Eighteen - Unwelcome Return

Unwelcome Return

It had been a three weeks since Abbie had turned, and everything felt both different and the same. The world had moved on, but she was still stuck in this new reality. With Carrie gone, despite the destruction she had left behind, Abbie felt like she could finally breathe again. She wasn't sure if it was hope or the simple relief of no longer being hunted, but something inside her stirred—she was ready to keep moving forward.

Kai had helped her more than she expected. He'd made her a daylight ring, which meant she could finally step outside again without worrying about burning. He'd also been patient, guiding her through controlling her thirst and her growing powers. Even though he didn't know what it felt like to be her, he had done everything he could. And somehow, it helped.

Today, Abbie was returning to school. She'd pretended to be sick to her mother—just another excuse to avoid her life for a bit longer. But now, more than anything, she needed normalcy. She needed to feel like the old Abbie again, even if just for a few hours. She wanted to blend in, to act like she hadn't been changed by all of this.

As she stood before the mirror, adjusting her clothes, Abbie wasn't sure who she was anymore. But she was determined to find out, one step at a time.

Abbie took one last look at herself in the mirror, trying to muster some confidence. She wasn't sure who she was anymore, but she had to keep moving forward. She adjusted her shirt, ran a hand through her hair, and exhaled slowly, trying to steady the nerves gnawing at her insides. This was the new reality—she would have to navigate it, no matter how disorienting it felt. Her fingers brushed against the collar of her jacket, the cool fabric grounding her for a moment.

She grabbed her bag, slinging it over her shoulder, and headed out the door, the cool morning air greeting her as she stepped outside. Her thoughts were jumbled, but she couldn't afford to focus on them now. The school loomed ahead, a reminder of what awaited her—the world she once knew, but now seemed so foreign. Her steps were steady, but with each one, the weight of her transformation pressed heavier on her chest.

As she walked through the school gates, a strange heaviness settled in. Abbie's optimism about her newfound control slowly started to fade as she approached the school. The air seemed different now—thick with the scent of every person around her. She could hear every heartbeat, every small breath, even the way people shifted their weight. The adrenaline from the hustle of students only made it worse. It was overwhelming. The mix of scents and sounds made her stomach churn, and her senses were screaming for release.

Was this a mistake? Abbie thought, her hands trembling at her sides. She had thought she could handle it, that she could control the darkness that came with being a vampire, but now, with the school looming ahead, it felt too much. Could she really walk among humans again? Could she really pretend like everything was okay when inside she felt like a ticking time bomb? She considered turning around and leaving, but before she could make up her mind, a familiar voice broke through her thoughts.

"Hey! Abbie!" Harmony called, running toward her, her smile bright. Abbie, still fidgeting with her hands, forced a smile.

"Oh, hi," she replied, trying to sound casual.

"I'm so happy you're finally better!" Harmony beamed. "It was honestly so boring without you."

The words barely registered as Abbie's thoughts remained elsewhere. Harmony grabbed her wrist and led her inside the building. "Look! Abbie's back!" she yelled to anyone who would listen.

"Hi, how are you feeling?" Jo asked, her voice soft with concern.

Abbie nodded, trying to keep it together. "Yeah, I'm doing better now. I was so incredibly sick from the flue," she lied, hoping it sounded believable. Harmony and Jo started talking about something—school gossip, probably—but Abbie's mind wasn't there. It was hard to focus on their conversation when the hallway around her felt so suffocating. The crowd of students bumped into her, their pulse racing, their emotions running high. The scents were unbearable, and she could feel the thirst rising in her throat.

Focus, Abbie thought. Stay in control.

But it wasn't easy. Not when everything inside her screamed for blood. She could hear every heartbeat in the room, the rushing of blood through veins, and every tiny scratch or wound on someone's skin. She clenched her fists at her sides, trying to keep the growing hunger in check. She had been training for this, hadn't she? She had spent three weeks with Kai, learning to control herself, but the reality of it all was so much harder than she'd anticipated. How long would it take before she could feel normal again? Was she ever going to get the control she craved, or would this thirst always haunt her?

