06: Are you scared Charlotte?

Charlotte’s POV:

 We departed for college, wishing our mother a great day.

"Can I put on some music?" Zara asked me as soon as we got into the car, and I nodded and handed her an aux cord.

"So, sis, what do you want to listen to?" She inquired, connecting her phone to the car's audio system.

I suggested putting on something good. Zara switched on one of her favorite songs, "City of Stars," and nodded.

Hello, City of Stars. "You know it's my favorite, too." I screamed eagerly.

"I understand, but you want the original one. This is a cover by the popular Korean actor Lee Dong Wook. His deep, silky voice contributes to the song's irresistible quality." She described synching with the music.

Our journey to college was tranquil and serene. Zara, I, the City of Stars, and the dreary weather all added to an enjoyable encounter. I just wished for a good day ahead.

I left her off in front of the campus 30 minutes later and drove away, wishing her a wonderful day. The automobile radio continued to play wonderful tunes, most of which were evergreen and timeless. When a song came on and I realized it was about family and love, my lips curled into a smile. I am thinking about my family and how much has changed in the past several years. Dad was gone, Zara and I grew up, and Mom moved on from him. The difficulties we three faced shaped us into the people we are today. 

Mom established herself as one of the country's most outstanding artists; I am also excelling at squash, and Zara is demonstrating exceptional talents in fencing and martial arts. I let out a giggle as I thought about Zara.

I recall how frightened my mother was when Zara expressed an interest in fencing and later martial arts. But, seeing her abilities, mom was confident that she would be OK.

Zara is the strongest among us. Both mental and bodily. Not like me, who is scared feline. When confronted with a circumstance, one becomes too excited and terrified. I remember when students used to bully me at school, and I would always walk away, but Zara was always up for a battle. Despite being the youngest, she is constantly defending us.

I soon arrived in front of the sports facility and got out of the car. I collected my bag from the backseat and entered the premises. It was a large white marble edifice with the words "SPORTS COMPLEX" engraved in metallic blue on it. 

The sports facility is home to a variety of sports. Each sport has its own section, complete with separate training rooms and lockers for participants.

I made my way down the corridor, entered the ladies' lockers, and headed to my locker. I put my belongings in the locker and began preparing for the workout. I stepped out of the locker room 15 minutes later, holding a squash racquet in my right hand and rotating my left shoulder in a circle to warm up.

I proceeded down the corridor and into the courtroom.

 "Hi, love," I said to my boyfriend, Peter.

"Hi darling," he answered tenderly and hugged me closer.

"Happy birthday." Peter wished me well and kissed my lips, making me   blush.

"Thank you, love." I murmured with a lovely tone.

After that, we started practicing. Training with Peter involves putting your sentiments aside and focusing solely on squash. So I continued practicing till it was around 6:30 p.m. when I realised it was going to be dark shortly.

"I think it's enough for today." Peter paused and took a breath.

"Few more minutes, please." I mentioned striking the ball with aggression and determination.

"Okay, but it's enough for me." Peter replied and stepped off of the court to get some water.

"Wow, Charlotte, your back hand has improved." Peter stated he was drinking his water and concentrating on my game.

"After all, you are the best; But I'm not just talking about squash," he remarked with a sneer on his face.

"Hmmm, what are you talking about?" I questioned him, turning around to appear innocent.

"Should I come and tell you?" he said, winking at me.

"Peter, you really are the limit!" I replied with a grin and returned to practice. Peter didn't say anything after that and went back to changing.

My full attention was focused on the ball. I struck the ball hard, and it rebounded back with power after striking the wall, right back at my face, but I flinched in time to save myself.

"What happened? Were you scared, Charlotte?" Peter inquired.

"Actually, I got hurt just like this the other day; that's why," I responded, feeling sorry for myself and turning back.

Peter was not in sight, but I could hear his voice, so I figured he was at the water cooler beside the court.

 "Concern, distress, and worry... mean the first step of fear." He remarked in a deep tone,

"It's not good to be scared, Charlotte; If you are afraid of one small thing today, your life will be ruined." He replied

"Oh, come on, Peter. What would I be terrified of if you were here with me? I took a towel to wipe the perspiration off my body.

"Death!" he responded.

"Don't be ridiculous, okay?" I mentioned all of this as a joke.

"You're terrified, right? Everyone is terrified of death since it can happen anywhere and at any moment. In this dark night, in this quiet complex, just you and me," he whispered with a menacing tone that sent shivers down my spine. Now, that wasn't a joke. I felt afraid.

"Peter, this is enough. You know I dislike these types of jokes." I expressed my fear.

"Charlotte, death is not a joke. Who will save you if I murder you right now on the squash court?" He said it again in his eerie tone.

 "Peter, please stop it. Okay. " I'm getting really scared." I claimed my breathing quickened and my heartbeat became violent.

"Then be afraid and die!" he screamed in a loud voice. I flinched at the voice.

"What kind of nonsense is this, Peter?" I remarked, stepping towards the court's glass entrance, to go out and teach Peter a lesson. But to my amazement, the door was shut from the outside. I attempted to open it but was unable to do so.

"Peter, open the door..."I'm telling you to open. It is not funny." I declared in terror, tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Open the damn door, Peter." I wept and slammed the door. Suddenly, a bleeding Peter fell against the door. I moved back, afraid. His hands and forehead bled. The blood from his hands covered the entire door. He put his hands down on the door's latch from the outside and opened it. When the door opened, he fell to the floor.

Before losing consciousness, he merely said, "Run, Charlotte, run..."

I wanted to rouse him up, but the slow, steady sound of approaching footsteps made me reconsider. I decided to first rescue myself, get out of here, and then return with aid. So I got up and started running. I did not know where I was headed. I was doing twists and turns when I realized I was approaching the tennis section, which was far from the main entrance. The sound of footsteps falls back into my ears, so I hide behind the cupboard.

The footsteps stopped, and I couldn't hear them anymore. So I walked out and looked around to see if anyone was there. However, there was no one.

"Peter..." I sobbed, recalling Peter's situation. I was weeping hard when I saw there was someone behind me. I gently turned around to see him. A towering figure stood in front of me, his face hidden by a mask and his body wrapped in an impressive black hood. I gasped as he raised his gloved hand, which held a glittering knife, and moved it through the air. The knife cut into the skin on my left shoulder. I gasped in pain and dropped to the floor. Before, he could have made another effort. I collected my courage and bolted.  

Running for myself, with my palm resting on my wound and exerting pressure to stop the bleeding, I soon found myself in front of the swimming pool.

I paused by the swimming pool to gather my breath, but the murderer caught me. He spun me around abruptly to face him.

"Please let me go." I sobbed, praying for mercy.

 "SSSHHH…." The murderer said, placing his finger on his disguised lips. Before I could flee, he stabbed me in the stomach. An agony surged through my entire body. My surroundings began to blur.

But the killer was not content; after stabbing me a second time with the same power, he shoved me into the pool and walked away gleefully.

I fell into the pool, and the will to fight the water had already fled my body. I could feel water entering my lungs as my breath shortened.

Before darkness overtook me, I saw Mom and Zara's beaming faces. Then my world went black.