DARKNESS AND FEAR & LOVE

"'Help!'

The desperate cry echoed through the darkness.

Blood spurted from his lips like a macabre fountain, painting his face with gruesome strokes. His body trembled, his eyes screwed shut in a futile attempt to block out the agony.

Before him, a circle of sinister figures loomed, their red hoodies and black attire seeming to blend with the shadows like specters of death.

The masks hiding their faces only added to the unsettling aura, making them appear as agents of some dark and malevolent force.

The boss, seated in the chair, stood out from the rest. His icy blue eyes gleamed like frozen stars in the darkness.

His black shirt and pants seemed to absorb the faint light, making him all but invisible except for those piercing orbs.

The cigarette dangling from his lips cast a faint glow, casting an eerie light on the scene.

The air was heavy with tension, the silence oppressive, as if the very darkness itself was watching and waiting...

He closed in, the boss exhaled a stream of cigarette smoke directly into the wounded man's face. "Where is my money?" he demanded, his deep voice low and menacing.

The wounded man stuttered, "I-I don't have it...b-but I'll get it...v-very soon."

The boss's expression turned glacial. "You think I'm joking?" he repeated, his voice rising in anger. "Where. Is. My. Money?"

The wounded man's words were cut short as the boss landed a brutal blow to his face, sending blood spurting from his mouth. "No excuses!" the boss roared, his icy blue eyes blazing with fury.

"Melody!" he barked, summoning one of his gang members.

"Sir?" Melody responded, her voice crisp as she stepped forward." "Handle him," he commanded, his voice devoid of emotion.

Melody nodded, her eyes locked on the wounded man. A gunshot echoed through the night, and the man's body slumped to the ground.

The boss turned to Jeff. "Delete all his online presence. Leave no trace."

Jeff nodded, his fingers flying across his phone's screen.

The boss's gaze lingered on the lifeless body before he gestured to his team. "Let's move out."

As they sped away in their black SUV, the boss's smile grew wider. "Melody, you're a true asset to our team."

"Thank you, boss," Melody replied, her eyes gleaming with pride. "I won't let you down."

The boss's smile grew wider. "I know you won't. You never do."

And with that, the SUV vanished into the darkness, leaving behind a gruesome reminder of the boss's unforgiving rule.

As the car drove away from the gruesome scene, Isabelle's mind raced with thoughts and emotions. She couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that lingered inside her.

"Isabelle, are you okay?" Stacy's gentle voice broke the silence, her concern evident.

Isabelle turned to face her friend, her eyes locking onto Stacy's worried gaze. "Y-yes, I'm fine. And you?" she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Stacy's expression softened, her eyes filled with pity. "I'm fine, don't worry about me."

Liam's voice interrupted the moment, his tone firm and reassuring. "You girls know we didn't cause whatever we saw out there, right?"

Isabelle and Stacy nodded in unison, their eyes still locked onto each other.

"As soon as we get home, we'll report it to the police," Liam continued, his words a reminder of the reality they faced.

The car fell silent once more, the only sound being the hum of the engine and the heavy breathing of its occupants. The darkness outside seemed to press in on them, a constant reminder of the horrors they had witnessed.

But in that moment, they found solace in each other's company, their bond stronger than any fear or uncertainty that lay ahead

As they drove away from the desolate scene, the weight of what they had witnessed hung heavy in the air. Isabelle's mind raced with thoughts and emotions, her eyes fixed on the darkness outside. Stacy and Liam tried to lighten the mood, their voices soft and reassuring.

Finally, they turned into the driveway of their beautiful home, a stunning modern mansion with sleek lines and expansive windows. The porch light cast a warm glow, welcoming them like a beacon.

Liam pulled into the garage, and they stepped out into the cozy warmth. Stacy took Isabelle's hand, leading her inside while Liam headed to his room, his eyes filled with concern.

Stacy guided Isabelle to her room, a serene oasis with soft cream walls and plush carpet. She settled her friend onto the bed, wrapping her in a warm blanket before fetching a steaming cup of tea.

"Drink this, it'll help you relax," Stacy said, her voice soothing.

Isabelle took a sip, the warmth spreading through her chilled body. Stacy sat beside her, stroking her hair until her eyes drooped, and she fell into a fitful sleep.

Isabelle woke up in her plush bed, her mind clearer than the night before. She got up and searched for the bathroom in the mini room, finally finding it after a few moments. She brushed her teeth, changed into a towel, and showered, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

As she exited the bathroom, she found Stacy in the room, smiling warmly. "Good morning," Stacy said, her eyes sparkling with friendship. Isabelle's heart swelled with gratitude. "Good morning, Stacy. How was your night?" she asked, sitting beside her on the bed.

Stacy chuckled. "Good, mostly because Liam didn't let me sleep in." She playfully rolled her eyes, and Isabelle laughed.

Stacy handed her a steaming cup of tea, which Isabelle sipped gratefully. "Nice tea, babe," she said, feeling a sense of comfort.

Stacy grinned. "Secret recipe." She winked, and Isabelle laughed.

The conversation turned serious as Stacy said, "Isa, I want to talk to you about something." Isabelle's curiosity piqued, she turned to face her friend, her eyes locking onto Stacy's.

"No problem, right?" Isabelle asked, a hint of concern in her voice.

Stacy assured her, "No, no, nothing like that. I just think it's time you consider finding a partner, someone who can support you and be there for you."

Isabelle raised an eyebrow, "A boyfriend, you mean?"

Stacy nodded, "Yes, exactly! You can't keep pushing people away, Isa. You deserve someone who loves and understands you."

Isabelle sighed, "I don't know, Stacy... my career is my priority right now."

Stacy placed a hand on her arm, "I understand that, but your mental health and happiness are just as important. And think about it, having a partner can be a great source of strength and inspiration."

Isabelle looked unconvinced, but Stacy continued, "Trust me, I found Liam on this amazing dating app, 'Better Half'. You should try it!"

Isabelle raised an eyebrow, "A dating app? Really?"

Stacy nodded enthusiastically, "Yes! It's perfect. You can find someone who shares your interests and values. And who knows, maybe you'll find your own Liam."

Isabelle chuckled, "I doubt it, but I'll think about it."

Stacy grinned, "That's all I can ask for. Now, I should get going, Liam's waiting for me."

As Stacy left, Isabelle couldn't help but think about her friend's words. Could she really find someone who understood and supported her? She shrugged, dismissing the thought, but her mind kept wandering back to the idea....

Isabelle downloaded the "Better Half" app, but her eyes widened when she saw the $500 subscription fee. "Who has money to waste on a dating app?" she thought. Her fingers flew across her keyboard as she hacked into the app, bypassing the payment requirement with ease.

With access granted, she created a profile, answering questions and uploading a photo. As she browsed through matches, her eyes landed on a profile that caught her attention.

Max, 28, with piercing blue eyes and a charming smile. His bio read: "Adventure-seeking writer looking for a partner in crime."

Isabelle's heart skipped a beat as she swiped right, her mind racing with possibilities. She waited anxiously for a response, her phone finally buzzing with a message from Max.

"Hey, Isabelle!.Let's exchange stories and see where the adventure takes us!"

Isabelle's smile grew wide as she typed out a response, her fingers flying across the screen. And so, the conversation began...