Her thoughts were interrupted when Harmony asked her a question.

"Isn't that right, Abbie?" Harmony asked with a smile.

Abbie snapped out of her trance. "Huh? What?" she stammered.

Harmony shifted her gaze. "Oh never mind, It's all right," she said, giving Abbie a small smile. "I needed to hand in my History paper to Mrs. Johnson anyway. I'll see you later, yeah?"

"Yeah, bye," Abbie muttered, her gaze lingering on Harmony as she disappeared into the crowd.

As the noise of the hallway dimmed around them, Jo turned to Abbie, her expression filled with something between relief and worry. Her voice was soft, almost like she was afraid someone might overhear. "I was really worried about you," she said, looking down at her shoes before glancing up again.

Abbie's brow furrowed, her voice a little too sharp. "Worried about what?"

Jo hesitated, glancing over her shoulder before lowering her voice even more. "About everything... the kidnapping. Kai didn't tell me much—only that you were okay—but three weeks without hearing anything, I started thinking the worst."

Abbie felt a chill settle in her stomach at the mention of the kidnapping. She hadn't expected Kai to share anything with Jo. "Kai told you that?" she asked, trying to keep her tone casual, but the tension in her chest made her voice tighter than she intended.

Jo nodded slowly, her brow creasing in concern. "Yeah. He did a locator spell to find you. He said Carrie was behind it. And I haven't seen her around either—so... is that true?"

Abbie closed her eyes for a second, pinching the bridge of her nose. The world felt like it was closing in. "Yeah, it's true," she murmured, her voice hollow. The weight of everything she'd been through pressed down on her, and the thought of explaining it all seemed too much.

Jo looked at her, eyes full of confusion. "But... how did Kai manage to fight off Carrie? She's a vampire, right? Aren't they supposed to be, like, ridiculously strong?"

Abbie winced. She hadn't expected Jo to know so much, hadn't expected her to ask those kinds of questions. She had always thought of Jo as... normal, not someone who would understand the darker side of things. "Yeah, she's a vampire," Abbie said quietly, looking away. "But Kai... he handled it."

The words felt hollow, like they didn't convey the weight of what had really happened. Abbie took a deep breath, feeling a strange pressure building in her chest. "Jo, I have to tell you something... something important."

Jo's confusion deepened, her concern shifting into full-blown worry. "What's wrong, Abbie? What's going on?"

Abbie's throat tightened, and she swallowed hard before speaking, her words coming out quietly, barely above a whisper. "Look, Kai almost didn't make it. Carrie... she wanted revenge so badly. I couldn't... I couldn't fight her on my own. And she—she..."

Jo took a step forward, her eyes wide with panic. "Abbie, what happened?"

Abbie closed her eyes, her heart pounding in her chest as she gathered the courage to speak. "Carrie... she fed me vampire blood. Kai was too late—he didn't make it in time. But he... he killed Carrie right after she ...killed me." Her voice cracked at the end, and the weight of the truth settled around her like a suffocating cloud. "I died, Jo. I'm... I'm a vampire now."

The words hung in the air, and for a long moment, Jo stood frozen, her expression unreadable. Abbie could practically feel the silence stretching between them, thick and suffocating.

Jo's eyes widened, and her mouth parted as if she couldn't quite process what Abbie had just said. "So... you're...?" Her voice trailed off, disbelief in every syllable.

Abbie nodded, the hollow feeling deepening in her chest. "Yeah. I'm a vampire now."

Jo took a step back, her face draining of color. Fear flashed in her eyes, and she took another step back, putting distance between them. "Are you... are you going to hurt me?" Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke, and Abbie could see the fear slowly taking hold of her.

Abbie's heart sank. She took a step forward, reaching out instinctively, but her hand dropped before it could touch Jo. "What? No! I would never hurt you, Jo. You have to believe me." Her voice was softer now, desperate. "I've been training. I've been learning how to control it. I can... I can manage the thirst. I won't hurt anyone. You don't need to worry."

