The sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the cracked pavement of the deserted street. Laughter echoed faintly as two high school students, Lily and Jake her boyfriend walked home from school. Their backpacks swung lazily at their sides, their chatter light , oblivious to the lurking danger.
As they approached a deserted alley, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew heavy, almost electric, as if the world held its breath. Sarah glanced at the alley's entrance, a dark void that seemed to swallow the remaining light. She shivered, brushing off the feeling as a chill from the wind. Jake, ever the brave one, nudged her playfully.
"Come on, it's just an alley. What are you scared of? Ghosts?" he laughed, his voice echoing against the brick walls.
But Lily didn't laugh." Something just feels off about here" She said and quickened her pace, and Jake followed, his laughter fading as he sensed her unease.
Unbeknownst to them, in the depths of that alley, a figure watched with cold, piercing eyes it was Alma , a predator, the moonlight glinted off her silver knife, which she twirled deftly in her fingers. But it was not the knife that made her dangerous; it was the dark power that coursed through her veins, a gift she had honed into a deadly weapon.
As Lily and Jake reached the alley's mouth, Alma stepped out, her presence almost ethereal. She wore a long, flowing coat that billowed around her like a shadow, her hair cascading in dark waves that framed her pale face. A chilling smile curled her lips—a smile that promised terror.
"Hey there" she purred, her voice smooth and inviting. "Lost something?"
Jake's bravado faltered, and he instinctively stepped closer to Lily who stood frozen, her heart racing. "Uh, we're just heading home," Jake stammered, trying to mask his fear with bravado.
Alma tilted her head, her eyes glinting with malice. "Home? How boring. Why not stay and play?"
Before they could react, her power surged through the air, an invisible force that slammed into Jake, propelling him backward into the alley. He crashed against the brick wall, the impact knocking the breath from his lungs. Lily screamed, her voice piercing the stillness of the evening.
"Jake!" she cried, panic flooding her veins as sweat flowed from her pores, and she could feel her heart hammering against her ribcage. She turned to run, but Alma raised her hand, and the air thickened, binding Lily in place. She struggled, but it was futile; the weight of Alma's telekinetic grip held her firmly.
Alma stepped forward, her smile widening as she relished the terror in Lily's eyes. "Oh, sweet girl, there's no escape. Just a little game we're going to play."
With a flick of her wrist, she sent Jake flying again, this time toward Lily. He landed at her feet, gasping for air, eyes wide with horror. "Run! Lily, run!" he shouted, his heart palpitated with panic and fear evident in his voice , but Alma merely laughed, the sound echoing ominously.
"Why would you want to run from the fun?" she taunted, her voice dripping with mockery. She twirled her knife between her fingers, the blade catching the faint glimmers of moonlight, and then, with a swift motion, it flew from her hand, piercing the air with a deadly whistle.
Jake barely had time to react. The knife struck him in the side, blood blossoming against his shirt, a dark stain spreading rapidly. He gasped, a choked sound escaping his lips as he crumpled to the ground, clutching the wound.
"No! Jake!" Lily screamed, her voice raw with terror. The grip on her tightened, and she felt the cold tendrils of fear wrapping around her heart.
Alma stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure. "Shh, sweet girl. It's going to be over soon." With another flick of her wrist, she lifted Jake's body off the ground, hovering him mere inches above the pavement.
"Let him go! Please!" Lily cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. But Alma only smiled wider, relishing the fear that filled the air.
"Why would I do that? This is the best part," she whispered, and with a swift motion, she slammed Jake against the wall again. His head struck the bricks with a sickening crack, and he slumped lifelessly, blood pooling beneath him.
Lily's heart raced as she watched in horror. The world around her was a blur, sounds muted as if the universe had turned its back on her. Alma turned her attention back to Lily, her expression darkening.
"Now, where were we?" she said, her voice low, almost intimate. "Oh yes, your turn."
Alma raised her hand, and the air crackled with her power. She pulled Lily toward her, lifting her off the ground as if she weighed nothing. Lily's heart raced, panic flooding her senses. She clawed at the invisible grip, but it was no use.
"Please, don't do this!" she begged, her voice trembling. "I can help you! Just let me go!"
Alma's smile faded, replaced by a cold, calculating look. "Help? Oh, sweet girl, you can't help me. But you can entertain me." With a flick of her wrist, she threw Lily against the wall, the impact jarring her bones. Stars danced in her vision as she gasped for breath.
Alma approached slowly, savoring every moment. "You see, it's not about the kill. It's about the fear —the struggle." She bent down, her face inches from Lily's, her breath cold against her skin. "And you, my dear, are going to give me a spectacular show." At that moment they were close , Lily saw Alma's face and immediately recognised her "Alma " she said , her eyes wide with shock , hardly had she recovered from the shock when Alma raised her hand again, and the knife that had struck Jake returned to her grasp. She held it up, reflecting the moonlight as she moved closer to Lily , who was now trembling uncontrollably. The sound of her heart pounding heavily in her chest filled the air and she could smell the metallic scent of blood in Alma's hands