It’s the next day in Detroit Michigan, early morning. The suns mildly out from the thick clouds of winter's end, people are conversing on sidewalks, having, enjoying their breakfast before their start of the day. Two young girls, one just months away from being an adult and the other having to wait a little longer, it’s Anna and Sarah, who were on their way to school. While the two friends were talking and enjoying the morning, another girl was sneaking up to them. It’s their final friend in their group, Veronica with her expensive leather coat and preppy clothing dazzling with the current breeze ensuing.

She took her time stalking the little goth girl wearing her midnight black trench coat and long high boots and the grunge blondie wearing a leather jacket belonging to that of a biker gang. Inch by inch, she was getting closer, and she grew a huge twisted grin on her face. When the two came to a stop on a crosswalk, Veronica sprung from out of nowhere, annoying the goth girl and making the grunge girl gag.

Veronica had their necks wrapped around her long arms and giggled. “Did you guys miss me, huh?!”

At first Sarah wanted to elbow Veronica’s fragile gut to get her off, but she was glad to see her friend who stayed locked in her room for months okay. Anna coughed and didn’t respond, instead she looked away with Sarah joining in too. The two tried ignoring her existence like she did to them for the past two months, but the rich girl smothered their faces against hers. They were smiling but on the inside, from the outside the two weren’t showing any expressions, instead they both pulled from her grasp and walked.

Veronica puffs her cheeks out in annoyance and hops in front of them before they could go any further. “You guys, stop messing around! I know I know, I should’ve at least texted, called, etc. But I’m sowwy, please don’t ignore me.”

Sara and Anna looked at each other and giggled, accepting her apology by patting her head in unison. Veronica moved her shoulders and turned red, thanking the two with an open mouth smile. Anna stopped, and ruined her praise by knocking Veronica’s head with her sharp knuckles.

The rich girl yelped away and massaged her head. “Ow, Anna! What was that for?”

Anna sighed. “You know school isn’t over till May right? So why study so early for the finals?”

Sarah pouts adorably. “Honestly Veronica, you’re too much.”

Veronica hung her arms in shame and sniffled.

Sarah tapped Veronica’s shoulder. “Perhaps there was another reason she shut herself in from society.”

“Huh, what do you mean Sarah?” replied Veronica.

Sarah had a half smile that was smuggish. “It could be she’s still embarrassed about that whole incident with Danny in October. That is definitely something worth hiding away from huehue.”

Veronica smacked one of her hands against her forehead, feeling embarrassed and cringing over the thought of that day. “No! Sarah, you little devilish fiend, don’t remind me, ugh!”

All three friends started walking together, they had to continue or else they’d be late for school. Anna wasn’t saying anything, she was loving Sarah antagonize her rich spoiled friend and torture her of her past.

“Oh Veronica, you truly are too much like I said.” said Sarah.

Veronica wrapped her arm around Sarah’s tiny neck, reeling her towards her chest. “That was truly the breaking point to what I can handle, okay. It was bad enough that he confessed to me three years ago, but the fact he started singing to me after school in front of everyone?! Yeah no, that’s more than enough for me, uh buh bye!”

Sarah pinched Veronica’s side to let her go. “Yeah, it was amazing to witness. I couldn’t contain my laughter.”

Anna finally chimed in with a chuckle. “Sarah’s right, I also laughed my ass off.”

Veronica frowned. “Sheesh, what a loser, he’s so in denial.”

“Yeah you’re right, that guy is such a sore loser. How far is willing to go to win over your heart? You can’t just change a girl's mind by being that pathetic.” Sarah playfully punches Veronica's shoulder, “Or maybe you already like someone is that right?”

Veronica blushes a little, scratching her cheek. “Maybe, maybe so. But that’s for me to know and for you to find out.”

Anna chuckles, giving off a smug aura. “I already know who it is, do you want me to tell Sarah huh?” Anna crosses her arms and expresses a sinister smile towards Veronica.

“No, No! Don’t tell her!” said Veronica as she waved her hands nervously.

Sarah’s smile disappeared and the goth girl rolled her eyes. “I think I might have a good guess who it might be.”

“Wait, you do? Huh! You do!” Veronica pouts her face in anger and the other two laugh as their rich friend throws an adorable temper tantrum.

Continuing their way towards the direction of the school, Veronica wanted to stop by a coffee shop just down the street for a quick drink. The two remind her that they’ll be an hour late if they make a big stop like that. Veronica convinced them enough to tag alone by offering to buy them drinks as well. The two girls shrugged and quickly accepted her generous offer. Quickly the group got to the local coffee shop that resembled that of a classic lounge. Walking in and glimpsing around, the place’s furniture was vintage and looked comfortable.

