29 | "ˢʰⁱᵗ"

A/N: Here's long chap. for y'all, hope you like it!

⚠ BTW, mentioning of bl00d, m^rder and m£ntal !llne$$e$ here. (I'm sorry, I don't quite know if I should put a warning for this up or not, but just in case, here you go :)) ⚠

Third Person's POV

"Shit," cursed Sophia. It was one of the first times she cursed - her parents taught her not to - but at this point, she couldn't care any less.

"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God. We're gonna die!" yelled Bella but in a whisper tone, so that he couldn't hear us.

"No. Okay? We are not going to die here and now," Evie tried reassuring, of course, it didn't work. Though Sophia gave her points for trying.

They heard footsteps coming closer, they couldn't make out from where the sound was coming, it was an echo. The three friends looked around viciously, thinking: 'he could be anywhere'.

It was misty and dark - we made the mistake of coming here in the evening - so that made it extremely difficult to see. Sophia shook her head to herself, 'Yup, we are absolutely going to die here...'

Sophia's POV

A few hours earlier...

"Thank you, thank you for coming!" I affirmed to Evie and Arabella as they entered my house when I let them in. I sent them my address after they told me they'd come.

"No worries," confirmed Evie, smiling. I lead them to my room and asked them if they were thirsty or wanted something to eat, they declined the offer kindly.

"So, what can we help you with?" requested Bella after we settled down on my bed. I was a bit nervous about telling them. I wasn't sure if I should drag them into this mess. But no one will know, right?

I sighed and decided to give them the whole truth, from the start 'til the end. Their faces were priceless, they went from shock, to disgusted and scared, to smirking faces - I told them about Grayson coming over, including the kiss - to curious.

"Wow..." they both muttered in unison. I nodded, knowing how they must be feeling about this. "That's a lot," noted Evie. I gave a curt, humourless laugh.

I showed them the picture I took from the address, saying, "I don't know what to do now. I mean, I can't just do nothing, and I also don't want Grayson to get pushed into this as well. This isn't his problem, he shouldn't be stressing about this, I need to fix it," I voiced my thoughts.

They nodded in understanding. That's why I love them, always so understanding and patient, just like Liv.

We got the plan to search up the place on Google Earth, to get an idea of how the place looked. It was an uncanny looking area. A situation that it wouldn't surprise me if gangs hung out there.

It was silent for a second, we were all trying to think of what to do. I was so concentrated, me and Evie jumped when Bella suddenly stood up, standing in front of us now. She had that look on her face she gets when she has an insane idea. "Oh no, I know that look," said Evie, already disagreeing with Bella, without her even having to say anything.

"Oh, come on! You don't even know what I'm going to say!" protested Bella. Evie rolled her eyes and lifted up her hands, as if saying alright, alright, go on.

Bella grinned an evil grin, it made me slightly dubious, but I didn't object. "Okay, so what if we went there - to that location," she clarified, and Evie immediately straightened her back, appearing uncomfortable. "I mean, nothing'll happen. There'll be nobody, the phone is most-likely to be laying in one of the garbage bins. In movies, they always throw the phones away after they've used it, for if someone were to track it down. She had a point.

I looked at Evie, maybe for approval, I didn't know. She was already staring right back at me, and she shrugged. "I have a really bad feeling about this, but..." I paused, not knowing what to say.

"It'll be like our own adventure! It's gonna be fine," she drawled out. Evie didn't look too convinced, but after a moment of thinking, she spoke up, "I mean, if nothing would happen...it could be fun, right?"

"Right!" Bella was dancing in eagerness for this new experience, and I couldn't deny the spark of adrenaline rushing through me. I nodded and smiled at the both of them, accepting their proposal. Bella had a big grin on her face and hugged me. "Alright, let's go! My car is parked right outside."

-

As we arrived at our final destination, Bella let out a small burp, I shook my head and giggled softly. On our journey here - it took us about twenty minutes, because we were on the opposite side of town - we stopped at a gas station, though instead of only filling up the petrol, we went inside the little shop aside, too.

"I thought you guys weren't hungry," I had remarked as I grabbed a bag of chips from the rack in the snack-isle.

