6

Gigi 

Lying on my bed, my mind is consumed by thoughts of last night. How could I have trusted that stranger? How did I allow him to touch me, to shamelessly ride his hand and let myself indulge in such intimacy? What possessed me to act so recklessly? The embarrassment weighs heavily on me, keeping me confined to my room for an entire day, unable to face the outside world.

Lost in a fog of confusion, I find myself wondering about the mysterious figure in the balaclava and the chilling possibility that he might be the one responsible for my stepfather's death. Before I can delve deeper into these unsettling thoughts, a sudden knock on the door startles me back to reality. The door creaks open, and my stepbrother steps in, his face a mask of surprise and concern.

"Gigi, you're not ready yet! How careless!" My stepbrother's words puzzle me, and I furrow my brow in confusion, waiting for him to explain. "We're already running late for dinner. How much longer do you need?" His mention of dinner catches me off guard. "What dinner?" I inquire, causing another wave of shock to wash over his features.

“Don’t you remember that we are invited for a family dinner tonight?” My stepbrother's words jolt me back to reality as he questions my lack of awareness about the dinner invitation. Memories begin to resurface, and I recall my mother mentioning the family dinner when I returned from the car race the previous night. It dawns on me that I was too preoccupied and overwhelmed to fully comprehend her words at the time.

"Oh, I forgot..." I mumble softly, then after a moment of hesitation, I add, "I'm sorry, but I don't think I'll be able to make it." My stepbrother's scowl deepens with doubt as he comes closer to me. With a hint of judgment in his tone, he inquires, "You haven't left your room all day. What's going on with you?" I let out a deep sigh, masking the anticipation hidden beneath my facial expressions.

Nonchalantly, I scoff, "What could there be? I'm just exhausted and in need of some rest." Thankfully, he seems to accept my excuse without question. A lie so perfect that no one doubts it. A nod of understanding is directed my way, and he announces, "Well, there's food in the kitchen for you, and the staff have left for the night. If you need anything, feel free to help yourself.

"Mhm," I manage a forced smile as my stepbrother finally turns to leave, closing the door behind him. With a deep sigh of relief, I feel the tension melting away. I remain on my bed, idly scrolling through I*******m reels on my iPad for an hour before boredom sets in. Rising from the bed, I make my way to the window, craving some fresh air to clear my mind.

As I slide the curtains aside and open the window, a rush of fresh air fills my lungs, and a smile graces my lips as I gaze at the velvety night sky. The moon is nowhere to be seen, with only a scattering of sparkling stars adorning the vast expanse above. However, my attention is drawn to a shadowy figure that I notice for the first time. Intrigued, I focus intently on the mysterious individual, trying to figure out more about their presence and personality.

A sense of unease washes over me as I realize that the figure in the balaclava seems oddly familiar. Is he following me? Stalking me? His hands are casually tucked in the pockets of his hoodie, and his intense gaze is fixed on me. I can't shake the feeling that his eyes are undressing me, making me increasingly uncomfortable. The realization hits me that I am completely alone in the mansion; my family is out for dinner, and there are no servants inside the house.

A lump forms in my throat, and I feel a wave of fear grip me, leaving me momentarily paralyzed. Slowly, I muster the courage to move away from the window, closing it tightly behind me. Terror courses through me; this is a situation I've never experienced before. The realization that I have a stalker sends shivers down my spine. The chilling thought that if he were to harm me right now, no one would be aware of my fate makes my skin crawl with dread.

I push open the door of the washroom, my heart racing as I rush to the sink and turn on the faucet, letting the cold water cascade over my face. The beads of sweat on my forehead are washed away by the chilling water, grounding me in the present moment. With a sense of urgency, I realize I need to leave or seek help. Should I call the police? My mind races with possibilities as I glance at my pale reflection in the mirror before darkness envelops me.

A startled gasp escapes my lips as I whirl around, only to be met with utter darkness. The lights have gone out, leaving me in a state of utter fright. With a shaky breath, I make my way back to the room, feeling my way towards the bed in search of my phone. After what feels like an eternity of fumbling in the darkness, my toes collide with the edge of the bed, causing me to let out a pained whimper.

With my heart pounding in my chest, I swiftly grab my phone and activate the flashlight, casting a beam of light around the room. My eyes land on the slightly open window, sending a surge of anxiety through me. I clearly recall closing it before retreating to the washroom. How could it be open now? Gathering courage, I cautiously approach the window, peering out into the night to see if the shadowy figure is still lurking outside. To my astonishment, there is no one in sight.

As I take a deep breath to calm my racing heart, a sudden thud reverberates from outside my room, causing me to startle and jump in fear. With the flashlight held tightly in my hand, I strain to see clearly before stumbling towards the door, my hand tightly gripping the doorknob. A wave of uncertainty washes over me as I contemplate whether to open the door. 

What if the shadowy figure is waiting on the other side, ready to harm me? I feel utterly defenseless, with nothing to protect myself. With a heavy heart, I muster the courage to open the door and cautiously look at my surroundings, relieved to find no one lurking in the shadows. 

Stepping out into the hallway, my bare feet meeting the cold touch of the marble floors, a sense of unease grips me. This mansion holds a dark history—it's the same place where my stepfather was murdered and met his tragic end. Now, I find myself alone in this ghostly place, haunted by unsettling noises and consumed by thoughts of survival.