DOWNFALL -HIERARCHY

Chapter 23: The Silent Witness

TW: Mention of bUlly1ng and panick attacks
Narrator's POV:

As Nabi approached the location listed in the message, her footsteps slowed, and her heart rate quickened. It was a large, abandoned building, looming over her like a giant shadow in the darkness. The windows were boarded up, and the only sound was the occasional rustling of the wind.

The front door of the building stood a few feet away, its darkness seemingly inviting and foreboding at the same time. Nabi shivered, feeling fear building up inside her. She couldn't help but wonder what was waiting for her inside.

Nabi steeled herself, her hand clenched around the dagger in her pocket. She had come this far, and it was too late to turn back now. With a final glance around to make sure no one was lurking nearby, she walked up to the entrance and pushed open the door.

Inside the building was dimly lit, with only a few lights flickering far off in the distance. Dust particles danced in the air, illuminated by the stray beams of light. The sound of her footsteps echoed against the concrete floors, an ominous sound in the otherwise silent building.

Nabi, stepping inside, felt the eeriness of the place. The dim lighting cast elongated shadows on the walls, and the echo of her footsteps seemed to multiply the silence. She walked a few steps, glancing around carefully, her senses on high alert. The silence heavy and stifling.

There was nothing in sight, not a sign of life anywhere. Nabi continued to walk down the hall, her steps soft and hesitant. The dagger in her pocket felt like her only protection in this scary place. Nabi, continuing her way through the building, eventually reached the stairs that led to the rooftop. She slowly climbed the steps, her heart racing with anticipation and fear. As she reached the top, she gasped at the sight before her. A figure, silhouetted against the night sky, stood with their back turned.

When Nabi saw the figure, a strange feeling of deja vu washed over her. It was like a scene from a dream, or a memory half-forgotten. Yet, she couldn't understand why this situation seemed so eerily familiar. With a shaky breath, she stepped forward, her footsteps as silent as the night around her. The figure still had their back towards her, unmoving.

Nabi's eyes are fixed on the figure. It was indeed a girl, with long, wavy black hair that cascaded down her back and danced together with the soft wind. The girl was standing near the edge of the rooftop, so close that a slight misstep could send her into a deadly fall. Nabi wonders if she is the one, she was supposed to meet.

"You came," The girl said, her voice was soft and haunting, as if whispered by the very wind itself. She was still not turning around. Nabi, her heart racing, slowly took out the dagger from her pocket. She hide the dagger behind her back. The mysterious girl knew she was there, but how? She was still facing away, her identity a mystery. Nabi took a deep breath, steadying herself, before answering.

"I'm here," she responded, trying to keep her voice steady and calm. The girl chuckled softly, a sound almost like a melody in the silence of the night. She finally turned around, revealing her face. She has sharp features and a look in her eyes that was hard to describe.

Nabi's eyes widened in surprise as she recognized the girl, she remembered seeing her before. It was the same girl she had seen in the school bathroom, a few days ago. At that time Nabi remembered her tears streaming down her face, and a look of despair in her teary eyes.

"You look surprised to see me," the girl said, a small smile playing on her lips. "Wait, you..." Nabi said, her voice a mixture of confusion and recognition.

The girl nodded, her smile widening slightly. "You remember me," she said, her voice soft. Nabi is still trying to process the whole situation. The girl's face was the same, yet different. Back then, she looked sorrowful, now a smile played on her lips.