Mysteries

Prologue: Lela

I hum lowly to myself as I turn off the water in the shower. I run my hands through my curly hair, and let out a sigh. I knew I was the last member of the team still in the locker room. Coach wanted me to work on my jump serve until I got twenty consecutive serves.

I step out of the shower and walk to my locker, turning the combination. I felt a sense of comfort in the familiar clicks of the lock. It made me remember that all of this was worth it.

I heard shuffling. It was faint but enough for me to feel alarmed. I put my back against the wall and slowly peeked my head around the corner.

A girl was rummaging through a locker. I had never seen her before and she most definitely was not supposed to be in here after hours. My sweaty hands started to lose grip on my towel. I looked down to adjust it.

A loud crash erupts. I look around the corner to see a dark figure holding the girl by the neck. I couldn't see the face but I was convinced it was a man. I resisted the urge to cry out in fright.

"Harmon, I know it's you," a low voice rumbled out of the figure's masked face. It sent shivers down my spine. The girl hissed and bared her teeth at him. I squinted my eyes but I knew what I saw.

Fangs.

I must be hallucinating. 

"Hello, hunter. Fancy seeing you here," she snarled. She then started gasping for air. He must've put more pressure on her neck. 

What the hell am I watching right now? 

The man pulled out a pointed, wooden stick and gently traced her chest before letting her go slightly. She took a gasp for air. I cursed myself for not having my phone. I should be calling the police. Actually, I should be getting myself the hell away from here.

"You're not going to kill me, are you? I could tell you everything you wanted to know." Her hand came up and rubbed down his abdomen. "Or I could show you a good time," she whispered seductively. I gagged internally and felt angry. Wait, why was I angry? 

"Hm. That does sound inviting," he muttered and began twirling the stake. He cocked his head and then drove the stake through her heart. She let out a blood-curdling scream before disintegrating into ash. The man pulled out a bottle and sprayed the room. 

I finally felt my limbs move again and I slowly started backing away to hide in the shower until he left. As I backed away, I ran into my open locker door, making it creak eerily. I froze and held my breath. I heard footsteps approaching me slowly. I slowly started walking towards the other side of the lockers. 

The footsteps stopped. I was very close to needing air. 

I felt a cold air brush over me and then I heard the footsteps exit the locker room. I took a shaky breath and fumbled to put my clothes back on before quickly leaving the school.