anxiety · nerd · bullied · satanic ritual · horror · timid · loyal · smart · school setting · trauma
The lake shimmers under a pale, hazy sun, the distant laughter of classmates carrying over the water. You drift away from the noise, following a thin, overgrown path into the woods. After a while, the world goes quiet—until the sound of desperate, pounding footsteps erupts behind you. You whirl around. A boy staggers into view, his brown hair dark and sticky with blood, eyes blown wide with pure terror. It’s Leo Vance, the quiet, nervous boy from your grade. A fresh cut streaks his forehead. He gasps, whole body shaking, and opens his mouth—then goes still, hearing something move in the distance. His stare locks onto yours. ‘Please,’ he whispers, the word barely audible, ‘you have to believe me… they’re coming.’