{ Xavier Carver }
"Do you have it?" Kaylen's voice sounded from somewhere in the dark.
"Yeah, yeah, I've got it." Another voice, this one sounded like Lily, but it could also be Lexi. A match was lit revealing Lexi struggling to find her grip on a pie. Three candles were lit and the match was blown out. They sang happy birthday each in their own tone deaf way, but the lights were still off so it felt a little bit like I was being sacrificed. There was a small round of applause when I blew out the candles. Almost immediately, the lights were turned on by a totally calm looking Hunter who seemed to be waiting by the light switch. The light also revealed a very normal image of a pie with candles in it.
"Oh man, I can't believe I'm already three. I can't wait for elementary school. " I grinned at my friends while Lexi ran to the kitchen counter to put the pie down. "Awh, you'll get there someday, buddy." Lexi smiled back shaking her wrists.
"So, candles in a pie?" I questioned my friends' choices.
"Well, it was either this or another ice cream cake incident." Isaiah stared at the pie like it was someone putting peanut butter on pasta.
Kaylen shivered, "Ugh, there's still a stain on my carpet."
"Anyways, is it pie time? I call a corner piece!" Hunter sped walked to the counter.
"Bro, it's a circle." Isaiah explained as he followed. "I know, I just don't care." Hunter retorted. "Okay," Lily clapped her hands together, "We brought your favourite game so we could have something to do while we ate and were turning the t.v onto night news so we won't be tempted to watch." She placed uno cards on the table and Kaylen turned the t.v on. We all sat on the bar stools at the counter and played, so far so good. Nobody's brought up my ex, we're all playing uno and eating pie, I'd say it's been a good birthday as of now. That was until the news anchor stopped talking for a moment to listen to his earpiece. He had to ask for the other person to repeat what they said as if it was so shocking he had to hear it again. "Breaking news," He finally spoke up turning Hunter's head to the t.v, "Former Instagram Influencer Jackson Griffin's Killer has escaped from prison tonight. Authorities say he is armed and extremely dangerous." At the mention of the name Jackson Griffin everyone else turned to the t.v.
Isaiah stood up dumbfounded, "This is bullshit. They're joking right? It's only been three years and," He looked at his phone for the date but Lexi spoke up first, "One month" She was staring at a spot on the ground and Kaylen was rubbing her hand. Hunter's eyes grew wide and his breathing heavy, too heavy. Tears welled up in his eyes and he started muttering incoherent words under his breath. "Hey, hey, Hunter it's okay," Lily tried to comfort him holding back tears of her own, "Look at me, it's okay. Breathe, okay not that fast. Come on breathe with me, okay?" Isaiah turned off the t.v and started walking back when it suddenly turned back on again. There was a figure in a gas mask in a basement that looked an awful lot like a living room save for the stone staircase in the background and the lack of windows. By now Hunter had somewhat calmed down and we all turned our attention to the person on the screen. "That's weird." Isaiah mumbled as he turned the t.v off again. It turned back on and the person looked around the room. "Okay, that's even weirder." Isaiah turned the t.v off again. It flashed on. "What if you unplug the t.v?" I spoke up.
"Don't unplug the television!" The masked figure yelled, "If you do i'll be forced to come down there myself." They held up a picture of Isaiah's apartment building. "What the fuck?" Lexi muttered. "W-who are you? What do you want?" Hunter asked, his voice shaking and a bit raspy.
"You can call me Shade and I, dear boy, want revenge."