Surprise! Halloween is just around the corner. So, I thought I'd revive this little story here to celebrate the month of spooky goodness. I've also made a lot of changes to the second chapter and I know exactly how I want things to go from here on out. Expect a few surprises.

Will the group find Audrey? Let's begin shall we? I also want to take a moment to say thanks to everyone who's taken the time to read this one so far.

Fear

Mike

Nikki's looking at me with those eyes – so cool and calculating. The girl works like a computer, almost always moving at a pace that feels three moves ahead of the rest of us. Sure she's the youngest, but that doesn't stop her from being crazy intelligent.

She lets out a soft sigh before finally looking to Tiffany. "We should go check upstairs. I highly doubt Audrey made it all the way back through the house and down a set of stone stairs in complete darkness."

The gamer girl's words set to bring the burn of anger back – just as I'd spent so long trying to cool it too. Dammit! How can Tiffany and Nikki of all people not see the truth for what it is? For the love of God! We found proof that Audrey was around that part of the house! She's down there. She has to be.

"You can count me out then," I growl, fists clenched in a pale attempt at controlling my rising emotions. Turning my back on them, all three of them, isn't something I think twice about. Audrey wandered off during the power outage and she could be hurt, all alone in this big house!

"Oh for goodness sakes, dude!" A hand grabs my shoulders; a short shout from Kyanna unevenly levelled my way along with it. The motherly tone of voice, as if I'm a kid doing something wrong. Of course. I shouldn't expect anything less. "After what I just said to you about staying together, too! Don't be an idiot. Shit!"

Nothing she says here's gonna change my mind. I narrow my gaze. "If you want to go upstairs then be my guest." My voice is short on patience – short of anything nice in general, even though I don't mean for it to come across that way. I'm just worried.

"Sorry Kyanna." I do my best to give her an apology, forcing myself to cool with a silent exhale of breath. This whole situation's a mess. "You're not changing my mind… but you have a point. That's why you should stick with Nikki and Tiffany. I'll go down there on my own."

"Like hell you will!" Kyanna's seething – the way she tries to grab for my arm is telling enough – all the more reason for me to back away. Underneath of that welcoming, tomboyish exterior there's a serious, passionate little she-lion waiting for you.

I know that all too well. She's emotional, supportive, and the kindest friend you could ask for, but when you push her far enough, push her like I did, things take a turn. I'm sorry to walk away from you like this, Miss Delrio, but this is something I have to do.

"You guys go ahead and look upstairs." Putting a few feet of distance between the furious Latina, and myself I turn my back – the sight of the long eastern corridor with its tattered wallpaper, mouldy corners and cobwebs greeting me. "I'll be okay by myself. Back before you know it... trust me."

"Fine! Be that way! Last time I go out of my way to show concern, ass."

I don't have to be facing her to know Kyanna's turned her back – the heavy thumps of her sneakered footsteps across the old, dusty red carpets are enough. Knowing she's moving away from me brings the feeling of tension down a notch – there's a weight lifting from my shoulders.

At least if I'm alone, I can't drag anyone else down with me. That and I can't shake this feeling that there's eyes on me – that there's eyes on every single one of us. It's the same sickening chill I felt scuttling down my back before climbing down the trapdoor.

"Hey! Wait up Kyanna!" Tiffany calls out – her soft, concerned voice echoing off the walls like some kind of scary cinema sound effect. "Don't go rushing off ahead. Relax, won't you? I'm coming with you."

Her footfalls are trailing off in the same direction – that leaves two. Breathing a short, apologetic sigh, I turn around again. I already know who's hanging back. Those distinct but strangely cute thick rimmed glasses, her sci-fi geek shirt with the curvy blue alien on the front – the disapproving knit of her brows.

Nikki-Ann closes the gap – much to my surprise. The sudden jump in my chest jolts my senses. Standing toe-to-toe, those bright, intelligent blue eyes invade me, overcoming my defences.

"If you run into any problems then use the Huniebee. Go to my profile and find me using the tracking function. Our regular phones don't work up here but fairy phones seem to be fine."

