Miserable

The house wasn’t the biggest on the street, but it wasn’t considered small, it was a mansion after all. Despite that, nothing about it really stood out. Nothing shimmered on its tiles when the stars came out, no odd conversations were heard coming from its bright, uncurtained windows. On this night, a few cars had pulled into its driveway, each car having three or four people exiting them, many of them exclaiming loud opinions to another.

“Whoa whoa whoa, you’re telling me that you prefer to be freezing cold just to get warm?” A guy with rather long brown hair judged.

“Yes! It’s normal!” A girl with blonde hair defended.

With the two bickering, the others continued their walk to the house, they could see a redhead struggling with the keys, anxiously trying to get into the warm embrace of the closed walls.

“Please Alexander, if you are trying to turn me off, you are succeeding exponentially.” The blonde continued. As they all entered the home, one with similar features to Alexander, jealously snapped his head in their direction. “Hey! I’m the brother who is dating you. I should have the right to be able to turn you off” He reminded, a hint of humour within his tone. She snickered then made her way to a conveniently placed couch.

They all continued their short journey following behind her, placing down their belongings in an unorganised-organised manner. “All I’m saying is that you and Emily look like twins.” Another’s conversation fell into listening range.

“What on earth are you three talking about?” One with red dyed hair piped up. “Look at them...don’t they look exactly the same?”

“Yes Ethan...they’re related...” She responded. “Yes but, they look like twins, same womb and all.”

“You’re an idiot.” One ‘twin’ joined. “I am not.” Ethan corrected. They all rolled their eyes, ignoring his obvious denial. The other ‘twin’ began to study the room, the warm toned light seemed to flicker. The others followed her gaze. “What are you looking at now?” The coloured haired girl asked. The ‘twin’ sighed. “Nothing.” She answered. The other rolled her eyes then turned her attention towards Ethan.

“And why is your attention so focused on them? Why not me? Your girlfriend.” Her spiteful tone barely covered by her batting eyes. He looked as though he’d removed the frame from his posture. “Not everything is about you.” A dark tone rose in his throat, his eyes just peeking through his black hair. In return the girl shifted in her seat, and ignoring the recent conversation, she switched topics.

“Ugh what’s the time? No, you know what? It’s always a good time for wine.” She looked towards the redhead expectantly. Said girl looked around the room nervously. “What?” She nodded her head in an awkward pattern. “Oh, wine. Yes, we have wine. I’ll go get the wine.” The redhead promptly stood up and directed all her attention towards a door across from her. “I’ll come help you!” A freckled guy added, hoping to avoid the uncomfortable silence.

The group’s eyes followed the two as they entered through the door. “So...” One of the ‘twins’ broke the silence. “What now?” He continued.

“Maybe we watch a movie?” Alexander replied. “Alexander, we’re not teenagers after a long day of school.” He retorted.

“Well I don’t know Bellamy, why don’t we start undressing for the surprise orgy!?” He sarcastically suggested. All except Bellamy’s face seemed to twist in disgust. “Well I wouldn’t be surprised if you all wanted me like that.” He smirked, his ego protecting him from embarrassment.

“And on that note, I think I’ll go help Belle and Lucas.” The other ‘twin’ shook away her disgust. “Pft okay Emily.” Bellamy censoriously acknowledged.

Once Emily entered through the door, the smell overwhelmed her, almost as if a bottle had smashed. Although the smell of sweet berries, another, unfamiliar smell seemed to waft in her direction. “Belle? Lucas? Didn’t you two come in here...?” Isabelle appeared from a door, leading towards the stairway.

“Hm? Did you call for me?” She smiled sweetly. Emilys face faulted in concern. “What are you doing?” She questioned. The bright haired girl hesitantly peered around her.

“Getting Rebecca wine.” She said simply, walking towards the island counter, reaching below and out of Emilys sight.

“Right...”

“Did you need anything? No wine? Specific wine?” She bounced up with multiple bottles of the same brand. “No. I mean yes I would-Not specific-I don’t- No I’m just here to help.” She let go a breath she had begun to hold. Isabelle chuckled with the same sweet smile.

