Revenge After Death

I anxiously searched but found nothing.

Just as I sat on the ground, consumed by despair and helplessness, I heard a distinct "click". It was followed by the sound of an iron door opening and footsteps echoing down the corridor. My nerves instantly tensed up. Did someone find the key and leave so quickly? Who could it be?

"Who is out there? Who has left? Please, help us! Where did you find the key? Help us!" The commotion outside grew louder as everyone began shouting.

The footsteps grew increasingly slower, as though he were attentively listening to something.

"Thud, thud, thud." Suddenly, the person outside started banging on the iron door with sticks. Everyone fell silent, curious to know what he was up to.

After everyone had stayed quiet, he called out, "Stephie..."

The voice was hoarse and filled with panic. It was Steven! He was searching for me.

I forcefully slammed the door. "Steve! Steve! I'm here!"

I heard the sound of his footsteps approaching, and soon he was sprinting towards me in a state of panic.

"Click." Another sound echoed as someone else had opened the iron door.

"Damn it! Enough with the hocus-pocus! You're going to make me late for my college entrance exam." The cursing voice belonged to Joel.

streaming down my face, I desperately banged on the door in

outside the door. "Stephie, don't be afraid. Take a deep

took a deep breath,

foolish!" Joel approached as well. His voice trembled slightly with concern, though he masked it with feigned disgust and indifference. "Click." Someone managed

person called out with

doing? Are you still searching for that impostor? Do you honestly believe that if she were me, she

the key. She could find it, but

completely ignored Yasmin and asked softly, "Stephie, don't be scared. What

one look

don't expose me to the light... If you choose to bring me into the light, don't then thrust me back into the darkness where I can't even see my own

pause, Steven advised softly outside the door, "Check beneath the

understood his meaning. I ran to the lamp and tapped on

to pry up the tile and retrieve the key from it. I tried to open the door, but my hands were shaking and I failed a few times. Eventually, I managed

I caught sight of Steven. Without hesitation, he reached out

a moment. It was like I could understand the words written on the wall. "If I have been dwelling in darkness, please

written

If I were

in fear