SMILE: A Terrible Night.

The Flickering Screen Bled.

Chapter 1: (???'s pov)

I lounged on My comfortable sofa, as I was watching television, the weather outside my house was getting bad, but i cared the less about it, I was listening to the news while I was eating my snacks, I lived in a big mansion all by myself, it has nearly 20 rooms, 25 bathrooms, 5 kitchen, etc. so I'm usually bored and sometimes it gives me a chill living all by myself but I was doing good, I had my reasons.

My attention fixated on the flickering images dancing across the television screen. The sound of the evening news droned in the background as I absently sipped My cup of tea. Suddenly, the picture froze, distorted by pixelated lines, and then the screen went black.

I frowned, setting My tea down on the coffee table. I leaned forward, squinting at the now lifeless TV screen.

???: What now?

I muttered, tapping the remote control impatiently. No response. The TV remained stubbornly silent and dark.

With a sigh, I rose from the sofa, my curiosity piqued. I approached the television, examining the cables and connections at the back. Everything seemed fine. Then what was it ? I reached out, tentatively pressing the power button, but still, there was no sign of life.

???: Seriously?

I muttered, tapping the remote control with growing impatience.

???: Great.

I muttered under my breath, frustration creeping into my voice.

???: Just what I need.

reached out, pressing the power button tentatively, but to no avail. I did it again and again.

???: Figures.

I grumbled, frustration tainting my voice.

???: Just my luck.

Just as I was about to give up, the TV suddenly sparked back to life, the screen flickering back into existence. I jumped back in surprise, My heart started racing. I watched as the news program resumed, the anchor's voice echoing in the room.

???: Finally.

I breathed a sigh of relief, sinking back onto the sofa.

???: That was weird.

As I settled back into my seat, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had crept over me. Something wasn't right, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I glanced around the room, feeling a shiver run down my spine.

???: Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

I murmured to myself, trying to shake off the sense of dread. But deep down, I knew that something strange was happening, and I couldn't ignore it.

Oh shit, I forgot to introduce myself, Myself Scarlet Rogers, I've been living here for some years, and what you saw right now was a peek at my life, my life has always been messy, full of chaos.

I was born in New York, My parents were a rich family, and as such being rich usually led to having so many enemies, so yup, I've been living here in korea, Seoul, for years now, Hiding from all of them.

I got startled all of a sudden as I was in my thoughts frozen in front of the television, my started heart pounding in my chest as the white lines flickered across the screen once again. That buzzing sounds filled the room, Maybe it was just the bad weather causing interference, but the unease in the pit of my stomach refused to subside.

As I approached the TV, it suddenly sprang back to life, as if nothing had happened. I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled over me. What was that strange glitch?

Scarlet: What on earth...

I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper, my hand trembling as I reached out to touch the screen. But before I could make sense of it, my attention was drawn to the figure behind the news reporter-a sinister smile that sent shivers down my spine.

Scarlet: That smile... it can't be.

I was froze at my spot as if my body was not ready to move, we had an eye contact, no why would I react like that ? He doesn't know I'm here right ? He couldn't know I'm here, maybe... Maybe he's here with his friends only.

It was unmistakable, hauntingly familiar. My mind raced with memories, trying to place where I had seen it before. But the more I thought, the more my body tensed with unease.

I gasped, my eyes widening in shock as recognition flooded through me. It was a face from my past, one I never thought I'd see again. But here it was, leering at me from the TV screen, sending a chill down my spine.

Scarlet: No, it can't be real.

I whispered, my voice trembling with fear. But deep down, I knew that the smile was all too real, a haunting reminder of a past I had tried so hard to forget.

It felt like a message, a warning perhaps, directed at me. But from whom? And for what?

Suddenly, the screen blanked, leaving me alone in the eerie silence of my living room, my heart racing and my mind filled with questions that had no answers.

With a trembling hand, I reached for the remote, but before I could press any button, a whisper of static filled the air. And then, a voice, barely audible, echoed through the room.

"Scarlet..."

I froze, every nerve on edge. Who was calling my name through the void of the television screen? Is it just a part of my mere hallucinations ? Dread coiled in the pit of my stomach as I braced myself for what came next. But before I could gather my thoughts, the TV flickered back to life, the image now distorted, morphing into something unrecognizable.

I quickly closed it, and went to my kitchen, ignoring everything, after washing dishes of my last meal, I went to pick some snacks from the pantry, but to my luck everything was out of stock, I had to go out and buy me some new snacks I guess.