May 5, 2023, 2:59 PM – Outside the School Gates
Briana stood outside the school gates, phone in hand, her face slightly flushed from the afternoon sun. She scrolled through her screen, occasionally glancing up to scan the quiet grounds for any sign of Daniel and Wane. Her foot tapped impatiently against the concrete, a physical manifestation of her growing irritation.
"Hey, Briana!"
Daniel's cheerful voice broke the silence as he waved and jogged toward her, his usual easygoing energy on full display. Wane trailed a few steps behind, his head lowered, shoulders slightly hunched, his expression awkward.
Briana tucked her phone into her pocket and strode toward Daniel, her brows furrowed. She delivered a light punch to his shoulder, her annoyance only half-serious.
"What took you guys so long?! I've been standing here for an hour!" she exclaimed, her tone sharp but playful.
"Sorry! Class dragged on longer than we expected."
Daniel chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck as a sheepish grin spread across his face.
"Well, now my back is killing me from standing so long," she huffed, stretching her arms for emphasis.
Her gaze shifted past Daniel to Wane, who stood rigidly, shoved his hands deep into his pockets, and avoided her eyes. His posture screamed discomfort.
"Wane!"
Her voice turned commanding as she marched toward him, hands on her hips.
"You have to carry me."
Wane froze like a deer caught in headlights, his eyes wide with shock.
"Wait, what?" he stammered, his voice rising in disbelief. He instinctively took a step back, his stiff posture making his unease even more evident.
Briana smirked mischievously and didn't wait for further protest. She circled behind him and leaped onto his back with surprising agility, wrapping her arms and legs around him.
Wane, not knowing what to do, looked to Daniel for help—only to find he was nowhere in sight.
"You guys coming or what?" Daniel called over his shoulder, a knowing smirk plastered across his face as he made his way toward the school gates.
"Yeah, Wane, let's get a move on."
Briana's voice was playful, but a faint pink hue dusted her cheeks as she adjusted her hold on his shoulders. She leaned slightly closer, resting her chin on his shoulder, her hair brushing against his neck. The gesture was casual, but the warmth in her sparkling eyes told another story.
"Inhale… exhale…" Wane took a deep breath, calming his nerves.
"Yeah, you're right. We should get going."
His voice was firmer now, a look of determination replacing his initial hesitation. He shifted his grip, his hands tightening slightly on Briana's thighs to secure her more comfortably. As they reached the gate, Daniel was waiting for them.
"Took you guys long enough," he said sarcastically.
"Come on, let's go. We don't want to miss the afternoon bus." He pocketed his phone and led the charge with a satisfied smile, proud to see Wane overcome his nervousness.
3:25 PM
Briana's laughter rang through the air, warm and light, like a gentle breeze.
"Wait, did that happen?" she asked between chuckles, glancing at Daniel.
Daniel nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"Wane, I didn't know you were such a caring person," Briana said, her voice soft with admiration. A gentle smile spread across her face.
"Well, I am—"
Daniel's sudden interruption cut Wane off.
"Damn… uh, we're not going to make it in time if we keep going this way."
His brow furrowed as he glanced down at his phone.
"Here… if we go through here, we'll make it in time."
He pointed toward a shadowy alleyway. The acrid stench of urine wafted through the air, forcing them to wrinkle their noses.
"Ugh. What is that smell?" Briana exclaimed, covering her nose.
"You can put me down now, Wane."
Wane gently lowered her to the ground as she frowned at Daniel.
"Do you really expect me to walk through here?" she asked, displeased.
"Yeah." Daniel's tone was casual.
"Come on, if you guys don't hurry, we're gonna be late." He walked ahead, hands resting in his pockets.
"Well, you heard the man," Wane said, following Daniel.
"Wane…" Briana muttered softly to herself.
With a grimace, she pulled out a handkerchief, covering her nose before quickening her pace.
Whoosh!
Briana's eyes widened as a shadowy wall materialized behind her, sealing her, Daniel, and Wane in the narrow alleyway. A flicker of confusion flashed across her face as she turned, only to be met with an impenetrable void of darkness.
"Huh? What just… You guys—where are you? If this is a prank, it's not funny!"
Her voice cracked, and her nervous laughter faltered mid-sentence. Trembling, she clutched her arm, trying to suppress the creeping unease spreading through her.
"Alright, mi done! Mi give up! Dis nuh funny again! Wane? Daniel?"
Her unease twisted into fear. Her brows knitted together, her lips trembled, and her eyes darted wildly as the silence pressed down on her. Her heart thudded, and an icy chill crawled down her spine. "Wane? Daniel?" she called again, her voice cracking, her country accent slipping a little as panic crept in.
"Huff, huff—oof!"
She staggered backward after colliding with something solid—yet warm. She had been running blindly, heart pounding, breath ragged, desperately trying to find a way out. Panic gripped her chest, tightening with every step, and now—she had hit something. Someone?
"Aww—w-wah mi jus lick?" Her fingers brushed against it.
It felt human-like.
"Wait! Dat feel like—Wane? Daniel?"
Her heart leaped with hope, and she searched the darkness.
"Hi…"
The voice was deep, slow, and chilling.
A towering Gortsuc monster emerged from the shadows, its enormous frame looming over her. Its unnaturally wide grin stretched from cheek to cheek, revealing jagged, razor-sharp teeth that glinted in the dim light.
"SKREEEEEEEEEEE!!!"
Briana's bloodcurdling scream echoed through the alley, raw and piercing.
"Huh! Was that Briana just now?" Wane asked, unaware of the danger.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Why is it getting so dark?" Daniel exclaimed, alarmed as shadows thickened around them.
"What the hell… Daniel, do you know what's going on?" Wane's voice was laced with confusion.
"No! I don't!" Daniel shouted, fumbling for his phone.
Splash!
His phone slipped from his shaking hands.
"Argh! Goddamn it! Wait… when did water get here?"
As Daniel bent down to retrieve his phone, a sharp, metallic scent suddenly filled his nostrils. He froze. His brows furrowed as unease crept up his spine—this wasn't just water.
"Ugh, what is that smell?" Wane groaned, pinching his nose as his eyes narrowed in discomfort.
"It's warm."
Daniel muttered as he picked up his phone, the mysterious liquid dripping from its edges. He quickly turned on the screen.
"Wait… is this… is this… blood!?"
Wane's voice trembled as the dim light from Daniel's phone flickered, revealing the dark, glistening liquid surrounding them.
The two boys looked at each other, the same thought crossing their minds.
"Briana!"