In the heart of the bustling supermarket, the air was thick with the aroma of fresh produce and the faint scent of baked goods wafting from the bakery section even at night. Amaya and Fred strolled through the aisles, their cart rattling as they tossed snacks and colourful vegetables into it. Fred, with a playful glint in his eye, snatched a pack of cigarettes from a nearby display and launched it toward Amaya. She caught it effortlessly, a smirk dancing on her lips as she added it to their cart.
"Lucky I'm a pro at catching," she quipped, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Fred, showing exasperation, rolled his eyes dramatically as he watched her toss a bag of chips back at him. The crinkling sound of the bag echoed in the aisle, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere.
"Yeah, yeah, just call me the snack master," he retorted, a grin spreading across his face as he tossed the chips in the cart.
Rolling her eyes with a playful smile, Amaya focused on her phone, walked behind him, her fingers tapping away. "Pads too," she ordered, her tone nonchalant yet authoritative.
"Sure thing, my boss!" Fred replied, grabbing a pack of pads and tossing it over his shoulder, his laughter mingling with hers as they continued their playful banter.
As they reached the checkout line, Fred raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "So, who's got your attention so much that you're glued to that screen?" he asked, leaning in closer to catch a glimpse.
"Zeya," Amaya responded, her face illuminated by the glow of her phone, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she typed.
After what felt like an eternity of waiting, they finally paid for their items and made their way to the parking lot. Fred tossed bags into the back seat of his car, glancing at Amaya. "Do you want me to drive?" he asked, his voice light.
"Just make sure we reach safely for once, mister grim reaper," she teased, sliding her phone into her pocket with a wink of her eyes.
"No one drives safer than—oh crap! Seth asked me to grab a butter knife and ketchup too!" Fred exclaimed, the realization hitting him like a splash of cold water. He slammed the door shut again, his expression shifting from carefree to frantic as he walked away towards the supermarket again.
Amaya let out an exaggerated sigh, crossing her arms with a dramatic flair. "Why is your memory so bad?!? I wanted to go home early today!" she shot him a glare, her frustration palpable as she playfully kicked him in the backside.
"It's your fiancé's fault!" he shot back, wrapping his arms around her neck in a mock hug, his laughter ringing out like music in the parking lot. "You forgot to add Ex!" She added.
Their laughter echoed through the air, as they headed back inside, ready for another round of silly antics amidst the vibrant chaos of the supermarket.
"Ama?"
Fred paused, his brow furrowing as he turned around, scanning the crowded supermarket aisles. The bright fluorescent lights flickered above, casting a sterile glow on the bustling shoppers, but he couldn't spot anyone familiar.
"Who are you looking for? You look like you've just seen a ghost!" Amaya asked, her voice laced with curiosity as she glanced over her shoulder, her ash-coloured hair swaying slightly. She reached for a bottle of ketchup, her fingers brushing against the cool glass.
Fred frowned, his confusion deepening. He shifted nervously, glancing around. "I swear I heard someone call your name. Am I going crazy?" he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur as he leaned closer to her, his eyes wide with uncertainty.
Amaya shook her head, a playful glint in her eye as she grabbed a bottle of soy sauce too. She leaned in closer, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. "Maybe it's the spirit of someone who's dying to join us for dinner... or maybe the vengeful ex of Seth who got offended because you call him my fiancée!" she teased, smirking mischievously as she leaned closer to Fred, her expression shifting to one of mock seriousness. "Maybe it came for revenge with you."
Fred gulped, his hands trembling slightly as he gripped the shopping cart tighter. His eyes widened, and he instinctively took a step back. "Stop it! You're making this so much worse!"
"Just think about it," Amaya whispered, lowering her voice dramatically. "What if it's a ghost with a grudge? One that only wants to hear you scream… 'Ama!'"
Fred gulped, his heart racing. "You're not helping at all!"
"Come on, Fred! You responded to it, now it'll haunt you forever! You'll hear it whispering the closest name to your heart in the dark… 'Ama, Ama, Ama!'"
"Ahhh!" Fred screamed, shutting his eyes tightly and covering his ears, a wave of panic washing over him. His heart raced against his ribs, pounding like a drum in his chest, while his hands shook with fear. Breathing rapidly, he felt the weight of dread settle in his stomach. "I can't handle this!"
"Too late!" Amaya laughed, her voice echoing as she playfully darted away. "You summoned it, now it's all yours! Good luck finding me before it finds you!"
Slowly, he opened his eyes, the bright lights of the supermarket blinding him momentarily. He blinked, only to find himself alone in the aisle. Amaya had fled long ago, leaving him in a sea of strangers. "Ama!" he gritted his teeth, frustration and fear mingling as he searched frantically for her, the echoes of her laughter still ringing in his ears amidst the hum of the supermarket.
