The wind whispered through the trees as Lena clutched her hand over her mouth, her fingers trembling as her breath caught in her throat. ‘The murderer… is like me?’ 

The thought settled like a stone in her chest, heavy and chilling. Her eyes, wide with disbelief, reflected the faint moonlight that now bathed the forest clearing in silver light. Never—not once—had it occurred to her that someone else could have the same power. Let alone… use it for this.

A scream pierced the night.

Lena’s heart thudded so loud it nearly drowned out the pounding of Nina’s footsteps as she rushed back to the group.

The figure across the clearing—the murderer—sighed as if annoyed by the interruption. “Always so noisy,” they muttered, reaching into the long, dark coat they wore.

Lena squinted through the gloom, barely breathing as she saw a glint of polished metal. The clouds parted overhead, revealing the sleek silhouette of a pistol, its barrel long and fitted with a silencer. Even from this distance, Lena could make out a mounted crosshair glinting faintly under the moonlight.

No one would hear that shot.

‘No… I have to do something. Say something! Nina isn’t supposed to die!’ Lena’s thoughts screamed at her as her hands shook and her throat tightened. Her legs refused to move.

The murderer raised their arm, one hand gripping the pistol, the other steadying it with practiced ease. Their fingers hovered over the trigger, slow and deliberate—as if savoring the moment.

Lena’s breath caught.

But just as she opened her mouth to scream, to cry out and stop it, the murderer lowered the gun. A low chuckle escaped their lips, an eerie, airy sound that sent a shiver down Lena’s spine.

“Will you continue to say nothing and watch as I murder that other girl?” they asked coolly, turning their gaze directly toward her.

She froze. They knew she was there.

Taking a shaky breath, Lena stepped out from behind the tree, leaves crunching softly beneath her shoes. Her heart thundered with every step, but she kept her chin high and her gaze locked on the stranger.

“You really are like me, then…” Lena said, voice steadier than she felt. “Why murder with this power? Were you even the original killer in this case?”

The stranger hummed, tapping the gun gently against their temple. “Was I the original killer?” They echoed mockingly. “I don’t know what you mean, but I did come across a particularly wicked-looking man who I happened to pawn this beautiful hunting knife off of.”

Lena’s blood turned to ice.

“I buried him nice and deep, mhm yes. The gurgle he made as I plunged his OWN knife into his throat was…” Their breath hitched in something like reverence. “Exquisite.”

Lena recoiled, nausea rising in her throat. ‘This person is completely unhinged.’

“Anyway!” they clapped suddenly, cheerful. “I’m surprised to see another person from the future! What’s your name?! No, wait, let me guess! Is it… Mary? No, you don’t look like a Mary. Is it… Elena? Nooo, that’s not it either!”

The names came fast and nonsensical, like a child playing a game no one else understood. Lena said nothing, eyes darting down as she scribbled notes in her notepad. Another person from the future. The real murderer was already dead, buried by this lunatic. If they were telling the truth.

Then—voices. Distant, but drawing closer.

Nina. She’d made it back.

Relief crashed over Lena in a wave, even if the chaos in front of her hadn’t subsided.

“You’re about to be caught,” Lena said, narrowing her eyes. “So I have just one more question for you. Who are you?” The killer laughed. No—cackled, doubling over, the gun swinging loosely in their hand.

“Caught? Oh no no no, naive lady whose name I don’t know!” they said, wiping at their eyes as they composed themselves. “You know fully well that I have the power to get away cleanly!”

Then, clicking their tongue in a mock reprimand, they added, “But… I will tell you something you can call me.”

They held out their arms as if presenting themselves on a stage.

“Call me… The Shroud! Sounds cool, right?!”

Lena’s fingers clung tightly to her pen, jotting down the name like her life depended on it. A faint hum filled the air. Behind The Shroud, a red portal reminiscent of a pool of blood crackled into being. Jagged like a tear in space, it pulsed with malicious energy. The Shroud stepped halfway in before pausing.

“Oh, I guess I could tell you one more thing before I go.”

Lena tensed.

“You asked why I would use this power to kill, right?” A grin stretched their face. “Well, because I can’t get caught in the past, of course.”

They gave a jaunty wave. “Toodles!”

“No—wait!” But it was too late. The portal sealed behind them with a soft snap, and silence reclaimed the clearing.

Then—

“Over here!” Nina’s voice rang out, leading a group of camp counselors to the cliff’s edge.

“She—she was over here, Davey. I’m so sorry!” Nina sobbed, collapsing to her knees. Her face was blotchy, tears streaming freely down her cheeks.

Davey didn’t move closer. He just stared up at the moon with wide, empty eyes, the light catching the tears streaking silently down his face. A sorrow so profound it seemed to press into the ground around him.

Lena couldn't bear to stay. Her portal opened with a soft rush of wind.

“I’m sorry too, Davey… Lia…” she whispered before stepping through. The moment her feet hit solid ground on the other side, her knees gave out.

“Lena! Are you alright?” Hayes rushed forward, catching her shoulders before she fell completely. He offered her a cold bottle of water, and she snatched it up, gulping as if she hadn’t drunk in days.

Dolores joined them moments later, kneeling beside her and rubbing gentle circles on her back.

“No,” Lena gasped, breathless and shaken. “There’s something wrong with this case. Look for yourself.”

She fumbled with the notes she’d scribbled, thrusting them into Hayes’s hands.

Hayes read quickly, his brow furrowing with every line. Then his eyes widened. “Wait, are you serious? There’s somebody else out there—with powers like yours—and they’re killing people?!”

Dolores gasped sharply, one hand flying to her mouth.

“Oh my… That must have been quite the shock, dearie!” She pulled Lena into a comforting hug, rocking her gently.

Lena stared straight ahead, her jaw set.

“It was,” she murmured. “And I’m determined to find out who this Shroud guy really is.”

~Fin