He put on a black outfit and observed the dark circles under his eyes. It had deepened to the extent that he wondered if his eyes were even in his sockets anymore.

The cold water from the shower earlier gave him just the refreshment he needed but somehow, regardless of how cold the water was, he couldn't seem to escape his thoughts or freeze them.

After putting on a strong cologne he walked towards the breakfast table where his chef had prepared bread and omelet. He quickly devoured his food, the warmth of its contents warming his palette but quickly fading away – just like happiness in his life.

He wanted to scream but no voice came out as if someone was choking his throat.

'It might have as well happened all those years ago, why did they leave me to survive?'

After quickly wiping his hands on the kitchen towel, he walked out of his home feeling the residual guilt fleeting amidst the loud traffic.

A flicker of familiarity caught his eye, sending a jolt of unease through his body.

His heart raced as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing — was that really the face he thought he recognized, or was his mind playing tricks on him?

Anger, resentment, panic — all battled for dominance within his heart, devouring him like a tornado that threatened to sweep him away.

He felt this urgent need to take action, to do something, anything, to quell the storm of feelings raging inside him.

He observed him for couple of minutes more, trying to focus despite his pain and came up with a plan.

He spotted his target moving with purpose, the sunlight casting long shadows across the pavement. His heart quickened at the sight, a surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins as he assessed the situation.

Drawing upon years of experience and careful observation, he identified the perfect moment to strike. Like a predator stalking its prey, he shadowed his target, blending seamlessly into the throng of people that filled the sidewalk.

He pulled out his syringe filled with his special chemical. It wasn't the quickest way to finish his task but it definitely was the most effective way he had discovered to leave without much trace.

The needle pierced smoothly into the victim's skin as its contents were quickly drained.

After he was sure he had injected enough, he quickly continued his brisk walking with his practiced ways. It was second nature to him now.

The man felt a sharp tinge akin to an itch which quickly transmitted throughout his system and immobilized him. His legs refused to move forward and his hand wasn't much help either. He quickly fell to the ground where death took his soul away.

The crowd erupted into a frenzy of panicked shouts and frantic movements, but he remained calm, his focus unwavering.

He melted back into the crowd, disappearing into the sea of faces without a trace.

As he walked away, the sounds of chaos faded into the background, replaced by the steady rhythm of his own heartbeat.

With a sense of purpose driving him forward, a sinister smile found its way on his lips.

"Someone call 911! I think he had a heart attack!" A person from the crowd called out.

A sense of urgency hung heavy in the air, mingling with the scent of fear and uncertainty.

"Will get right into it!" Someone responded.

A lot of the people passed through the scene like nothing had happened, or perhaps were trying to escape the gravity of the situation or escaping their realization of how fleeting life is and they're just mere mortals.

He moved through the crowd like a ghost, his eyes scanning the faces around him with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. Though he appeared outwardly calm, a storm raged within him, a whirlwind of emotions threatening to consume him whole.

An ambulance arrived at the scene, jumping straight into action and putting the lifeless man on the stretcher.

The police were informed about the case but the people of the town knew – it wasn't going to change anything. After all, it wasn't the first time such incidents had happened. And even with evidences, the authorities were quick to dismiss it as accidental and moved on with their lives.

For the people of the town, it was just another day in their haunted existence, a grim reminder of the horrors that lurked in the shadows. Even if nothing seemed to keep the mysterious killer or the disappearances away, it was one way they learnt to cope with life as it was presented to them.

-x-x-x-

The trio sat around the small campfire, its flickering flames casting dancing shadows across their faces as they discussed the possibilities. The evening sky was painted in hues of blue and grey, signaling the approaching twilight as they contemplated their next move.

"So, let's review what we know so far," Molly began, her voice calm yet determined as she leaned forward. "We have this landmark, but we don't know exactly where it is. Our only clue is that it's somewhere significant to Lena and Jasper."

Nick nodded thoughtfully, "Right. That definitely narrows down our search to an extent."

Miguel interjected, "But how do we find it? We don't even know where to begin looking."

She chewed her lip, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the puzzle. "We'll have to start by retracing Lena and Jasper's steps. Maybe there's something in their past that can give us a clue as to where this landmark might be."

