The knocking persisted—loud, rhythmic, and unrelenting.
"What the hell?" Elara whispered, her body shaking violently as the memories of the previous loop flooded her mind.
This has to be another trick, another misdirection. But how can I be sure?
Swallowing hard, she reached under her bed and gripped the baseball bat she had hidden there. Her hand trembled so much she could barely hold it, but she forced herself to move, creeping slowly down the stairs toward the entrance.
Am I really going to get attacked again, right away? Damn it! Why am I even checking? Why do I always have to look?
She reached the door and pressed her eye against the peephole. Standing outside was a man. He looked ordinary, dressed simply, and didn't appear to be holding any weapons. Elara let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, but she didn't lower her guard. She straightened up, her senses on high alert.
"W-who are you? What do you want?!" she called out, her voice wavering but loud enough to be heard.
"Relax, relax! I'm sorry for the disturbance," the man replied smoothly. "I'm on your side, I promise." He cleared his throat politely. "My name is Jake Matthews. I'm a photojournalist... and I'm your neighbor. I live literally right next door."
"Why are you here?" Elara asked sharply, her tone cold and filled with suspicion.
"Well, I heard shouting and things breaking from my place," Jake explained calmly. "I just wanted to make sure everything was okay." He paused, adding with a hint of sarcasm, "And judging by your voice, you sound pretty suspicious of me right now. I guess in my line of work, that's to be expected." He let out a short, dry laugh.
"So, what are you then? Some kind of corrupt reporter? A nightcrawler?" Elara shot back mockingly.
"Afraid not," Jake replied evenly, adjusting his collar. "Though I suppose you have your reasons. Anyway, that's all I came for. No need to open the door or stress yourself out. I'll be on my way now—I still have work to finish up."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked calmly back toward his own house.
Elara watched him leave through the glass, her mind racing.
"What the hell was that about?" she muttered, leaning back against the door. "Whoever he is, he gives me a weird vibe. Who knocks that loudly on a stranger's door just to check? Or... am I just being paranoid again?"
She let out a long, heavy sigh, the adrenaline slowly fading, leaving her feeling exhausted and confused.
I definitely heard him say "I am on your side." What did he mean by that? Does he know something? No, that's impossible. He's an unknown variable. This is the first time I've ever seen him in any loop… or is it?
She shook her head violently, her mind overflowing with chaotic thoughts, making it impossible to focus.
"Whoever that man is, I need to find out the truth," she whispered, her voice laced with genuine curiosity and deep anguish.
"Wait a minute… this really is the first time I've met him," Elara realized aloud, her expression twisting into one of fury and confusion. "But that means the rules are changing! Whenever I do something different from the original path, events shift. Like bringing Janice into this last time… none of that horror would have happened if I hadn't decided to involve her."
"This just makes the logic of this loop even more complicated!" she cried out in despair. "I don't understand anything anymore! I don't even understand myself! Damn it!"
She slammed her fist hard against the wall in a burst of frustration.
On the other side of the door…
Jake stood perfectly still, his ear pressed against the wood, catching every single word.
"Time loop, huh?" he muttered to himself, a low, chilling chuckle escaping his lips. "Seems like I've finally found the perfect subject for my next story."
An arrogant smirk played on his lips as he turned away quietly.
"I always wanted to see how far a mentally unstable person like her can be pushed," he thought coldly, slipping silently back into his own house.
Back inside…
"I need to push him out of my mind for now," Elara told herself, taking a deep breath. "I have to focus on my next move. I am determined not to drag Janice into this directly again. I won't risk making her their target like last time. I won't let that happen!"
Fire burned in her eyes, but beneath the determination lay a thick fog of uncertainty. The future was unknown, and now, the enigmatic presence of Jake Matthews only made everything that much more dangerous.
"Goddamn it all! Why does this keep happening to me?!" Elara screamed, stomping her foot hard against the floor in a fit of rage. "What is the reason for this?! I mean... because of the masked killers I somehow gets a glimpse of what might be the reason behind this BUT — Who is doing this to me?! Why... why me?!"