“So, what do you guys want to drink?” asked Veronica to the two, “They have nice options from their teas to their signature coffee, hot chocolate latte supreme, it's splendid!”

“I’ll take that and see just how wonderful it is.” replied Anna with a smug grin.

Sarah blinked rapidly to Veronica and tilted her head. “I think you know what I want my dear.”

Veronica rubbed Sarah’s hair, messing it up. “Gotchu gotchu, coffee with two sugar cubes, a teaspoon of creamer and a chocolate glazed donut.”

Veronica walked away and up to the counter to order their drinks and Sarah’s food while the other two sat at a table closeby.

While Veronica waited in line and the other two sat down, Sarah wanted to ask Anna the same question she asked Veronica about liking someone.

“Say Anna.” asked Sarah.

“What’s up Sarah?” replied Anna as she stretched her morning fatigue away.

“Do you have anyone that you like?”

Anna rests her arms on the table, lays her head down and yawns away this peaceful morning. “Nah, you already know me. I’m not easily impressed and easy to get. Besides, if I have to be honest, I’m really not interested in romance.”

Sarah stretched her hand out to pat Anna’s head. “But didn’t you like Jack when we were kids?”

Saying that brought out an interesting reaction out of Anna, at first she raised a brow, scratched a cheek, but regained her composure and shrugs. Quickly, she changes her mind, becoming silent for a moment.

I did, didn’t I? Huh, I wonder why those feelings have faded away.

After some reflection in silence, Anna softly grins. “That was a long time ago. Things change as you grow older like relationships with friends, your attitude, and most importantly the lenses that you view the world in. ” Anna raises her head and looks to the side, directly at Veronica in line.

Sarah rubbed her friend's head and flung the bangs of her golden hair. “How poetic of you to say, yet I can’t help but feel that there was some hint of sadness in your statement.”

“It’s alright, don’t overthink about what I just said. I mean, back to what we were talking about, you do remember that it was I who initiated Veronica to get with Jack.”

Sarah nods. “Yeah, you're right, I remember. But I felt like you should have gone after him at the time. What made you change your mind?”

Anna raises her head and rests her head on her hand, gazing out the shop window as Sarah pulls her hand away. “Not even I know the answer to that…”

Sarah’s mysterious nature returns and she pays close attention to what Anna will say next.

“It was as if someone made me not like him that way anymore, like, in the flip of a switch, turning a knob to off, perhaps erasing that thought entirely out of my subconscious. Strange, isn’t it?”

Anna grabs the pendant on her necklace given to her by Jack and looks at it. Her best friend Sarah was staring intensely at her with those rare eyes of red.

Anna trickles out a sigh. “Yeah… ever since that day, things have changed for most of us, when he was pronounced dead to us.”

Sarah stands up and decides to sit next to Anna. She wipes away any suspicion towards her best friend and sits close to her. The goth girl stays quiet, making Anna question what’s wrong with a single brow rose. Sarah lays back on the chair and looks at Anna again.

“Sarah?” asked Anna, furrowing her brows.

To brighten the mood, Sarah smiles all smug-like and hovers a hand over her tiny mouth. “I get what you’re saying. Or maybe you’ve finally learned that you’re gay my friend.”

Anna blinked rapidly and didn’t say a word, but chuckled and playfully pushed Sarah. “Perhaps you’re right? I wouldn't doubt it myself at this point—I mean, who knows, everything is so different now.”

Anna wraps her arm around Sarah, surprising her. “Wha-What are you—”

“Or maybe…” Anna leans in close and blows into Sarah's ear, causing her to make a funny soft sound.

Sarah making such an adorable sound brought out a look of assumption and confusion from the people sitting closeby. They stared, leaning at the girls direction, and some sipped their coffees as they stared. It made Sarah feel uncomfortable, making the goth girl blush as Anna continued blowing. Sarah tried pushing Anna away but compared to her Anna was a giant and kept her in her grasp. Now the blonde girl tickled and poked Sarah on her sides, making her moan and mislead the people around them.

Sarah was beet red, and Anna blew on her tiny neck. “Sto-Stop…”

Anna cackled and playfully pushed the goth girl off. “Ha! Perhaps you’re the one that secretly likes girls!”

Sarah jumps out of her seat for a second and frowns. “Thanks a lot, now everyone’s looking at us I bet!”

