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Let's start the game

"Mia, Emily, Lily, Anne, and I were giggling as  we gathered in the dimly lit attic, ready to play their favorite game, Truth or Dare. The atmosphere was filled with a mix of excitement and nervous energy. The old attic creaked under our feet, its wooden beams casting long shadows in the flickering candlelight. The smell of dust and aged wood permeated the air, adding to the eerie ambiance.

We sat in a circle on the floor, the old, worn-out rug barely providing any comfort. The attic was cluttered with old furniture, forgotten toys, and boxes of memories long past. A single light bulb hung from the ceiling, casting a dim, yellow glow that barely penetrated the darkness around them.

"Alright, Emily, it's your turn," Mia said with a mischievous grin. "Truth or dare?"

Emily hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. She always found dares to be more thrilling, though they often led to trouble. "Dare," she finally said, trying to sound braver than she felt.

Mia's grin widened. "I dare you to go down to the hall alone in the dark."

Emily's eyes widened. The hall was known for its spooky reputation, and the idea of going there alone sent a shiver down her spine. But she didn't want to back down. "Alright," she said, standing up and dusting off her jeans. "I'll do it."

The others watched as she made her way to the attic door. She opened it slowly, the old hinges creaking loudly. The narrow staircase leading down was shrouded in darkness. Taking a deep breath, Emily started her descent, the wooden steps groaning under her weight.

As Emily disappeared into the darkness, the attic felt even colder. We waited in silence, the tension palpable. Minutes passed, each one feeling like an eternity.

Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered the silence. "Help! Someone help!" Emily's voice echoed up the stairs.

Mia, Lily, Anne, and I exchanged terrified glances. Without a word, we rushed down the stairs, our hearts pounding in our chests. We followed the sound of Emily's cries, which led us to the hall.

There, under the dim light of a flickering lamp, we saw a horrifying scene. A man lay on the floor, his chest stained with blood from a deep, gaping wound. Emily stood nearby, trembling, with a bloodied knife clutched in her hand. Her face was pale, and her eyes were wide with terror.

"Oh my God, Emily!" I gasped, covering my mouth with my hand. "What happened?"

"I... I don't know," Emily stammered, tears streaming down her face. "I came down here, and he just... he was here, like this. I picked up the knife. I don't know why; I was just so scared!"

Lily knelt beside the man, checking for any signs of life. "He's dead," she said quietly, her voice shaking. "We need to figure out what to do."

"How did this happen?" Anne asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Who is he?"

Emily shook her head, unable to find the words to explain. The silence that followed was heavy with fear and uncertainty. Each girl struggled to comprehend the situation, their minds racing with questions and dread.

"We need to stick together," Mia finally said, her voice firm despite the fear in her eyes. "No one can find out about this. We need to think."

"But what do we do with... him?" I asked, glancing nervously at the lifeless body.

"We'll have to move him," Mia said. "Somewhere no one will find him, at least for now."

As we deliberated, the reality of our predicament sank in. We were bound together by a terrible secret, one that would haunt us for the rest of our lives.

"But why?" Emily cried out, her voice cracking. "Why did this have to happen? Why did I have to come down here?"

"Emily, it's not your fault," Anne said softly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We need to stay calm and figure out what to do next."

I nodded in agreement. "We need to know more about who this man is and why he's here. Maybe there's something in his pockets or around the hall that can tell us more."

Lily began to search the man's pockets, her hands shaking. She pulled out a wallet and some papers. "There's an ID here," she said, holding it up. "His name is Michael Harris. Does anyone know him?"

We shook our heads, our confusion growing.

"This is getting worse by the minute," Mia muttered. "We can't just leave him here, but we can't move him far either. What if someone sees us?"

"We'll have to be careful," Lily said. "Maybe we can move him to the old shed behind the house. It's hidden, and no one goes there."

"Alright," Mia agreed. "But we need to do it quickly and quietly. And we need to come up with a story in case anyone asks where we were tonight."

As we prepared to move the body, the weight of our actions pressed heavily on us. The once-fun night had turned into a nightmare, and we knew there was no turning back. Together, we would have to face the consequences of this dark and terrifying secret."