"You'll regret this! Just wait and see!" Fred glared at Amaya, his jaw clenched and fists tightening around the car door handle, frustration radiating off him like heat from a fire. His voice was low and simmering with anger, each word dripping with intensity.
Amaya, however, was in fits of laughter, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she watched his furious expression. "C'mon! It was you who kicked this off!" she teased, her voice light and playful. She tilted her head, mimicking Fred's tone with exaggerated flair. "I heard someone call your name!"
Fred's face flushed with embarrassment, his cheeks burning as he felt the heat of her laughter washing over him. "That's not funny!" he shouted, his frustration mounting as he took off after her, determination etched across his features.
"Catch me if you can!" Amaya called over her shoulder, her laughter ringing out like a bell, inviting and taunting all at once. The thrill of the chase ignited a spark in Fred, and he was ready to settle the score—this time for real.
*Ding-dong*
The doorbell echoed through Amaya's apartment, where the girls and Seth were sprawled on the couch, laughter and the sound of shuffling cards filling the air. "It must be Ama and Fred," Sophia chimed, her voice light as she stood up to answer the door. She swung it open, a teasing grin on her face. "Where did you go to buy snacks? Feather City?"
But as she looked outside, her playful demeanour shattered. Her eyes widened in horror, the laughter in the room dying instantly. "Ama!" she screamed, her voice piercing the air as she stumbled back, shock flooding her features.
Amaya stood there, her shirt stained crimson, blood seeping from a wound in her stomach. Panic surged through Sophia as she rushed forward, her hands trembling as she helped Amaya. "Ama! Fred, what happened?!? Seth! Call an ambulance!" Tears streamed down her cheeks, each drop a testament to her fear as she held Amaya close, her heart racing.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" Fred stammered, his voice cracking as he fought back his own tears, his lips trembling with guilt. Amaya's hand weakly wrapped around his waist, her fingers cold and trembling, her lips pale and her eyes fluttering, threatening to close.
In an instant, Seth, Zeya, Elli, Somiya, and Demi rushed toward the door, their expressions morphing into sheer terror. "Ama!" they cried out in unison, their voices overlapping in a chorus of fear that echoed through the room, filling the space with a heavy sense of dread.
Somiya, Elli, and Zeya knelt beside Amaya, their hands trembling, tears cascading down their cheeks like an unstoppable river. The air was thick with despair, each heartbeat echoing the urgency of the moment. Demi, her hands shaking uncontrollably, fumbled with her phone, dialing the ambulance number, her mind racing with fear and disbelief.
Seth stood frozen, a statue carved from anguish. His eyes were wide, reflecting a tempest of emotions, lips quivering as he struggled to breathe. "A-Ama…" he choked out, but the words felt like shattered glass in his throat, each breath a battle against the rising tide of panic. His hands trembled violently, and he felt as if the world around him was crumbling.
"H-hello, Ambulance! Maseur street-07, building 402! Please hurry!"
"A-Ama! D-don't you dare close your eyes! The ambulance is almost here! A-Ama, l-look at me, please!" Zeya pleaded, her voice trembling as she cupped Amaya's face, her palms shaking with fear. Amaya's eyes, filled with tears and determination, remained fixed on Zeya.
"Fred! Get the car out now!" Elli shouted, her voice breaking as she turned to Fred, who stood frozen, covering his mouth as if he found the scene amusing. "What's so funny, Fred?" she demanded, her face streaked with tears. "What's so funny! I asked!" She shouted. Fred flinched, realizing the gravity of the moment as he noticed the shocked expressions around him. "I-I didn't mean—"
"Pfft-hahaha!!!"
Zeya's gaze snapped back to Amaya, who suddenly burst into laughter. "A-Ama? What's going on?" Zeya asked, confusion etched on her face. "Oh my god, this is just too hilarious!" Amaya gasped between giggles, her laughter infectious. Fred couldn't help but join in, the absurdity of the moment cutting through the tension like a knife. "It's just ketchup! Come on, taste it!" Amaya exclaimed, licking her hand smeared with bright red, her laughter ringing out amidst the chaos, a fleeting moment of joy in the midst of fear.
Relief washed over Zeya as she stepped forward to hug Amaya, but Sophia rushed in first, enveloping Amaya in a tight embrace. "You scared us! How could you do something like this?!?" Sophia cried, her voice quivering as tears spilled down her cheeks. "Please, don't ever do this again... I can't handle the thought of losing you, Ama..."
Amaya gently rubbed Sophia's back, her expression softening. "Hey, hey, I'm right here. I promise I won't do it again. I could never leave you. I can't imagine my life without you either."
Amaya pulled back slightly to look into Sophia's eyes, wiping away her tears with a tender touch. "I'm really sorry. Fred and I were just messing around, and I tripped and smashed the ketchup bottle all over myself." She pouted playfully and pressed a soft kiss to Sophia's forehead. "I promise, Sofy, no more crazy stunts like this."