Anna laughs and looks around, seeing the eyes of curiosity and lust that were on them. “What? Whatcha starin at?”

The people’s eyes looked right and left, and awkwardly everyone went back to what they were doing.

Sarah sat down and kept her distance from Anna. “Gosh darn it Anna. See, now you made it weirder.”

“Let em stare, I don’t care if they see me teasing someone as adorable as you, bwahaha!”

“Whatever, oh that reminds me.” Sarah pulls out a notebook out of her bookbag and slams it on the table, startling her best friend. “I still gotta finish this homework for maths class.”

She starts writing and Anna lets out a huge sigh. Veronica comes back with their drinks and Sarah’s donut in a tray, gently placing it down on the table.

She took a seat where Sarah was originally sitting and sipped on her cold sweetened coffee drink. “Hey guys! What did I miss?”

Sarah grabs her drink without glimpsing at the rich girl as her focus was on her homework. “You missed the part about Anna coming out of the closet to perhaps, maybe, probably, most likely, might be, a guessing, possibly—”

She randomly sneezes, cutting herself off for a second. Both Veronica and Anna eyed each other, twitched an eye, feeling annoyed by Sarah's purposely dragged on statement. The two stared back at the goth girl who quickly wiped her nose with a sleeve.

Sarah sniffled and grabbed her donut, taking a bite before speaking again. “Excuse me. Yeah Anna, she’s gay.”

Veronica places her drink down, clears her throat, adjusts her glasses then slams her hands on the table with bulged out eyes towards Anna.

“Woah! Wait, really?!” Veronica with her hand over her mouth, blushes slightly. “Didn’t know you swung that way Annabelly.”

Anna grabs her drink lastly, feeling rather calm and not combating neither one of their statements. “Maybe, or the fact that Sarah's the one that secretly likes the girly girls after what I just did to her.”

Veronica blew out air in relief. “Oh, you guys were just joking as usual.”

Anna softly chuckled, Sarah’s dead focus on her homework, and Veronica stared at her little friend doing her school work. Yet something caught Veronica’s eyes as she watched Sarah’s arm move her paper. It was something beneath her sleeve that was there, on her precious pale skin it stuck out, so it wasn’t hard to go unnoticed.

Veronica reached across the table and grabbed her friend's arm. “Say Sarah, what’s this?” She surprises Sarah by pulling up her sleeve and revealing a strange tattoo or marking.

Sarah gets angry and quickly pulls her sleeve down, slapping Veronica’s hand away. “Don’t just touch someone’s shirt without their permission! Pervert!”

Anna raises a brow, leaning in on Sarah’s arm. “No no, I want to know too. What’s up with the tattoo? Finally rebelling against your parents or something?”

Veronica leans in closer, massaging her hand. “Yeah, by the way, rude! But what’s up huh?”

Sarah wipes off any signs of emotions and straightens her face while glimpsing at the two. “It’s… It’s just a tattoo okay? Happy now.”

Anna backed off. She could tell that her best friend Sarah was secretly nervous. The way she seemed emotionless, without moving a single muscle, she knew her all too well. Anna saw a single drop of sweat scroll down to her cheek. She grabbed Sarah’s hand and felt a small tremble coming from the goth girl. Veronica believed Sarah’s words and didn’t ask her about it anymore but Anna wanted to know more about it. The three finished their drinks without another conversation or single word being said or made and walked out of the shop. All three walked to their school before the bell rang.

When they arrive at school, Danny’s waiting for Veronica. Anna assumed that herself and Sarah wanted to say something embarrassing to Veronica but it’s too late, he already walked up to them. Even when he’s already closing in on them, Anna was surprised to see that her best friend still had a straight face. The goth girl was still hiding her true emotions.

Sarah, what on earth has gotten into you? Does the question of a tattoo really bother you that much? Anna thought.

She thought Sarah would’ve said something about this loser already, but the fact she’s completely dead quiet made her feel perplexed.

Danny greeted and came up to Veronica. “Hey Veronica, how’s it going? Where’ve ya been huh?” He saw the other two and waved to them. “Hi Anna, hello—Sarah.”

The way he just said the goth girls name, his tone was serious, ominous, it made the girls raise their ears. But Sarah didn’t react, she’s just quiet, and staring off into space.

Anna walked up to Danny and glared at him. “What’s with that creep type voice when you said Sarah’s name?”

Danny grinned. “Relax, I’m just teasing the girl. But it just seems like she’s lost in her own world.”

