Chapter 5 Finally, I Died

• Four nights before the incident.
• I wore a red dress, standing in the alley, trembling.
• "Act natural." Marcus's voice came through the earpiece.
• I walked from one end of the alley to the other several times, but there were no suspicious people.
• "Marcus, maybe the killer isn't interested in her?"
• "Haha, even the killer isn't interested in her."
• Marcus's friends' mocking laughter echoed in my ear.
• With tears in my eyes, I squatted down, feeling the urge to break down and cry.
• That night, I couldn't lure out the killer.
• I thought they would let me off, but they didn't.
• Three nights before the incident, they still had me walking back and forth in Hardy Lane.
• Again, I couldn't lure out the person they were looking for.
• Two nights before the incident, Bella came to me.
• "Maddy, I'm sorry. I got it wrong before. It wasn't Hardy Lane. I think I was being followed in the alley at the end of the street. Marcus wants you to go there tonight after work. We'll be there in advance, ready to ambush. If anything happens, just shout."
• I believed her and went to the alley at the end of the street after work.
• This time, someone was indeed following me.
• "Hello? Is anyone there ... I think someone is behind me," I called out nervously and fearfully into the earpiece. "Is anyone there ... "
• All I could hear was the sound of their banter, but no one responded to me.
• Sensing something was wrong, I called Marcus repeatedly.
• When he finally answered, he yelled at me impatiently, "Madeline, enough already. Why don't you just die?
• "Did you talk to Bella yesterday, telling her about our engagement and to leave me? I'm warning you, if anything happens to Bella, I'll make you pay!"
• Terrified, I stopped and tried to explain.
• But suddenly, a hand reached out, covering my mouth and nose.
• My phone slipped from my hand. I struggled desperately, but it was no use. Soon, I lost consciousness.
• ...
• The day of the incident.
• When I woke up groggily, I found myself hidden in a large wooden crate, the kind used for fragile ceramics. There were gaps through which I could see outside.
• As I tried to get up, I saw a tall man in a hooded sweatshirt walking in.
• I saw his face.
• His skin was very pale, his hair long and messy. Even though his hair covered half his face, the word "striking" still came to mind.
• Though describing a killer as striking felt wrong.
• But that man had light blue eyes.
• His features were sharp and deep-set, with black hair and ghostly pale skin. He was clearly of mixed race, very distinctive.
• His entire presence exuded a sense of death.
• I was terrified and didn't dare make a sound.
• He seemed to be looking for something, glancing around before picking up an axe from the corner and dragging it out.
• I covered my mouth in fear and cautiously climbed out of the crate, trying to escape.
• But I hadn't gone far before someone struck me from behind, knocking me to the ground.
• Before losing consciousness, I saw the axe being dragged away by that man, and I saw his hand.
• "You are the most perfect piece of art I've ever seen."
• His voice was very raspy, as if his vocal cords had been damaged.
• "You're different from them. I will preserve you forever ... No one will ever find you. You will belong to me forever, always with me."
• That man was insane, a complete psycho.
• My consciousness grew increasingly fuzzy until my blood drained and my heart stopped.
• So, this is how calm death feels ...
• ...
• At Marcus's place.
• My soul followed Marcus back to his house. He rarely went to the Flynn Residence, usually living alone.
• I had often wanted to see his home, thinking it would be our marital home after we got married.
• I had been so hopeful about this place.
• "Marcus, did you find Maddy?" Bella rushed to hug Marcus as soon as he walked in.
• She was wearing pajamas, clearly having stayed there for a long time.
• Marcus hugged Bella, soothing her gently. "Who knows what trick she's playing now."
• I laughed mockingly, looking around at the room's decor.
• So, this was their marital home.
• He had been living with Bella all along, keeping her hidden away.