Holdridge, Nevada, West Barrow High School, Mid-Autumn:

The night was warm with a symphony of smooth jazz and pulsing pop. The moon hung high in the cloudless, navy-blue sky. The twinkling of stars spilled across the darkening horizon as the sun’s last rays dipped past the thick pine forest. The moon's rays danced over the parking lot, illuminating the cars of seniors and teachers.

The sound of thick leather boots echoed as I made my way toward the crimson double doors of the cafeteria, where a heavy chain hung between the two handles. Lifting the chain, I hummed a soft tune against my lips before dropping it back down. The chain slid out of place and onto the loose gravel below. With a gentle push, the doors opened smoothly, allowing me to walk across the checkered tiles and toward the red-walled hallway lined with lockers. The faint sound of smooth jazz was barely audible through the thick, painted brick walls as I walked through the halls, getting closer and closer until the gym's double doors came into view. The soft lights inside reflected hypnotically off the floor.

Stopping a few feet from the frame, the doors swung open, revealing a couple—a young man and woman—hanging onto each other like drunks on a Saturday night binge. Watching them closely, I waited until the sound of another door ahead opened and closed before peeking into the gym. It was better to be safe than sorry. The crowd of seniors and teachers enjoyed drinks and festivities, though the thudding hum of the chosen song began to make my head hurt. Shaking my head, I backed away from the door, fixing my mask into place. I took my time walking down the hall, the darkness a welcome relief from the flashing lights.

Tonight marked the first pieces on the board as I walked towards a cracked door, the soft lights from within casting silhouettes.

“Do not forget to mark them.”

“I won’t, dearie…” I mumbled, brushing my gloved fingers over the leather-bound hilt of my dagger and pulling it from my belt. I took one last peek into the room, twisting the hilt in my palm before gently nudging the door open. Keeping my eyes fixed on the younger man's back, the woman herself was none the wiser as she had her face buried in his shoulder—a thankful distraction. My fingers quivered with anticipation, the tingling pulling at my soul as I moved closer and closer, until even the air around me seemed electrified.

Swiftly, I bury the blade into the man’s back, making him hitch up, pain drifting down his back till it became more and more clear on his face. The girl, on the other hand, finally pulled back. I watched as she looked from her lover to me. The giddy pleasure that wafted down my body only got better as I yanked the blade down, hopefully severing a few nerves before pulling it free. The fear in the young woman's wide, dilated eyes was something to behold as she pushed back off the desk, to the chair, and then, not so majestically, to the floor, her back meeting the wall as I pushed the man aside.

For those few moments, silence hung between us, her eyes flickering to the man's body before locking onto me like a fly caught in a spider's web. My grip loosened and tightened around the handle of the dagger as I walked around the desk.

“Perhaps a pawn?” I questioned aloud, tapping the dagger against the mask.

“A Bishop.”

The gravelly voice cuts through the darkness; even the girl glances around, confusion evident on her face.

“A Bishop? Interesting take,” I murmured, leaning against the desk, tilting my head slightly in mock thought. Squatting down, I watched her face for a moment before reaching forward, clasping my gloved hand over her glossy lips. A weak sound escaped her throat as acknowledgment flickered across her face. Plunging the blade into her neck, the cascade of crimson soaks the front of her dress as her body struggles to free itself.

“A Knight.”

Looking up into the darkness above, I hum in confusion before looking back. Finding nothing but a puddle of blood where the man once lay. Letting out a muffled curse, the sound of claws against the porcelain-tiled floor taps inches from my back.

“A Knight indeed,” I grumble, groaning to my feet, knees popping as I walk towards the door. “Would you be so kind as to finish?” I ask over my shoulder.

“Of course.”

With that, I step out into the hallway, the sound of ragged breathing and clothes scraping across metal reaching my ears. Walking towards the source, my eyes surveyed the growing trail that slid across the lockers like demented spray paint. To my surprise, with each step the trail led farther from the gym and back around the front of the school.

Striding into the foyer, I glanced around for my next clue. Sliding my fingers over the receptionist counter leisurely, I hop up, sitting on it before sliding my legs over the other side. Scooting a bit to the edge, I am quickly met with the surge of pain as a fist collides with my masked face. Probably would have hurt ten times more if I hadn’t been wearing it, but I digress. Hitting the floor back on the other side, a groan leaves my lips as I move to push myself upright.

A sharp kick to my ribs sends me back onto my side, wheezing for air. The man leaned against the counter, his words slurring as he glared down at me.

“Fuck… you.” He grips the counter with his right hand as he lifts his foot, planting the shoe on my throat. Thankfully, not enough to cut my air off completely, but sufficient to keep me in place. “Who the fuck are you.” He breathes heavily. “Why?”— Before another word could pass his lips, his body is yanked back behind the counter, and in a second, a spray of blood across the interior of the receptionist's office. Getting up to my feet, I grip the counter.

“Not a very good Knight now, is he?” I rubbed my cloth-covered throat with my right hand as I pushed off with my left. A low rumbling laugh echoes through the halls as I walk back the way I came, shutting the cafeteria doors behind me and haphazardly tossing the chain over the door handles.