“You’re adorable.” She said to herself, loud enough for her to hear. Emilys face beamed red, her nose and ears becoming hot. Isabelle smiled at her, placing the bottle on the counter.

“Oh uhm-let me help you with those!” She brightened, noticing her turn and reach for some wine glasses in a cupboard above their heads. She raced around the counter, almost reaching the cupboard before a glass fell from above them. In a spur of protective instincts, Emily cupped her arms and managed to catch the falling glass. Isabelle gaped in an impressed state.

“Nice catch!” She exclaimed, pride taking over her behavior. All Emilys body could let out was a loud quick laugh in amazement. “Thanks!” Her face stretched into a wide extravagant smile. Isabelle couldn’t help but linger her gaze on the promising thing.

They both spun around to the bottles, placing the glasses on the countertop. They began to pour the wine. “Oh, where’s Lucas?” Emily asked, her focus on the liquid. A moment of silence passed as Isabelle found herself unable to answer.

“Belle?” Emily asked again, turning her attention towards the sudden silence of the girl. “Belle?” She asked once more. “Hm?” She finally replied. A brief moment of confusion blinked onto her face. “Where’s Lucas?”

“Oh, he’s in the bathroom.” She questioned her response but soon became distracted with a red mark on the hem of her top.

“Oh no! You’ve got wine on your top!” Emily panicked, grabbing her arm and rushing to the sink. “Don’t worry, we can get it out!” She said with hope.

“Whoa Emily, don’t worry. I’d rather have a stained top then a soaked one.” She calmly said, although her actions spoke differently as she yanked the fabric out of her hand. They continued with the wine.

---

“You’re being childish!” Ethan yelled, then stood and made his way to another room. Bellamy groaned in annoyance and adjusted his demeanor. He examined the new scene.

Two people sat next to each other, one obviously more interested than the other. He squinted his eyes in mischief. “Sooo, Sarah, how’s things? You know with...you two?” Sarah stared blankly at the boundary-less individual. “Things are fine.”

“Oh really? Well maybe it’s just my imagination, but I don’t think you’ve talked to Matt all night.” He pushed.

“We’ve talked plenty.” Matthew impatiently answered. Sarah’s head rotated in his direction, curious about his visual reaction. He peered back. “Well-”

Just before he could say anything else, Emily and Isabelle entered the room with the wine. “Ugh finally.” Rebecca sighed in relief.

“Oh, what did we miss?” Isabelle questioned, noticing the lack of the brooding Ethan. Sarah strangely watched her as she made her way into the middle of them.

“Ethan being Ethan.” Alexander answered, bringing a glass of wine to his lips and taking a mouthful. “Where’s Lucas?” Bellamy questioned. “Oh, he’s in the bathroom.” Replied Emily with a large smile. Rebecca snickered at her then moved herself to a lazy-boy sitting in the corner of the room. “Aren’t you going to go after Ethan?” Asked Sarah, noticing her lack of commitment. “Nope.” She replied simply, not bothering to move her eyesight from her new fixation of the red liquid. Sarah blew air out of her nose and stood up. “Where are you going?” Matthew wondered. With a small hand gesture, Sarah motioned to Rebecca. “To go find him.”

“Oh, so you look for him but not your own brother?” She spoke again. Sarah stopped in frustration. “My brother,” She started with a bite of despise on her tongue. “is probably getting off to his own reflection. So no, I’m not looking for him. I’d rather not see that.” She spat before walking off.

Rebeccas mouth lay agape, her sense of self pride clearly damaged. Bellamys stare switched between the two girls, obviously enjoying the drama. “Well? Aren’t you going to go after her?! Go on!” He exclaimed loudly, a rush of false adrenaline palpitating through his features.

With a bored expression, she stared into his eyes, skulled the remainder of her drink, stood up and walked after her.

“Are you a sociopath? You know what Rebecca’s like, especially when she has wine.” Alexander confronted the drama-seeking individual. “I can’t help liking certain things.” He replied with a smug look. “Well, if you like it so much maybe you should go watch.” He argued.

“Maybe I just might.” Bellamy stood and looked down on him before joining the drama.

