𝚶 𝐧 𝐞 𝚩 𝐲 𝚶 𝐧 𝐞 || 8 people 8 deaths

.9.

Ben's mind was a whirlwind of terror and regret as he took cautious steps forward, whispering to himself in the dim light. "Why did we ever come here? What were we thinking?" he muttered, his voice trembling. "This place is cursed. If only we had stayed home... if only I had said something..."He paused, leaning against the wall for support, trying to calm his racing heart. "Okay, Ben, you can do this. You have to do this," he whispered, clenching his fists. "Just find a way out. There's got to be a way out."His thoughts raced back to his friends, their laughter and excitement when they first arrived at the lake house. "Amara, Melanie, Justine... I'm so sorry," he choked out, tears welling up in his eyes. "I should have protected you. I should have done something."As he moved through the hallway, his footsteps echoing in the silence, he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. "It's just your imagination, Ben. Keep it together," he whispered, trying to steady his nerves. But every creak of the floorboards, every flicker of shadows, sent his heart pounding anew."Why can't I just find a way out?" he hissed through gritted teeth, frustration mingling with his fear. "There has to be a way... there has to be..." He reached the front door and desperately tried the handle again, but it remained stubbornly locked. "Dammit!" he shouted, slamming his fist against the door."Think, Ben, think!" he urged himself, his mind racing for a solution. "Windows... maybe I can break a window." He hurried to the nearest window and tried to open it, but it too was sealed shut. "No, no, no!" he cried, panic setting in. "There has to be a way out!"Just then, he heard a faint, eerie whisper behind him, and he spun around, his back pressed against the window. "Who's there?" he called out, his voice shaking. "Show yourself!"But there was no reply, only the oppressive silence of the house. "I'm not going to die here," he vowed, his determination hardening. "I can't. I won't." With renewed resolve, he turned and ran towards the stairs, determined to find an escape route before it was too late.