Brett ran down the empty street, breath steady, heart light.
His fists moved instinctively as he jogged quick jabs, sharp hooks. Shadowboxing. No opponent. Just energy that needed somewhere to go.
"Yo-hoo!" he shouted, laughing to himself.
For once, everything felt right.
He didn't notice the footsteps behind him.
Crack.
A dry leaf snapped under pressure.
Brett stopped.
He turned sharply. "Hello? Someone there?"
Silence.
His eyes scanned the street trees, electric poles, shadows stretching long in the late afternoon light.
Then..
"Brett…"
Ruby stepped out from behind an electric pole.
Her face was red. Not from running, from panic. Her hands trembled at her sides, fingers curling and uncurling like she didn't know what to do with them.
Brett blinked. "Ruby? What are you doing here?"
She avoided his eyes.
"You didn't go to karaoke with Brian?" he asked.
She shook her head slowly and took a step toward him. Then another.
Before Brett could react, she grabbed the front of his shirt. Tight. Like she was afraid he'd disappear if she let go.
Her voice cracked. "I- I love you, Brett."
The words spilled out wrong. Messy. Desperate.
Tears followed immediately.
"Hey-hey," Brett said, startled. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
She didn't answer. Her shoulders shook as she cried harder.
Then she looked up at him, eyes red and wet.
"Do… do you love me?"
Brett froze.
For the first time that day, the world went quiet.
He swallowed. His face turned serious not cruel, not cold. Just honest.
"…Of course I love you," he said.
Ruby's breath hitched. "Th-then are we-"
He cut her off gently. "Of course I love you guys. We've been friends for so long."
The silence after that was heavier than anything before.
Ruby let go of his shirt. Slowly wiped her eyes. She didn't smile.
"Oh," she whispered.
Then she turned and ran.
"Ruby-!" Brett reached out, but she was already gone.
He stood there, confused, guilt creeping into his chest like something he couldn't name.
"I didn't know…" he murmured.
Brett walked for a bit to clear his head and stopped near a small park.
Two kids were playing on a seesaw.
One was chubby, legs kicking furiously, trying with all his might to lift the other kid off the ground. Failing miserably.
The other kid laughed.
Brett chuckled. "That's rough, buddy."
He checked his watch.
4:07 PM
"Oh shit I'm late!" Brett shouted.
He took off running.
Ten minutes later, he stopped dead in front of his house.
A black van was parked outside.
His smile vanished.
Someone stood near the door. Black T-shirt. Black sunglasses. Still. Too still.
"Who's that…?" Brett thought.
Then he saw it.
A handgun.
Silencer attached.
His eyes widened. "Huh…?"
Instinct kicked in.
Brett sprinted forward, grabbed the man by the collar, and slammed him against the wall.
"Who the hell are you?!" Brett shouted, rage and fear colliding.
Smash!!
Pain exploded across Brett's face as a fist smashed into his jaw. He staggered back, vision blurring.
The man straightened his shirt calmly.
"Hey, kid," he said, smiling. "It'll be over in two minutes. Just wait here."
The smile was wrong.
Then
"AAAAAH!"
A scream ripped through the house.
Brett's blood turned cold.
"Mom!" he screamed, trying to move but the man stepped forward, blocking him, smiling wider than before.
Brett's mind raced.
Who are these people?
Why my house?
What's happening inside?
The door remained closed.
And whatever was inside…
Was already too late.
To be continued...