SMILE: A Terrible Night.

Bleeding Lies

Chapter 25: (Scarlet's pov)

A sudden knock echoed through the room, cutting through the haze of pain that clouded my mind. My heart lurched, hope flaring in my chest. For a moment, I thought it might be some kind of miracle, that maybe someone had heard my screams. But then, a voice rang out, muffled through the thick wooden main door.

Carla: Scarlet! Open the door! Are you there?

It was Carla, my best friend. Relief washed over me, and I tried to call out, but before I could make a sound, Taehyung's hand clamped over my mouth. He leaned in close, his breath was hot against my ear, his voice was a low, dangerous whisper.

Taehyung: Say a word, and both of you die.

His hand pressed harder against my mouth, forcing my head back against the chair. I could feel the sharp edge of the knife he held brushing against my throat, its cold bite was a reminder of how easily he could end this. Her voice came again, more insistent, desperation creeping into her tone.

Carla: Scarlet, please! I know you're home! Open the door!

Taehyung's lips curled into a cruel smile, and he released my mouth just enough for me to breathe. His eyes bored into mine, it was a warning that made my stomach twist.

Taehyung: Here's what we're going to do. I'll let you talk to her... but you have to convince her to go home. Make her think everything's fine, and maybe I won't hurt her. But remember this...

He pressed the knife tighter against my throat, just enough to draw a thin line of blood. I winced, biting back a cry of pain.

Taehyung: ...The moment you say something wrong, the knife goes straight in.

He dragged my chair across the room, the legs scraping against the wooden floor as he moved me closer to the door. He kept me bound, not willing to take any chances. My legs trembled beneath the ropes, pain radiating from the cuts he had inflicted, but I forced myself to stay upright. Her voice grew louder, more frantic, and my heart twisted with guilt and fear.

Carla: Scarlet! Are you okay? I swear, if you don't open this door right now, I'm calling the police!

I glanced at Taehyung, who arched an eyebrow, his smile turning wicked. He gestured towards the door with a jerk of his head, and I swallowed hard, forcing myself to speak past the tightness in my throat. That Sinister Smile never left his lips.

Scarlet: Carla, I... I'm here.

My voice came out weak and shaky, barely more than a whisper, but it was enough to make her pause. I heard the relief in her next words, but there was still an edge of concern.

Carla: Thank God! Scarlet, what's going on? Why aren't you opening the door?

I glanced at Taehyung out of the corner of my eye, trying to gauge his reaction. His grip on the knife tightened, and he mouthed a single word: "Lie."

I forced a smile into my voice, praying Carla wouldn't hear the terror beneath.

Scarlet: I... I'm fine, Carla. I just... I'm not feeling well. You should go home, okay? I'll call you later.

There was a beat of silence on the other side of the door, and I could imagine Carla's frown, the way she would be biting her lip as she tried to figure out what was wrong. When she spoke again.

Carla: Scarlet, you don't sound fine. Are you sick? Do you need me to get you some medicine or something? Just... let me in, I can help you.

Taehyung's eyes narrowed, and he pressed the knife harder against my skin. My hands trembled against the ropes, but I forced myself to keep my voice steady.

Scarlet: No, Carla, really, it's okay. I just need some rest. Please, just go home. I'll... I'll be fine, I promise.

Carla: I don't believe you. You never shut me out like this. What's really going on, Scarlet?

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them back, swallowing the lump in my throat as I tried to think of something, anything, that would convince her to leave.

Scarlet: I had a rough night, Carla. You know how it is sometimes... I just... I don't want you to see me like this. I'm a mess. Please, I need you to trust me and go home.

I could feel Taehyung's gaze burning into me, his Smile widening as he listened to my struggle. He leaned closer, his lips brushing against my ear in a mockingly affectionate gesture.

Taehyung: Good girl. Keep going.

Carla's voice broke through the door again, filled with uncertainty.

Carla: I don't know, Scarlet. This doesn't feel right. If you're in trouble, just say the word, and I'll...

My heart clenched at her words, at the thought of reaching out to her and begging for help. But Taehyung's grip on the knife tightened only, and I felt the cold edge digging into my skin, it was reminding me of the danger she was in too.

Scarlet: Carla, please, just listen to me! I just need to be alone right now. I promise, I'll call you in the morning, okay?

I could hear the hesitation in her voice, the way she struggled with her instincts.

Carla: I... okay. But if you don't call me by tomorrow morning, I'm coming back, and I'm not leaving until I see you. Got it?

I nodded frantically, even though she couldn't see me. My throat burned with the effort to keep my voice steady, to keep the sobs from spilling out.

Scarlet: Yeah, I got it. Thanks, Carla. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Now... go home safely, okay?

Carla hesitated for another moment, but then I heard her footsteps retreating, each step feeling like a countdown against my own survival. My chest tightened with every fading sound, and I wanted to scream, to tell her to come back, to save me, but I couldn't. Not with the knife still pressed against my throat, and Taehyung's twisted smile hovering just inches from my face.

When her footsteps finally disappeared, and the silence stretched between us, Taehyung let out a slow, satisfied sigh. He pulled the knife away from my throat and patted my cheek, the touch was almost gentle, but it made me feel disgusted.

Taehyung: Well done, Scarlet. You really do have a talent for lying. I think I'll keep you around a little longer, just for that.

His voice was light, but the darkness in his eyes told me everything I needed to know. He wasn't finished with me, not by a long shot. And as the realization sank in, I felt the last flicker of hope snuffed out, leaving me alone with the darkness that closed in on every side.