Jo's eyes flickered with skepticism, her brow furrowed as she took another step back, eyes scanning Abbie with growing apprehension. "You've learned to control yourself... in three weeks?" Her voice was low, disbelieving. "That's... that's impossible. You shouldn't even be here. You need to go home. You need to be away from people."

"Jo, please," Abbie said, her voice pleading as she stepped closer, desperate for understanding. "I'm not dangerous anymore. You have to trust me."

But Jo was already shaking her head, taking another step back, her face hardening with fear. "I can't—" she started, but then she turned, looking one last time at Abbie before disappearing into the crowd.

Abbie stood there, frozen, feeling like her world was crumbling around her. Was Jo right? Maybe I'm not in control after all. She had tried so hard, but the temptation was still so strong, and being around so many people... it was only a matter of time before she lost control.

Her chest tightened, and the weight of Jo's fear pressed down on her like a physical force. She had to find Kai. If anyone could help her—could tell her what to do—it was him.

She pushed through the crowded hallway, her heart hammering against her ribs. Her eyes darted around, searching for that familiar, careless slouch, that ever-present air of confidence. But he wasn't in the usual spots. Not outside, not near the lockers. The knot in her stomach twisted tighter.

After what felt like forever, she finally found him leaning against a vending machine, his hands shoved in his pockets as he studied her approach with a raised brow. "You look like hell."

Abbie didn't even bother with a retort. "I told Jo the truth and now she hates me."

Kai sighed, rolling his eyes as he pushed off the vending machine. "She doesn't hate you. She's just freaked out. Give her time."

"She looked at me like I was a monster, Kai. Like I was going to rip her throat out right there in the middle of the hallway."

Kai shrugged. "To be fair, you might've."

Abbie shot him a glare, but the frustration quickly faded into something more vulnerable. "What if she's right?" she whispered. "What if I can't do this? What if I hurt someone?"

Kai's smirk faltered. He studied her for a long moment before sighing. "Look, you're new at this. It's going to be messy. People are going to freak out. But that doesn't mean you're doomed."

Abbie crossed her arms, her fingers digging into her sleeves. "And what if I am?"

Kai leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Then I'll make sure you don't do anything stupid."

There was something in the way he said it—like it wasn't just a promise, but a fact. Like she could completely lose control, and he'd still be there to stop her. She wasn't sure if that made her feel safer or worse.

Abbie exhaled shakily. "I just—I don't want to be a monster, Kai."

His lips quirked up, but it wasn't his usual teasing smirk. It was softer. Almost... understanding. "Then don't be."

As simple as that. Like it was a choice. Like it was something she could just decide.

Abbie wanted to believe him. She really did. But Jo's fear still echoed in her head, and deep down, she wasn't sure if she could ever convince herself—let alone anyone else—that she was safe.

The words stung more than they should have, but before Abbie could say anything, Kai nodded toward the cafeteria. "Come on. Let's eat."

In the cafeteria, she and Kai each grabbed a sandwich from the trays before making their way to Jo, who sat alone at a table, idly poking at her food.

Abbie slid into the seat across from her. "Where's Harmony?" she asked, glancing around.

Jo barely looked up. "She'll be here later. Had to use the toilet."

There was something off about her tone—distant, guarded. Abbie exchanged a quick glance with Kai before turning back to her.

"Jo," she said carefully, "can you please just explain why you're upset? Because I promise you—I'm in control."

Jo let out a slow breath, still not meeting her eyes. "I'm not upset," she muttered. "I just... don't know how to look at you right now."

Abbie frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Jo finally looked up, her expression tense, like she was struggling to put something into words she wasn't sure she was allowed to say. "We were raised to believe vampires are monsters, Abbie." Her voice was steady, but something about it felt brittle, like a single push would break it. "They kill. They manipulate. They take everything from people and leave nothing but bodies behind." She swallowed hard. "I want to believe you're different. But I don't know how."

Silence stretched between them.

