Chapter 7: (SCARLET'S POV)

The figure didn't move, just stood there, as if savoring the moment. I backed away slowly, every instinct screaming at me to run, but my body felt frozen, paralyzed by fear. The Sinister Smile I had glimpsed through the keyhole seemed to hover in the darkness, a chilling reminder of the danger I was in.

Scarlet: Who are you? What do you want from me?

I managed to whisper, my voice trembling. The figure took a step forward, and I turned and bolted down the stairs, my heart pounding in my ears.

Each step sent a jolt of pain through my wrist, but I didn't care. I had to get away, and had to find a way out. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I glanced back, seeing the figure start to descend after me, the slow, deliberate movements filled with terrifying confidence. As if the figure was confident enough that it would find me.

I rushed into the living room, frantically looking for any possible exit. The windows were still sealed, the doors locked, but I couldn't stop. There had to be a way out, some overlooked escape route that could save me.

With the figure drawing closer, I knew I had only moments to act. I gripped the brass candlestick tighter, my mind racing as I searched for any shred of hope in the nightmare that had become my reality.

Desperation clawed at my chest as I bolted into the living room, my eyes scanning every corner for an escape route. The shadows seemed to stretch and warp, creating a disorienting maze of potential hiding spots. My hand throbbed painfully, each pulse a cruel reminder of my predicament.

Scarlet: Think, Scarlet, think.

I muttered, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps. I knew I had only moments before the figure reached the bottom of the stairs. The air felt thick with menace, every creak of the house amplified in my ears. I could hear his slow, deliberate steps descending, and I knew I needed to act quickly.

In a burst of clarity, I remembered the old storage closet under the stairs. It was small, cramped, but it might just buy me enough time to figure out my next move. I darted across the living room, my movements fueled by adrenaline and fear. The handle was cold in my hand as I yanked the door open and squeezed inside, pulling it shut behind me.

The darkness inside the closet was suffocating. I crouched low, trying to make myself as small and silent as possible. My breathing was shallow, every exhale sounding deafeningly loud in the confined space. I could hear the footsteps growing closer, each one sending a jolt of terror through me.

Scarlet: Please don't find me, please don't find me.

I whispered, clutching the candlestick to my chest. Through the thin wood of the closet door, I heard him enter the living room. His footsteps paused, and I could almost feel his presence as he surveyed the room. I held my breath, praying he wouldn't think to check the closet. The silence stretched on, each second feeling like an eternity.

Then, a soft chuckle filled the air, a sound that sent chills down my spine. He was toying with me, enjoying the game. I pressed myself harder against the back wall of the closet, willing myself to disappear. The footsteps resumed, slow and deliberate, moving closer to the closet.

The doorknob rattled, and my heart leaped into my throat. I bit down on my lip to stifle a scream. The door creaked open, and I braced myself for the worst. But then, he stopped. The door was ajar, but he didn't open it fully. He stood there for a moment, as if savoring my fear, then he turned and walked away.

I waited, counting the seconds, straining to hear any sign of him coming back. Finally, when I was sure he had left the room, I slowly pushed the door open and peeked out. The living room was empty, but the sense of dread lingered like a dark cloud.

As I scanned the living room for any sign of movement, a chill ran down my spine as I felt warm breath tickle my ear. My heart raced, and I froze in place, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. His voice was a sinister whisper, dripping with malice.

Him: Looking for someone, honey?

I recoiled, my heart pounding in my chest as I scrambled away from the closet door. Without sparing a glance at him, I dropped to the ground and crawled away, my hands and knees scraping against the floor. His laughter echoed in the room as I distanced myself from him, each sound sending a shiver down my spine.

I dared not look back, not wanting to see the sinister figure that haunted my nightmares. Instead, I focused on escaping, on finding a way out of this nightmare. But before I could make it far, he slammed the closet door shut behind me, the sound reverberating through the room like a death knell.

There, standing in the doorway, was the figure. His face was obscured by darkness, but I could see the glint of his eyes and the cruel twist of his smile. He took a step towards me, and I knew I had to act fast.

Scarlet: Stay back!

I shouted. He laughed, a low, his face was still not clear to me, menacing sound that sent chills down my spine. I backed away, keeping the space between us, my mind racing for a plan. The window! If I could break it, maybe I could escape.

As I crawled towards the living room window, his hand shot out, grabbing hold of my ankle with a vice-like grip. I yelped in pain, kicking out frantically in an attempt to free myself. His grip tightened, sending a jolt of agony through my leg, but I refused to give up.

With every ounce of strength I could muster, I continued to struggle, clawing my way towards the window. His laughter echoed in the room, filling me with a sickening sense of dread, but I pushed through the fear. I had to escape, no matter the cost.

But as I reached the window, a hand grabbed my wrist, yanking me back. I screamed, fighting with all my strength, but his grip was like iron. He pulled me away from the window, his other hand covering my mouth to muffle my cries.

Scarlet: No, please.

I whimpered, tears streaming down my face. His smile widened, and he leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear.

Him: You're not going anywhere, Princess. This is just the beginning.