Haunted Secrets

Haunted 9

Third POV

Even though I was terrified, and despite us being guys, I couldn’t shake the fear that had settled in my chest after hearing Mia’s words. Was this real? Or was she just imagining things? All I wanted was to go home.

As Mia explained everything, the door suddenly swung open. The old woman stood there, brandishing a knife. We screamed in horror, our hearts pounding in sync.

“Did I disturb you? I just got back from chopping some vegetables and forgot to put this knife down. Have you eaten yet?” she asked casually.

We collectively exhaled, relieved she wasn’t here to kill us right away.

“Not yet,” Mia replied, forcing a smile, hiding her fear well. The old woman nodded, stepped back, and locked the door behind her.

“We’re leaving tonight. We need to get out of here,” Mia said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

“It’s dark outside; it’s dangerous! What if we encounter something on the road?” Monica protested, anxiety creeping into her voice.

“Guys, if we don’t leave now, who knows what could happen to us?” Mia urged. “Pack your things, or we might not have a chance to take anything with us.”

“I’m scared,” Belle admitted, wrapping her arms around Mia. The rest of us guys stood silent, each of us lost in our thoughts, wondering what we had gotten ourselves into.

“What if we just eat first?” James suggested, trying to lighten the mood. But Mia’s face turned serious.

“Do you still trust that woman? Guys, wake up! We need to leave now!” she insisted, her eyes scanning each of us for support.

“Where do we go?” I asked, trying to sound calm. It was still early—5 PM—but we could make it out of this forest. Maybe it was my fault for being so mesmerized by the beauty of this place that I didn’t see the danger lurking beneath its surface.

“No! You can’t leave!” a voice shouted suddenly, echoing in the air.

“Where did that come from?” Belle gasped, her eyes darting around the room. We saw a figure rushing toward us, and as it drew closer, we realized it was a man wielding a large axe.

“Run!” Gelo yelled, and in an instant, we scattered in different directions, the chaos of fear driving us apart.

My heart raced as I ran, my mind a storm of confusion and panic. I could hear the distant screams of my friends, each one a reminder that this was my fault!

I ducked behind a piece of furniture, trying to steady my breathing as I peered out, watching my friends sprint for their lives. I spotted Mia, her eyes wide with terror, and instinctively pulled her toward me.

“No! Don’t touch me!” she shrieked, thrashing against my grip.

“Mia, it’s me!” I whispered urgently, but she kept crying. “Hey! Wake up!”

Suddenly, she seemed to come to her senses and clung to me. “I don’t want to go back! He stabbed Belle!” she gasped, her breath heavy and quick.

My heart sank at her words. “No, that’s not true!” I shouted, disbelief fueling my anger.

“We were together, and we were running, but she tripped! I wanted to help her, but it was too late! He got her!” she cried, tears streaming down her face.

---

Leo POV

“No, no, please! Bella, wake up!” I screamed, shaking her limp body. Blood pooled around her, staining the ground crimson, and I felt sick to my stomach. “Bella!”

Her clothes were torn, shredded as if someone had taken pleasure in tearing her apart. It was like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from. Had I stepped into a horror film?

“Hey,” a voice pulled me from my panic, and I turned to see Monica, her eyes wide with fear. “Come on, Bella’s dead! We need to hide!”

“No!” I yelled, tears streaming down my cheeks. I couldn’t stop myself. I loved her, and I hadn’t been able to protect her from this monster!

I ran away from Monica, ignoring her calls. “Hide yourself!” I urged, desperation pushing me forward. “I need to kill that man!”

I was ready to sprint into the fray, to avenge Bella, but Monica grabbed my arm. “No! You can’t!” she cried. “You’ll be the next one to die!”

I shoved her away, anger propelling me forward. “I’m not letting him get away with this!”

---

Gelo POV

I was hiding beside a cabinet, paralyzed with fear as I watched the man mercilessly butcher James. What kind of monster was he? The blood soaked the tiles, and the metallic scent filled the air, making me gag.

Why wasn’t Leo hiding? I watched as he charged at the man, a reckless move that could get him killed!

James's lifeless form lay sprawled on the floor, and I couldn’t help but think of Mia. I knew she was brave, but the thought of her being in danger terrified me. How many of us would die before this was over?

I flinched as Leo lunged at the killer, but before he could land a blow, the man seized Leo by the ankle and slammed him to the ground like he was nothing. I felt my heart drop as Leo's head hit the floor with a sickening thud.

“Damn you, whoever you are!” Leo yelled, fury lacing his voice. “You’re a murderer!”

I held my breath, fear coiling tightly in my chest as the man raised his axe, and in that moment, I felt time slow down.

Leo’s blood splattered across the room, painting the walls with his life essence as he fell, motionless. I wanted to scream, to run, but my body was frozen in place, my mind racing with disbelief.

I peered out again, and the killer’s eyes locked onto mine, the malice in his gaze burning into my soul.

Panic surged through me, and the world around me blurred. All I could think was that I wanted to go home.

:>yshanggabi