The Devil In Disguise

Betrayal's Final Act

As Gianina lunged, her legs propelled her forward, aiming for the only exit she could see in the dim light. Her heart hammered as she dashed across the room, praying she could escape before either Marcus or Cal realized what was happening.

But her victory was short-lived. Within seconds, a strong arm coiled around her waist, yanking her back, her momentum abruptly halted. Her body slammed against something solid, unyielding—Cal's chest. She gasped, struggling against his grip, but his hold was iron, his other hand gripping a knife that now pressed cold and sharp against her throat.

"Going somewhere, GG?" His breath was hot against her ear, his voice taunting and low. The sound of it made her blood run cold, and her struggles stilled, a paralyzing fear settling over her.

Rufus's voice broke through the silence, desperate and frantic. "Cal, let her go! You don't have to do this. This isn't you, man!"

Cal's grip tightened, the blade just grazing her skin, enough to make her wince but not enough to draw blood. He laughed softly, a chilling sound that sent a shiver down her spine. "Oh, but it is me, Rufus. It's always been me. You just never noticed."

Marcus, who had been watching with a mix of dark amusement and irritation, stepped closer, folding his arms as he tilted his head at Gianina. "You really thought you could escape, didn't you?" he mocked, a twisted grin stretching across his face. "Thought you could outsmart us?"

Gianina's heart pounded, her breaths shallow as Cal held her firmly, the knife pressing just enough to keep her still. Her mind raced, frantically searching for some way, any way, to break free, but the terror kept her rooted in place, helpless in his grasp.

"Please," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You don't have to do this. Marcus... Cal... I know there's still good in you. You can stop this. You don't have to kill anyone else."

Cal chuckled softly, his grip on her unrelenting. "I think we're a bit past the point of redemption, don't you?"

Rufus's voice, strained with desperation, filled the room once more. "Marcus, Cal—she's done nothing wrong. Neither of us have. You can still walk away from this. Just... let us go."

Marcus's expression hardened, his gaze shifting from Gianina to Rufus. "Walk away? After everything that's been taken from us? After everything we've done to make this moment happen?" His voice was cold, almost detached, as though he were reciting something rehearsed, calculated. "No, Rufus. We're in this until the end."

Gianina felt her heart break a little more with each word, the weight of their betrayal suffocating her. These were the people she had trusted, the ones she had thought of as family. And now, here they were, standing on opposite sides of a chasm she couldn't bridge.

"How do you even plan on getting away with this Marcus? If the killings stop and just you and Cal are alive the police will know it was you." She says trying to make him think about his choices.

"Well GG, you didn't give me time to explain. See we're going to blame the whole thing on Uncle Jared over there." He says pointing his knife at Mr. Cameron. "I'm going to say that my father and sister's death drove him crazy. He tried to replace his brother and niece by adopting Rufus but Rufus just didn't love him the way he wanted. So Uncle decided to kill everyone he thought Rufus loved more than him. He started with Rufus' crush and her family. He then moved on to his best friend Jamie. Then worked his way to Jordan cause Rufus stayed over there too much. He then killed his own wife as Rufus spent more time with her." Marcus says with a dark smile and a glint of glee at his well thought out plan in his eyes.

"How does my death fit into this?" Gianina says confused. "You actually helped with this one GG. With your little antics in the kitchen with Rufus. You're his last kill before Rufus. Rufus has always loved you like a sister. Poor Jared having lost his own brother decided to show Rufus how it feels to lose a sibling. Then kills Rufus as he realizes Rufus can't replace his brother. Then ultimately types up a suicide note as he doesn't want to die in prison like his brother and slits his own wrist with the knife he used to kill his son and his son's friends."

Gianina can't believe him. How could someone of sane mind come up with something so sickening. There was only one answer. No one of sane mind could come up with something like this. "You're sick Marcus. You're not the guy that I fell in love with. Please stop this! Cal please reason with him, please?" She says begging Cal with hope that he could save her.

Cal's grip loosened just slightly, his fingers brushing her arm in a strange, almost tender gesture. "You know, GG, this could have all gone differently," he murmured, his voice softening, but his hold remained firm. "If only you had seen things my way sooner."

She swallowed, forcing herself to look at him, to find even a shred of the friend she once knew. "Cal, please... don't do this."

His eyes flickered, but the brief hesitation disappeared as quickly as it had come. "It's too late for that, Gianina," he whispered, almost regretfully.

Marcus sighed, the air of impatience around him palpable. "Enough with the theatrics, Cal. Let's get this over with."

With a quick, calculated motion, Marcus advanced toward Rufus, his eyes cold and devoid of any trace of remorse. The knife in his hand gleamed under the faint light, and Rufus's eyes widened, raw fear flashing across his face.

"No... Marcus, please!" Rufus pleaded, his voice breaking. "You don't have to do this. I'm begging you. I don't know anything. I haven't done anything—neither has Gianina. We're innocent!"

Marcus's gaze didn't waver, his steps slow and deliberate as he approached, his expression twisted into a cruel smile. "You know, Rufus, I almost feel sorry for you. You're just... collateral. Wrong place, wrong time." He turned his gaze to Gianina, his voice lowering. "And as for you, GG, you should know this is all your fault. If only you hadn't gotten so close... things could have been different."

Gianina's stomach twisted, a sickening wave of guilt washing over her. "Marcus, don't do this," she begged, her voice a desperate whisper. "Whatever anger you feel, it doesn't justify this. Please, just... let us go."

But her words fell on deaf ears. Marcus's expression remained cold, detached, his focus solely on Rufus now, who struggled against his restraints, his face pale with terror.

Cal's grip on Gianina remained tight, though his fingers trembled slightly, the smallest sign of conflict stirring within him. "I think you should just stay quiet, GG," he murmured, his voice almost gentle as he held her. "This is going to be hard enough as it is."

Rufus's voice cracked as he continued to plead, his desperation reaching a fever pitch. "Please, Marcus... Cal... if either of you have any humanity left, don't do this. You've already taken so much—don't take this too. Gianina, I'm so sorry I couldn't save you. I love you GG!"

Marcus's expression darkened, his grip tightening on the knife as he loomed over Rufus, who flinched, his eyes squeezed shut. "This is for my father," Marcus whispered, his voice cold and emotionless. "For everything he suffered." He says looking back at Jared who was gagged and trying to break free of his restraints.

With a swift, merciless motion, Marcus brought the knife down, his eyes devoid of pity as the blade found its mark. The room filled with a blood curdling scream.