Chapter 3

My eyes flickered with nerves. "Alright, I won't move. I promise."

Instead of killing me right away, he started cutting into me with the knife, slow and deliberate. Blood kept pouring out, and he stared at my terrified face like he was admiring his handiwork.

There was nothing around to use as a weapon. I was forced to watch every move he made, completely helpless.

'Why aren't the cops here yet?' I thought, feeling hopeless.

[What kind of freak is this killer?]

[Man, my heart aches for this background character. She's got it rough, I can barely watch.]

[I don't want her to die! Just hold on a little longer, the cashier's almost back.]

I had no idea how long had passed when the store's welcome chime suddenly rang out. Someone had come back.

But I'd lost so much blood that everything was going fuzzy. I couldn't even cry out for help.

The killer hesitated for a split second, then, not wanting to waste any more time, drove the knife into me.

He yanked the blade out and gave me a vicious kick. "Damn bitch, I wanted to have some fun with you, but too bad!"

Blood sprayed everywhere. I desperately tried to press my hand to my neck, but it was no use.

I collapsed to the floor, and the last thing I saw before my eyes shut was the killer—still dressed as a "woman"—her bulk wobbling as she rushed out the door.

*****

[What's the killer doing here?]

[Wait, is that pregnant lady actually the killer in disguise?]

[Looks like he's searching for someone, a girl with glasses, long hair, dressed in black. Wait, doesn't that sound just like that girl sitting in the corner?]

Seeing those familiar comments scrolling by in my head, I froze, my hand still halfway through taking off my coat.

I lowered my gaze to check my phone—11:07. Then I looked up at the TV, where the news about the killer was still running.

It finally sank in. I was back.

The memory of that knife in my neck still burned in my mind. I shivered, shoved my coat and glasses into my bag, and quickly pulled my hair back into a ponytail.

Not wasting another second, I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.

Since the cashier hadn't locked up yet and was still in the bathroom, now was my best chance to bail.

But to get out, I had no choice but to walk right by the killer; there was no way to avoid running into him head-on.

I mustered up all my courage and started moving, heart pounding in my chest.

Turned out I wasn't as tough as I thought.

As I passed him, my knees buckled and I nearly tripped right in front of him.

"You okay?" he asked, reaching out to steady me.

The second he grabbed me, pure terror flooded my chest.

My skin instantly crawled with goosebumps.

I jerked my arm free and rushed off toward home, not daring to look back.

My hands shook uncontrollably with fear as I tried to press the elevator button.

When I saw a shadow flash past the door, my heart nearly leaped out of my throat.

I frantically mashed the close button, my fingers jabbing at it over and over.

I wasn't taking any chances. Even though I wasn't sure it was the killer, I didn't want anyone else getting in right now.

Luckily, the elevator doors finally slid shut.

I hovered over the 23rd floor button for a moment, then played it safe and hit 20 instead. I got off there and hoofed it up the last three flights of stairs.

When I finally stepped into my apartment, it felt like I'd barely escaped with my life. Seeing everything so familiar, I couldn't help but cry.

I flopped down on the couch, totally spent.

[Lol, this side character's got insane luck; she actually managed to escape the killer.]

[I swear, she totally sensed something. Didn't you guys see how weird she got when she walked by the killer?]

[Seriously, the killer was onto her and went upstairs, but she pressed 20 instead of 23; smart move! Good thing she was so alert and didn't go straight to her own floor.]

Before I could even catch my breath, the comments in my mind made my heart skip a beat.

Did the killer… come upstairs?

I replayed everything in my head and smacked my forehead. Seriously, what was I freaking out about? I was such a brain-dead dummy.

Awesome, now I'd totally given myself away.

All I could do was tell myself he wouldn't find me since he was not even on my real floor.

Right at 11:30, the doorbell went off.

I clenched my fists so tight my nails bit into my palms. No freaking way, did he actually come for me?

Just then, my phone buzzed with a notification. [Your delivery has arrived.]

It couldn't have been more than thirty seconds, but it felt like an eternity.

Suddenly, the delivery guy's voice called out from the hallway, "Ma'am, your delivery's here. Could you come out and grab it?"

I got this habit of ordering takeout whenever I get the munchies late at night. I always pre-order and schedule the delivery ahead of time.

Tonight, I'd set it to arrive a little after eleven. If I hadn't been so hungry and grabbed some barbecue at the convenience store to hold me over, I never would've crossed paths with that psycho.

I peeked through the peephole and saw it really was a delivery guy in a red uniform.

"Coming, coming!" I called out, trying to sound casual.