“Why did you bring me here?” Michelle’s voice cut through the room. Her hand skimmed the top of the armoire caking her fingers in dust.

The walls were chipped, cracking in several areas, and oozed the faded gray paint. There was no sign that this room had been used recently. It was layered in dust that tickled my nose and filled my lungs. The only door was clattered in graffiti, nearly invisible behind the scratches.

Michelle’s eyes darted nervously around the room. The glow from the candlelight illuminated her face, showing the weariness sketched plainly on it. Her eyes settle on the haunted eastern wall. The candles covered every inch of the room except a small circular path in the middle of the cement floor. The light was blinding but I was shocked to see a figure, shrouded in darkness, against the wall. It appeared to be a silhouette, a shadow.

The heat inside the enclosed space caused sweat to dampen my forehead. Wax and crumbling wall filled the air.

I watched the figure approach Michelle. His stance was predatory, like a tiger circling his prey. He was tall but he kept close to the wall—away from the light—so that I could not see his face. His shoulder made a rustling sound against the wall.

The shadow gripped Michelle’s shoulders and pinned her against the wall, with an audible thump that brought dust flying in every direction. He leaned in toward her neck, and breathed her in. The scene seemed strangely intimate, I felt like an intruder.

His hands were on the wall, trapping her in that position. With the candles on the floor, their feet seemed to be dancing in fire. Her face had a reddish glow from the reflection, but his was strangely still shadowed.

He let one arm fall and reached slowly behind him.

“What is it?” Michelle replied hoarsely. Mischief sparkled in her eyes. I was surprised she was not worried about sneaking out. All her face showed was elation.

Michelle had never sneaked out; she was always too scared of the consequences. But I guess there was something about rebelling with a guy that held her appeal.

In the moonlight a dreary room could be transformed into a lover’s palace. Mix in candlelight and you had a fairy tale worthy getaway.

She looped her arms around his neck and pressed her face against his chest. Her neck tilted upward in serenity.

I saw the glint before I realized what it was. The light had reflected perfectly in that moment against an object in his hands. He held it professionally by the handle, and before I could scream, he gave one swift jab against the pulse in Michelle’s neck.

She did not see it coming. As her body slumped onto the gray floor, knocking over several candles, her face still held that peaceful look of serenity. A light smile was on her lips, a ghost of the happiness she was feeling.

I looked in panic towards the door. How long would it take me to run to it? How long before he caught up to me? The chances were not in my favor. I was never the fastest runner. And with his tall stature, he would surely outrun me.

He had his back to me and dragged Michelle to the circle. I could not move. Fear clogged every one of my pores. What would he do with me? Was I to take part in this as well? Did he need two young teenage girls? If that was the plan I did not want to find out.

He did not seem to notice me; he kept on working, as if no one were there, as if I did not exist.

He spread Michelle out on the circle and leaked her dripping blood onto a bowl.

The scene was too much for me. I ran like a fool to the door. My hand reached out to grab the rusted doorknob, but they caught hold of soft plush instead.

I jumped into a sitting position; sweat dripped down my face and drenched my shirt. I recognized the baby blue walls even in my darkened haze.

I had a fist full of my unicorn doll, which I was sad to admit I still slept with and felt myself immediately relax. It was just a dream, a horrible nightmare. But this one was clearer. I could almost see his face.