The streets were quiet, the only sound the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet as they made their way through the city.

They discussed possible leads, each idea seeming more promising than the last.

Eventually they reached the outskirts of town, the landscape bathed in the soft light of the moon. In the distance, they could see the outline of a hill, its silhouette looming against the dark sky.

"That could be it," Nick said, pointing towards the hill. "Lena always talked about how she and Jasper used to go there when they were kids. Maybe that's where we'll find our landmark."

Miguel nodded in agreement, his expression resolute as he led the way towards the hill.

The air grew cooler, the breeze carrying with it the scent of pine and earth.

They reached the summit, their breath coming in ragged gasps as they surveyed the landscape before them.

Their eyes caught hold of a spot amongst the nestled trees: weathered old oak tree, its branches reaching towards the sky like outstretched arms. It seemed odd for an oak tree to grow amongst such environment, but the only way to find out the truth would be to investigate the truth for themselves.

"I will get down to the spot there and look around for potential dangers. You both can stay back here." Nick said as he clutched the straps of his backpack, preparing to go through with his plan.

"Nick, its not safe down there. It looks too eerie and quiet. What if you get kidnapped yet again?" Molly raised her concern.

"Wait, again? What do you mean?" Miguel questioned.

Nick signaled through his eyes to not tell the truth and Molly sighed, agreeing to his request.

"It was nothing bad." She managed a small smile, "But, if we're going to survive out here, we have to work together."

He wanted to prod the matter but understood the urgency of their current situation and let it pass.

Their safety was more important than anything else. Losing even one of them would have a significant impact on their mission.

Nick slowly descended down the hill, a few pebbles slipping off the corners as he made his way down. His heart was pounding hard in his chest but given the daredevil he was, he decided to go through with his plan.

The two of them observed him with concern, the fear of the unknown etching itself deep into their faces like a wood being carved to make sculptures.

Nick reached the oak tree and lit his lighter to indicate things were safe.

They followed his trail, making sure to not miss a step and move cautiously as they made their way down the hill and to their comrade Nick.

The lighter's flame flickered with the breeze, creating a sense of an eerie déjà vu.

Just as they were about to celebrate their re-union, Miguel felt a hand coming from behind, attempting to muffle his screams.

Within moments, the shadowy figure took him to a unfamiliar place, leaving the two in panic and restlessness.

"Where in the world did he just disappear?" Nick finally managed to ask as he snapped out of his initial shock.

"We should've expected it." Molly tsked, "How do we follow him now?"

Nick looked around with his flashlight and saw a metallic structure that seemed to be from a vehicle.

"Molly, look!" Nick showed her the structure, "It seems like a bicycle, doesn't it?"

"Possibly," Molly said as she took a step ahead. "Let's find out for ourselves."

-x-x-x-

He marked another dash on the calendar.

'Two more cross and dashes and it will finally feel better.' He thought to himself.

He felt a sense of nostalgia seeping in as he looked at the photo of his family hung over his wall in the room.

It was the only memory he had of them.

He tried to shake of the brimming tendrils of fear and helplessness but he couldn't resist it for long.

It was a sunny afternoon and his parents were chilling by the swimming pool.

The air was thick with the scent of sunscreen and chlorine as he sat indoors, immersed in the virtual world.

He was playing Mario Cart on his console when he heard a gunshot going off in the distance.

He didn't know where it came from and assumed it was some glitch in the game.

However, hours passed and his parents were still outside in the pool.

He felt that it was too odd for his parents to be still out in the pool when the sun was about to set.

With a hesitant click, he removed his headphones and paused the game, the sudden silence ringing in his ears. He made his way to the window, drawn by an inexplicable sense of dread.

The sight in front of him sent shivers down his spine: The once clear water of the pool had turned a sickening shade of crimson, swirling with tendrils of blood that stained its pristine surface.

He didn't know how long he was stuck in his place but when he moved the dark realization set in: His parents had been killed.

A wave of nausea washed over him as he stumbled backward, his pulse racing with fear and confusion.

But who could it be?

