Night At The Cemetery

I woke up to the weight of lips pressing against mine. My heart raced, panic flooding every nerve as I realized what was happening.

“Victor, stop!” I shoved at his chest, but he didn’t budge. The reek of whiskey hit me like a punch, and his slurred words made my stomach churn.

“You’re mine, Camilla…” He pinned me down harder, using his right hand to pull the string of my nightgown down to reveal my tender nipple. “Now be a good little girl" His drunken smirk infuriating me.

“No, Victor. Get off me!” I hissed, struggling beneath his weight. This was the fifth time he’d barged into my room in the middle of the night this week but tonight, I’d had enough.

I twisted, planting my knee into his stomach. He groaned, loosening his grip just enough for me to grab the lamp beside the bed. With all the anger and frustration I’d bottled up, I swung it at his head.

The loud thud as he hit the floor filled me with a mix of satisfaction and disgust. His unconscious form sprawled on the carpet.

“Idiot,” I muttered, dragging his heavy body toward the door. Every step felt like lifting a mountain, and by the time I reached his room, I was out of breath. I tried to hoist him onto the bed, but my arms gave out.

“You can sleep on the floor,” I spat as I left his unconscious body on the floor, slamming the door behind me.

***************

The next morning, I woke up to the buzzing of my phone. Tired, I squinted at the screen: “Come to the office. – Mr. Grayson.”

I groaned, rubbing my eyelids. Just once, I wished I could sleep without being summoned somewhere.

Pulling myself together, I dressed up and got ready to leave. The doors were locked but I had other ways of getting out. As I walked towards the window, I looked towards the mirror and saw my reflection, the reflection of who I used to be, Caroline Slane. All I wanted was revenge, not to be roped into some crazy chick's life drama. I reached the window and slide out, disappearing into the city streets.

****************

When I entered Mr. Grayson’s office, the sight of him almost brought me to tears. Without thinking, I threw my arms around him.

“Caroline?” he said, startled. “What’s going on? How’s your master revenge plan coming along?

I forced a smile, lying through my teeth. “It’s fine. Everything’s fine.”

Everything was not fine!

He didn’t buy it. “Well you don’t look fine.”

I broke.

The words spilled out before I could stop them. “I’m losing it, Sir. Victor’s unbearable, and his father—” My voice cracked. “He is The Grim Reaper's twin brother or something cause that man is beyond ruthless. I can’t do this anymore.”

Mr Grayson leaned back against his chair, his face grim. “ Oh c’mon Caroline, you’ve been through worse.”

I shook my head. “Not this time sir. I cut it too close with The Reaper”

He slid a file across the desk. “Maybe this will help.”

I hesitated before picking it up. “What is it?”

“A job,” he said. “Someone’s willing to pay us a huge amount of money to get a flash drive from the Reaper.”

I froze. “Ok? And what's this have to do with me exactly?”

“You’re already in his house aren't you?

“Well technically yes—but it's not the same"

"See? Who else could pull this off?”

My stomach turned. Memories of my last encounter with the Reaper flooded back—the cold, emotionaless look in his eyes, the way he toyed with me like a predator playing with its prey. I really thought I was a goner.

“I barely survived last time,” I whispered.

Mr Grayson’s voice softened. “This drive might be the key to taking him down Caroline, all I know is whatever the client wants to use it for, could be of help to you. Think about it.”

I nodded, clutching the file. “I’ll think about it sir.”

“Good"

Just then, my smart watch’s alarm rang. It was time I left, I had other plans for the day. “I'll call in later sir" with that I left.

***************

While on the bus, I decided to make a stop at the hospital where I worked as a part-time nurse, eventhough I hadn't been coming to work.

At the hospital, Dr. Jordan wasted no time chewing me out.

“You think you can just waltz in and out whenever you please?” he snapped, his voice echoing in the hallway.

“I’ve been… busy,” I muttered, avoiding his glare.

“Busy? You have no idea what it’s like picking up your slack Caroline!”

Before I could respond, a nurse interrupted, paging him for an emergency. I seized the opportunity to leave, but he grabbed my arm.

“Oh no you don’t, you're coming with me!” he growled, dragging me toward the ER.

Oh no

**************

It was nearly 9:00 PM when I finally escaped. Exhaustion weighed me down as I walked through the dark streets. I took a left turn down the street and found myself at the cemetery.

“Finally, I'm here" It'd been a while I came to visit my family.

The sight of my family’s graves did something to me. Falling to my knees, I let the tears flow, the tears that I'd been hiding for so long.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I failed you. I’m not strong enough.”

All I could do was let it all out. “How am I gonna beat The Reaper when I couldn't even lay a single finger on him, and don't get me started about his asshole of a son” I cried out some more.

"I wish you were here with me”

Just then, as if by fate, a gust of wind carried a single daisy into my hand. My breath hitched as memories of my mother’s garden flooded back. Mom used to plant these during the summer, she'd make me and my brother help out eventhough she was extremely allergic to them

“No,” I said, clutching the flower. “I can't give up now, I need to bring justice. And I will.”

My phone buzzed at that moment. I pulled it out, my blood running cold as I read the text message: “I know your secret, Caroline.” This was from an unknown number.

My heart pounded as I scanned the cemetery, but it was empty. Panic set in and if that wasn't enough, it started to rain.

I ran for it as I sprinted home, rain soaking me to the bone. I reached the house and just how I climbed out, I climbed back in. Unnoticed.

**************

I went into the dining room for dinner, only to see Victor already seated at the dining table. His cold gaze met mine briefly before he returned to his meal.

“You’re back early,” I said sarcastically, sitting across from him.

He ignored me.

As we ate, he spoke without looking up. “The date has been moved up.”

I paused, my fork halfway to my mouth. “Huh?”

“The wedding,” he said flatly. “It’s happening next week.”

I choked. “What? In seven days? That’s insane!”

Victor stood, brushing off my protest. “Plans have been made.”

“Hey!” I called after him. “Don't you walk away from me"

He glanced back, smirking. “Seven days Camilla and you'll officially be all mine”

The door closed behind him, leaving me with a chill down my spine. That man really was crazy.

***************

That night, I bolted my door, ensuring Victor couldn’t barge in again. Lying in bed, my mind raced. Could I really go through with this wedding? This isn't even my life. Am I wrong to do this?

“No" I shaked the feeling off. “I'll do whatever it takes to put an end to The Reaper"

Grabbing my phone, I called Mr Grayson. “Sir, I’ll do it,” I said.

“You’re sure?”

I hesitated. “Yes sir, I'm sure. I already have the perfect plan, I'm gonna become one of his bodyguards”

"Brilliant Caroline. I'll send you the details"

After hanging up, I stared at the anonymous text again: I know your secret Caroline. “Who sent this?” I whispered “And what did they want?"

Sleep didn’t come easily that night. Every shadow felt like a threat, every sound like a warning. But one thing was clear—I had to stay ahead, or everything I’d worked for would crumble.

This is where the real mission begins…