"Yeah, but that was, like, an hour ago," was Bella's response. Evie giggled and rectified her, "You mean ten minutes." Bella rolled her eyes playfully.

The three of us stepped out of the car, and I instantly started rubbing my upper-arms. It was quite cold here, not gonna lie.  I should have brought my jacket.

The silence that engulfed us made me suddenly feel not so well. This place came across as seriously sinister to me. The atmosphere had completely changed, and Evie and Bella felt it, too.

We closed the car doors and started ambling cautiously through the streets. At least we weren't alone, right? Well, I actually hoped we were.

"We should've brought pepper-spray or something with us," I noted.

"It's okay, we're together, nothing'll happen," Evie said soothingly, though neither she nor Bella and I could hide the irritating feeling that someone was watching us.

We went into the alleyway, seeing the garbage cans appear around the corner. We warily made our way to them and tried looking inside without touching it. Everything in here wad dirty and ought not to be grazed upon.

"There's nothing here," I observed, slightly disappointed for coming here all the way and finding nothing.

"Yeah," sighed Evie. "Guess we came here for nothing." She too seemed let down.

"Are you sure about that? I'm quite, in fact, happy that you arrived," came a voice from somewhere. I let out a sharp gasp and turned around instantaneously, my eyes scanning the area.

We heard a someone chuckling, it was a low and eerie sound that bounced off the brick walls around us. Despite it being an alley, it was a fairly wide passage. "Who's there?" asked Bella tensely.

"Aw," he cooed, ignoring Bella's question. "Look how afraid you all seem." Yeah, I wonder why? I thought sarcastically. "You know, I was beginning to think that you were a smart one, Sophia," the voice stated coldly. I shivered at the mention of my name. How the hell does he know my name!? "But tonight you proved me otherwise." I didn't recognize the voice, I've never heard it before, to be honest.

What does he mean? How would he know if I were smart or not? And who the hell is this guy, anyway!? My lips were still parted from before, and I looked at Evie and Bella. It's most definitely the stalker! My thoughts were loud and wild, rushing through my mind, too quick to think.

"P-Please, just leave us alone!" I tried shouting at him, despite not knowing where exactly this creep was, he didn't reveal himself. My voice was shaking with obvious fear.

Once again, he chuckled lowly. "Bringing your friends with you..." he tsked at me. "It would've been done quicker, you know. But now I have to take care of your two little bodyguards as well." He paused for a second, as if pondering over what to do. "But, oh well, my doctors diagnosed me with APD, so I don't really mind," he told us. "You know what that means?" Why is he talking to us? Why is he talking so much? About what is he talking, I didn't even know the guy!? I was so confused, though the feeling of being petrified overtook it with ease.

No one answered, no one dared, and not me nor Evie knew the answer.

"Come on! This is your chance to prove how smart you really are." We could all evidently hear in his tone that he was enjoying this. Enjoying the sight of three friends scared out of their minds.

"Antisocial Personality Disorder," spoke Bella quietly from behind me. We barely heard her due to her trembling voice. Evie and I turned around to face her. "I ju-just read about it s-somewhere," she mumbled, staring at the ground, and suddenly seeming way more panic-stricken than before.

I went over to her, so did Evie, and we both hugged her from the side, trying to comfort her, while still scanning the place frabtically.

"Correct, and what is your name? If I may ask" he said slowly, making it even more terrifying to hear his voice. He was getting closer and closer, yet none of us could see him.

"Nothing, it's none of your business!" I shouted, and then slapped my hand over my mouth. I have no idea where this boost of confidence is coming from, but it will surely kill us if I don't shut up, I thought. I guess it's because my friends were in danger because of me. I'd literally do anything to keep them safe - I got them in this mess, I'll get them out. I mean, sure, yeah, it wasn't my idea, but still... I shouldn't have told them, for their sake.

Evie grabbed my arm in warning, a scared expression on her face as she shook her head, telling me not to say anything else that may anger him.

"Yeah, you should really listen to your friend, Sophia. You don't want anything to happen to you, do you?" I looked down and bit my tongue, containing all the things I wanted to scream at him.

"ADP..." he commented. "You know what I am?" What does he mean by what I am? I wondered. He laughed maniacally, making us anxious. He was crazy, a sicko!