I give a jittery nod of understanding. To say I'm shocked by how to the point Nikki's being is putting things lightly. It's crazy how at one moment she can have seriously dragging self-confidence. Since the second we arrived here, she's taken control of the situation. What's driving her? Why's she so determined?

"I understand." It's all I can say, aside from trying to give her the most comforting of smiles. "If anything goes wrong I'll let you know right away."

"Good – because when you do stupid crap like this it really makes me think you're an idiot." Jarring words but she's still helping me. "Oh and-"

Nikki pauses, reaching into the pocket of her shorts. I'm handed a tiny device – a lifeline. Closing my fingers around it with one of my clammy hands, she begins what I just know is going to be a mini explanation.

"It's not very powerful… but this pocket flashlight should help. Don't worry about the battery, either. It'll last for days before running dry. I checked it myself."

Placing the item into my pocket – I flash her a look of thanks. "Should come in h-"

I'm struck, a wisp of taking hold. Those bespectacled eyes are going even deeper, Nikki's dainty hands squeezing tight around my shoulders. She looks nervous – the bad kind of nervous. I swear, the way she's holding onto me it's like I've already turned around and left!

"Be careful." I've never heard the quiet gamer girl sound so serious about something before. That tone leant an air of extreme seriousness to it – one that's almost a little scary. "I'm not the only one that feels it, am I? The air's cold and miserable."

I cut her off with a stiff, careful nod. "Like something's there – in the corner of the eye. We turn to look at it and it's gone again… something fuzzy… like a shadow."

"Exactly." Nikki lets me go, looking me over one last time. "No heroics. No showmanship. No showing off. If Audrey's down there… you two get out first through the trapdoor and message me. I'll follow with Tiffany and Kyanna."

Sounds like a good enough plan for me. "Got it. Loud and clear."

We share those last words before parting ways. Something in my stomach churns, like I'm going to vomit. Everything here feels so final, and that brings the fear scuttling back to me all over again. No, Mike. Calm the ever-loving fuck down. Do what Nikki said. Find the redhead and get out.

Here I am, stood at the top of the staircase – the one leading downward into the wine cellar. It's a good job Nikki gave me the pocket light too. Since the blackout, the light fixtures, old and dusty from years of neglect, are going crazy down there. I can see them from here, flickering on and off like the bulbs might burst at any moment. I have to keep calm.

Alright – I'm down the stairs – that's step one out of the way. Time to head back the way we came. As long as I take a straight shot down this passageway and don't stray I shouldn't get lost down here. It smells so musty too, the rows of old wine casks thick with dust and crap. How long has it been since somebody came down here aside from us, I wonder?

The wind is howling, blowing through with a bitter chill – I can hear the rain coming down outside again, too. Makes it hard to move, especially since I'm not dressed for this kind of weather. Pinpricks jab at my skin, goose bumps forming across my arms. I need to concentrate on what I came down here t-

*SLAM!*

"Fuck…."

My heart's racing quicker than I can keep track of – a sharp, sudden pain clenching my chest. The trapdoor at the end of the cellar, it has to be. Christ I'm jumping at my own shadow here, but there's no denying how dank and suffocating it feels down here, almost like the walls are closing in.

There's a pressure building - in the back of my mind, faint but definitely present in its own weird way. A whisper, a calling. The flickering of the lights hastens, a strange compliment to the echo inside my skull – crawling around, colder and colder with its intoxicating nausea. The walls are creeping closer! I can see them! They're moving!

'Get out… Get out now… before it's too late…'

Oh god. I can see it again! That agonizing moment, trapped in the dark, stuffy storage room when I was a kid! There's no way out of there. No matter how many times I pull at the door handle it won't open. No matter how much I call out, no matter how tight my lungs get – I'm locked in until sunrise.

If I stay down here, if I listen to the voices – I'll be trapped all over again. I need to move! The trapdoor isn't too far now. I've made good progress. Run Mike. Run. Can't breathe – I can't fucking breathe!

'She's watching you… waiting…. Can you feel her gaze scraping across your skin, her cold, frozen hands sliding down your back? If you don't go… now… you may never leave.'

