Jason watched, frozen, as Alicia groaned and gritted her teeth, her face twisted in agony.

Alicia's trembling hands gripped Jeff’s shoulder tightly as she hauled herself upright, every movement a struggle. Her blood-soaked fingers wrapped around the shard embedded in her stomach.

“No—Alicia, stop!” Jeff’s voice broke, panic flooding his words.

She ignored him. With a piercing scream, she yanked the shard free, her whole body convulsing. Blood gushed from the wound, staining her shirt in crimson. Panting, she slumped back into Jeff’s arms, the shard slipping from her bloodied fingers before she grabbed it again with a trembling grip.

“Alicia…” Jeff’s voice cracked. His hand cupped her cheek, his eyes glistening with tears. “Hold on. Help’s coming, okay? Just… just hang in there.”

Help? Alicia smirked faintly as she thought, her lips curving in an almost bitter expression as Jeff kept calling her name, promising her the emergency responders would arrive soon. Her tear-filled eyes locked onto his face, the face she had once adored, trusted, loved, and cherished. The betrayal still stung, a wound deeper than the one in her stomach.

Summoning the last of her strength, she raised a trembling hand to his face and caressed it gently.

“Je...Jeff,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“I’m sorry,” he choked out, tears streaming down his face. “I’m sorry I’m late. I’m sorry for everything…”

Alicia scoffed softly, the sound bitter and filled with heartbreak. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him close. “I love you so much, Jeff,” she whispered, her grip tightening on the shard in her hand. Her voice dropped to a murmur. “I love you…”

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Jeff clung to her, his sobs muffled against her shoulder. “You’ll be fine, Alicia,” he cried, his voice trembling as he tried to convince himself more than her.

Jason’s heart skipped a beat as he saw the shard glint in Alicia's hand. Her body trembled as she raised it, her movements slow but deliberate.

“No!” Jason lunged forward just as Alicia thrust the shard toward Jeff’s neck. His hand collided with hers, knocking the shard to the floor.

The sharp clatter echoed through the room.

The noise jolted Jeff, and he froze, confusion flickering in his tear-filled eyes.

“Jeff…” Jason’s voice broke as he pointed toward the shattered photographs scattered on the floor.

Jeff turned to look, his body trembling anew. His heart pounded wildly, the weight of guilt and dread pressing down on him.

Alicia’s lips curled into a snarl, her eyes blazing with fury at Jason for ruining her plan. With a guttural growl, she bit down hard on Jeff’s neck, her teeth sinking into his flesh like a wild animal’s.

Jeff didn’t cry out; he didn’t even flinch. His tears fell silently, not from the pain of the bite but from the overwhelming guilt consuming him. The cold weight of despair pressed against his chest, choking him, and rendering him speechless. He opened his mouth repeatedly, searching for words—an apology, a plea, anything—but nothing came out.

Alicia pulled back, blood on her lips, her chest heaving. “You’ll die in pain, Jeff,” she spat, her voice trembling with rage and sorrow. “Even when I’m gone, I’ll make sure of it. My ghost will haunt you every day.”

She stared into his eyes, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “You're my closest friend…” she muttered. Raising one trembling hand, she cupped his cheek, her touch chilling.

“I wish we could die together, but…” Her voice softened, her smile turning faint and sorrowful. “Trust me, Jeff, I’ll make your life a torment. I’ll have your soul. And then,” she whispered, her lips curving into a faint smile, “we’ll spend the rest of eternity in hell… together,” her voice faded into silence.

Jeff’s lips moved, but no sound came out. He stared at her, his eyes wide and hollow.

Alicia’s body shuddered, and her hand fell limp. Her eyes fluttered shut, and her head slumped against his chest.

“Alicia! Alicia!” Jeff screamed, his voice breaking as he shook her lifeless body. “Ali… Alicia…”

The piercing wail of an ambulance siren shattered the suffocating quiet. The sound of the door slamming open was followed by hurried footsteps. Jason stepped aside as paramedics rushed into the room, their equipment in tow.

Jeff refused to let go, clutching Alicia tightly as tears poured down his face. “I’m sorry…” he whispered over and over, his voice breaking with every word. “I’m so sorry…”

Jason stood in the corner, his jaw clenched tightly as he watched the scene unfold. Jeff’s anguished sobs and Alicia’s lifeless form etched a haunting image into his mind, one so devastating it brought a sting of tears to his eyes, blurring the edges of the room around him.