Her voice cracked, shifting from fury to deep sorrow. She stood trembling, her fists clenched so tightly her nails dug into her palms.
Suddenly, a familiar melody cut through the silence—the ringtone from her phone upstairs.
"Someone's calling?" Elara's eyes widened. A spark of hope ignited instantly, pushing her dark thoughts aside. "It must be Janice!"
She sprinted up the stairs as fast as her legs could carry her, burst through her bedroom door, and snatched the phone from the bedside table. The caller ID confirmed her hope: Janice.
Janice... Elara thought, her heart swelling with relief. I know for sure now. She survived. Thank goodness...
Taking a deep breath to steady her voice, she swiped to answer. A hopeful, soft expression spread across her face.
"Yes... Janice?" she breathed out, letting out a long, heavy sigh of pure relief.
"How are you doing?" Janice asked, her voice calm, serious, and laced with genuine concern.
"Uhm… yeah, why wouldn't I be?" Elara replied, trying to sound casual, though her heart was hammering wildly in her chest.
Does she… does she remember what happened in the last loop? No, it's impossible. If the killers found out…
"You're lying to me right now," Janice stated coldly. "What's making you so nervous?"
"It's nothing! I was just… taken aback," Elara insisted, forcing an innocent tone. "Why are you asking all of a sudden?"
A long, heavy sigh came through the line.
"I just… felt like I should," Janice said softly. "Is it wrong to ask if my best friend is okay?"
"No… thank you," Elara whispered, a genuine, gentle smile touching her lips. "Just hearing your voice makes everything feel a little easier, even for just a moment."
"You're acting really weird right now," Janice observed, clearly trying to analyze what was wrong.
"It's nothing, really! I just woke up, that's all—I'm still a bit groggy!" Elara chirped, putting all her effort into selling the lie.
"Are you sure? I'm not buying it." Janice's tone was firm and authoritative.
"I said I'm fine, okay? No need to worry about me." Elara let out a forced, light laugh.
I'm the one who's worried about you, Elara thought anxiously. I still don't know for sure if the killers will leave you alone this time. They're so unpredictable. Even if you don't remember anything… they might still see you as a threat.
"Hey, earth to Elara! Are you even listening?" Janice called out, her voice tinged with irritation.
"Yes! Yes, I'm here!" Elara snapped back to reality.
"Our plans for later are still on, right?" Janice asked expectantly.
"Plans?" Elara blinked, scratching her head in genuine confusion.
"You really are hopeless," Janice sighed, exasperated.
Plans… right! Elara's mind raced rapidly through the cycles. In the original timeline—the first and second loops—we were supposed to go out together. Me, Janice, and Alice. Why is that still happening? Wait… things only drastically changed when I actively chose to do something different. Like in Loop 3, when I stayed home, or Loop 5 when I involved Janice directly in the danger. But the underlying structure remains unless I break it…
The only absolute rule that never changes… is that I die at 6:00 PM. Every single time.
"Oh right! I remember now!" Elara said quickly, feigning excitement. "Let's do it later!"
It seems I can't avoid her after all, Elara thought grimly. I'm sorry, Janice. I have to involve you again to test my theory. But I swear… I will do everything to protect you. I won't let them take you like they took Alice.
Suddenly, the image of Alice flashed in her mind, followed immediately by the haunting memory of the female killer's profile.
"So long… Alice," Elara whispered, her voice breaking with sorrow. She clenched her fists tightly. "I still refuse to believe it."
"Huh? Did you say something?" Janice asked, confused.
"Nothing! I gotta go get ready!" Elara quickly ended the call before she could say anything else.
"What an irony, isn't it, Alice?" she murmured to the empty room, tears pricking her eyes. "Right now… I just wish it would all end with me."
She looked up at the ceiling, her expression hardening with new resolve.
"But I've come too far to stop. I will break this curse, no matter what it takes. I have to protect the only person I have left… Janice. Even if I have to be the one to break first."
— TO BE CONTINUED —