Maloi was constantly touching up her makeup, her fingers deftly applying a fresh coat of lipstick and a spritz of perfume. Aiah found it a bit odd, sensing something off about her friend. They had met by chance in the park a few weeks ago, where Maloi had been sitting alone, lost in thought. Aiah had approached her, drawn by the quiet sadness in her eyes, and they quickly struck up a conversation that felt both familiar and electric.
But now, as Maloi fussed over her appearance, Aiah couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to her friend than met the eye. When she finally asked, Maloi opened up about her past. “I was bullied for how I smelled,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Without makeup, I feel... exposed.” Aiah’s heart ached for her. She offered comfort, wanting to reassure Maloi that she was beautiful just as she was. Maloi stood a few feet away, careful not to invade Aiah’s space, which Aiah found endearing.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting a warm glow over the park, Maloi seemed poised to say something, but Aiah interrupted, her mind racing with thoughts of an assignment due. “I really need to get home,” she said, glancing at Maloi. “What were you going to say?”
“Never mind,” Maloi replied, her voice soft, but Aiah could see the flicker of something in her eyes—an unspoken desire.
Aiah pressed on, curiosity piqued. “No, really. I want to know.”
Maloi coughed, her cheeks flushing. “Um, may I know your number? It’s fine if you don’t want to, you know, if you want to meet up sometime?” Her eyes sparkled with a sheen that felt both nostalgic and enchanting, prompting Aiah to scribble her number down without hesitation.
The next day, they planned a casual date at a rooftop café, hoping for an intimate atmosphere. Aiah arrived first, her heart racing with nervous excitement. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Maloi had orchestrated their meeting in the park, as if she had been waiting for Aiah all along. When Maloi finally appeared, time seemed to slow. Aiah couldn’t tear her gaze away until Maloi sat across from her and said, “Hey.” The simple greeting broke Aiah from her trance, and she awkwardly replied, “Hello.”
Something about Maloi felt different, sending butterflies fluttering in Aiah’s stomach. It was exhilarating and terrifying all at once. A subtle warning echoed in the back of Aiah’s mind, but she brushed it aside. Her worries all fading away as they talked enjoying each other's company.
Later that night, they strolled through the park, the cool air refreshing against their skin. They found a quiet spot to sit, but Aiah noticed Maloi was unusually quiet. “What’s wrong?” Aiah asked, concern lacing her voice.
Maloi looked down, her cheeks tinged with pink. “You’re just so pretty. I can’t take my eyes off you.” Aiah felt her face heat up, and before she knew it, their lips met in a soft kiss. It started slow, a gentle exploration, but soon deepened with urgency. Aiah broke the kiss, breathless, only to feel Maloi’s lips trailing down her neck.
Euphoria washed over Aiah until a sudden sting pierced her skin. Panic surged through her as she pushed Maloi away, but her friend’s grip was unexpectedly strong. Aiah’s heart raced, fear clawing at her throat. She wanted to scream, but Maloi covered her mouth, muffling her cries.
Desperation set in as Aiah struggled, kicking and twisting, but Maloi held her firmly. “Maloi! Please, let me go!” she pleaded, her voice trembling. For a moment, Maloi paused, her crimson eyes locking onto Aiah’s.
“Please,” Aiah whispered, hope flickering in her chest. “I won’t tell anyone.”
Just as she thought she might escape, Maloi grinned, a predatory glint in her eyes, and dove back onto her neck, sucking the very essence of her life.
Aiah felt her strength waning, her vision blurring as the world around her faded into a haze. The warmth of Maloi’s body pressed against her, a stark contrast to the cold dread pooling in her stomach. Tears stung her eyes as she realized the truth—she was going to die.
In those final moments, Aiah's mind raced, replaying the laughter they had shared, the way Maloi's smile had lit up the dim café, and the thrill of their first kiss. Each memory felt like a cruel reminder of what she was losing. She had been drawn to Maloi’s beauty, her charm, and the vulnerability that lay beneath the surface. But now, that same allure twisted into something monstrous, something that threatened to consume her entirely.
As Maloi's lips continued their relentless assault on her neck, Aiah felt a strange calm wash over her. The fear that had gripped her heart began to dissolve, replaced by an eerie acceptance. Perhaps this was the price of intimacy, she thought—a final surrender to the darkness that had always lurked just beyond the edges of her consciousness.
With a heavy heart, she closed her eyes, embracing the encroaching shadows. In that moment, she let go of her struggle, allowing the darkness to envelop her like a shroud. It was a surrender not just to Maloi, but to the inevitability of fate itself. As the last remnants of her strength slipped away, Aiah felt a profound stillness settle over her, a bittersweet release from the pain of her reality.
In the depths of her mind, she whispered a silent farewell to the world she was leaving behind, hoping that somewhere, in the vast expanse of the unknown, she might find peace.