SMILE: A Terrible Night.

Blooded Jammed Window.

Chapter 10: (Scarlet's pov)

I waited in the dark, cramped space of the armoire, the silence stretching on interminably. Each minute felt like an eternity, my heart still racing from the terror of Taehyung's pursuit. I held my breath, straining to hear any hint of movement outside. The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating, as I waited for any sign that he might return.

For what seemed like an age, there was nothing but silence. My nerves were frayed, and my senses were on high alert. The muffled sounds of the house, the distant rumble of thunder, and the faint, rhythmic dripping of water from the storm outside were the only things that filled the void.

Cautiously, I began to relax, convinced that Taehyung had moved on. The fear of being discovered still lingered, but the absence of his footsteps gave me a small, fragile hope. I slowly opened the doors of the armoire, peeking out to see if the coast was clear. The room appeared to be empty, bathed in the dim light that filtered through a small, dirty window.

Beside me, I noticed a small, dusty ball lying on the floor. It seemed out of place in the otherwise dark and shadowy room. An idea formed in my mind. If I could use the ball to check the room without exposing myself, it might help me assess the situation.

With trembling hands, I carefully pushed the door of the armoire open just a crack, peering out. I rolled the ball out into the room, hoping it would reveal any movement or presence. The ball rolled across the floor, bumping gently against the wooden floorboards. It came to a stop against the far wall, but there was no immediate response or sign of Taehyung.

I exhaled slowly, feeling a mixture of relief and anxiety. The room remained still, the shadows unmoved. I took a deep breath and decided it was time to leave the armoire. Moving as quietly as I could, I stepped out into the room, keeping my ears open for any sound that might indicate Taehyung's return.

The room was sparsely furnished, with only a few old, dusty pieces of furniture. A large, faded rug covered part of the wooden floor, and a single lamp on a side table provided a dim glow. The window was high and narrow, offering only a small view of the storm outside. I could see the rain pouring heavily, the wind howling through the trees.

I took careful steps towards the window, every creak of the floorboards sounding louder than usual in the eerie quiet. I paused for two moments, listening intently for any sign of Taehyung. The silence persisted, and I began to hope that he had left the third floor entirely.

I moved cautiously toward the window, hoping it might offer an escape route. My hands trembled as I reached for the handle, my mind racing with the urgency of the situation. I grasped the handle firmly and pulled, but the window remained stubbornly shut. I tried pushing it, but it wouldn't budge. It felt like something was blocking it from opening.

Frustration surged through me as I realized that the window was jammed. I examined the lock closely, my eyes widening in shock when I noticed the glue stains smeared around the edges. It was clear that someone had deliberately sealed the window shut. The realization sent a shiver down my spine. The escape route I had hoped for was now nothing more than a cruel illusion.

Desperately, I pulled harder on the handle, my frustration escalating with each futile attempt. My movements grew more frantic as I pushed and yanked at the window, but it refused to move. The sound of my efforts echoed in the quiet room, the only noise amidst the tension.

Then, just as I was about to give up, I heard Taehyung's voice, distant but unmistakable. His tone was unsettlingly calm, as if he were speaking to a dear friend rather than a terrified victim.

Taehyung: I heard you, darling.

He called out. The words were soft, almost playful, but they carried an edge of menace that made my blood run cold. My heart raced as I strained to listen, hearing the faint sound of his footsteps growing closer.

Panic surged through me, and I redoubled my efforts, pulling and pushing at the window with all my strength. But despite my desperate attempts, the window remained firmly in place, the glue and jam preventing any chance of escape.

Taehyung's footsteps echoed through the floor, growing louder with each passing moment. I could almost feel his presence drawing nearer, the dread settling heavily over me. I glanced at the window one last time, my face flushed with frustration and fear. The window was a dead end, and my hope of escape was slipping away.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. I had to find another way out, but the fear of being caught was overwhelming. I turned away from the window, my eyes scanning the room for any other possible exits or hiding spots.

The armoire, which had previously provided a temporary refuge, seemed like a distant memory now. Taehyung's voice grew louder, his footsteps echoing in the corridor outside.

Taehyung: Come on out, Scarlet.

He called, his voice carrying a false cheerfulness that made my skin crawl.

Taehyung: I know you're there.

The sound of his approach was relentless, and I knew I had to act quickly. I looked around the room, my mind racing to find a solution as Taehyung's footsteps grew nearer. There was no time to waste. I had to be ready for whatever came next.

I glanced around the room, the urgency of Taehyung's approach driving me to action. My hands were still shaking as I searched for an alternative escape or hiding spot. Just then, Taehyung's voice echoed through the door, sending chills down my spine.

Taehyung: Still hiding, sweetheart?

He called, his tone teasing and sinister.

Taehyung: You know, it's not polite to keep your host waiting.

I held my breath, trying to remain as silent as possible. The sound of his footsteps grew louder, more deliberate. Each step seemed to bring him closer to the room I was in.

Taehyung: I can hear you, Scarlet.

He continued, his voice now a low, menacing whisper.

Taehyung: You can't stay hidden forever. You've been such a naughty girl, running away like that.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to find a way out before he found me. My eyes darted around the room, but there was nowhere to hide except for the bathroom door. I glanced at the door, trying to assess whether I could make a run for it if necessary.

Taehyung: I've always enjoyed a good game of hide and seek. It's been a while since I've had such fun.

His footsteps stopped just outside the door, and I could hear him moving around, trying to gauge where I might be.

Taehyung: I know you're close by.

He said, almost conversationally.

Taehyung: The ball you threw earlier gave you away. Did you really think you could escape so easily?

My heart raced as I thought about the ball rolling across the room, it was a mistake, i shouldn't have been so desperate, now what am I going to do ? Where am I going to hide, it's as if he's right behind the door. I need to run but where ?