Anna grew a grimace towards Danny and balled one of her fists. “Danny, watch how you say—”

“Alright guys! Anna, I’ll see you later okay, I’ll deal with him.” said Veronica with a forced smile.

Anna crossed her arms and kept her glare on Danny for another moment until their staredown was disrupted by Sarah unexpectedly walking past them. All three stared at the goth girl who kept walking until she stopped in front of the school doors. The two girls were worried for their friend, Danny on the other hand grew a suspicious smile.

Anna took a step forward. “Sa-Sarah?” The school bell rang and class had begun.

Sarah looked over her shoulder to look at her friends and politely said, “We’re late.”

Sarah walked in before them. The school door slammed shut, making the girls squint. All three looked at each other without saying a word. Danny walked ahead of them, tucking his hands into his jean pockets, raising a hand to say bye. The two girls walked too and everyone went to their homerooms.

It’s lunch time, teens storming out of their classrooms, rushing to the cafeteria to get inline for their favourite food booths. It quickly crowded up, voices drowned out the bell, stampedes of teenagers of all sorts have now gathered around inside the once empty cafeteria. Veronica and Sarah sat at their usual table as they waited for Anna’s presence. Sarah’s already eating in silence while Veronica waits for Anna, but still feeling worried for her little friend. Waiting for Anna, Veronica and Sarah’s phones vibrated, they got alerts on their phones about a news headline. Sarah was already looking before Veronica did, making her raise a brow of suspicion towards her gothic friend.

Oh now she’s reacting? What has gotten into you weirdy weirdo?!

Veronica opened her smartphone too and saw the top headlines revolving around the situation about the quarantine zone being possibly expanded to another town beyond the two already quarantined. It worried Veronica, she’s beginning to think eventually it’ll spread to their city if this charade kept upl. The other news was that there were two hundred more casualties now and that the situation’s becoming more dangerous for anyone, including the doctor and his team.

Sarah smacked her lips and placed her phone down and continued eating. Veronica heard her annoyed sound and raised a brow towards her. Veronica knew it was getting bad but not this bad, she’s surprised how much has happened in the course of two months when she was shut in during that time.

Anna showed up and seemed extremely agitated from her deep sigh and loud groans as she sat next to Sarah. “Sorry I’m late guys, I just had to talk to the counsellor again and another doofus confessed to me in the worst way possible.”

Veronica grabbed Anna’s hands. “The school’s still putting you through therapy about what happened with your parents?”

“Yeah, I mean I appreciate my grandparents for trying to help, but I’ve told them multiple times that I’m fine and don’t need counselling.”

Sarah stops eating, overhearing Anna’s statement, more importantly the last point made the goth girl snap out of her silent state momentarily.

The goth girl tapped Anna’s shoulder and as Anna turned to her, she poked Anna’s nose. “Awwe, poor guy, bwaha. Shot down by the rather steamy hot blondie known as Anna!”

Sarah had a grin, Anna twitched an eye but smiled.

Veronica gave Sarah a weirded out look, “Okay, now that you stopped being weird for a moment. Perhaps I might believe Anna after all about you liking girls instead.”

Anna brings out a smug grin, flicking the goth girl's forehead. “Ha, you’re caught red handed goth girl!”

Veronica turned her attention to Anna, poking her face. “Why don’t you just accept a date for once?”

“Says the hypocrite who keeps friendzoning the guy that keeps asking to be with you.”

“Hey! I have reasons. Oh wait, I guess that does make me a hypocrite.”

All three laughed, feeling pity towards Danny. Sarah went back to her phone, scrolling through the headlines and returned to her mysterious nature. It made the other two stop giggling and question her mood. Sarah’s face was still, Anna lay her head on her hand and Veronica crossed her arms, pouting angrily to Sarah.

Veronica returned back the original conversation and mixed in Sarah’s question as well. “Say Anna, uh, aren’t you like one of the most popular girls in school and rated most attractive? Shouldn’t you be used to this by now?”

Anna looked at Veronica with annoyance, “I don’t give a damn about any of that stupid popular crap, labels, or ranking by people. I didn’t ask to be known for my talents, you know?”

Sarah abruptly chimed in, saying “I agree, fuck labels.”

Veronica placed her hands on her hips, now leaning close to Sarah whose focus was dead on her phone. “I beg to differ, miss the quiet, shy, adorable goth girl! You’re quite popular yourself, you just don’t know it because you’re only friends with us and hardly talk to anyone else.”