Jo exhaled sharply, glancing away. "I know you. I know who you were yesterday. But today—" Her jaw clenched. "I don't know if I'm supposed to trust you anymore."

Kai let out a scoff, shaking his head. "Right. Because Dad's never been wrong before."

Jo shot him a sharp look. "That's not what I said."

"It's what you meant." He leaned forward, voice low but edged with frustration. "Dad filled our heads with all that 'monsters' crap, but he doesn't actually know anything. You think he's some great expert? He wasn't there when it happened to Abbie. He didn't see her fight it off. He didn't—"

Jo's grip tightened around her fork. "And you did?" she snapped. "You're so sure you're right about her?"

"Yes." Kai's answer was immediate, unwavering. "Because I know her. And you do too, Jo, whether you want to admit it or not."

Jo exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over her face. "I just—" She cut herself off, pressing her lips together like she was holding back something she wasn't ready to say.

Abbie shifted in her seat, glancing between them. She could feel the weight of Jo's doubt, the way it clashed against Kai's certainty. And the worst part? She understood it.

Jo and Kai had been raised to see the world in black and white—good and evil. Now that line was blurred, and Jo was struggling with it.

Abbie couldn't even blame her.

Her fingers absently picked at the edge of her tray. What if she's right to be afraid?

She pressed her lips together, pushing the thought away. But then—

The scent hit her.

Sharp. Coppery. Familiar in a way that made her stomach twist.

Blood.

Her head snapped up.

Somewhere in the cafeteria—someone was bleeding.

Abbie's muscles tensed as her senses sharpened, her entire focus snapping toward the source. Just a few feet away, a boy hissed under his breath, cradling his hand. A fresh cut bloomed across his palm, a small trickle of crimson trailing down his fingers.

Her breath hitched.

It smelled intoxicating.

Her body reacted before she could stop it. The hunger surged forward like a beast snapping its restraints, dark veins creeping beneath her eyes, her fangs aching to extend.

"Is she okay?" Jo's voice cut through the fog, laced with concern.

Kai immediately turned to her, his easygoing demeanor gone. "Abbie?" His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. "Breathe."

She couldn't.

Her nails dug into the table as she clenched her fists. "No," she whispered, barely shaking her head. "No, I'm not."

She needed to leave. Now.

Abbie shot up from her seat so fast her chair scraped loudly against the tile floor. Keeping her head down, she forced herself to move, pushing past tables, through the cafeteria doors, and out into the hall.

She didn't stop.

Didn't dare look back.

Because she wasn't sure if she could.

"See, I was right, Kai," Jo said, her voice sharp, cutting through the tension in the air. "She can't control herself."

Kai's fists balled up at his sides, his body trembling with suppressed anger. His gaze was locked onto his sister, his voice low but fierce. "She's new at this, of course she won't be perfect. You can't expect someone to just get it right from the start, Jo."

Jo's eyes narrowed, her arms folding tightly across her chest. "Kai, a monster won't learn. What if she snapped, huh? What if she killed that boy in front of everyone? What then?"

Kai's jaw clenched, the words stinging like a slap to his face. His mind screamed, but he forced himself to stay grounded. "Stop calling her a monster, Jo. You're exactly like Dad. Just like how I'm a monster, right?" His voice cracked with emotion, the weight of her words settling deep in his chest.

Jo froze for a moment, her expression flickering with uncertainty before the walls came crashing back up. Her posture stiffened, and she scowled, determined not to show any weakness. "Kai—" she started, but her words were cut off as a soft but deliberate set of footsteps echoed behind them, signaling the arrival of someone else.

Harmony's presence was immediate, her footsteps measured and confident as she approached. She raised an eyebrow, the curiosity in her gaze sharp and unrelenting. Her voice was smooth but carried an edge, as if she already had an idea something wasn't right. "What's going on with Abbie?" she asked, her eyes flicking between Kai and Jo. "She just ran past me like a freight train. Is everything okay with her?"

