29. Madelyn
MADELYN
Don’t panic. Don’t panic. It’s okay.
I’m sure there’s a switch for the lights not too far from the entrance, and I feel my way around it.
Click. Click. Up and down.
Nothing. Darkness. I stay firm by the front door.
“Joseph?” I call out, knowing there won’t be a reply.
The idiot must not have seen me, assumed no one was here, and left.
Then again, why would he leave all the lights on and give us a false sense of security?
Unless he didn’t. Unless it was Devon who did, trying to catch me off guard.
I have to find a way out of here.
The message makes my phone vibrate and my screen light up, the only glint among the shadows.
Confirming my suspicions.
Unknown:
Alone at last, my wife.
“I’m calling the police!” I shout.
Ping.
Unknown:
Will you?
“Yes.”
Unknown:
And tell them what? That someone has been showering you with *thoughtful* presents and won’t leave you alone? You do remember that you’re one of the suspects in the disappearance of Lucien, right?
Ping.
Unknown:
And he’s not the only one you could get pinned for killing.
My face blanches and a chill runs down my spine.
Oh my God.
“What did you do?”
Dead silence. No more hints.
Kayden pops into my head.
I’ve only seen him briefly today in the halls and during the charity event preparations.
He didn’t blink an eye when I told him I’m staying behind with Hannah.
I’m almost certain he’s got a duplicate of the key.
Being the hockey coach and having to show up early for practices a couple of times a week, he’s often here before everyone else is.
I dial the number I know by heart and press the phone to my ear.
One ring. Two rings. Three.
Voicemail.
My heart sinks.
He didn’t get to him…did he?
No. I shake my head, refusing to believe the possibility. Kayden left, just like everyone else did.
I switch to messages and tremble-type.
Madelyn:
I got locked in at school. It’s a long story. Can you please come get me? You’ve got a key, right?
Keep it short and not too suspicious. I can’t tell him I’m trapped with a maniac.
Answer, please. Please.
My phone vibrates immediately, and my pulse picks up.
He’s okay, and I’m saved. He’ll come, right?
I open the message.
Unknown:
He won’t answer, Maddy.
My chest churns.
Unknown:
You can’t trust him.
“I can’t trust you,” I spit out.
Unknown:
Oh, but you can. I’m the only one you can trust. Don’t you see? I can show you that you can trust me. Wear my gifts, and run. Run, Rebel, so I can make all your fantasies come true.
“I’m not playing.”
Unknown:
Then your not-so-sweet brother will pay. He’s a bigger sinner than you think.
“What the fuck do you know about him?”
Unknown:
A lot.
“Like what?”
Unknown:
Be patient, my wife. Now listen to me.
Another ping.
Unknown:
Go back to your classroom and wear my gifts.
Unknown:
Let’s play, and I’ll tell you what you want.
I ignore the messages, sliding off my heels instead. I take one in my hand, and with the pointy corner, I smash it against the small glass on the front door.
Nope. Not strong enough.
I try the handle next, beating it with the heel. No matter how many times I hammer either, there’s no damage done.
My hands start cramping.
I sigh and dump the heel.
Using the flashlight on my phone to lead me instead, I rush to the reception office, the closest door to my left. Right by it, the snack table and the ticket box, plus chairs—where both Regina and Mr. Broadsmith are supposed to sell tickets to our haunted house charity event.
I turn off the flashlight and dump my phone into my bag, dragging one of the chairs through the dark.
Once I’m standing by the entrance, I lift it and throw it forward.
The chair bounces back onto the floor, and I jump.
“Damn it.”
Another terrible attempt at breaking down the entrance door.
What did I think? That it was just going to magically snap open?
The windows aren’t an option. There are multiple throughout the school, but they’re all protected by bars and nets.
Ping.
I take out my phone again.
Unknown:
Are you done?
Ping.
Unkown:
I’m waiting…
Unknown:
Time’s running out.
I scoff. Fuck if I don’t know that.
My bare feet start moving before I come to a decision. I don’t want to, I really don’t.
But I’ve got no choice. I’m locked up here. And I have no idea if Kayden will read my message and come.
If he does, I have to keep myself breathing. And if he doesn’t, I need more time to come up with plan B.
I reach my classroom soon enough, lighting up the way with my phone’s flashlight, at twenty-five percent battery.
I rest my handbag aside, placing the phone on top of it, and take out the underwear from the box on my desk.
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
Tugging my own panties down my legs, I place them in the box and put on my gift instead.
They’re soft and comfy on my skin.
Next, I slide into the pink sneakers he got me. The ones with the words mine on them.
My phone vibrates right away.
I snatch it and look at the text.