“Hmph, lame.” Sarah then leaned in close to her phone, observing a photo of the town in one of the news articles. “Strange, very, very, indeed.”

Their phones rang again, cutting them off of their casual conversation, and interrupting Sarah’s focus. This time it’s about something else. It’s a report about the newscasters found dead the other day outside of the walls of those enclosed towns. Anna and Sarah brush it off, they’re convinced that it’s just more than an ‘Outbreak’ at this point. Although something else caught their attention, Sarah, especially, was laser focused on the alert. All three saw something in one of the pictures in the alert. It's faint but there’s a figure in the background of some reporters inside the town covered in a mass of black.

It creeped Veronica out but Anna didn’t seem surprised in the slightest. Sarah stared at the photo real closely and expressed seriousness. Anna and Veronica noticed how serious her face had gotten. It even brought back the worry Anna felt for her best friend early on.

Anna grabbed Sarah’s shoulder, and rubbed it. “Are you okay Sarah, you’ve been acting strange ever since Veronica asked you about your tattoo.”

“Yeah, is everything fine, Sarah?” asked Veronica.

Sarah didn’t look, glimpse an eye to either of her friends, rather she glared at the photo on the alert. “Anna, your birthday’s coming up, right?”

Anna replied, worried. “Ye-Yeah? Why do you—?”

“I’m just thinking of how we can celebrate it, that’s all.”

Anna wasn’t convinced with that serious tone and glint in her eyes. “Sarah, what’s wrong? Tell us, we’re your friends, look if it's anything that we can help with just say it.”

Sarah’s eyes rattled, she felt like she could truly tell them what was wiring her mind with perplexity. But she can’t say at this moment, Sarah doesn’t feel ready to tell them of her secresty, it’s beyond her thought and saying.

Anna rubbed Sarah’s back to ease the tension she’s hiding from them. “Please, I’m sure we can help my adorable little friend.”

Sarah grabbed her bag, stood up and turned around. “I’m running late, I’ll talk to you guys later.” The goth girl walks off and leaves her friends hanging.

Anna and Veronica looked at each other in confusion. They weren’t too sure what’s wrong with her or why she looked at the photo so seriously. The two deeply sighed and watched as their tiny friend disappeared into the sea of adolescence. Something was wrong with Sarah, and they’re not sure why.

Sarah power walked through the crowds and voices of teenagers to get to the outside. She arrived at some doors leading to the back of the school and opened them in a hurry and ran. Her target was the tall football stadium bleachers overseeing the football field. She got there and went beneath the football stadium seats and hid herself in the darkest part of the seats. Sarah sat down and closed her eyes to concentrate her mind, but her thoughts were interrupted quicker than she could think. Someone's walk towards her direction because of the distinctive echo in their footsteps.

The goth girl stands up and looks out of the dark. “Who could be coming this way?”

Unfortunately she spots Danny out of all people, bringing out a frown on Sarah’s face. Great, this damn loser, what does he want?

Danny had a hand tucked in his jeans pocket and the other waving at her as he walked up to her with a strange smile on his face. “What’s up… S-A-R-A-H?”

Why did he say my name like that, and why shout it in such a creepy pervy way?! Sarah thought.

It annoyed her immensely, enough for her to wrinkle in between her eyebrows and the edges of her precious eyes. Already, she feels uncomfortable even when he’s not in her presence. Danny stopped a foot away from her and kept that smile on his face, he chuckled too, seeming as he’s the happiest boy alive.

“Just messing with you.” said Danny with both hands now tucked in his pockets.

Sarah glared at him and crossed her arms. “What do you want, Daniel? Did you follow me? If so then that makes you creepier than before.”

Danny scratched his head for a second then snapped his fingers. Sarah blinked rapidly as to why he snapped his fingers, the boy wasn’t talking either, rather he just stared at her in silence. It dragged on and made the goth girl so uncomfortable that she was beginning to walk away until Danny stepped in front of her path of escaping this scene. She walked back in place, crossing her arms again but gripping her skin in anger. Danny began to walk forward, making Sarah feel worried of her safety, that smile on his face hadn't gone away, it only grew.

“You loser, you better let me walk off or I swear you’ll regret ever pissing me off.”

Danny laughed at her request and took another step forward. “Nah, not just yet. I just wanted to ask you a quick question, that's all.”

The more he stepped closer the more he was forcing her to walk backwards further into the bleachers.

“Th-Then what do you want from me? If you want me to ask Veronica about going out with you again then forget it! That’s enough, this is beyond pathetic, quit making yourself look like the biggest loser.”