There was no mistaking the weight of her question, and Jo immediately felt the pressure of the scrutiny, the unease creeping into her chest. Harmony wasn't one to let things slide easily, and Jo knew that if she didn't cover this up quickly, it would only spiral further.

Jo's eyes flickered with tension as Harmony's question hung in the air. She could feel the pressure mounting, the heat of the moment intensifying. Harmony wasn't someone to let things go, and Jo knew if she didn't handle this quickly, it would all unravel.

"She's fine," Jo replied, her voice coming out a little too quickly, a little too sharp. "Just... a little overwhelmed."

Harmony's brow furrowed, her sharp eyes narrowing as she studied Jo, sensing something was off. She didn't buy the 'just overwhelmed' excuse. There was too much tension in Jo's voice, too much urgency in her stance. And Kai? He was too quiet, too distant, like he was holding something back. The whole situation reeked of something deeper.

"A little overwhelmed?" Harmony repeated slowly, her voice cutting through the thick silence. "Jo, something's going on. You're not fooling anyone. What's really happening with Abbie?"

Jo stiffened, her arms crossing tightly over her chest. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words faltered as she caught the concerned, almost piercing look in Harmony's eyes. It was a look that wasn't just probing—it was demanding an answer.

"She's—she's fine," Jo said again, but this time it sounded weaker, like she was trying too hard to convince herself as much as Harmony.

Kai finally spoke, his tone defensive but tired. "She's just... struggling with some stuff. It's nothing that hasn't happened before." He looked at Jo, then back at Harmony, as if silently pleading with her to let it go. "We've got it under control."

Harmony's eyes flicked between them, her brow lifting in disbelief. She wasn't buying it, not for a second. "Struggling with stuff? This doesn't look like 'nothing' to me. She ran out of the cafeteria looking like she was about to pass out. And you—" She pointed at Kai, her gaze softening just a fraction. "You're not acting like everything's fine either. You're worried. What's really going on?"

The weight of her words settled heavily on Kai's shoulders, and for a moment, he faltered. He couldn't lie to Harmony, not like this, not when she was staring him down with that quiet urgency in her eyes.

Jo stepped forward, her voice a little sharper now, but her eyes darting nervously around. "She's just sick, Harmony, okay? Sick. She's been dealing with it for a few weeks now, and it's... it's hard to control. She's getting better, though. We don't need anyone else involved."

But Harmony wasn't satisfied. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze locking onto Kai's. "You should probably check on her," Harmony said, her tone still clipped but softer now. "She doesn't seem okay." There was a lingering pause, and she added, "But I'm sure you'll handle it, Kai."

Kai didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned to Jo, his expression unreadable. The space between them felt like an abyss, too vast to cross, too dark to navigate. For a moment, neither of them said anything.

"I'll go," Kai finally muttered, his tone barely above a whisper.

Abbie dragged herself to the hallway. It was empty except for one person. It was a boy looking in his locker. She walked up to him and stared him deep into his eyes, "Do not scream and follow me." Kai had told her about the mind trick, but this was the first time she did it. The boy complied and followed her to an alleyway close to the school. In that alleyway, Abbie had never seen anyone go in or out. That meant that she was safe there. She exhaled and plunged her fangs into his neck. Abbie had to admit it she had no self-control, absolutely none. She had lied to herself the whole day. How could she ever resist that sweet blood?

Abbie didn't want to kill him. So, when he fainted, she stopped and laid him on the floor. Earlier she had compelled him to forget everything. When he was going to wake up, he would have no idea what happened. Just when she was about to leave the alley, the worst thing ever appeared before her eyes. It was the last thing she ever expected and the last person she would have wanted to see.

Abbie stumbled out of the cafeteria, the chaos in her mind swirling with the hunger that had taken over her body. Every step felt heavy, every breath shallow, but the scent—the blood—was all she could think about now. Her hands clenched into fists as she tried to push the urge away, but it was no use. The hunger was too strong. Her body felt like it was on fire, pulling her in one direction.

She couldn't stop herself.

