The Masked Killer - A.T Ben Saad || English

Chapter 10: Lola

I sit on the couch with my arms wrapped around my knees. Levi and Henry are upstairs. Henry just gave Levi some food. I can't get that deep cut out of my mind. I'm terrified. I hope so much that Noah and Matthew are okay. I turn the televison on and zapp trough the different channels, trying to find the local news. My eyes widen when I see a huge car accident on US Hwy 84 W. Even now, with the car lying in ruins on the road, I can recognize that blue color anywhere. My world starts to spin, and I feel nauseous. An immense hatred begins to swell in my chest, something I have never felt before.

"YouTuber Matthew Harris has tragically lost his life in a car accident," the reporter's voice echoes, her tone somber as she stands beside the bloodstained wreckage. The words feel like a punch to the gut, but I can't shake off the nagging thought. Wait, just Matthew? What about Noah? My breath catches in my throat, and my heart skips a beat as I hear the unmistakable sound of the front door being unlocked. Panic surges through me. Is Noah here? Or is someone else coming for us?

I lower the volume of the television and walk to the livingroom door. Behind the door, I hear the unmistakable sound of someone climbing the stairs. I cover my mouth with my hand, my heart racing. Please, let it be Noah and not the killer.

I try to stay calm, focusing on every possible escape route. The house is eerily silent. The footsteps have vanished. For a moment, I doubt if it might have been Henry, checking if the coast was clear through another door. But then the relentless sting of worry about Noah pierces my heart once more. I slide along the living room door, pressing my ear to the ground, straining to hear. Complete silence. The kind of silence that unsettles me deeply. A silence that sends shivers down my spine.

"It appears that the brake cables of the vehicle were somehow severed," the reporter's distant voice drifts into the living room. I swallow hard, gripping my knees with trembling hands. Severed brake cables? How could they have made it that far without crashing? This means that—

As if on cue, my phone rings on the armrest of the gray sofa. I swallow. I rise to my feet, my knees trembling, and survey my surroundings with intense focus. Every sound I make seems amplified, and my eyes dart around the room, scrutinizing every potential hiding spot. I am acutely aware of every shadow, every nook where the killer might be lurking.

I hold my breath when I read 'Matthew' on the screen. Could the news reporters be wrong? What if it wasn't Matthew? What if he escaped and walked to the police station? I sigh. Unwanted hope bubbles up in my chest. They say fear is a poor advisor, but hope might be even worse. It traps you in a fantasy world, making you do irrational things. I pick up my phone and accept the call. "Matthew! Is everything okay?" I ask, my voice trembling.

"Hey, Lola." The same deep voice that terrorized us this morning echoes back. My eyes widen, and I feel lightheaded. Panicking, I look around. Where are Levi and Henry when you need them?! "What do you want from me?" I ask, my voice quivering.

"Oh, sweet girl, are you scared?" I cringe at his voice. I look around, every hiding spot I had in mind seems to lack safety now. No, no, no! There's nowhere to go! The living room door opens. My heart is in my throat. I'm going to die. This is the end. I catch a glimpse of a balding, sweaty head. I let out a sigh of relief when I see Levi standing in the doorway. He holds his stomach, hissing softly with each step he takes. Poor guy. I get up from the couch and quickly rush to help him. His arm rests around my neck, and I have my arm wrapped around his waist. "Are you okay, Lee?" I ask him. My phone is in my pocket, still connected to the killer. "Levi, the killer, I—" I stop speaking when I hear my own voice echoing through my phone.

"What?" I look at Levi, bewildered. A grimace spreads across his face. "Levi..." My voice is filled with emotions: betrayal, helplessness, and sadness. I slowly let him go, and just as I start to run, his arms tighten around my stomach. I struggle and scream for help, but he shifts his arms into a choking position and clamps a hand over my mouth.

"Let me go!" I scream. He clicks his tongue disapprovingly. That sound—I only now recognize it. How could I have missed it? His lips move to my ear. "What's wrong, Lola? Are you a bit confused?" he whispers, his devilish grin audible in his voice. He removes his hand, keeping his arm around my waist. I gasp for air.

"How? Your stomach—I—" I stammer. "Ever heard of fake blood and latex?" he says, almost laughing. "Your blood—it was warm; otherwise, it would have been noticeable." I'm completely lost. He sighs. "Are you really that dumb?" He turns me to face him. A small squeal escapes my lips. His grin only grows larger.

"You can warm that stuff up, you know?" he says. I can't think straight anymore. He lets go with one hand and runs it through his hair. I seize my chance and bolt down the hallway. Strangely, Levi doesn't chase me. I don't care. As I round the corner, I crash into Noah.

"Noah!" I cry. I start sobbing immediately. He's alive! He's here, and he's going to save me! I cling to him, waiting for his arms to rest on my back, but he remains eerily still. I look up at his face. His eyes—they're so dark. "Noah?" I shiver at the sight of his dull irises. He begins to grin.

"No..." I step back in disbelief, bumping into Levi. His cold fingers tighten around my arms. Noah slowly approaches me. I can't breathe, I can't cry, and I can't think. My own boyfriend has betrayed me. Noah gently strokes the underside of my chin with his finger. I pull my head away.

"Oh, poor thing," he says, dripping with cynicism. "How? I—" I stammer. "Where is Matthew?" I ask, already knowing that Noah has probably something to do with those severed brake cables.

"Oh, Matthew... Yeah, he had a little car accident. What a shame that your secret love has perished." His voice is cold and dark, a tone I have never heard from him before. "You..." I look at Noah with hatred.

He nods to Levi, and Levi pushes me forcefully into his filthy arms. My back touches his muscular torso. Noah pulls a knife from his pocket and presses it to my throat. "We're still going to have a little fun together," he says with the most devilish grin I have ever seen.