Sarah continues walking backwards as he continues forward, giving her the feeling of intimidation. Danny laughed again and smacked his leg in amusement. He’s never seen Sarah in this state so he found it comical and worth embedding into his memories.

Sarah didn’t like this situation, not one bit. She’s starting to show signs of worry, trickling a drop of sweat from a single pore on her head to the side of her face. In doing so showed Danny that he was in control of the situation.

Sarah stopped for a second and swiped the air. “She’s said no once and that’s enough! So quit being a pathetic ass—” But unexpectedly she bumps against the steps and Danny pins her against the wall of concrete with his arm over her small shoulder.

Danny stared down at her and that smile that hasn’t disappeared throughout the entirety of their conversation, it curved further up his cheeks. It’s twisted and ominous, almost as if he knew something out of her and bringing further meaning to his creepy actions.

Danny slowly edged towards her paler face. “Nah, that’s not it, no no. It’s about that strange marking on your forearm.”

Sarah quietly gasped and her red eyes trembled. “H-Huh…?”

“I took a peak at it once when we were in gym class last semester if you’re wondering why I know of its existence hehe!”

Sarah clenched her teeth and knitted her brows. “What are you—”

Danny abruptly pushed one of his devious fingers into her face. “Tsk tsk… Who would've thought out of all the people, you would be—no wait!” The boy laughs, hysterically. “It makes sense! It all makes fucking sense, duh?!”

Sarah clenched her fists and was on the verge of kneeing his groan when he quickly figured it out by placing one of his knees against hers.

“You piece of shit, you better stop!”

“Everything always correlates and conjuncts together to solve a mystery eventually! You wanna know why?”

The goth girl growled, “Why?!”

Danny waved that single finger in front of her view. “Because you were shy, wore black, the necklace especially around your neck gave it all away! No wonder you were always quiet when we were kids bwahaha!”

Sarah’s seriousness dissipated, she’s shaking. Never in her mind would she imagine being afraid of someone like Danny, a complete loser and pathetic excuse of a man in her eyes. Yet at this moment, none of those thoughts were conjointing, he seemed different. His attitude, confidence, and this new ego, it’s confusingly putting a scare in the goth girl.

“How-How do you know this?! Who could’ve—!” Sarah rapidly shook her head and turned serious again. “The things you’re saying, none of it makes sense! You goddamn weirdo!”

Danny suddenly covers her mouth, blocking anything else she’ll say next. “Shut up for a second, okay? I can only answer your question when you stop talking and please;erase this facade that you’ve created through our lenses of normality.”

Pinning her against the bleachers, covering her mouth, Danny felt aroused by this. He turned red and his smile curled more villainous, he was enjoying every second of this. Danny leaned in closer to her face to get a better view of those wondrous rare crimson eyes she has. They were shaking, and her pupils were shrunk. It made Danny softly chuckle.

“Why do I always forget just how adorably gorgeous you are Sarah? I mean look at you…” He backs off for a second to check her out and returns back to his position. “You’re way better looking than the other two in all honesty, though I like Veronica more for personal reasons, haha. But you, you’re like the ultimate prize for a man's lustful dreams haha!”

Sarah felt the urge to bite his hand off or do something heinous enough for him to let go, but he’s in control in this instance. Anything she’ll do might put her in more danger, so for now she allowed him to do his way until she had an opportunity to either attack or run away.

“Now to answer your first question, it’ll be due to the fact I did my own research about the mystery behind you. I know you won’t tell me, but eventually you’ll spill it, right? And the last one is, I already had an encounter with something out of the norm!” Danny began to laugh softly.

What the hell is he talking about?! Out of the norm? What in hell is this guy on?!

“I didn’t believe it at first, trust me. All that changed when I encountered Her that night years ago! Man, what a great experience it was! But don't worry, I won’t tell anyone or your family's secret!”

Sarah’s eyes grew wider, and Danny heard her muffled gasp. My-My family… secret? He-He can’t possibly—!

Danny winked at her and felt the urge to just do something heinous but resisted himself. “This is a secret between just two childhood friends!”

He uncovers her mouth and steps back. Sarah’s face was paler than ever before and she was left absolutely stunned.

“You may seem confused by this, but I’m a changed man and soon! I’ll be a changed Being!” He sadistically waves goodbye and casually walks away.

Sarah felt as if her heart’s about to pop out of her chest from the overwhelming fear given to her by Danny. Out of all people, never, even in her wildest dreams, thought that man would scare her this much. The goth girl felt so afraid yet angry that she turned around and punched the concrete, cruising her precious knuckles.

