The Stare

Chapter 17 : Midnight Visitors

P.S. - This chapter takes place 10 days later.

~Kiara~

Claire and I had given in to the irresistible call of a midnight movie session, opting for cozy comfort on a Saturday night. Our living room was draped in darkness, the TV screen casting eerie, shifting shadows. The bone-chilling horrors of "Insidious" had our full attention, with a background score that could make even a lion jump.

The movie was already intense, but what really thrilled me was Claire's visceral reaction. Popcorn clutched in her hand, her eyes were as wide as saucers, and with every spine-tingling twist, she clung to her seat as if it were a lifeboat in a storm. I couldn't help but chuckle at her expense; she was in for a wild ride. It was just another Saturday night, our desperate escape from the relentless grind of our professional lives.

Work had been a beast that past week, unrelenting in its demands. Deadlines loomed over me like the sword of Damocles, and if that weren't enough, my boss, Ethan, had taken his 'unfriendly' demeanor to new heights. Each interaction with him felt like navigating a labyrinth of taunts and condescension. It was as if he'd been crowned the Emperor of Office Torture, a title he wore with an arrogant grin.

But for the moment, I was determined to banish thoughts of my tyrannical boss and enjoy a well-deserved break. The living room's darkness and the supernatural occurrences on the screen were my sanctuary, where Claire's occasional outbursts added a layer of entertainment to the mix. We shared laughter, snacks, and the exhilarating fear of a good horror movie. It was the perfect diversion from the daily grind.

Just as we were settling into the climax of the film, an abrupt interruption pierced the air – a shrill ding-dong of the doorbell. Claire and I exchanged startled glances, our hearts racing in sync with the suspense of the movie. "Who could that be at this ungodly hour?" Claire whispered, her voice a mere breath against the backdrop of haunted whispers from the TV.

I paused the movie, tiptoed toward the door, and peered outside into the abyss of the night. There were no telltale signs of an uninvited guest lurking in the shadows. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for what might lie on the other side, my heart still racing.

As I slowly cracked open the door, the image before me was a far cry from the horror movie scene I had expected. There was no hooded figure, no eerie mist – just Blake.

Blake stood there, swaying slightly as if he'd downed one too many drinks. His slightly tipsy greeting was a simple, "Where's Claire?"

I pointed toward the living room, my mind struggling to process this unexpected midnight visitor. As he hurried to join Claire, my gaze caught another figure following him – Ethan.

The arrival of both Blake and Ethan was the last thing I had anticipated. Etiquette kicked in, and I couldn't help but muster a small, forced smile. "Welcome to you too."

As Blake joined Claire in the living room, the atmosphere shifted from cozy to palpably tense. Claire, her initial shock gradually evolving into skepticism, regarded Blake with a raised eyebrow, all while the unmistakable scent of alcohol clung to him. "Blake, what on earth are you doing here at this hour, and in this condition?"

Blake, with slurred speech but an earnest expression, tried to hold himself together. "Claire, I've missed you so much. I know I fucked up, but I'm here tonight to make things right. I understand it won't be easy to trust me again, but I can't get you out of my head. Honestly, I tried with other girls, but it just doesn't feel right. My heart yearns for you. Please, Claire, I'm so sorry."

Claire hesitated, her initial inclination to turn him away slowly fading in the face of Blake's heartfelt plea. "You're clearly intoxicated, Blake. This isn't the way to make amends."