Keira's heart pounded as she stared at the photo on her phone—her bedroom door slightly open, a dark figure just beyond the threshold.
Her breath hitched.
She was not alone.
Her hands trembled as she locked her phone and quietly crept toward the door.
Her instincts screamed to call for help, but the shadow might still be inside.
She swallowed the fear and crept toward the hallway.
Every step echoed in the silence.
At the door, she paused.
The hallway was empty.
Her eyes darted left and right.
Nothing.
Had she imagined it?
She returned to her room and locked the door behind her.
Keira's mind raced.
"Who's watching me?" she whispered.
Her phone buzzed.
A new message appeared.
"Sleep tight, Keira. The game is just beginning."
A chill ran down her spine.
This wasn't a threat anymore.
It was a promise.
The next morning, Keira arrived at school exhausted but determined.
She met Elijah and Maya near the lockers.
"We have to be proactive," she said, showing them the photo.
Elijah frowned. "We need to tighten security around you."
Maya nodded. "I can help set up some cameras near your place."
Keira managed a weak smile. "Thanks, Maya. I don't want to live in fear."
Elijah put a hand on her shoulder. "You're not alone. We'll get through this."
During class, Keira tried to focus, but her thoughts kept drifting.
She noticed Lucas sitting at the back, avoiding eye contact.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated again.
A text from an unknown number:
"Meet me tonight. Midnight. The old theater. Come alone."
Keira's stomach twisted.
Was it a trap? Or a chance to finally confront X?
She showed the message to Elijah and Maya during lunch.
Maya worried, "It's dangerous."
Elijah agreed. "But we need answers."
Keira took a deep breath. "I'm going."
As midnight approached, Keira crept toward the old abandoned theater on the edge of town.
The building loomed, dark and eerie.
She hesitated, then stepped inside.
The air smelled of dust and decay.
Footsteps echoed behind her.
"Keira," a voice whispered.
She spun around.
It was Elijah.
"You didn't think I'd let you go alone, did you?"
She sighed in relief, then noticed another figure lurking in the shadows.
Suddenly, lights flickered on.
Keira's breath caught.
The figure stepped forward.
It was…
Vera.
Her smirk was sharper than ever.
"Welcome to the game," she said, eyes glinting.
Elijah moved protectively in front of Keira.
"What do you want?" Keira demanded.
Vera's smile faltered.
"I'm tired of being a pawn," she said. "X has been controlling us all."
Keira's mind reeled.
"You're part of this too?"
Vera nodded. "But I want out."
Suddenly, the theater doors slammed shut.
They were trapped.
Vera's expression hardened.
"Here's the catch — one of you is the real X."