𝚶 𝐧 𝐞 𝚩 𝐲 𝚶 𝐧 𝐞 || 8 people 8 deaths

.12.

As Ben was taken away to the hospital, five officers moved cautiously into the house while three remained outside to explore the area around the lake. The house loomed ominously in the pale light of dawn, its eerie silence a stark contrast to the terror that had unfolded within its walls.

Inside the house, Officer Daniels led the team. "Stay sharp, everyone," he instructed. "We've got a lot of ground to cover."

The officers split into pairs to cover more area. Officer Daniels and his partner, Officer Reyes, began by checking the basement. The other officers started upstairs, opening doors and shining their flashlights into every corner.

Outside:

Officer Bradley, one of the three exploring the lake, shivered as a cold breeze swept over the water. "This place gives me the creeps," he muttered, looking around. "Let's check the shoreline for any signs of struggle or, God forbid, another body."

Officer Thompson nodded, shining his flashlight over the still water. "We need to be thorough. If there's any evidence out here, we can't afford to miss it."

Officer Smith walked a little further along the bank, his eyes scanning the ground. "Hey, I think I found something," he called out. "Footprints leading down to the water."

Bradley and Thompson hurried over. "Looks like someone went in willingly," Thompson observed, following the tracks with his light. "But why?"

Bradley frowned. "We should be careful. This place... it feels off."

Inside:

Daniels and Reyes carefully descended into the basement, their flashlights cutting through the darkness. As they reached the bottom, Reyes spotted a disturbing sight. "Daniels, over here," he whispered.

In the corner of the basement lay the remains of Justine, her body showing clear signs of the brutal attack Ben had described. Daniels' stomach turned at the sight. "We've got a body," he reported into his radio. "Notify the coroner. It's not pretty."

Upstairs, the other officers continued their search. They opened doors and checked closets, but the house seemed empty. "Nothing here," one officer said, peeking into a dusty room. "Let's check the attic."

They climbed the narrow stairs to the attic, their footsteps echoing in the confined space. As they reached the top, they found another grisly scene. "This is where it happened," one officer said, pointing to bloodstains on the floor. "They tried to hide, but it looks like they didn't stand a chance."

Outside:

Back at the lake, the officers continued their search. Bradley suddenly froze, his flashlight beam catching a glimpse of something floating just beneath the surface. "Oh no," he muttered, stepping closer.

It was the body of Alexander, his lifeless form barely recognizable after the bear attack. "We need to get a team out here," Bradley said, swallowing hard. "This is bad. Really bad."

Thompson called it in, his voice steady despite the grim discovery. "We've got a body in the lake. We'll need a recovery team ASAP."

Inside:

With the house thoroughly searched and the horrifying evidence collected, the officers regrouped. "This place is a nightmare," Reyes said, shaking his head. "No wonder the kid was so traumatized."

Daniels nodded. "Let's finish up here and get this evidence back to the station. We need to piece together what happened and see if there's anything else we missed."

As the officers completed their grim task, the weight of what had transpired hung heavy in the air. They knew the investigation was just beginning, and the horrors of the lake house would haunt them long after they left.

Meanwhile, Ben lay in a hospital bed, his body exhausted but his mind racing. He couldn't escape the memories of the nightmarish ordeal. His friends were gone, their lives brutally taken by forces he still struggled to comprehend. As he drifted into a troubled sleep, he hoped the police would uncover the truth behind the tragedy at the lake house, and that justice would be served for his lost friends.