STORY BREAK - A Deadly Scent: Part II

The cold metal handcuffs dug into my wrists as Detective Morris led me to the police car. 

As we drove away, I spotted Jess watching from the sidewalk, her face impassive. But was that a slight smile touching the corner of her mouth? A chill went through me at the sight.

I jolted awake in bed, heart racing and forehead beaded with sweat. Early morning light filtered through the curtains. I stared around in confusion for a moment before remembering—today was the day. The girls' night out I'd been anxiously awaiting.

A chance to unwind, laugh together, and make some new memories. But the vivid nightmare lingered in my mind, filling me with dread. How could my subconscious conjure up something so terrible—me murdering my closest friends in cold blood?

Why would I imagine such horrors about people I loved? What dark part of myself had conjured up those vile acts? Shaken, I pushed the bloody visions from my mind as I got ready to meet the real Claire, Amy, and Jess. Tonight, would be full of light and laughter, not cruelty. 

I slowly got up and started getting ready, moving through my normal routine as if on autopilot. Shower, makeup, fix hair. Slip on the new green dress, spritz on my favorite perfume. My hands trembled, making it hard to grasp things. It all felt eerily familiar.

At last, it was time to meet the Uber downstairs. Claire, Amy, and Jess were already inside, laughing and chatting excitedly. I slid in next to them.

When we arrived at the club, upbeat songs were already blasting. We headed straight for the dance floor, laughing and letting loose. For a while I got lost in the energetic vibe, my uneasiness fading away.

But as the night wore on, the atmosphere started to change. Rowdy drunken shouts replaced cheerful laughter. Groping hands and leers from unfamiliar men put me on edge. The strobe lights seemed to transform strangers' faces into leering masks. We had to get out of there.

I hurriedly rounded up the girls, rushing for the exit. The contrast between the chaotic club and the quiet, empty streets outside was jarring. We walked quickly, looking nervously over our shoulders. Was that an engine revving behind us? Just paranoia probably, but we broke into a run just in case.

Up ahead, I spotted a deserted warehouse, its broken windows gaping like mouths. Entering through a side door, we ducked inside, trying to muffle our noisy breathing. Claire whimpered as our eyes adjusted to the dim interior. Dusty broken crates and rusty old equipment loomed out of the shadows.

"We should find a place to hide, just in case," I whispered shakily. We all scattered, worming behind crates and tarps. I wedged myself between two large pieces of machinery, trying to calm my pounding heart.

This was all too similar to the warehouse in my dream. But it didn't mean the same awful things would happen here...right? I strained my ears for any sound. Dripping water, skittering rats. But no approaching footsteps, no one else here except us.

Maybe I should try to find Jess, make sure she was okay. She was hidden the farthest away in the darkest corner. I crept slowly in that direction, wincing as broken glass crunched under my feet. Ahead, I could just make out her silhouette behind some old pallets.

I opened my mouth to whisper her name when a loud crash echoed through the warehouse, making me jump. It sounded like it came from where we had entered.

I whipped around, peering through the maze of rusty equipment. What was that? Was someone coming for us?

My pulse roared in my ears. Jess was still hunched motionless behind the stacks. But she would be the first one discovered if an intruder came from that direction. I had to get to her before...

A skittering sound came from directly behind me. I spun back around, a gasp catching in my throat as a dark figure lunged out of the shadows... 

"A Deadly Scent" by Oscar Mendieta Bravo

Want to read more? Check out my other short stories: "The Unknown Parallel" on Blogger, inspired by the Twilight Zone series! 

Link: The Unknown Parallel