Those frightful whispers are only getting louder and lounder – drowning out the pounding of my footsteps against the old floor. I'm almost there. Whatever's inside my head, it's guiding me – I should listen. I never should've come here. This was all a mistake. My escape's almost within arms reac-

*THUMP!*

The world's spinning – my stomach swishing and swaying around. A dampness, a coldness crawls across my back. I'm staring upward, my eyes fixated on the sight of cobwebs and stone – the lights above me shining brightly. I'm dazed, overpowered, sucking in air with all the strength I can muster. Everything's coming back to me, slowly and heavily, one-step at a time.

I'm on the floor – a pair of bright red orbs of light staring into me. "W-what the?"

In a moment I've jumped to my feet – the feeling of tension and hopelessness has gone. The horrific, warning sounds I could hear aren't there anymore, and almost like magic, the walls that were threatening to close around me are perfectly still. The wine cellar is back to normal, as normal as when we first passed through it a couple of hours ago.

"I'm losing it…. Was all that shit just my imagination running away with itself? For the love of- Keep it together…. You're down here for a reason."

I glance over my shoulder. "There's nothing there."

The way back to the kitchen is clear. I'm not more than twenty feet from the creaky panel trapdoor – it's banging violently with the force of the weather. Well, that settles it. Audrey isn't down here. Well, not in the straight shot, at least. I could take a right turn when I head back and search the alcoves, but surely I would've-

"M-Miike…"

Icy coldness grips me – fingers squeeze tight around my shoulders. In a second flat, my breathlessness is back. Long, slender arms coil around my neck, slow, shuddering breaths seeping into my ears. A heartbeat pulses through my head. It isn't mine.

Dammit – I'm not alone down here after all. It's impossible to gather my thoughts but I still need to break free! Something's attached to me like a limpet, clinging on. No way am I letting something fuck me up in here – not when I'm already my own worst enemy at times like this!

Self-defence one-o-one. Let's see them keep a grip on me with an elbow in the freakin' stomach!

There comes a painful, desperate wheeze in my ears as I slug whoever the hell's holding onto me – making damn sure to twist my elbow around. The arms around my neck are loosening, thank God! It takes a moment, but finally I'm free to move, and using all of my weight, I spin around, holding up my fists to-

"THE FUCK?! S-STOP! STOP!"

I'm frozen to the spot – frills and tassels stare back at me, long, frazzled locks of crimson hair whipping away from a pair of bloodshot, trembling red eyes! Lacy-gloved fingers, deathly cold, reach out and slink around my face, tears falling free in a deluge from a broken porcelain doll.

"Audrey…."

"Y-you fuck! D-didn't have to hurt me!"

She's alright! She's safe! Thank goodness! Dammit! What've I done? Way to go, idiot! You come down here to help the poor girl and then you go shunting her in the fucking ribs.

There's a moment of silence – agonizing silence. Nothing but the patter of rainfall outside washes away the stillness between the two of us. Finally, the gravity of the situation sinks in properly! I'm drawn to the sight of the bitchy primadonna and her clothes.

"What happened to you?"

It looks like she's been through hell down here! Her dress is torn, near enough shredded down one side near the neck and shoulder, her bra on full show. Not to mention she looks paler than usual, dangerously pasty even. I can't help bit reach out, but she quivers at my attempts at providing comfort, flipping back her chaotic hair.

That's when I see it.

"Don't touch me! I-I'm fine! Stop standing around…. We need to go… RIGHT NOW!"

Three long, bloodied scratch marks. At first, Audrey's locks shielded them, but now that she's swished them away – this gory looking injury is on perfect show. I'd rather brave her viper's tongue and find out what happened. I don't care if she goes off on me.

"Your neck." Again I reach out, my fingertips mere inches away. She freezes up as I make contact with the skin just below, trying to at least provide some comfort in my touch. "What in the world? That mark… it doesn't look… normal."

"It's…." Whiter and whiter Miss Belrose is going. The very color is draining from her before my eyes. Her pupils shrink to the size of pinpricks as she grabs for my middle and squeezes tight in a fearful shriek. "It's coming…. She's coming…. We're not alone in here…. If we don't all get out right now then…."

