing for her life.

It was no use, as Diana managed to shove Kacey inside the room. The room was small and badly built, smelled musty, and had pale pink wallpaper that was peeling off. The only window was covered with dust, which created creepy reflections on the walls next to a once-modern black chair.

The old twin bed creaked with each motion, and the ripped cushion and cover were clear signs of its age. A pile of clothing and shoes fell onto the floor from a closet door that couldn't be slightly closed, while a dusty light on a little wooden nightstand with a flickering bulb stood by the bed.

Kacey stood there, observing the room, feeling weirded out and confused as it seemed abandoned. Diana stood in front of the door, silently.

Kacey turned her face to Diana. "Who used to live here?" Kacey wondered.

Diana took a brief pause. "My daughter," she responded, avoiding eye contact.

Kacey looked confused. "Wait, you have a daughter? How come we never—" Kacey got cut off.

Diana looked irritated. "Had!" Diana shouted.

Kacey's eyes widened, and she took a few steps back. "Wha- what do you... mean? You didn't kill her, right?" Kacey trembled against her words, now terrified of the lady standing right in front of her.

Diana looked at Kacey, confused but mostly offended. "What... no, I didn't kill her," she spoke.

"Then what happened to her?" Kacey asked, her voice filled with newfound confidence.

Diana looked serious as she began to recount the tragic story. "She was nine years old when she passed away. She went missing while playing outside, and later, she was found dead in a forest," she explained, her tone heavy with sadness.

Kacey's mouth slightly opened in response to the heartbreaking backstory. "Oh, wow... I'm so sorry to hear that," Kacey expressed, her sympathy clear.

Diana cleared her throat. "It took two weeks for them to find her. I sat in that same chair every morning, staring at the window, waiting for her," she further explained.

Kacey opened her mouth, then closed it, as she didn't want to say anything wrong. "Did you ever treat her this badly?" she asked anyway.

Diana opened her mouth in shock. She turned around, closing the door behind her as she stepped out. Diana locked the door behind her and stepped away from it. She crossed her hands into a tight fist and brought them to her chest as she closed her eyes. Diana said to herself, "I want to protect you," about Kacey.

Kacey is staring out the window in her new, unsettling bedroom.

She grins as she sees an opportunity to escape. Kacey uses her hands to open the window but is unable to. "Ugh. Stupid window," she says in defeat.

Now, when it comes to Kyle's room, it's a bit different as there is little space for him to move around. The room is poorly lit, with only a weak bulb flickering. The only window is small and high up, barely letting in any light. Kyle is huddled on the floor, with his knees to his chest.

Previously on Kacey...

Kacey is lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling. She shakes heavily, as if she were freezing to death.

"When I went to visit Mom's grave, I was ashamed of forgetting our memories together. But now, that is the least of my concerns," her inner voice says, gloomily. "Maybe this time I'll be able to see her... pretty soon and make new memories," she goes on as her eyes slowly shut.

Furthermore, Diana is sleeping on her bed as Marco is still tied up inside the closet with his eyes closed.

Back to Kyle, he is lying sideways on the floor, wanting to fall asleep but unable to. "I hate my life," he whispers to himself.