“Damn him, damn that sorry son of a bitch!”

Sarah’s breathing was heavy, but quickly she calmed down and let out her frustrations with a loud groan. The lunch bell rang, indicating that it’s time to head back to class. Sarah glanced at her knuckles and her adrenaline wore off, giving her a sharp burning pain. Squirting an eye, Sarah covered her hand and made her way to her next class before the tardy bell. She manages to make it in time and sits down on her desk, and without another thought to overshadow her current mood, the goth girl laid her head down.

I’ll make him pay… I’ll make him suffer, that inconsiderate, bastardising menace of a society!

Danny’s face was imprinted into her vengeful mind. That sinister and maniacal smile of his made her stomach turn. She couldn’t stop thinking about the words said to her, his perverted comments, and statements with some truth behind it, it rattled her. Throughout the entire day, it was just her mind filled with his tormenting teasing words of ill intent echoing inside her already webbed out mind. After the school day ended, she didn’t even bother regrouping with her friends Veronica and Anna, she decided to walk home alone to relax her consciousness.

The goth girl walked all alone through the streets of their peaceful town, avoiding crowds, animals, anything that’ll disrupt her resolving peace. Leaves blew across the cold streets, the grey tint of winter’s end smothering peoples visions, all this was helping Sarah reach that peace she wanted. She could feel that winter breeze send chills down her spine, but her bone marrow was already frozen from Danny’s ominous stare.

Making her way into the park, she felt something off. There was a huge sensation of pressure weighing down on her existence. It felt as though someone was grabbing the air around her and squeezing it down to her core. Her lungs felt like bursting, her knees wobbled, and an agonising migraine erupted.

What’s this feeling?! It’s so heavy, this pressure, but in spite of it all… I can feel someone’s gaze upon me.

Sarah halted all movements. She looked around to find the source of not only this off putting feeling but the lurking eyes dead set on her. Sarah sensed that nature had come to a stop, her whistles had calmed and weren’t blowing, the sounds of her children weren't around.

Something’s here or someone… whoever they are they’re—!

Suddenly, the goth girl dropped her bag and got serious. Her fists were clenched, her muscles were stiff, and her brows furrowing, she could sense the culprits gaze just behind her. Feeling adequate about it, Sarah closes her eyes and relaxes herself.

A sudden gust of wind blew from behind Sarah, and rose petals hurled past between her feet. “Who are you?” she asked calmly.

Sarah opened her eyes and was surprised to see her vision not be smeared by Michigahns dying winter, rather it was smothered in an orange tint fitting for fall. She glanced up at the sky and saw clouds in the colour of dying summer and rising fall, hurling from behind her.

“Wh-What on earth is going on?” Sarah brought her gaze downward to her feet and saw rose petals rolling past them.

Sarah swallowed in nervousness and fear, she wasn’t sure what’s going on but had a small hunch on what might be occurring. She blew out air and unballed her fists.

A soft gentle adult female voice replied in a serious tone. “So, I was right about you all along, how dreadful. But to think of all his friends, you would become something so devious.”

Sarah swallowed again and softly gasped, and muttered, “All his, huh?”

Sarah courageously turned around and once her eyes laid on the person behind this charade, she saw a woman in a beautiful red hooded dress standing at the edge of the entrance of the park. It was elegant, sad, represented death, agony, and most of all, she had illuminating eyes of frost blue.

Sarah felt the hairs on her body stand, their presence was captivating yet eerie. “Who’s this ‘His’ person you speak of?”

The woman stepped forward and once again, Sarah felt something heavy around her. She questioned if it was the air again, but quickly realised it wasn’t. What she’s feeling was this person's presence, this was their aura, no existence entirely that was weighing her down. The woman in red gently smiled and took another step forward as she pulled her dress hood off her head, revealing her long hair of blackened beauty.

She took a breath and hovered one of her pale hands over her chest. “I think I spoke too much, my apologies…”

Sarah wanted to say something else but something inside her soul told her no! Evidently the goth girl knew she was beyond afraid, but was surprised that her soul had to remind her just how freighting this strange being is. Sarah’s legs were paralysed, sweat dripped from the edges of her hairline down and over her eyes and face.

“So Sarah?” said the mysterious woman in red, slowly raising her long arm at Sarah.

“Huh…? Wh—?”

The woman in red pointed her index finger with red nail polish glistening under the haunting orange skies illuminessence. “Care to explain that marking on your arm?”