Audrey's shaking me – her expression feral and frantic. The girl I know and once loved is barely here right now. No, it's a ghost is staring at me, staring through me. A look of madness is on fire inside. "I'll… tell you when we get outside… but right now?"

The diva's nails sink into my skin in a sharp warning. She's glaring at me – fearful and unhinged. "Get me out…. Christ I'll fuckin blow you as long as you get me the fuck out!"

You didn't need to offer me something like that to help you. Without another word, I grab for those dainty wrists of hers. The redhead yelps loudly under my hold. In a second flat, she's holding me in a tangled hug, wiping her tears against my already damp shirt before pulling back and snatching up one of my hands.

Everything moves around me – I'm running before my feet can register their movement. Audrey's pulling me along with hurried breaths, dragging me the rest of the way. We're standing below the trapdoor, my bedraggled red-dressed charge staring through the tiny rain-drenched crack between the shutters as though it's the sole answer to all of her prayers.

"G-give me a boost." Hands on her hips, the party girl stares me down desperately. "N-now! C'mon! The door's right in fucking front of us!"

I nod, motioning for her to come forward. "Be careful…. It's really slippery. Don't want you to hurt yourself."

"Unlikely… after what I've seen tonight."

Shuddering at her own words, Audrey climbs up, using me as support until she can grab for the bottom wrung of the ladder directly below the trapdoor. With a rasp of breath, she gets a firm grip with one hand, using the other to shunt open the doors.

Again, the wind screams at us – and the sight of thrashing trees – raindrops battering my face, greets me. Through blurred vision and the frozen chill of night air, I watch as one-step at a time, Audrey climbs up the ladder and slumps with a loud exhausted breath on the muddy ground.

In and out, she wheezes, staring up at the furious sky with a thankful expression. By the time she looks back to me, she's smiling like I've just saved her life.

"Kay… Suppose I should help your sleazy ass, hm?"

One of Audrey's slender hands greets me. With the added support, I'm able to get enough leverage to pull myself up and grab for the ladder. My arms burn under the strain, but using my upper body I'm able to haul myself up, flopping face first into the mud with a heavy cough as my lungs pull tight.

I'm free – a disjointed smirk curving my lips. Equally muddy and messed up, Audrey clings to my shirt, resting her head against my shoulder with a grateful sigh. "Thanks… I guess."

"Welcome."

Not a moment longer and my companion is already on her feet, dragging me up with a pair of helpful hands as she looks off into the distance. It's near impossible to see anything. We're both squinting, but before I realize I'm on the move again.

"Fuck… let's get outta the rain! Where're the others? Why didn't you bring Tiffany and Nikk with you?!"

I shake my head as Audrey pulls me along with a surprising amount of force. My shoes slip through the mud – it stings to keep my eyes open, but before too long our destination's in sight. The little servant's outhouse we took shelter in before. We're almost back there.

"I didn't leave them for a fucking joke," I answer abruptly – my focus more on walking in this ungodly weather than anything. "They're still the house… looking for you! We split up. Said I'd text Nikki when I find you and we'd meet up out here."

"What the fuck Winters?!"

Out of the rain at last, hauled inside the mouldy old building and as dry as can be expected, despite the holes in the roof and the soggy cracks in the walls. I'm not free from the heating fire of Audrey's mood, however. Not by a long shot.

There she stands, shaky and ringing out her hair, a look more terrifying than this thunderstorm plastered across her lips. So much for the gratitude for helping her a minute ago. "You left them in there? You idiot! You don't have a clue, do you?! They're in danger! Message Nikki right now!"

After slamming the door shut, she moves to join me – watching intrusively as I pull the Huniebee phone from the confines of my pocket. I'm surprised it still works. Any other phone and this much wet would've killed it.

"In danger from what? The hell's in there to scratch up your neck like that?!"

I have one eye on the message screen and the other on Audrey. She traces her fingers across the deep markings in her skin, wincing terribly under the sensation. A look of horror revisits her, the same nerve-wracking insanity that held her tight when we were in the wine cellar.

