Sonia paced back and forth in the dimly lit living room, her mind racing with thoughts of escape. The air was thick with the putrid stench of the decaying carcass, making her stomach churn with every breath. She pinched her nose shut, trying to block out the smell, but it only seemed to intensify the feeling of desperation that had been building inside her.
As she walked, her eyes wandered to the grimy windows, wondering if she could break free from the prison-like house. But the thought of dying, of giving up, crept into her mind like a thief in the night. She pushed it away, refusing to let the darkness consume her.
Just then, she felt a presence behind her. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end as she sensed someone watching her. Slowly, she turned to face the voice that had broken the silence.
"Sonia," Michael said, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine.
Her heart skipped a beat as she met his gaze. His piercing dark eyes seemed to see right through her, to the secrets she had kept hidden for so long. She felt her cheeks flush with a mix of fear and excitement.
Michael's white shirt clung to his broad shoulders and chest, accentuating his athletic physique. His neatly styled hair made him look like a model, and for a moment, Sonia forgot about the horrors that had haunted her.
She thought about Nina, the lucky one who had captured Michael's heart. A pang of jealousy shot through her, but she quickly pushed it away, not wanting to spoil the moment.
As she gazed into Michael's eyes, Sonia felt a sense of calm wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, she had found a way out of the darkness that had held her captive for so long.
Sonia stood frozen, her eyes fixed on Michael as he approached her. The dim light in the room cast eerie shadows on his face, making his features seem chiseled from stone. His voice, low and husky, sent shivers down her spine as he spoke.
"Sonia, you're still alive," he said, his words laced with a mix of relief and concern.
Tears streamed down her face as she nodded, her body shaking like a leaf. "I am, but everyone else is dead," she sobbed, her voice cracking with grief.
Michael's expression softened, his eyes filling with compassion. He opened his arms, and Sonia stumbled into his embrace, her body wracked with sobs. He held her tightly, his warmth and strength enveloping her like a shield.
As she lay on his shoulders, Sonia whispered, "There are people in the house, killing everyone. We have to get out of here."
Michael's grip tightened, his jaw clenched in determination. "I know," he said, his voice low and resolute. "It's all Nina's fault."
Sonia's eyes widened in shock, her mind reeling with disbelief. "How can you say that? Nina would never hurt anyone!"
Michael's gaze was unwavering, his eyes burning with conviction. "I don't know, but I think if we find her and take her to these people, they'll let us go."
Sonia's skepticism was evident, her brow furrowed in doubt. "And then what?"
Michael's smile was reassuring, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We'll be together, like we were meant to be."
As he pulled her into a kiss, Sonia's doubts resurfaced, her mind racing with questions. Was she willing to betray her best friend for an uncertain promise?
"Nina is my friend, I can't hurt her," Sonia pleaded, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a trembling hand. Her voice was laced with desperation, her eyes wide with fear.
"They'll certainly come for you next," Michael warned, his tone convincing and urgent. His words sent a chill down Sonia's spine, making her heart race with anxiety.
"How do you know that?" Sonia asked, her voice shaking like a leaf. She was terrified of what Michael had told her, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios.
"Every other person has been killed except us," Michael replied, his statement absurd and ominous. "You can stop this if you lure her into the hallway," he added, his eyes locked on hers with an intense gaze.
Sonia's eyes widened in horror, her mind reeling with the weight of Michael's words. "Oh shit," she muttered, biting her lip in distress.
Michael's grip on her hands tightened, his eyes burning with determination. "I assure you, once we get out of here, we'll be together like you always wanted," he whispered, his voice low and husky.
Sonia's doubts lingered, her mind questioning Michael's motives. Why didn't he go after Nina himself? Was he hiding something from her? Or was this a twisted prank to kill her like the others?
But as she looked into Michael's eyes, she saw a glimmer of sincerity, a promise of a future together. Her desire to be with him clouded her judgment, and she succumbed to his wish.
"Okay, how do we find her?" Sonia asked, furrowing her brows in concern.
Michael snorted, sucking air through his teeth. "You're the only one who can lure Nina," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm.
