Four Friends and Their Wildest Journeys

VI. Infernal choice

The dark, oppressive atmosphere of Va te faire foutre thickened as Karolina's laughter echoed through the distorted halls. Andżelika, Kuba, and Martyna were still trying to navigate the ever-shifting manor when a new figure emerged from the shadows.

"David?" Karolina whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief.

David, the tall, enigmatic guy she had been secretly crushing on for years, stepped into the dim light. His features were just as she remembered—piercing green eyes, a confident smirk, and a mysterious aura that made her stomach flip. But what was he doing here?

"Karolina?" David's voice was smooth but laced with confusion. "What the hell is this place? I've been looking for you."

Karolina's face turned scarlet, her typical sass and sarcasm melting into shy stammers. "I-I didn't think you'd actually come. We were supposed to meet in Kraków, not... here."

Andżelika narrowed her eyes, muttering under her breath, "Convenient timing, don't you think?"

Kuba raised an eyebrow, taking a drag from his cigarette. "So, your knight in shining armor just happens to show up in a haunted demon house? Totally normal."

Martyna, ever the optimist, whispered excitedly, "Maybe he's here to help! This is, like, fate or something!"

David stepped closer to Karolina, his intense gaze locked on hers. "I heard your voice. I couldn't ignore it."

Karolina's knees felt weak, and her brain short-circuited. She couldn't tell if she wanted to punch him for being so nonchalantly attractive or jump into his arms. She settled for awkwardly clearing her throat and nodding.

"Uh... well, welcome to the nightmare," she said, attempting a joke but failing miserably.

As the group continued through the twisting halls, David stayed close to Karolina, his presence both comforting and electrifying. He'd casually brush his hand against hers, making her heart race, or lean in to whisper reassurances when the shadows grew too oppressive.

But David's interest seemed lukewarm, almost calculated. While Karolina was visibly flustered, he remained calm and distant, like he was toying with her emotions.

At one point, they stumbled into a room filled with eerie portraits whose eyes seemed to follow them. David reached for Karolina's hand.

"Stick close to me," he said, his voice low and protective.

Karolina blushed furiously but tried to act nonchalant. "I can handle myself, you know."

"Of course you can," David replied with a sly smile. "But that doesn't mean I'm letting you out of my sight."

Andżelika, trailing behind them, rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn't fall out. "Someone kill me now. I can't handle this teenage rom-com in the middle of a demon-infested house."

Kuba snorted. "Give her a break. It's the first time she's not acting like a total drama queen."

Martyna, meanwhile, whispered to Andżelika, "Do you think he's, like, too perfect? This feels off."

Later that night, as the group rested in one of the manor's less horrifying rooms, Karolina found herself alone with David. The flickering candlelight danced across his face, and she felt a surge of courage—or maybe desperation.

"David," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I'm really glad you're here."

He looked at her, his expression unreadable. "I'm glad I found you. I couldn't stop thinking about you, Karolina."

Her heart nearly exploded. This was it. She leaned in, her breath hitching, and—before she could overthink it—grabbed his shirt and kissed him.

For a moment, he kissed her back, his touch sending shivers down her spine. But then, something changed. His grip tightened, and when she pulled back, his eyes weren't green anymore—they were a deep, hellish red.

"Karolina," he said, his voice now distorted and guttural. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this."

Karolina stumbled backward, her eyes wide with horror. "What... what are you?"

David grinned, his teeth sharpening into fangs. "Oh, Karolina. Did you really think I came here for love? I came here for you."

She tried to scream, but he moved too quickly, pinning her against the wall. His strength was inhuman, his body radiating heat like an open flame.

"You're special," he hissed, his voice dripping with malice. "And I'm starving."

Before he could sink his claws into her, the others burst into the room.

"Andżelika, what the hell is going on?!" Karolina shouted.

Andżelika, always ready for a fight, picked up a candlestick and charged at David. "Get your demon hands off her, you creep!"

David effortlessly swatted her aside, his laugh echoing like thunder. "You're too late. She's mine now."

As the fight escalated, Karolina realized she was the only one who could stop him. David turned to her, his demonic form towering over her friends.

"You can join me, Karolina," he said, his voice oddly tender despite his monstrous appearance. "Together, we'll be unstoppable. Or..." He glanced at the others. "I can kill them all, starting with her."

He pointed a claw at Martyna, who froze in terror.

"Karolina, don't listen to him!" Andżelika yelled, clutching her side where she'd been thrown.

Tears streamed down Karolina's face. She loved him—at least, she thought she did—but she couldn't let her friends die. With trembling hands, she reached for the ritual knife they'd used earlier.

"David," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm sorry."

He smirked, his arms open as if inviting her to try.

With a scream, Karolina drove the knife into his chest. For a moment, he looked stunned. Then his body convulsed, his demonic form shattering into ash and flame.

The room fell silent, the oppressive darkness lifting slightly. Karolina dropped the knife, her hands shaking.

"Karolina..." Martyna whispered, stepping forward. "Are you okay?"

Karolina nodded, though tears still streaked her face. "He wasn't real. None of it was real."

Andżelika groaned as she got to her feet. "Next time, maybe don't fall for the demonic hottie, huh?"

Kuba lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly. "Well, that's one way to deal with a toxic relationship."

Despite everything, Karolina couldn't help but laugh through her tears. For the first time in what felt like forever, the house seemed less oppressive.