"You didn't see it? No 'course you didn't…. Makes sense…."

She's shaking – from the cold and from the fear. I've never seen her like this before. A girl so proud and self-confident to the point of cocky reduced to a trembling mess. She's the Audrey Belrose – one of the prettiest girls in town, and now look at her. A muddy, scruffy, waterlogged wreckage.

It looks like she's going to say something, but a moment later she stops – instead scrambling with the hands of an addict toward the pocket of her tattered dress. She fishes out a packet of cigarettes, but they look very soggy.

"Great... The last thing I need." Audrey tosses them away, holding her head in her hands. A tiny scream escapes her, muffled largely by the rainfall. When she comes back, her eyes, tearful and desperate, focus in on me entirely.

"When the lights went out," the party girl begins in a tiny, cracked voice. "Something came at me…. It was hanging from the chandelier on the ceiling… fangs… oozing with saliva and shit, bony hands... It looked starved, greyed skin… deep, nasty black eyes…."

My entire body stiffens, a creepy crawly feeling moving around under my skin. That tone of voice says it all – completely honest.

Brand new tears, streams and streams of them pour down Audrey's cheeks as she reaches out and grabs me tight, squeezing so hard that I get the impression she believes I'll vanish in an instant. Muffled against my chest, she whispers.

"I tried to get free… smashed a wine bottle over its head but the fucking thing didn't even flinch! Just kept dragging me on my back… next thing I knew I was in the cellar…. Its tongue was like a razor blade, scraping against my skin… it tore my dress and… and-"

Audrey's quaking – small and vulnerable as she looks up again. "The power came back on at the last second… It screamed… the fucking sound it made…. If it wasn't for that… I'd be dead…. That freak… whatever it was… looked sorta like a woman… had tits."

By now, I've dropped the phone on the creaky old bed. All I can focus on is giving comfort where I can. So, there's something in there alright. Not just a legend or rumour. A creature – real and existing. Dammit, after seeing a fairy I'm willing to believe anything, and the terror across Audrey's face? There's no way she's making it up.

"It scratched up your neck too?"

"Uh-huh." Audrey lets me go, scooting back and looking into her lap in deep thought. "Whatever it is… you have to warn the others. Stop worrying about me and get back to texting Nikki. NOW!"

Her words spark me into action. Scooping up the Huniebee, I open up the message box and get to work – my fingers blaze across the screen. There's no time to lose.

'Good news. I found Audrey. We're safe… taking shelter from the rain in one of the outhouses. Nikki, this is gonna sound a little crazy, but all those rumours you talked about? Well, let's just say there might be something to them after all. Audrey was attacked, scratched up… badly. Soon as you get this message… leave. The trapdoor's still open. Grab Kyanna and Tiffany. We're waiting for you. STAY FROSTY!'

Once the message goes through, I let out a gentle sigh – trying my best to keep calm. "It's done."

Audrey doesn't say a word. She's focused on the raindrops, watching the patterns they make as they slide down the windowpane. Poor girl's still shaking.

This whole thing sounds nuts – yet I've got no reason to disagree. I've felt eyes on me ever since I got here, and even the most skilled practical joker wouldn't take things this far. Kind of ironic too. The sight of the calendar on my Huniebee leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

October 28th.

It's Halloween in three days.

I scoff at that – shaking my head, listening to the rain pour outside our rundown little dwelling. Audrey's still a thousand miles away, lost in her own little world.

"What have we gotten ourselves into here?"

My sharp, ironic question's more than enough to snap the redhead from her thoughts. Frowning, she gives me a shrug of the shoulders, shivering from the cold.

"Trouble… real fuckin' trouble."

Yeah, no kidding, Audrey. No kidding.

To be continued….

There you have it. Another chapter comes to a close. Did you like it? Is there anything you'd like to see in future? Feel free to leave some feedback and let me know what you think. I wanted to make things less predictable up to this point!

As always, keep on supporting Huniepop and Huniecam Studio. I'll see you in the next part!