Sarah gasped, and rubbed her hand over her sleeve with the mark she’s referring to. “That’s-That’s none…” Sarah stopped talking and raised both of her hands and stared at her sweaty palms.

What’s wrong with me? Why am I so afraid of this person?

The woman in red raised a brow and lowered her arm. Sarah closed her palms and looked away briefly before answering again.

“That’s none of your business! Besides—” She swallowed intensely, “What-What business does something that doesn’t exist in this world have with me anyways?”

Despite feeling this scared, Sarah can’t help but stare into those beautiful holy blue eyes the woman in red had. They were so calm yet, at the same time, they were beyond scary.

“You’re very knowledgeable aren’t you? I shall pray for you, my child.”

Sarah twitched when she heard her say she’ll pray for her.

“You’re wondering why I’m here? I’ll answer it. I’m here to warn you of something.”

Sarah squints her eyes. “And wha-what would that be?”

The woman in red collapses her hands together and prays for a moment. Her hair and dress starts fluttering from a huge draft erupting, the skies begin to crackle and nature resumes her noises but with cries of help.

The woman in red reopened her eyes and they grew a glint. “I’m only here to warn you of an entity, an entity that has affected a lot of people through the course of six centuries.” She gazes up at the growing intense skies turning red, and clouds rolling rapidly.

Now I understand why she never even thought of entering your presence, Sarah. Thought the woman in red.

Sarah froze again with her jaw dropped. Who-Who is this woman?! Just what the hell is she!

The woman in red brings her gaze back to Sarah with a glaring grin. “I’m assuming you might know who I’m speaking of, am I correct?”

Sarah looks directly into the woman in red eyes again but with clenched teeth. “If we’re speaking about the same thing, I-I saw it in the photo of those articles earlier, witnessed and experienced it first hand years ago! But my question to you is—why are you helping me, spirit?”

The woman in red giggles out in amusement hearing that word; spirit.

“Spirit, oh how adorable. Ahem, back to what you were saying, it’s because I made a promise to someone, and that person is keeping theirs; or so I thought they were.”

The woman in red grew upset and shed a single bloody tear. The sky turned fully blood red and the rose petals were flying from every driection around them.

The woman in red clenched a fist and deeply showed Sarah how upset she was with half her face squinting in anger. “He will pay for what he’s done, and when that time comes… I’ll make sure to throw reality into his face and give him the worst punishment unimaginable.”

Sarah covered her face from the growing fierce winds with an arm. “Who-Who are you talking about?! What’s going on and what do you want from me?!”

The woman in red lifts an arm then extends a finger, pointing sharply at Sarah while those rose petals hurtle from behind the woman in red like a sea of agonised death.

“I want you, you Sarah, to fight the girl in white… and show her your true existence!”

The entire place was engulfed by rose petals and the fallen petals swirled and surrounded the woman in red, forcing Sarah to close her eyes from such intensity.

The woman in red clapped once and made the rose petals turn into sparkled red dust. “Don’t worry, I'll make sure to protect all of you… The very best I can and not make the same mistake as I have with him.”

The goth girl tried opening her eyes again but those gusts turned into typhoons and the red sparkles burst into flames, engulfing the entirety of their surroundings. Sarah screamed and dropped to her knees. The moment Sarah opened her eyes again, everything settled down and returned to normal. Nature’s sounds came back along with the animals that weren’t present. Sarah seemed rather confused but blanched. She’s never encountered anything like that before. She can still feel her body tremble, the woman's presence alone gave her such intense goosebumps, Sarah thought she might die of a heart attack from being so afraid.

Sarah stood on her feet and brushed herself, picking her bag afterward. She looked at her surroundings and everything was normal. She can’t believe what just happened.

My life just gets more confusing and scarier the older I get, doesn’t it?

Sarah turns around and takes a step forward so she can be on her way again, but she can’t help but look back one last time at the spot where all this was going down. “Just who is she? I’ve gotta tell mom about this, maybe she’ll have a better understanding.”

Sarah walked forward but heard a snap. She looks down and spots a rose on the ground with a snapped stem. She was about to pick it up when it suddenly crumbled and turned into red dust. Sarah trickles a gasp, and begins to walk again without looking back. Sarah stayed on edge, erratically checked her surroundings as she clinged onto the hinge of her bag. In her web of complex thoughts, Sarah still had questions for that person, but when the time comes, she’ll make sure to get all the answers she’s looking for out of that woman in red. She'll be sure to keep this thought in mind, even if it carries her to her death bed.