The Triangle

Chapter 3: Haunted

(Janet's POV)
November, 21 2025

The next day in college, I saw Robbie on the basketball court and I waved my hand to him as he came towards me, I said, “Hi Robbie”

“Hi Janet,” he said and smiled but his smile looked fake, as if he was trying to hide his troubles with a fake smile.

“Robbie, I'm sorry about yesterday,” I said.

“It's okay Janet. Maybe, Jeremy himself doesn't want us to know anything,” He said in a sad voice.

“By the way, how is Kelly?” I asked.

“She's fine. Don't worry about her.” He said. While we were talking, I saw Alice coming towards us. “Hey guys, all good?” She asked.

“Yeah, we're just talking,” Robbie said to Alice.

“I hope you don't mind if I borrow her for a moment,” Alice told him.

“I don't mind, okay guys, see you later.” He said and left us alone.

I held Alice's hand and asked her anxiously, “Alice, is everything okay?”

“I don't think so, Janet. Your mark was glowing.” She said and I was shocked to hear this.

“What? When?” I asked nervously and she said, “Janet, yesterday when you were looking at Robbie's burning spirit board, your birthmark was glowing like fire. Again. Just like it glowed when we played badminton as teens. Do you remember?”

“Yes, I remember. I remember everything. What is happening to me, Alice?” I said and my eyes filled with tears and my voice shook.

“Calm down, dear, it's not your fault. Whatever has happened, it's not your fault.” She said and started rubbing my back.

“And how can you say that?” I asked her.

“Because I know you very well, Janet. I know you would never do anything that would hurt anyone.”

I rested my head on her shoulder and said “I'm scared Alice.”

“Don't be, sweetheart. I'm always with you, everything will be fine,” she said and hugged me gently.

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I came back from college, changed my clothes and took some snacks from the kitchen. I went to my study room and sat on the chair in front of my study table. I took out my journal and started writing. After writing a few pages, I started feeling sleepy. I put my head on my study table and closed my eyes. As soon as I closed my eyes, I saw a face emerging from the darkness. It was the face of a young boy, but his face was so blurred that I could not recognize him. Slowly he came near me and his image became clear. I was shocked to recognize him. Same innocent face, dark brown eyes and black hair. Jeremy! Jeremy was standing in front of me. Before I could say anything, he suddenly disappeared. Then I heard a low and cold voice, "Help" I turned around and saw Jeremy crawling on the floor and gasping. A woman was standing next to him with a dagger in her hand. It was the same dagger that I had seen in the hand of his dead body. He screamed for help, but before I could do anything, that woman brutally slit his throat. I screamed loudly and suddenly my eyes opened. I found myself sitting on the chair in front of my study table. I was drenched in sweat and my diary was lying on the table. "Horrible dream," I whispered.

I came out of my study room and went to my bedroom and started thinking about that woman. She was middle-aged, had brown eyes and dark brown hair. She was wearing a black gown that looked like an ancient gown. Who was she? Why did she kill Jeremy?
I looked up at the ceiling and saw Jeremy's face, helpless and unassisted as if he was begging for help and then I closed my eyes. “Was that really suicide or a murder?” I whispered and tears fell down my cheeks and onto my pillow. Suddenly, I felt a cold breath on my neck and I quickly sat up. I took a deep breath and got up from the bed to get the water bottle that was kept on the table next to the bed. As soon as I took the bottle, I realized that someone was behind me. I stood still for a moment and as soon as I turned around, I was startled and fell on the floor. The bottle fell from my hand, and the water spilled all over. “Jer... Jeremy!” I shivered in fear and my voice started shaking. “Janet, don't be scared,” he said softly and I couldn't believe my eyes that he is in front of me. Somehow, I managed to stand on my feet. He didn't look creepy at all and I knew he would never hurt me, so, I dared to speak, “Jeremy, is it really you? You are really here??”

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