The Cursed Sleepover

[Chapter 8]

The four shuffled their way into a deserted room, hovering above a table.

Misty snapped a match over a box, creating a low fire. She placed it on a wax candle, offering it to the three, though Lauren hesitantly took it with a shaking hand.

"I-I'll take it guys." She muttered. "Misty, what time is it?"

"Eleven fifty-eight." She responded, silently yawning.

"Mike, can you knock on the door exactly twenty-two times?" Lauren asked, eyeing him with hope. "And make sure the final knock is at twelve o'clock sharp." She added.

"Got it." He nodded.

Lauren blushed, admiring his bravery and commitment.

Michael slowly did as Lauren said, until he came to the final knock.

"Now, o-open the door." She whispered.

He nodded, turning the handle, as the door creaked open in reply.

Exchanging a glance of determination with the three, Lauren blew out the candle, light smoke withering through the room.

Loud feet banged up the stairs, startling Michael.

"Quickly, Mike! Close it!" Lauren squealed.

Michael slammed it shut, his hands trembling.

"Here, I'll relight the candle." Misty murmured, pulling out a match.

"Now we just go around the house avoiding him." She gulped.

"We have to stay together." Lauren added, sharing a comforting look with Misty, though her own fear reflected off her friend's eyes.

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The group made their way downstairs, hesitantly passing through the living room, until the candle blew out.

"Quickly, light it!" Lauren hissed.

Misty nodded, quivering as she slipped out a match, lighting the tip of the wax with it.

The four breathed out with relief, continuing to trail their way through the room with fear.

"Guys, it went out again!" Lauren wailed, holding the candle to Misty's face. 

"Light it!" Michael hissed.

Growing overwhelmed and fearful, Misty fainted, collapsing the ground, banging her head on the floor.

Alan scrambled to her side, lifting her into his broad arms, his eyes wide.

"Michael, light it!" Lauren instructed, nodding to the box of matches besides Misty.

Banging flooded up the stairs, startling the three. "We're too late!"

"Run, Lauren!" Michael called, remaining on the floor.

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Lauren sprinted through rooms, panting. She slipped into a blank room, until she found herself tripping on the carpet.

She stumbled to the ground, as a wicked howl of feet approached her. A cackle echoed off the walls.

"Please don't hurt me!" She shrieked, tears streaming down her face.

A figure appeared before Lauren, as Michael slipped into the room. Michael paused, his mouth gaping. He saw.. himself? How was that possible.

The 'fake' Michael stooped before Lauren, smirking.

"You think I'd ever like you?! You're just an idiot, you're worthless. I'd rather die then date you." The sculpted figure firmly gripped Lauren's chin, as she wailed aloud, sobbing.

"I'm sorry! I-it was silly of me to think that!" She gasped.

"I'll forgive you, if you let me..-"

"Lauren, run! It's not real!" Michael screeched.

She paused, sniffling. Taking matters into his own hands, Michael leapt forward, collapsing on the fake image of himself.

The vision faded away, shrieking with defeat.

Lauren rose to her feet, groaning. "Thanks for saving me, Mike." She mumbled.

"Yeah, of course- but what was that?" He asked, tilting his head.

"M-my biggest fear.." She whispered, turning away with faint embarrassment. "If you fail to relight the candle within ten second, the midnight man takes your biggest fear- and rips all your organs out." Lauren explained, a tear escaping her eye.

H-her biggest fear is me rejecting her..? Michael grew confused though sympathetic.

He begun to blush, eyeing her gentle brown eyes, her soft blonde hair-

"Oh yeah! What time is it?!" She gasped.

Michael fumbled out his device, eyeing it with hope.

"It's three thirty-five, and we're unharmed!" Michael announced, his emerald eyes lightening with relief.

"We won, Mike!" Lauren giggled, wrapping her arms tightly around him, as the two shared a hug.

After a moment of warmth, he rose to his feet, offering his hand to her. 

"We should go and find the others." Michael murmured, as Lauren grasped his hand.