He looked over the fence to find two men walking in the distance with blonde hair.

As if sensing his gaze, they looked back with a knowing smile.

He wanted to flee his place, but, where would he go?

HIs fists curled into a tight ball as anger seethed his veins at the injustice of life.

A note was at the corner of the pool, in a cryptic font, it said: You're Next.

He woke out of his trance grasping for air as if he had just been drowned under that crimson water.

It happened twenty years ago, yet looking back at his former eight year old self, he couldn't help but feel helpless at the situation.

He sometimes imagined himself getting over the fence and chasing those blonde guys down. For the horrors they scarred him with, his mind avenged for their blood.

A firm resolve set solid in his developing mind then: 'Regardless of how far they think they can get away, he was going to find a way to get them. Even if it meant destroying what he knew and  built.'

-x-x-x-

"Bingo!" The duo raised their fist into air at their discovery.

"Great, its a bicycle. Just what we would need to follow his trail." Molly declared.

"But, how would we follow him? He seems to have gone too far away." Nick countered.

Molly thought about it for a moment before directing her flashlight to the soil in front of them.

There was a trail from what seemed to be a bike. It wasn't clear but it was visible enough for them to be able to follow along.

Nick hopped on the back of the bicycle and asked Molly to drive it.

"You don't know how to ride a bicycle?" she questioned him.

"You're better at it so," he teased her, pulling his tongue out in an attempt to aggravate her.

She smacked him on his wrist and took the lead.

"Ow! That was harsh!" he complained.

"Sure, try driving doubles in the middle of a forest and you'd know what's harsh!" Molly retorted.

She rode along the trail that seemed to never cease even as they crossed several miles deeper into the forest.

"How far could they have gone in such a short time?" Nick asked curiously.

"From the speed they moved, I believe we could be stuck for hours before we find a clue."

"Look, the trail ends a few meters ahead." he pointed out.

They got down from the rusty bicycle and walked around to see anything that would catch them off guard.

A beam of light created a spotlight at a particular area of land above them.

They looked at each other, contemplating if they should go ahead and eventually decided to move together to ensure they won't get lost.

When they reached the light, looking to find some sort of trap, a covering wrapped them in some dark place.

They tried to scream or bang something, but nothing worked. It was sound proofed.

Nick nudged her arms, drawing her attention to the wall in front of them.

A chill ran down their spine at the haunting realization.

There, in radium green light was a symbol they had been seeking: -x-x-x-

-x-x-x-

Molly and Nick found themselves in a room unlike any they had ever experienced.

At first, they exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what to make of their surroundings.

The room was small and windowless, with walls lined in thick padding that seemed to swallow up any sound. The air felt stagnant and oppressive, as if the room itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to break the silence.

They spoke in hushed tones, their voices seemed to disappear into the void, swallowed up by the dense padding that lined the walls. Even the softest whisper felt loud and intrusive in this stifling atmosphere.

With each passing moment, the silence became more pronounced, pressing down on them like a physical weight.

The only sound was the faint echo of their own breathing, amplified to an almost unbearable intensity by the absence of any other noise.

Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, each minute dragging by with excruciating slowness. Without the natural rhythm of sound to mark its passage, it felt as if they were suspended in time, adrift in a sea of silence with no shore in sight.

The hours dragged on and the silence began to take its toll. It weighed heavily on their minds, gnawing away at their sanity with each passing moment. They longed for the sound of voices, the hum of traffic, anything to break the oppressive stillness that surrounded them.

The room was bathed in a soft yellow light, but given the oppressive stillness that haunted their minds, it felt too loud and bright.

Molly was staring at the wall when something odd caught her eyes.

There was a section of the room that was seemingly blended well into its surroundings but something felt inadvertently wrong with it.

She got up from her seat and started to head towards that spot but Nick stopped her, "Where are you going?"

He whispered yet his voice was magnified, as if he were yelling.

"Look there," she pointed out, "There seems to be something hidden behind it."

He observed and sure enough, something seemed to be shrouded and out of place.

It could even be a key to their escape or something that breaks this silence. They were ready to try and find it out for themselves lest the silence consumed them whole.