She burst through the back door of the school and into a narrow alleyway nearby, her heart pounding, the cool air doing little to calm the storm inside her. The alley was empty, save for a construction worker standing alone, smoking a cigarette as he leaned against a pile of bricks.

He didn't notice her approach, too absorbed in his cigarette.

Abbie's body moved before her mind had a chance to catch up. She took one step, then another, her senses honing in on him. The blood pulsed in his veins, calling to her like a siren song, intoxicating and overwhelming. She was hungry. So hungry.

Without thinking, she was on him, her fangs sinking into his neck before he could even react. The taste of his blood filled her mouth, hot and coppery, flooding her system with the relief she so desperately needed. Her body went numb, her mind hazy with the pleasure of feeding.

The man struggled weakly, his hands grasping at her shoulders, but she held him tightly, pulling his life force into her as if she was starved. Her heart pounded in her chest, and the world around her blurred into the background. She wasn't sure how long she had been feeding, but it felt like it could have been hours or just seconds.

Then, just as suddenly as the hunger had hit, it was gone. She pulled away, her breath ragged, her vision swimming. She looked down at the man, his body limp, his eyes closed.

Had she killed him?

Her stomach churned, a wave of panic flooding her as she stared at him. She couldn't tell. She didn't know how much blood she had taken, how close she was to the edge. She had just needed to stop. But what if it was too much?

Suddenly, a voice cut through her panic, chilling her to the bone.

"Hi, Abbie."

Abbie froze, her gaze snapping up.

Standing before her, with an almost mocking smile on her face, was Carrie. Her hair hung messily around her face, her eyes gleaming with a cruel amusement. Abbie's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a sickening twist in her stomach. This nightmare—this woman—had haunted her enough. She thought it was over. She thought Carrie was dead.

Abbie's breath caught in her throat. Her hands trembled as the reality of the situation set in. Carrie was still alive. Carrie was standing right in front of her. "How?"

Carrie's smile widened, and she pointed to her chest. "He missed by just an inch."

"What are you doing here?" Abbie demanded, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to sound defiant.

Carrie took a step closer, her posture menacing, her eyes never leaving Abbie's. "You know," she began, her tone dark and playful, "when I told you I was going to torture you forever? Well, that's exactly what I'm here to do."

Abbie's stomach twisted in fear, her whole body tensing. For a moment, it felt like all the strength had drained from her limbs. The fear, the helplessness—everything she had tried to escape from, it was all crashing back down.  And here she was, staring her down like she was a little girl who had never been able to fight back.

Abbie clenched her fists. She was tired of being afraid. She was tired of letting this woman control her.

With a sudden surge of anger, Abbie launched herself forward, kicking Carrie square in the chest. The force of it sent Carrie crashing to the ground, her head hitting the pavement with a sickening thud. For a moment, Carrie was stunned, lying there in disbelief.

Abbie stood over her, chest heaving, the remnants of her hunger still gnawing at the edges of her senses. She had done it. She had fought back.

But that victory was short-lived.

Carrie slowly pushed herself up, a wicked smile curling on her lips as she wiped blood from the corner of her mouth. "Nice try," she sneered. "But you can't stop me, Abbie. You never could."

Before Abbie could react, her vampire instincts kicked in, propelling her forward in a blur of motion. She sped down the alley, her feet barely touching the ground, desperate to get away from Carrie—her bloodlust still a gnawing presence at the edge of her senses.

As she rounded the corner, she collided with something—or rather, someone.

Kai.

His hands shot out, steadying her as she stumbled. His eyes flicked over her, noting the wild look in her gaze.

"What happened?" he demanded, concern and something else flashing in his expression.

Abbie's gaze followed his, landing on the bloody scene in the alleyway—Carrie standing there and the man in a construction outfit, still unconscious, blood trickling from the wound Abbie had given him.

Before Abbie could speak, Kai's attention snapped back to her. He didn't wait for her to explain.

Reaching for her wrist with one hand, his fingers were like a vice, pulling her closer to him. His thumb brushed the pulse at her wrist as he siphoned her energy—his hand pulling at the strength within her like a rope being yanked. She gasped, but the pull wasn't entirely painful; instead, it was like a steady current sweeping her along, a strange calm taking over her senses.

