Chapter 1: The Haunting at Mallcrest.
Lucian hated the idea of being scared. He was no rookie to creepy places; abandoned buildings, dark alleys, and haunted spots—he'd explored them all. But Mallcrest Mall was something else entirely. The whispers of its ghostly past had always intrigued him. So when he slipped past the cracked front doors, his flashlight cutting through the darkness, he told himself it was just another night of harmless curiosity.
Except, it wasn't.
The mall was eerily silent, its once-bustling halls now a shell of what they used to be. Faded posters clung to the walls like forgotten memories. The smell of stale air and dampness filled Lucian's nostrils as he cautiously stepped deeper into the void of the building. He grinned to himself, though, pushing away the creeping unease. No need to be a scared little kid, Lucian.
The mall's food court lay ahead, a large open area with tables left in disarray. Chairs were scattered like someone had abandoned their meal in the middle of a conversation. The once vibrant neon lights were now dim, flickering sporadically, giving everything a dull, sickly glow.
Lucian wandered through the food court, his flashlight dancing across the abandoned kiosks and rotting food trays. A couple of half-empty soda cans sat on a table, untouched for years, while a vending machine in the corner hummed quietly. It was like stepping into a forgotten world, a place frozen in time. He took a few steps forward, running his fingers along the dust-covered counter of an old fast food stand.
"This place gives me the creeps," he muttered to himself, glancing around. But there was a thrill in the air, a challenge that kept pulling him further into the heart of the mall. He wasn't sure what he was looking for—maybe a ghost, maybe just something to add to his list of creepy spots for his online followers—but he didn't intend to leave empty-handed.
He passed the escalators that were now completely rusted, unable to function, and made his way down a long hallway. The flickering lights above made it feel like someone was watching him, just out of sight. He swiveled his head at every creak and groan of the building, but it was always quiet, too quiet.
And then, he found it.
At the end of the hallway stood an old arcade, its doors cracked open, as if inviting him in. He had heard rumors about this place before—about strange happenings, about people disappearing after wandering too far inside. But that was just urban legend, right? This was Lucian. He wasn't afraid of ghosts or ghouls or anything else that went bump in the night.
The neon lights flickered to life as he stepped inside, casting an eerie glow on the dust and cobwebs that had taken over the once-popular spot. Old arcade machines lined the walls, their screens dark and lifeless. But in the far corner, one machine was different.
It hummed softly, the screen glitching with strange static. Lucian's curiosity piqued, and he walked over to it, squinting at the faded text on the screen. Something about it felt... off.
"YOU'RE NEXT."
Lucian froze, his cocky smile faltering. His eyes darted over the machine, searching for any sign of a prank, a hidden camera, something that would explain the strange message. But there was nothing. Just the flickering screen, and the low, distorted growl that seemed to vibrate through the floor.
He shook his head, trying to laugh it off. Classic haunted crap. But even as he tried to play it cool, something in the back of his mind screamed get out.
Before he could turn to leave, the arcade machine spat—a loud crackle of static filled the air, followed by a thick mist that began to pour from the screen like smoke from a fire. Lucian stepped back, his heart pounding, trying to make sense of what was happening. The mist swirled around him, growing denser, until a massive, distorted figure began to form. Its body flickered like a bad signal on a television, its eyes glowing a sickly green.
Lucian's breath caught in his throat. "Shit."
The creature growled, its form twisting and undulating, as if it didn't belong in this world. Its pixelated claws reached out, slashing the air, the sound of tearing metal filling Lucian's ears.
"I have to run."
Without thinking, he turned and bolted, his boots pounding the floor as he raced through the abandoned arcade. The creature's footsteps followed him, each one reverberating through the walls like thunder. The sound of its growls grew louder, closer, until Lucian was sure it was right behind him.
His pulse raced as he darted through the food court, barely missing the overturned tables. The mall was a labyrinth, and he had no idea where he was going, but he knew one thing—he needed to get out.
The creature was relentless. It tore through walls, its jagged claws raking the metal, sending sparks flying as it pursued him. Lucian's heart hammered in his chest. He had to find a way to lose it.
He pushed forward, running past the old clothing stores, the half-collapsed stores with mannequins staring blankly out from their glass windows. The hallway ahead split into two directions. He hesitated for a second, then took the right, hoping it would lead him to an exit.
That's when he saw it—a skateboard propped up in front of a now-decaying Zumez shop, the name barely visible through the grime on the windows. Without a second thought, Lucian dashed for it, grabbing the board and kicking it to life. He hopped on, his body low as he pushed off with everything he had.
The screech of the arcade monster's claws echoed behind him. The chase was on.
Lucian tore through the mall on the skateboard, weaving between the abandoned kiosks, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The creature was fast—faster than any human could run. Lucian's mind raced. He could hear it getting closer, the sound of its massive feet thudding against the floor, shaking the ground beneath him. His heart pounded in his chest as the exit loomed ahead.
He was almost there.
With a final burst of speed, Lucian launched himself off the skateboard, crashing through the shattered glass doors of the mall with a wild leap. He hit the ground hard, rolling to a stop on the pavement outside.
Panting, he glanced over his shoulder. The arcade monster was nowhere in sight, but the fear still gripped him. He had barely escaped.
He staggered to his feet, shaking and out of breath. That wasn't just some stupid prank. That was real.
Lucian stood there, trying to regain his composure, his thoughts racing. No one would believe him—no one would believe this.
But one thing was for sure—his search for the truth had just begun.
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End of Chapter 1
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