---

“Look, I know I hurt your feelings,” Rebecca called in a mocking tone “but you can’t just sulk like a child.” She continued, making her way up the stairs.

Entering the first room of the hallway, what she saw horrified her. In the middle of the room sat Sarah on the floor holding tight to a very butchered, bloody and beaten Lucas. She sat there, her arms wrapped around his unmoving chest, looking into his cold eyes as her tears stained her face, her hands and clothes soaked in blood.

“Sarah...” Rebecca spoke, the words barely escaping her lips. “What...what happened?” She asked in fear that she’d done what she had thought.

“This...this wasn’t me, oh my god. Lucas no...no! Who did this to you!?” She cried, choking on her tears. Rebecca hesitantly inched closer. “Oh my god...”

Sniffing, Sarah looked up to her. “W-What?” She asked in confusion, her tone was strange.

“Do you think....Ethan...?” She continued, the words failing to come to light. “What about Ethan?” Sarah tried to connect her unspoken words. A realization washed over her face. “You think Ethan did this?”

“I-I don’t know! Maybe. He-he has been really aggressive lately.”

“Oh my god.”

Tears began trickling down Rebeccas cheek, she couldn’t believe it. “We have to tell the others.”

“I’m not leaving him”

“Sara-”

“I’m not leaving him!” She cut her off, betrayal evident in her eyes. “Well, I’m not going alone. He could get me too.”

“God Rebecca, he’s your boyfriend, if he was going to kill you, don’t you think he would have killed you first?!” She screamed. Rebecca stood in shock. “If I die, it’s your fault!” She screamed back, her personal rage outlasting her fear. She stormed out of the room, half hoping she would come back a little too late.

“How surprising.” Sarah said in anger to herself, looking through the door she’d left.

---

She ran down the stairs, through the twisted architecture and into the living room.

“Oh my god! He’s dead! He’s dead!” She screamed to the group. Matthew jumped up and held her trembling hands.

“Whoa whoa slow down, what happened? Who’s dead?” He tried to calm her.

“Lucas!” The group gasped in unison, all jumping to their feet, a glass of wine tipping and spilling over. Shared looks of confusion, shock and horror took over their faces.

“How?” Matthew spoke clearly, steadily.

“E-Ethan.”

“What?” Emily spoke aloud. “Did you see him do it?” Alexander questioned. “N-no but-”

“But who else?” Isabelle interrupted. Rebeccas attention focused to her. “You seem very calm for someone who just lost their boyfriend!” She interrogated. “Greif doesn’t always show itself.” She defended, although the room seemed eerie, her tone didn’t sound like any emotion. Not sadness, nor anger. Blank.

“You...you were the last person to see him...” Emily said to her, stepping back a few steps. “Emily...Emily you can’t actually think that I-”

“No one thinks you did anything.” Interrupted Matthew. “But you did see him last.” Rebecca added, continuing the conspiracy. “Rebecca you’re not helping.” Ended Alexander. “She has motive!”

“What do you know about motive?” He scoffed. “More than you would you coward!” She retaliated.

“Guys guys stop. The only way we can figure out who is remotely a suspect is to find out where everyone was.” Matthew said with common sense.

Everyone studied each other. “Okay, who didn’t disappear after Lucas and I went to get the wine?” She studied their faces, a prolonged shock thickened the air.

“Only Sarah and Alexander stayed.” Matthew answered. “Actually, Sarah left, so she should be considered a suspect too.”

“Really Alexander? You think she killed her own brother?!” Isabelle jumped.

“If pushed enough, anyone can become a killer.” Said Alexander, seeming to haze into another world.

A sudden flinch from Emily signaled to a bloody Sarah standing in the doorway. “Oh my god, Sarah...” Matthew left Rebecca to hold her, his arms wrapping around her shoulders despite the blood. Her eyes didn’t seem to move, she stared into void. As seen earlier, no emotion found its way to surface on her skin.

“Oh, you poor thing! I’m so sorry you had to see that! You must feel broken.” Said Emily, making her way to give her another hug from the group, pushing Matthew out of the way. Isabelles eyes slowly followed the brunettes forgiving movements, soon making empty eye contact with Sarah before looking away.