In the same movement, he turned toward Carrie, his free hand flicking with precise, practiced motion. With a sickening snap, Carrie's neck broke, her body going limp and falling to the ground like a ragdoll. The task done, he quickly turned his focus back to the man.

"Is he still alive?" Abbie asked, her voice shaky, but trying to focus through the fog of bloodlust that still clouded her mind.

Kai's eyes narrowed as he bent over the man, checking for a pulse. After a tense moment, he nodded. "He's alive, but barely."

Abbie stepped back, wiping her mouth as she collected herself. She needed to clean up, to regain control. She stood still for a second, breathing deeply, steadying herself, and then approached the construction worker.

Her eyes flickered with hesitation, but she quickly tore her gaze away. "We'll have to erase his memory."

When his eyes fluttered open, he blinked, confused. His gaze shifted around, and Abbie spoke in a soothing, almost hypnotic voice while looking him deep into his eyes.

"You slipped," she told him. "You fell. That's all you remember."

His eyes glazed for a moment before he nodded slowly, his mind erasing the chaotic events of the last few minutes. The blood. The body. Carrie. He would remember none of it.

Abbie stood, stepping away from the man as he regained his footing, disoriented but unharmed.

Kai's hand brushed against hers, his gaze intense. "We need to go, now."

When they reached the school, the cool air felt sharp against her skin, the familiar campus grounds now tainted with the memory of what had occurred just minutes before. They moved quickly, trying to stay in the shadows, slipping through the back entrance of the building without being seen.

Inside, the halls were eerily quiet, the only sounds the soft scuff of their shoes against the tile. As they turned the corner, they spotted Jo waiting near the entrance, her eyes immediately locking onto them.

"What happened?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern, but also a bit of disbelief.

"Carrie," she said quietly. "She's still alive. She attacked me again. She won't ever stop... she told me."

Jo's brows furrowed in disbelief. "How could she still be alive? I thought Kai killed her... I thought we were done with her."

Abbie could feel Jo's confusion, and she understood. They had all believed Carrie was gone, that the nightmare had ended. But that hope had been shattered tonight.

Kai's eyes darkened, his expression hardening as he stepped forward, the words coming out with a cold edge. "I didn't check her. I was too busy dealing with the fact Abbie was dying." His voice was sharp, like the words were more of a statement of fact than an apology, his focus still on the gravity of the situation at hand.

Jo's eyes flicked between them, piecing the situation together. "So, Carrie is still out there, and she's still coming after Abbie. What are we going to do?"

Abbie felt her heart race again at the thought of Carrie's promise. It was the kind of threat that wasn't easily dismissed. Carrie wasn't just a person they could fight off. She had already made it clear that she intended to make Abbie's life hell, forever.

"There's only one thing we can do," Kai said, his voice hardening, the resolve in his words leaving no room for argument.

Abbie nodded, the decision settling in her chest like a weight, the finality of it clear. She knew exactly what Kai meant. They had no choice anymore. If they didn't stop Carrie now, she'd keep coming. She wouldn't stop until Abbie was broken, until she had everything she wanted. And as much as Abbie wanted to avoid it, there was no other option left.

"We have to kill her," Abbie said quietly, her eyes flicking to Jo. "For real this time."

Jo's expression faltered, a flicker of fear passing through her eyes. She didn't want to admit it, but she knew too. There was no stopping Carrie now. Not while she was still alive.

Kai gave a single nod, his expression grim but resolute. "We don't have a choice. We can't let her hurt you again."

Abbie's throat tightened, but she forced herself to nod back, the weight of the decision pressing down on her like a storm. She was ready. She had to be.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Abbie knew what had to be done. She wasn't going to run from this fight. Not anymore. She had faced down fear, doubt, and even her own darkness tonight. But now, she had a real enemy to confront.

And she was going to make sure Carrie didn't get the chance to hurt anyone else again.