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As soon as Thomas and Jessy escaped safely from that house, I was overwhelmed with relief. It was unbearable when Jessy decided to go to the bunker on her own and ignore my message to wait for Thomas. It's unbelievable! Are these people crazy? They shouldn't ignore the threat, NEVER, especially when we don't know where the enemy is. They shouldn’t go anywhere alone. Cleo was watched when she was alone, Jessy attacked when she was alone and Richy was kil... He was alone then too. He did not wait for anyone either. That was the only reason I didn't want Thomas to go looking for Richy himself. Because we could have lost him too.
And now my worst fears have been confirmed! When I saw the hideout of the man without face, I wasn't sure what was wrong. Something wasn’t right. Only after a moment it hit me. Candles! The threat was near. If they weren’t together there, I don't know how it could have ended.
Lilly had barely written that she was calling the police when my phone rang. I had a feeling I might know who it was.
“It wasn’t enough for you, that I killed the mechanic?” – I heard a familiar hoarse voice. I shuddered. He want to tell me more threats, right?– “It’s over now. I will kill them all. Cleo. Thomas. Lilly. Jessy. And Dan. Every single one of them!” - Though it's hard for me to admit it, I was just waiting for him to say Jake’s name. Because if he does not know about his existence, does not know that he is important, then we have an ace up our sleeve. A wanted ace. In the hideout. But ace afterall. – “And. You. Will. Watch!” – I didn’t liked the sound of this sentence. Probably just a moment ago I received confirmation that these are not vain threats. That Richy is really dead. But I still didn't allow myself to accept that. I can't now. I can't be afraid. Not while talking to this man. – “And in the end. I’ll be coming for you.”
The caller hung up. I put the phone face down and exhaled a breath. The last threat didn't really scare me. All right, he'll come for me. It will take a while. I don't live in Duskwood, I'm not even close, I'm from another country. I wish him good luck finding me. I'm not even sure if he knows what I look like. I have never turned on the camera during a conversation, and my photos on social media are not under the same name which I introduced myself to the rest of the group. Why would I tell them my real name? I used a pseudonym. I’m sure Jake knows that. That's why I never asked him for his name. I didn’t have the right to know as I never given mine. Especially as he wanted to stay as anonymous as he could. I understand that.
But now is not the time to consider being anonymous. As far as I can tell I am, but the rest of them? They are not. He really knows them. He knows what they look like. He saw Thomas and Jessy running away. They're all in Duskwood. Only me and Jake are safe. But they are not.
My consciousness finally made me realize the full implication of the man’s without face words. He wants to kill them. Before my eyes.
When I spoke to Richy, I could see that he was trying very hard to let me see him. As if with the last of his strength he was forcing himself to put the phone in the right position. Maybe he wanted to say something. But the blood from his mouth must have surprised him, and he was unable to say anything clear. And then the phone fell down. Probably Richy released his grab when he passed out. Yes. Passed out. I still don't want to believe Richy is dead. If I do this, I will break down. Anyway, I really don't like the idea of seeing the rest of the group die before my eyes. I don't want to lose them.
Suddenly I heard a ping from my phone. The group or Jake. I bet on the latter.
Jake
Tirada?
You
Another threatening call.
He was definitely listening. He almost always listens. So he should know what was said.
Jake
I know. I heard.
You
He threatened them. He threatened me.
That he would kill us.
He said Richy is dead.
Jake
He want to scare you.
Nothing will happen to you.
You
I know I'll be fine.
I'm not from Duskwood.
But THEY are not safe.
He can attack them anytime!
Jake
We won't let him do that.
Look, he got scared. He want you to be scared too.
That we would stop looking. It means we're very close to find Hannah's kidnapper!
I am well aware why the kidnapper called me. I agree with Jake. He got scared that we are so close and we found his hiding place. Although…
You
How did he know Thomas and Jessy would be there?
Jake
What?
He must have been confused by my sudden change of subject, though he should have been used to it by now.
You
It does not make sense.
Candles were lit behind the closed door.
This is fire hazard.
Jake
?
You
You saw how that place looked like.
It would be really easy to set everything on fire.
And why he used candles? Wouldn't it be better to use flashlights or lanterns?
It was a hideout from a horror movie. Is it because he tends to be dramatic?
That’s why he used a legend and impersonate himself as one?
I sincerely doubt it.
Jake, it looked like it was set up.
Man without a face knew they would be there.
I’m sure of it.
Who is wearing a mask entering his own hideout?
What for?
Jake
Wait a second.
Aren’t you jumping to conclusions?
You
What do you mean?
Jake
Their car was parked in the driveway.
Maybe he had the mask with him and he put it on because he saw the vehicle?
You
Then why he left?
Why he wasn’t inside?
I started to wonder. What reason could he have for going outside?
You
Do you think the car was audible from the hideout?
Jake
I don’t know.
It is possible.
You
I have two theories.
Jake
I listen.
You
The first one:
Everything was prepared for the arrival of Thomas and Jessy.
The man without a face knew they were coming.
Therefore, he prepared his burrow very carefully.
It is possible that he wanted to attack them by a surprise.
Jake
And the second one?
You
The man was in the hideout when he heard the car.
He went out to check who is coming from a distance.
Just in case, he took the mask with him.
When he saw that it was Thomas and Jessy, he decided to wait for the right opportunity and strike.
He must have seen they were on the phones, so he didn't want to act right away.
So that we wouldn't be able to warn anyone.
Jake
I need to think about it.
You
Jake. I really don’t want any of my theories come true.
Especially the first one.
Jake
That would mean that someone from the group informed him.
You
Exactly. I’m afraid of that.
I hesitated. Both of the theories made a shiver run down my spine. Although I knew both of them weren't quite accurate. They didn't explain everything. Before I can draw any more conclusions, I need to talk to Thomas and Jessy. And the rest. I need to check what was possible and what was not. Could he watched them? How did the sound spread around in that place? Did they see another car while escaping? There were a lot of things ahead of me.
Jake
Don’t worry.
If all goes well, the police will catch him.
There was enough evidence to arrest him.
You
Sorry, but I'll be pessimistic.
I'm sure he knows the police have been called.
I'm waiting for information about the fire.
Jake
It's all because of his threats.
You're upset.
You
I know.
I have to inform the rest.
Jake
Yes.
He started to type something but I didn’t wait.
You
There is one plus of this man’s call.
Jake
What do you mean?
You
We know something new.
The man without a face doesn’t know about you.
Despite Lilly’s video.
He didn’t threaten you.
After writing this, I left the conversation and turned on group chat. I was a bit calmer. I was still afraid for my friends' lives, but now I felt that I can warn them and bear their own anxiety for their lifes. I have to be strong. I have to be their support. Because if I panic too, it'll be over.
GROUP CHAT
You
Guys?
I got another threatening phone call.
It's not good.
Irishbelle Tue 31 Aug 2021 07:04AM UTC
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TiradaCheo Fri 03 Sep 2021 09:28PM UTC
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