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

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

took a deep breath, and

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

the person called out with

you doing? Are you still searching for that impostor? Do you honestly believe that if she were me, she wouldn't be clever enough to figure out such a simple

uneasy. Even Yasmin found the key. She could find

and asked softly, "Stephie, don't be scared. What did you see

took one look and

please 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

a brief pause, Steven advised softly outside the door, "Check beneath the lamp, in the

the lamp and tapped on the tiles. They were indeed

successfully managed 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 to

the door was opened, I caught sight of Steven. Without hesitation, he reached out and enveloped me in

could understand the words written on the wall. "If I

was written was

were to find

in fear through