Unknown:
Good girl.
I clench my teeth.
Unknown:
Now, run.
Holding the phone in my hand, I face the door and stare into the darkness, waiting for his shadow to reflect on the walls. I don’t move.
Ping.
Unknown:
Are you really going to make me say the magic words?
If I’m going to play his game, it’s going to be my way, too. And he knows what I want.
My sick fantasies. He’s read my diary after all. It doesn’t take long for him to catch up.
Unknown:
If I catch you, I fuck you, Madelyn.
Blood rushes through my veins as I read the message.
Unknown:
Run.
And that’s when I see him, the figure standing at the end of the hall, near the entrance, a mere ghost in the poorly illuminated walls. In an all-black outfit—hoodie and pants. The neon-red mask with Xs slashed across his eyes gives him away.
One of the masks we bought for the event. He’s one of us, someone who knows what we’ve been up to here.
But who is he?
I bite my lip. Heat pools between my legs, igniting. That familiar rush that makes me risk myself constantly.
I shouldn’t be turned on when I’m about to run for my life.
There’s something rotten inside me.
His figure turns clearer as he steps toward me.
I don’t let myself indulge in any more thoughts. I turn away from him and sprint.
I run like my life depends on it, through the blackness of the halls, with no idea where I’m headed. The only source of light comes from the open classroom doors, the high windows, and the moonlight.
My vision is limited. Yet, I push through, like a runner who’s trained for this marathon her whole life.
I bolt straight forward, trying to avoid bumping into anything. I can’t see him, but his footsteps sound somewhere in the distance, reassuring me of his presence.
My mind ponders with a gazillion thoughts. Who is behind the mask? Why is he doing this?
And last but not least—what happens when he catches me? Does he really fuck me?
Will I like it if he does? The idea doesn’t make me sick.
My thighs press together, the fabric of my panties brushing against my sensitive spot.
I bite back a moan and turn to my left. The perfect hiding spot.
The words Storage Room printed across a white plate call to me.
I should have done this from the beginning.
The slight creaking of the door opening makes my heart catch in my throat.
Don’t hear it. Don’t hear it.
I close it with caution.
And I’m surrounded in darkness yet again. I fumble around for a switch, placing my palm against the closest wall, before it sinks in I can’t do that. I need to navigate this pitch-black room as it is.
I use the flashlight on my phone instead pointing it at the floor to lower the brightness and hope the minimal lighting doesn’t give me away as I look around to ensure I’m safe.
The room is barely big enough for someone to stand. To my left, there’s a vacuum cleaner. To my right, brooms, mops, and cleaning products, along with a few buckets.
I stumble, and a cold softness pokes at my back. Spinning, I press a hand to my mouth to hold back my scream.
There’s someone behind me, sprawled on a chair, head down and body limp. Blood splashed across the familiar jumpsuit. Their face is covered by a cap, as if whoever did this didn’t want anyone to see the victim’s expression. I don’t need the cap to know who it is.
Lifting the visor, I see Joseph’s eyes are closed, and blood stains the side of his face and temple.
I don’t want to touch him, so I lean forward and crouch by him, attempting to find any sign of his breathing.
Wanting to believe that maybe he’s okay, and he fell asleep here while cleaning. Sat on the chair to rest, and he hit himself with something. A mere accident and not what I’m suspecting happened.
Not this. Not someone else. Not another innocent life for me.
My head’s by his face, and I can’t sense any air leaving his lungs. I tense up. The realization dawns on me that Joseph never left me. He never locked me in. He has been here all along, and Devon made sure he wouldn’t see him.
I’ve got to get out of here. I need to get help. I need to do something.
A rustling startles me, footsteps nearing.
I quickly turn off my phone’s flashlight and stay still.
Don’t stop. Keep walking. Keep walking.
I hold my breath, and cover my mouth with my hand again.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I jump.
Unknown:
Come out, come out, wherever you are, my wife.
The rustling stops. The footsteps do, too.
Another vibration.
Unknown:
Am I getting hot?
Shit. Shit. Shit. He’s going to find me. He must have heard me.
Bzzz.
Unknown:
I just know you’re somewhere out there shaking like a chicken. My feisty wife. Not so feisty anymore, are we? Haha, this shouldn’t turn me on so much. But the thought of you, terrified somewhere in this darkness, does.
Unknown:
I can’t wait to see the look on your face with my own eyes. I’m your wildest dreams and your worst nightmares all in one, Maddy, and I’m gonna make you mine.
I open my notification settings, fumbling with my phone until I manage to switch it to silent mode, so there are no more vibrations.
Scrunching my eyes closed, I pray that this ends quickly, without any suffering.