Sarah took a deep breath, breaking the hug. She began to make her way to the pile of purses beside the table. A wave of panic wrinkled her face as she aggressively searched through her belongings, then Rebeccas, then Emilys and so on.

“Hey, hey, what are you doing?!” Isabelle asked as she searched through hers.

“Where’s everyone’s phones?!” She yelled desperately. Everyone began searching their pockets. “Dammit, I think I left mine in the car.” Said Matthew, looking out the window.

“I can’t find mine.” Rebecca added. They all looked towards Emily and Isabelle as they motioned in distress. Soon all attention turned to Alexander, who’d begun to search the couch.

“Oh my god.”

“Did he take our phones?!” Emily questioned.

“We don’t know that Ethan did this!” Matthew reminded. “Well, no one else seems that suspicious.” Rebecca added.

“You’re the only person who thinks he actually did this!” Matthew pointed out.

“Maybe because I’m the only person who knows what he’s capable of!”

“Jesus Rebecca.” Isabelle rolled her eyes.

“Just think about it! He’s always so angry, he walks away just before Lucas is killed and he’s the only person who isn’t here right now!”

“Bellamy isn’t here.” Emily interrupted.

“Oh god.” Matthew exclaimed. Emily began to cry, dreading the worst.

“Guys guys! I found my phone.” Alexander said, holding up the phone. In a split second, Sarah grabbed it out of his hand and began to dial a number, walking away from the group. As she did so, the rest continued.

“I don’t want to go looking for him if Ethan is lurking somewhere.” Rebecca stated. “We’re talking about him like he’s going to kill us all. He could’ve just lost control.” Isabelle tried to calm the group, failing to do so.

“Belle, he took our phones! Why would he do that if he ’just lost control’?” Alexander argued sensibly.

Sarah returned to the group, a sense of calm rested on her lips. “I called the Police, they said they’d be here in a few minutes.” She informed, looking around at everyone.

“Okay, everyone, let’s go outside.” Alexander led his way to the door, the group following close behind. He pulled the handle, but it didn’t budge. He pulled again, harder. And then again, and again.

“Oh my god!” Emily cried.

“We’re stuck in here!” Isabelle worried.

“It’s okay, it’s okay! We can try the other doors.” Sarah suggested.

“There’s dozens of doors Sarah! We’ll all be dead before we find an open one!” Screamed Rebecca, starting to panic. A wash of visual rage took place of Sarahs rather soft features. “Then we split up!” She yelled.

“Are you joking?! Haven’t you ever seen a horror movie?!” Alexander yelled back.

“We’re not in a horror movie!”

“Hey, stop. Yes, we aren’t in a horror movie, but we shouldn’t split up. I’ve heard many stories about people dying like that, real people.” Matthew confessed. “We stick together as long as we can.” He finished.

“Thank you, now, we can go to another exit, together.” Alexander ended. And once again following his lead, he led them all through the house with the help of Isabelle. Soon enough they found themselves at another door, yet also another locked door. Before anyone began to panic again, Isabelle turned a corner and continued leading them.

“This is ridiculous! We’ve been going through a maze.” Rebecca whined. “It’s not that hard to remember.” Replied Isabelle.

“Says you, you’re the one who owns this place.” She whined more, Isabelle ignored.

Eventually they made their way to an oddly placed door, behind a set of stairs.

“You’re telling me that this is an exit?” Alexander asked, an obvious boredom in his tone.

“It’s the maids’ corridors.” She said simply “They lead to another exit.” She tried to open the door although an obscure pressure resisted it.

“Alexander help me.”

He pushed his weight against the door, moving it slightly.

“Maybe it’s locked.” Said Emily. “No it’s moving-” The door suddenly burst open, the pressure lifted. Alexander fell forward, falling into the corridor. While another body fell out.

Everybody screamed. Complete shock, horror and confusion replacing any and all thoughts. Ethan lay in the middle of them, a large patch of blood on his shirt, and a few more drips originating from his mouth.

Everyone gaped at the sight.

