The air in the mall felt heavier as the group moved deeper into the labyrinth of darkened halls. After encountering the traps in the service corridor, their sense of unease had only grown. Every step felt like it could be leading them into another ambush, another trap set by hands they couldn’t see. Lex led the way, her eyes scanning the shadows, while Lila stayed close to Brandon, her fingers occasionally brushing against his arm.
"Do you think it was just some random survivor?" Sophie asked quietly. "Setting up those traps, I mean. Maybe trying to protect themselves?"
"Maybe," Lex replied, though she didn’t sound convinced. "But it felt too deliberate. Like someone was trying to lead us somewhere."
"I don’t like it," Damien muttered. "Feels like we’re walking into someone’s sick game."
"We’ll deal with it if we have to," Lex said. "But for now, let’s focus on finding a secure spot to rest. We’re all exhausted, and we need to be sharp if we’re going to survive this."
----------------------------------------
As they continued walking, Lila tugged lightly on Brandon’s sleeve, drawing him slightly away from the others.
"Hey," she said softly, her eyes wide and earnest. "Can we talk? Alone?"
Brandon hesitated, glancing at the rest of the group. "I don’t think we should split up. It’s safer if we stay together."
"Please," Lila whispered, her voice trembling. "It’s important. I just… I need to talk to you. Away from them."
Brandon sighed, then nodded. "Alright, but just for a minute."
"Brandon," Lex called over, noticing them slipping away. "Stay close. We’re not splitting up right now."
"It’s fine," Brandon said, forcing a smile. "We’re just going to talk. We’ll be right back."
Maya watched them go, her expression tightening. "I don’t like this," she muttered to Lex. "She’s trying to isolate him."
"I know," Lex said. "But we’ll keep an eye on them. Let’s see what she’s up to."
----------------------------------------
Lila led Brandon down a narrow corridor, away from the main path the group was taking. The dim light cast long shadows on the walls, making the space feel smaller, more confined. She stopped near a corner, where an old vending machine stood, its screen flickering faintly.
"What’s on your mind?" Brandon asked, trying to keep his tone light. "You seem… tense."
"I just… I wanted to thank you," Lila said, her voice soft. "For being so kind to me. You’re the only one who’s really tried to understand what I’ve been through."
"You don’t have to thank me," Brandon said, a bit confused. "We’re all in this together."
Lila’s eyes flickered, a strange intensity in them. "No, we’re not. Not really. They don’t see you like I do. They don’t understand you… the way I do."
Brandon’s smile faltered. "Lila, what are you talking about?"
"I’m talking about us," she said, stepping closer, her hand reaching up to touch his cheek. "I know you feel it, too. That connection. We don’t need them. We can get out of here. Just the two of us."
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
----------------------------------------
Brandon took a step back, his heart pounding. "Lila, you’re not making sense. We’re not leaving them behind. They’re my friends. They’ve helped me survive this."
"But they’re holding you back," Lila said, her voice sharp now, almost desperate. "They don’t see how special you are. But I do. I could keep you safe, Brandon. I could protect you from all of this. You don’t need them."
The look in her eyes made Brandon’s skin crawl. It was like a mask had slipped, revealing something darker underneath. "Lila, we can’t just abandon them. And you’re scaring me right now."
Her expression softened, almost as if she were hurt. "I don’t want to scare you, Brandon. I just… I need you to understand. They’re dangerous. They’ll get you killed. But I can save you. We can escape this place together."
Brandon shook his head, trying to keep his voice calm. "We need to get back to the others. They’re going to start worrying."
"No," Lila said, stepping in front of him, blocking his path. "I’m not letting them take you away from me."
----------------------------------------
Back with the rest of the group, Maya was growing increasingly anxious. She could barely see Brandon and Lila down the corridor, but she could sense something was wrong.
"We should go over there," she said, her voice tense. "Something’s off."
"Wait," Lex said, though her eyes were locked on the two figures. "Let’s see how this plays out. If she’s up to something, we need to know what."
"I don’t like it," Damien said. "But I trust your call."
As the group kept watch, they saw Brandon try to step around Lila, only for her to grab his arm, her movements quick and forceful. Lex’s stomach twisted. This wasn’t a simple conversation. It was a confrontation.
"That’s it," Lex said, tightening her grip on her spear. "We’re going over there."
----------------------------------------
"You don’t understand," Lila said, her grip tightening on Brandon’s arm. "I won’t let them take you from me. I won’t let them ruin what we have."
"Lila, let go of me," Brandon said, his voice shaking. "You’re hurting me."
"I’m sorry," she said, but there was no sincerity in her voice, only a cold determination. "But I can’t lose you. Not now. Not when I’ve finally found you."
Before Brandon could react, Lila pulled a small, sharp object from her pocket—a letter opener, glinting in the dim light.
"Lila, what are you doing?" Brandon gasped, his eyes widening.
"Making sure we’re together," she whispered, raising the blade. "No matter what."
"Lila, stop!"
Just then, Lex and the others rushed forward, their footsteps echoing down the hall.
"Let him go!" Lex shouted, her spear raised.
----------------------------------------
Lila whirled around, the blade still in her hand, her eyes wild. "You can’t have him!" she screamed. "He’s mine! I won’t let you take him!"
"Lila, put the knife down," Maya said, her voice steady but firm. "You don’t want to do this."
"Yes, I do!" Lila’s voice was shrill, almost hysterical. "I’ve watched you all, watched how you try to manipulate him, to use him. But he doesn’t belong to you. He belongs to me!"
Brandon’s heart was racing, but he forced himself to speak. "Lila, this isn’t you. Whatever you think, this isn’t the way to—"
"No!" she snapped, cutting him off. "It’s the only way! I won’t lose you to them!"
In a flash, she lunged at Brandon, the blade aimed at his side. But Damien was faster, knocking her arm aside with his airsoft gun, sending the letter opener clattering to the floor.
"Enough!" Lex shouted, grabbing Lila and pulling her back. "You’re not hurting anyone!"
----------------------------------------
Lila struggled, trying to break free, but Lex held her tight. "Let go of me!" she screamed, her voice cracking. "He’s mine! He’s supposed to be mine!"
"No, Lila," Lex said, her voice calm but firm. "He’s not. And you need to stop this before someone gets hurt."
As the others moved to help restrain Lila, she suddenly went limp, her sobs echoing through the corridor. "I just wanted to be safe," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I just wanted… someone to care about me."
The group watched in stunned silence, the tension slowly dissipating, but the horror of the situation lingering. Lila’s breakdown was raw and unsettling, a stark contrast to the sweet, gentle persona she had shown before.
"We need to get out of here," Lex said, her voice soft but resolute. "And we need to figure out who she really is."
Maya picked up the letter opener, her expression grim. "I don’t think she’s just a survivor. I think… she’s been watching us. Waiting for the right moment."
"Well, she missed it," Damien said, his voice hard. "And now we know what we’re dealing with."
"Do we?" Brandon said quietly, his eyes still on Lila. "Because I’m not sure I do."
END OF CHAPTER