"I'll give you some time before I'll let you guess. In the time you're gone, you'll hopefully figure it out." In the time we're gone? And figure what out exactly?

"Wha-What do you mean?" asked Evie.

"What I said. I'm giving you the time to figure out what I am. If you're really that smart, you'll  get it right." He then suddenly gasped, seemingly in excitement. "I know! We can play a game. I love games - you can ask Grayson, he knows that." What? Grayson knows this man? Are they friends? No, of course not. Why would Grayson be friends with him? It doesn't make sense.

"Yes, Sophia, I do, in fact, know Grayson," said the voice. He's watching our every movement, our faces and reactions. "We were best friends, even. Did he ever tell you that? Well, he probably never even mentioned me. I must say, that kind of hurts," he spoke mockingly.

"No. He hasn't spoken of you before, I don't even know who you are!" I remarked, still turning and twisting around in place, searching for his figure, or something to protect ouselves with, at least. "And, you know what? You say we're afraid of you, but you're the one who's hiding. We keep having to prove ourselves to you, but now it's your turn. Prove that you're not afraid, show us your face!" I announced, hoping he'd listen. If we were going to get murdered here, I might as well know who it was.

The vibrating sound of his laughter echoed through the night. "For the innocent, naive, little girl you are, I must admit that you have impressed me with your braveness," he declared. "Or is it foolishness?"

Despite him saying that, we started hearing footsteps again. Agonizingly slow ones at that. I felt someone nudge me in the ribs with an elbow, I exhaled at the abrupt contact, but turned around to see that it was only Bella.

Evie looked over as well, and Bella then pointed soundlessly to a brick wall a few metres away. The beginning of shadow started forming against the platform. As the figure came closer, the shadow became larger and taller. Oh fuck, I didn't think he'd actually listen me. I looked at the direction he was coming from intently, not wanting to miss anything.

At last, he was there. Not only his shadow, but him fully, in real life. I wanted to punch myself after I thought about how if he weren't this crazy, he would've been hot. I shook my head internally, focus, you idiot. He might kill us!

I tried memorizing his features for if we went to the police - if we get away, that is. From his dirty blond hair to his bright brown eyes, even through this darkness, the faint light of a far-away lantern gave us enough light to see that he was tall. He wasn't the strongest guy I've ever seen, certainly not as built as Grayson and some jocks at school, but it was 100% more muscle than us.

"Okay, here's the deal," his heavy voice added to his intimidatingly appearance. I took a few steps backwards, my eyes never leaving his form. "I'll let you go, if..." he halted, thinking what he'd say next. A menacing smirk covered his expression, and I knew it wasn't going to be good. "If you give this to Grayson," he ended, bringing up his arm to reach something in his jacket.

Evie and Bella and I jumped backwards after seeing what he pulled out. A gun. A real gun. I've never seen a gun in reality, only in movies.

"I'm not going to bring it, come and get it," he said, amusement in his every word. Not Evie nor Bella moved, even if they wanted to, their feet were glued to the ground from fear. Even I up 'til now felt like I was frozen, but I inhaled deeply and bit my lip hard, tasting the metallic liquid on my tongue.

I began nearing him, but felt Evie clutch my wrist steadily, shaking her head vigorously. "Don't," she whispered, and I merely understood her. Her eyes were glistening with unshed tears and they were pleading.

"I have to, he'll let us go after. I promise, I'll get you out of here. And I'll be leaving with you, okay?" I reassured her. She didn't move, but her grip lightened ever-so-slightly. I smiled at her, it didn't reach my eyes entirely, though I was blissed-out that she cared about me.

Bella, on the other hand, hadn't given a sign that she was still there. The only reason I knew that she was still alive was because of her moving chest. I looked between the two, and Evie took the memo and started comforting Bella.

"I haven't got all day," the voice behind me mumbled, seemingly bored. I turned on my heels and watched him carefully, so was he, sensing my every move.

"You promise to let us go after?" I asked, raising my eyebrows. I tried to be strong, though my façade wavered the closer I got to him.

"Of course, Darling," he spoke wickedly. I shuddered at the nickname he gave me. I came to a stop when there was only a metre of distance between us. He took the last step forward, and I tried moving backwards, but he brought the gun in his hand up to my skull. He pressed it against forehead, and I closed my eyes tightly.