“I thought he was the killer.” Gasped Rebecca, beginning to turn pale. Matthew stepped back, grabbing Sarah by the arm and pulled out a discretely hidden gun.

“What are you doing-” Sarah began before sighing at the sight of the Revolver. He held the gun with confidence, although she could feel his tremors.

“Oh my god!” Emily screamed out, backing away.

“One of you did this!” He yelled accusingly. “You’re the one with the gun!” Isabelle yelled back. “Are you joking?!”

“Guys no! Look, he was stabbed, he wasn’t shot.” Alexander explained. “Just because he has a gun doesn’t mean he couldn’t use a knife!”

“You’re all being ridiculous, Matt is a cop! He wouldn’t do this.” Alexander explained. Matthew held Sarah behind him, protecting her the best he could. She let her eyes wonder, she should have known he’d take that gun wherever.

“And how do you know he was stabbed?!” Isabelle yelled. “Are you serious, it’s literally a line. And plus, don’t you think we would’ve heard a gunshot?” “Not in this house, the walls suppress sound!”

“So you dragged us to the prefect kill zone!? You’re probably the killer!”

“Oh and you’re not? Pretty suspicious being the only one with a phone.” “If I didn’t have a ph-” The sound of two loud bangs erupted through the room, smoke snaking its way into the air. Matthew had shot twice at nothing.

“What the hell Matt!?” Sarah screamed, yanking her hand out of his. “We need to stop fighting!”

“So you shoot?!” Isabelle argued, the sound of quick footsteps caught their attention, their heads turning behind them. Bellamy was seen running towards them. Matthew spun around, aiming the gun.

“Stop!” He yelled. Bellamy came to a sudden halt when he caught sight of the weapon. “What the hell is going on...?” His words faded as his eyes drifted to the body behind him. “What happened?” He asked cautiously.

“Where were you?!” Matthew yelled, shaking the gun.

“I was looking for Rebecca...”

“Liar!” He screamed.

“Stop! The Police will be here any minute, don’t shoot him!” Sarah reminded, calming the situation.

“I don’t care who’s coming, I am not staying anywhere near any of you.” Rebecca spat, making her way far from the group. “Rebecca!” Isabelle yelled after her “Guys we can’t let her go off alone, for all we know some random psycho is doing this!” She continued, going after her. “Belle don’t-” Emily followed loosely behind. With a sigh of frustration, Sarah looked at Matthew as if waiting for an answer. “Okay, fine.” He said after a moment of silence. She ran to catch up.

“Now that it’s just us guys, there’s no reason to keep our composure.” Alexander said, aggressively striding towards Bellamy, readying a punch to the jaw.

---

“Rebecca, you shouldn’t go off alone, there’s a psycho trying to kill everyone!” Isabelle called, beginning to yell towards the end of her sentence. She darted her way through the hallways. Turning into a room, she sees Rebecca close the door to a connected bathroom. “Hey, it’s me. You know walking off was a dumb idea, right?” She yelled through the wood as she knocked.

“For all I know, you could be the psycho!” She responded.

“Oh please, if I were going to kill you, why would I come to see if you’re okay with everyone knowing that I am with you?” The sound of a click echoed from the handle before the door swung open, an irritated Rebecca stood in its place.

“There she is.”

A short, sweet smile flickered onto her lips. Isabelle took a step closer, embracing her in a hug. Rebeccas quick confusion had been replaced with shock as a sharp pain rose from her stomach. Stumbling backwards, her hands shook over the vastly spreading pool of blood appearing from her abdomen. Before she could run, Isabelle dug the sharp object into Rebecca again and again, causing her blood to splatter over her killers skin. She fell to the tiled floor, grasping her waist.

Isabelle stared as the colour faded from her eyes and as her hands fell to her side.

---

Alexander hunched over a cowering Bellamy, his arms raised in defense. “You killed them, didn’t you?!” He screamed. Matthew stood behind him, shocked by his brothers sudden anger.

“Hey! Stop!” Matthew yelled, his gun now pointed at his brother.

“What are you going to do? Shoot me?!”