"Help!" Nina screamed at the top of her lungs, her voice echoing off the walls as she found herself trapped in one of the house's many rooms. She frantically scratched her manicured hands on the door lock, but her efforts were met with silence. The metal locks rattled ominously from the other side, and Nina stepped away from the door, hiding herself behind it. Her heart racing, she stared at her finger, realizing the ring was gone - she had taken it off and tossed it away, just as Grace had instructed.
The hinges creaked, and the door slowly swung open. Nina's eyes widened as someone stepped inside. She recognized the familiar sight of manicured pink toenails, pink flip-flops, and the sweet scent of vanilla body spray. It was someone she knew, loved, and had shared countless memories with.
"Sonia!" Nina exclaimed, leaping out from behind the door with excitement. She flung herself into Sonia's arms, tears of joy streaming down her face.
"Nina," Sonia replied, her voice laced with a wry smile. Her body remained stiff, her arms hesitating before returning the hug.
"I've missed you so much," Nina sobbed, her hair resting on Sonia's shoulders. "Everything has been impossible without you."
Sonia's expression remained cold, her heart heavy with the secrets she kept. She missed Nina too, but she had to prioritize survival, even if it meant going against her plan and harming her dear friend.
"Sonia, I'm so sorry for dragging you into this," Nina apologized, noticing Sonia's distant behavior. Her eyes searched for the warmth and affection they once shared, but Sonia's mask remained firmly in place.
"Sorry?" Sonia spat, rolling her eyes as she broke free from Nina's grasp. "Nina, for some reason, these people want you dead!" she yelled, her voice echoing off the walls.
Nina's eyes widened in disbelief, her mind reeling with the sudden change in Sonia's demeanor. "This is all Michael's fault!" Nina cried, tears streaming down her face.
But before she could continue, a sharp pain pierced her ribcage. She stared down in horror, seeing a knife lodged in her side. She tried to speak, but her voice caught in her throat. Everything was happening too fast - the pain, the blood oozing from the open wound, and her best friend's hatred-filled gaze.
"You know I spoke to Michael," Sonia said, her eyes cold and detached as she watched Nina struggle to pull out the knife. "He told me everything. Why let everyone die when I can just end everything now?"
With a swift motion, Sonia pushed Nina to the ground. "Ahh!" Nina writhed in agony, crawling under the bed. Sonia dragged her out, throwing her against the wall. Nina screamed, pressing her palms against the cut, trying to stem the bleeding.
"Sonia, please!" Nina sputtered, choking on her own blood as Sonia closed in with the knife.
But just as all hope seemed lost, Nina saw Michael standing behind Sonia, a sharper stainless steel knife glinting in his hand. He slit Sonia's throat open, and she fell to the ground, her face twisted in a death grimace.
"You should have followed the plan," Michael's deep voice sounded, his foot crushing Sonia's head. "The bride must be taken alive."
Nina whimpered in fear, crying over the gruesome death of her best friend. She was right; everyone was dead now because of her.
Nina slowly opened her eyes, surprised to find herself still alive. Perhaps Michael and the dead girls wanted her demise to be a special, prolonged torture. As her gaze adjusted to the dim light, she realized she was bound to a bed with rusty cuffs. The room was old and decrepit, with dirty curtains hanging limply, bloodstained walls, and cobwebs clinging to the ceiling like macabre tapestries. A thick layer of dust coated every surface, making her skin crawl.
She heard muffled voices, a soft giggle from a little girl, Michael's deep tone, and another voice she couldn't quite place. Nina's heart racing, she turned her head to face the most horrific sight of her life. She wasn't alone. A row of brides, all dressed in tattered wedding gowns, lay motionless beside her. But what made Nina's blood run cold was the realization that they were all dead - some recently, others long ago. Their eyes were frozen in eternal terror, their skin gray and decaying.
Nina's panic set in, her mind reeling with the implications. She was just another pawn in Michael's twisted game, a game where the prize was death. She struggled against the cuffs, but they dug deeper into her skin, mocking her attempts to escape. The other brides seemed to stare at her, their silence a haunting reminder that she was next.
As she lay there, frozen in terror, Nina knew she had to think, to find a way out of this living nightmare. But for now, she was trapped, a captive bride in a house of horrors.