"You promised you'd let us go," I whispered, my voice breaking. He really was going to kill me. "Let them go, please."

He huffed finally, and said, "You two, go." He appeared impatient and didn't like the fact that I asked him to let them leave, though he did it anyway, which astounded me beyond relief.

"What about Sophia?" asked Evie.

"Just go! Get home and-and don't come outside ' til morning," I half-yelled.

"I'm not leaving you here, Sophia. You must be daft to think that," she almost seemed offended.

"I'll be fine. I'll be there besides you in just a second," I said, even though I and Evie knew that  probably wasn't going to happen.

"I'd hurry up, your friend looks like she's going to have a heart attack," he, the man holding the gun up 'til my forehead said. He wasn't concerned for Bella, that's for sure, he just wanted them gone before he changed his mind. I, on the other hand, was worried about Bella, I still haven't heard her speak.

"Okay... But if you touch her, we'll come back to kill you," said Evie threateningly, despite the shaking of her voice. He simply chuckled. "I'd like to see you try."

The sound of shuffling feet could be heard. My back was facing their direction, so I couldn't see if they were still there or not, but hearing the silence get exceedingly loud now, I assumed not.

My eyes fluttered open slowly, and I looked up from the ground, to see that he was already staring at me. He smiled deviously and raised his hand to my face. I tried holding back my flinching, he held a freaking gun against my head. One pull and my mind would go blank.

My breath hitched in my throat as he placed his index finger of his free hand on my bottom lip. It was on the spot I had bitten the skin off, and it burned marginally. He swiped his finger across it tenderly and brought it up to his mouth.

I felt sick to my stomach when sucked it off, and turned my head away from him, but he took my chin harshly and forcefully made me look at him.

"You know, this is Grayson's gun, right?" he spoke darkly. I didn't say anything. "He's used it before," he continued. What is he trying to achieve?

"Why are you saying this?" I mumbled, my voice breaking mid-sentence. It amazed me that I didn't stutter for once.

"Aw, don't cry, Darling," he proceeded to wipe away a stray tear that fell from my eyes. I let him, and didn't even try to stop the second tear from falling. What was thee point, I'm gonna die anyway?

"I just don't want you to hang out with the wrong crowd, that's all." He was mocking me, this was all just fun and games to him. But he has a flipping gun!

"Here, if you give this to Grayson," he pointed at the gun, "hand him this as well." He pulled out a folded paper from his pocket. I took it from him, almost letting it slip from my trembling hand. He lowered the gun, I made no move to leave. I ddin't want to bring my hopes up, just to die while trying to escape.

"You can go," he dismissed me. I looked up with a frown. He's joking. He'll shoot me as soon as I turn around.

He chuckled and did something with his gun, his movements were so fast, I didn't see what happened. I whimpered when I thought he was going to pull the trigger, but instead, he had opened the gun. It was empty.

My lips parted and I made eye contact with him. The smile of a Devil formed on his face. It was empty all this time! I could have ran away a long time ago!

I slowly took the weapon from him, as well as the little note, and prudently started going backwards. I never removed my eyes from him, scared he might attack me with some hidden knife he had as soon as I turned around.

"And, just so you know, the police won't be able to do anything. They won't catch me. I've been to jail before, I know how to escape from the cops," he let me know in a matter-of-fact tone. "I mean, you can try, I won't stop you...but everything you do has consequences."

I nodded, just so I wouldn't make him mad, but kept on slipping further away from him.

"I'll know if you gave the items to Grayson or not. I know everything of what you do," he stated with a stern look in his eyes, though the foul smirk was still there. He then rounded a corner and disappeared from sight. He was gone. I was alone.

I didn't hesitate to race out of there, not looking back.

I couldn't be any more happy that we made it out alive. I've definitely got some apologizing to do...

ღ

A/N: Damn...okayyy. Well, that happened 😅

I hope it's not written too poorly, it was created rather quickly. But I did 3572 words, woohoo!

As promised, spice is coming soon ;)

Anyways, if you liked it please, please, please VOTE. I appreciate it.

Ciaooo! 💜