“Just stop trying to kill him, that’ll just get you in prison!”

Sighing in restraint, Alexander stood. Despite his intentions, he was not going to survive this just to go to prison. Matthew lowered his gun, taking a deep breath. He rose his hand, resting his thumb and index finger on the bridge of his nose. “This is stupid.” He muttered to himself.

“Just stay here. They’ve all been gone for a long time, I’ll go see what’s happening.”

“It’s only been twenty minutes.” Alexander stated.

“Yes, but since people are being murdered, twenty minutes is like two hours. Especially since Ethan was alive an hour ago.” He explained before leaving them.

---

Turning another corner, Sarah heard some commotion coming from a door to her left. Entering it she saw, Emily butchered, bloody and beaten on the dark wooden floor. She stood frozen, Emily was alive just a second ago. Above her, Isabelle sat, covered in blood, immense anger crinkling her features.

“What did you do?!”

Isabelle slowly rose in fury, her orange hair falling in strands over her eyes. She began to sprint, racing across the room towards the blonde. A second before her outstretched hand could reach her, Matthew pushed Sarah aside and dodged her attack.

“Matt!” She yelled in surprise, scrambling to her feet. Isabelle spun to where they had landed, gripping the knife she held harshly until her knuckles blotched white.

“You weren’t supposed to die next.” He heard a voice say before raising his gun. Making an awkward gesture, Isabelles arm swung in desperation then a sudden noise rung out, like a whistling coming to sudden stop. Sarah could feel something freckle on her cheek. Watching the figure that stood in front of her fall and Isabelles cruel smile widen, she dropped and reached for the gun that lay next to the corpse of her partner. She’d tried not to look but caught a glimpse of a knife protruding from his neck.

Jumping up, she aimed the gun and squeezed the trigger.

---

Stumbling into the next room, Sarah could see Alexander and Bellamy.

“Are you okay?! What happened?!” Bellamy demanded.

“He’s dead, they’re all dead!” She panted out. Bellamy took a step closer, Alexander stopping him with his arm. Looking back in confusion, he asked more “Who’s dead? Sarah where’s Emily...”

“She’s dead! She killed them! Belle killed them all!” She cried, clutching her stomach.

“Is Matt...?” Alexander began, trailing off, already knowing the answer. “Oh my god...” Bellamy stared in shock. “Where’s Belle?”

“I had to...I killed her. She was going to kill me! Oh my god...” Sarah trembled over her words. “It’s okay Sarah, the Police will understand, it was self-defense.” He reassured.

After a moment of silence, Alexanders face twisted in confusion before looking down at his wristwatch. “Sarah...what time did you call the Police...?” Sarahs face twitched. “Around eleven...why?”

He stepped back, staring into her eyes. “It’s three.” Her face grew dark and she adjusted her posture.

“What? What is it?” Bellmay asked him. “It doesn’t take four hours for the Police to arrive Bellmay.” “You think Belle killed them?” He asked obliviously.

“She didn’t call the Police.” He said motioning with his eyes towards Sarah.

As if a lightbulb had been turned on, Bellamys eyes widened with shock. “You?!”

“Haven’t you seen Scream? There’s always a second killer.” Sarah seethed. Bellmay turned and began to run for the door. Suddenly a loud sound rang out, vibrating Alexanders ears. Red liquid covered the side of his body. Bellamy collapsed, a large gunshot wound in the back of his head. Alexander froze before seeing the weapon aimed in his direction. She hesitated her shot before a loud crash came through the door behind her. Isabelle tackled her, beginning to squeeze at her neck.

“YOU BITCH! YOU TRIED TO KILL ME?!?!” Isabelle screamed as she bruised the skin on her throat. Sarah used all her strength to push her off her. “Oh come on, you tried to kill me first!”

“Because you killed Emily!”

“You killed Lucas!”

“You were going to kill Lucas!” She screamed, standing and grappling her wound in an attempt to stop the blood loss.

“Yes, I was. He was my kill!” She yelled back, although pointing the gun at a slow-moving Alexander. “Don’t you go anywhere!” She barked, leaving her attention on the girl in front of her.

