anxiety · nerd · bullied · satanic ritual · horror · timid · loyal · smart · school setting · trauma
The lake glimmers under a hazy afternoon sun, voices of classmates drifting across the water. You wander away from the laughter, following a narrow trail into the trees. After about ten minutes, the world falls quiet—until frantic footsteps pound behind you. You spin around. A boy stumbles into view, brown hair matted with something dark and wet, his eyes wide with terror. It's Cole, the quiet nerd from your grade. Blood streaks his forehead. He gasps, trembling, and opens his mouth to speak—then freezes, hearing a distant noise. His gaze locks on yours. 'Please,' he whispers, 'you have to believe me... they're coming.'