Their eyes widened as they stared at the seemingly innocuous section of the wall. It was as if a puzzle piece had suddenly clicked into place, revealing a hidden compartment that had been cleverly concealed from view.

With newfound determination, they approached the spot, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpeting that lined the floor. Each movement felt like a betrayal of the silence that enveloped them but they pressed on to find the truth.

Molly's fingers brushed against the smooth surface of the wall, searching for any sign of a hidden latch or mechanism. Nick joined in, his movements careful and deliberate as they worked together to uncover the secrets hidden within.

After what felt like an eternity, her hands grazed something small and metallic — a concealed button, cleverly disguised to blend in with the surrounding wall. With a quick glance at each other, they pressed it simultaneously, holding their breath as they waited to see what would happen.

The wall slid open with a soft whoosh, revealing a hidden passageway beyond. The air seemed to shift, the silence broken by the faint sound of rushing air as they peered into the darkness ahead.

Molly took the lead, her footsteps echoing off the walls as they ventured further into the unknown. Nick followed close behind, his senses on high alert as they navigated the winding corridors of the hidden passageway.

Just when they thought they couldn't go on any longer, they stumbled upon another door — one that led to yet another soundproofed room, but this time, they sensed that they were not alone.

They cautiously stepped inside, their eyes falling upon a figure huddled in the corner, his face illuminated by the soft glow of a small flashlight.

"That looks like Miguel, isn't it?" Nick asked as he pointed the flashlight at the corner of the room.

"It does look like him..." Molly answered with skepticism etched in her voice.

Relief flooded through them as they realized that they had finally found Miguel, their missing friend and companion.

With a mixture of joy and exhaustion, they rushed to his side, enveloping him in a tight embrace as they celebrated their reunion.

"Oh, finally!" Molly said with delight.

"We are happy you're safe, Miguel," Nick added, "Who was the stranger though? Do you have any idea?"

Miguel thought for a while before whispering, "I don't know.. he had a mask over his face and over his entire body."

"Intriguing.." Molly said in a stern tone, "Now that we're together, I don't know how long we'd be stuck here or if we're even let out."

Miguel and Nick nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation.

A cracking voice emerged from the shadows and they looked around in dread of what was to come about.

-x-x-x-

"Did you finish the task?" He asked on the phone.

"Yes boss, we took the ambulance off track to an alley and our job is done." Gary responded.

"Good, there should be no evidence left." He continued, "Not that the people of the town care, but we have some intruders who tried to get their hands where it shouldn't go. Someone had to teach them a lesson."

Gary sweated as he considered the possibilities of who it may be.

"You are silent, do you know them?" He questioned, narrowing his gaze.

"I—" Gary began but couldn't get the words out; he continued to stutter, "Well... it could be the NYPD department."

"What in the world is NYPD doing with a ghost town case?!" He raged.

"They have been trying to get to the depths of this case ever since Dane.." Gary explained.

"Dane? As in Dane Wade? Chuck, I should've known Aron wasn't a good fit for that job. Did he mess up that badly?" He asked.

"No, it was supposed to come off clean.. but, there was a detective on the train named Molly Rayne."

"And you're telling me about this now!" He continued to yell at the phone, "If there's one more slip-up, you both are going to pay for the consequence of this."

He seethed through his nostrils as he hung up the phone.

He paced around the room, trying to contain his rage but it seemed to boil over.

Walking through the hallways, he eventually arrived at the place; he kicked the door open.

-x-x-x-

Word Count: 3313

DUN DUN DUNNNN 😈 Interesting turn of events, isn't it?

We finally have a reveal of the mysterious character's dark past of what happened to them.

Miguel got kidnapped and I can hear him cussing from the backstage 😂 But hey, atleast we got some Molly x Bingo moments, hey, do you have some ship names?

Either way, the chapter took an interesting turn of events and I am glad I was able to write it cause witwew, it was seriously tough.

I think the showdown is about to just begin, bring your popcorn and tissues folks, this is going to be epic! 😁

Hope you're doing well, I am hoping to finish the story soon and catch up with other ONC novellas! All the best for everyone!! Let's win, mangoes! :D

Cheers,
Sara <3