𝑴𝒂𝒄𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒆 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏

•𝟒 | 𝒔𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆•

**NOT EDITED**
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Aryia had never ridden her bike as fast as she had that morning. As soon as that thought came to her mind, she leaped out of bed, dressed herself, and quickly dodged her mother's questions to get out the door.

Aryia had rode her bike down the block at record time, ignoring the burning in her legs. She skidded to a stop in the driveway, dropping she bike next to the light blue SUV. Aryia ran to the front door, rapidly knocking.

The front door opened, revealing a woman in her late thirties with a toddler perched on her hip.

"Well hello, dear. Vann is still sleeping, but-"

"Hi, Mrs. Hennigan. You have to let me in. It's important." Aryia said hurriedly, forcing a smile on her face.

"Important? What-"

"I can't quite explain. It's complicated."

Mrs. Hennigan paused, seeming lost. She nodded once, before opening the door all the way and moving to the side.

"If it's as important as it sounds, come on in."

"Thank you so much." Aryia entered the house, jogging up the carpeted stairs.

The second door on the left was closed and a sign hanging by a nail said, 𝙳𝙾 𝙽𝙾𝚃 𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁. Aryia twisted the knob, but it was locked. She pounded on the door, more forcefully and faster than on the front door.

The door swung open and revealed Vann. "Mom, what-"

Both teens eye's widened as they both stared at each other. Vann was standing in the door way in his underwear, his faint abs on full display. Aryia fought everything she had to not let her eyes travel down. For a split second her eyes shifted down toward his bare stomach and back up to his eyes. Aryia thought it was discreet, but Vann saw it clear as day and he fought his smirk.

Vann cleared his throat, opening his door fully. Aryia quickly entered, flopping down on his bed like she owned it. She stayed laying, staring up at the glow up star stickers on the ceiling from when they were in middle school.

"The paranormal is real." Aryia deadpanned as she felt the bed dip beside her.

"What?" Vann asked, even though it sounded more like a statement.

Aryia sat up, brushing arms with Vann who was seated beside her. She glanced toward him to find he put on sweatpants, but kept himself shirtless. Aryia couldn't help but feel like it was on purpose.

Aryia took a deep breath, composing herself before continuing. "I had a - dream last night. But I don't know if it was actually a dream. I felt like it was a memory. A memory that wasn't mine."

"Mm. My method didn't work then?" Vann smirked, causing Aryia's cheeks to heat up.

"Shut up! I'm being serious, Vann!"

"Okay, okay! Continue."

"Like I said, it felt like a memory that wasn't mine. I was in the Macabre Mansion at first, sleeping in the bed. And then I woke up and I heard a scream so I went outside but I was in a totally different place. I was where the spot was, but there was a fire."

Aryia paused, taking a deep breath. "These six guys we're dressed in red cloaks and skull masks. And then the girl from the painting we saw last night was literally there. She was in one of their arms. She got lifted up into the air and they threw her in the fire. It was so fucking demonic. They were chanting something, I think it was Latin."

Vann stared at her, his mouth slightly agape. "The girl from the painting was in your dream?"

"Yes! She was tied up and shit. It was so real, Vann."

"And you think that it was her memory?"

"Yes! I sound insane, but something much darker than we realize is in that house." Aryia stood, getting antsy, standing in front of him.

"Do...do you think the voice you heard could have been her?"

"I don't know. I woke up this morning and I just thought, I need that painting."

"You want to go back, me and you, to go get this painting?"

"Yeah. I need that painting."

Vann sighed, looking down at his hands. He seemed to be thinking. "Okay. Let's go get your painting."

A wide smile spread across Aryia's face as she bounced in her spot. "Thank you!"

Vann smiled for a moment before looking at her seriously. "Did my method work?"

Aryia's face heated up again as she looked down. "I- um-"

Vann gently grabbed her hand, pulling her toward him. He spread his legs, pulling Aryia in between them. Vann being 5'11 and Aryia being 5'1, they were about the same hight if Vann was sitting down and Aryia was standing right in front of him.

Vann raised a hand and held the side of her face, while the other was resting low on her waist. Aryia's body felt like jelly. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know where to put her hands. She just stood there staring into his crystal blue eyes.

Vann leaned in, just enough to where their lips were barely touching. His eyes flicked between Aryia's mouth and her chocolate brown eyes. Aryia felt something stir in her core as Vann's pupils slowly began to blow. Both of their breaths quickened and the ache in Aryia's core grew.

Just as their lips were about to meet, the sound of the door knob turning caused both of them to pull away entirely. Aryia hurried toward the beanbag in the corner plopping down on top of it. They had to be at a certain distance away so whoever was busting through the door wouldn't suspect anything.

"Hey guys, I was just wondering if you wanted breakfast?" Mrs. Hennigan asked, poking her head in.

"We were actually going to go hangout today with Millie and Maverick." Vann answered, sending Aryia a quick look.

"Oh that's alright. Would you like toast to go?"

"Sure, ma."

Mrs. Hennigan nodded before gently closing the door. The pair listened to her footsteps retreating. Aryia let out a long sigh before slouching on the beanbag. Vann sighed as well, hanging his head.

"Nosy bitch." Vann mumbled to himself, causing Aryia to gasp.

"Don't be rude! That's your mom!" Aryia scolded, standing from the beanbag.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Vann stood, walking to his closet.

"I'm going downstairs to see if your mom needs any help."

Vann grumbled something in reply. Aryia rolled her eyes, passing him to go downstairs. As Aryia was about to leave, a voice caused her to freeze.

"Aryia. Save me."

Vann noticed the change in Aryia's mood, pulling himself from the closet. Aryia felt like the wind was knocked out of her.

"Babe?" He asked, gently touching her shoulder.

"I...I heard it again." Aryia whispered.

"What did it say?"

"It said my name. But it said save me, too. The voice is the girl. She needs my help."