“And Emily was mine! I thought we were partners!” Isabelle continued.

“Please, you’re just a silly gullible girl. I can find someone like you in any town. You’re expendable!” She scoffed, lifting an eyebrow in torment.

“Oh, and you’re not?!” Her face twisted with rage. “No, I don’t get corrupted, I corrupt. Do you really think this is the first time I’ve killed someone?”

“You’re a psychopath.”

“And you’re not worth it.” She ended before pulling the trigger. Isabelle fell, a clean shot into her forehead. “Now, welcome to the finale.” She turned to face the last victim.

“Goodbye Alexander.” She squeezed the trigger one last time, but only a click sounded. She checked the rounds, empty. While she was distracted, Alexander took the opportunity to run. Sarah threw the gun aside and raced after him. He weaved his way through inconveniently placed furniture, closing doors behind him, desperately trying to find a way out.

He looked behind him, but she wasn’t there. Suddenly he was tackled to the floor, his head ached from the sudden impact. Sarah was on top of him, knife in hand.

“Why are you doing this?!” He screamed, gripping her arms to keep the knife from piercing his chest.

“For the fun of it!” She spat back, forcing the knife down as hard as she could. Alexander felt his arms weakening, so in the best defense he could, he pushed the knife to his side. It dug into his shoulder, instantly creating a branch of blood spreading into the fabric. He screamed out in pain and shoved her off him.

Jolting from the sudden intense weight against her, Sarah quickly regained her sense of direction. Despite the pain, Alexander searched around him, anything sharp or heavy enough and he’d have a fighting chance. Nothing. He decided on the next best thing. Run.

He sprinted through the door and when turning, he saw the stairway. Just as he made his decision, Sarah bolted through the door behind him, chasing his every rushed move. He heaved himself down the stairs and through the parallel door. The kitchen. The door swung open behind him displaying the image of a deranged killer of whom he thought he once knew. She pounced on him, causing his balance to faulter. He crawled backwards on the ground, still searching for a weapon when his eyes and found a wine bottle sitting atop the island counter.

As he attempted to reach it, Sarah jumped on top of him again, using all her weight to plunge the knife into his flesh. She yelled out in frustration when he managed to stop her.

As one hand protected his life, the other felt its way around for the bottle. Finally finding it, he gripped it hard and smashed it against her head, causing her to break off her attack and feel for her wound, seeing blood had pooled on her palm. Sarah smiled as if she didn’t care, her body still pushing itself to kill him.

Alexander turned to run but slipped on the wine. Taking this opportunity, she kicked off the ground and drove the knife into his spine. He screamed out in pain before she twisted the blade and pulled it out. He sunk to the ground, his body weakening rapidly.

Letting out a cackle of victory, Sarah watched as he died.

“Like I said, we’re not in a movie. The good guy didn’t win.” She snickered, leaning down to his ear. Alexanders jaw clenched in agony. “What? No last words?” She taunted as she flipped him over, then stuck the knife into his stomach.

“You weren’t even supposed survive this long.” She chuckled to herself, studying the blood patterns on her hands as she herself sunk to the floor next to him.

“You were going to-to kill us in order?” He coughed, stuttering his words and tightening his body.

“Of course I was, I didn’t get away with murder because of luck.” Sarah laughed again, rotating her hips to sit on an angle. “It was going to plan before dear Matthew pulled out that gun. I should have known he’d take it with him anywhere. Suppose it doesn’t matter now.”

“S-so your brother didn’t even matter to you?” He choked out, a few specks of blood rising in his throat.

“Of course not, he was an arrogant prick.” She spat before letting the room fall to silence.

Alexanders eyes drifted to the ceiling, had he really lived his entire life just to be killed like this? How was that fair? Sarah also seemed to drift into thought. She was satisfied with herself, she’d done it again. “You know what’s funny?” She started. “If you take the first letter of our names, it spells out ’miserable’. So, if you think about it, you were all kind of destined for misery.” She stated nonchalantly.

Alexander could feel his life fading. As he stared at nothing in particular, he could no longer move his limbs and his throat began to sting. As he slowly bled out, his killer hummed beside him.