Warning:Violence and Blood

The grandfather clock rang, marking the hour.

She let out a terrible scream, the pain felt so unbearable. Blood thumping in her head created a low rumbling. A sharp sensation ran down the length of her spine, a deep groan bellowed from her chest.

Where was she- what the hell- That just had to be a dream, Oh God please let it be a dream, none of that could have been real right? Her memory felt like they went through a blender, only recalling snippets. There was a trip to a mansion, and she received a call. Wait, there were monsters. Something was chasing them. Oh God Carmen, she needed to call her. What if that thing got to her again?

Caterina threw herself forward, searching for her cellphone. She haphazardly knocked everything onto the floor. Her hands darted against the slick surface of the counter. Why did she always lose that stupid thing? Steady footprints echoed from behind. Her body involuntarily let out a sharp breath and she snapped her head back.

" Sorella, are you okay?" The soft voice called out from behind. Caterina flinched, her body twisting back in place as she grabbed a discarded knife on the counter.

Her eyes frantically darted around the room, trying to ground herself. She was home, this was her kitchen— the dated appliances inherited by her grandmother, a pinboard covered in notes from her college with photos of friends interspaced and the moldy green stain on the ceiling; everything felt so familiar. Yet something felt off

" Caterina." The voice called out louder with more distorted, her head snapped towards the sound. Her grip of the knife grew tighter. In the doorway of the kitchen, stood her youngest brother, Santino, trembling in fear but just past him stood a creature. It could barely stand in their tiny apartment, its bold slumped over the ceiling. It looked emaciated, grayish skin dangling over bones and the eyes were sunken into its face. Caterina let out a sharp breath, watching the creature's fingers wrap around Santino's shoulder.

She stepped forward. The monster stepped back, tightening its hold around Santino. Caterina smiled softly, lowering herself to her brother's height.

" Hey, It's going to be okay. Just look at me okay."

" Can you put down the knife Caterina- you're freaking me out.." Santino shifted his eyes towards the corridor, the creature mimicking him.

" Fuck, don't move! It's right behind you!" She shouted in frustration, taking another step forward.

" There's nothing there! No one else is here!"

" IT'S RIGHT THERE!"

SCREECH

At that moment instincts took over, her mind couldn't keep up anymore. Santino stumbled backwards and the creature sprinted down the corridor with Caterina following after it. Claws scraped against the wood floors, sending shivers down her spine. Santino pained scream Her heart raced as she heard Santino's pained screams, Glass crunched under her feet as she ran, she ignored the sharp pain.

CRASH

The creature's gangly body slammed against the walls, pulling at anything it could get a hold of. Caterina's body awkwardly twisted and dodged the furniture thrown at her, her heart pounding. Unsettling shadows danced across the wall as the lights flickered. The creature screeched out in pain, drool spewing from its unhinged jaw.

The corridor seemed to stretch endlessly, wall decoration repeated the same three patterns. Caterina's breath labored, strands of her hair stuck against the beads of sweat. Caterina skidded to a halt, throwing her entire body towards the creature. Their bodies tumbled together, stopping short of the front door.

Caterina let out a scream, plunging her knife into the beast's back. Blood splattered across the wall, staining anything in its path. Her orange sweater stained green from the creature's blood as she continuously thrusted the knife. It let out a weak squeal, its hand stretching out. Possibly a last ditch attempt to escape. Caterina slumped forwards, strains of brunette hair falling in front of her eyes. She stood up slowly, her feet making sticky sounds as she moved. The familiar click of the front door unlocked and it opened.

" Sorry, sorry! I know I'm late but I brought some take out! "

Ilaria stood in the doorway, smiling without a care in the world. Wearing the paint stain overalls and faded band tee she left that morning. Her auburn hair tousled into a low ponytail, expertly holding a pizza box with one hand. Ilaria walked towards her, stepping over the creature as if it didn't exist. She just kept walking, chattering about mundane things.

" Oh I saw Monika earlier, she's still asking about that cd she lent you. How she gets when you borrow things."

Her body moved like lead, slowly moving back down the corridor. Let the sweet sounds of her sister's babbling lead her back into the kitchen. Caterina stood there, staring into the kitchen. It looked the same as ever, nothing out of place. Ilaria's ponytail bounced as she chatted happily, opening the pizza box and stealing a piece of cheese.

Ilaria twirled around, her smile twitching just for a second. She quickly walked over to Caterina and grabbed her hand, caressing it.

" Hey is everything alright? You look a little pale. "

" I..Thought someone-no something was here….Santino got hurt..I think"

" Hmm? Santino? He's in his room playing fifa. "

If Caterina closed her eyes, she could faintly hear the sound of FIFA 15 in the background. That's right it's Friday night, Santino would play video games with his friends after his tutoring sessions. Then what was that thing from earlier? It felt so real— Ilaria tapped her hand softly, smiling softly.

" Hey, how about you take the first shower? Oh remember we have an early day tomorrow! We're heading upstate to that old mansion remember!"'

Caterina nodded slowly, blinking slowly. She could faintly recall the details of the trip, something about visiting a haunted house. A deep sense filled her stomach, her eyes flickered down to her hand. Her sweater cuffs were still stained with the green blood from that thing but Ilaria didn't bat an eye and freaked out over everything. Maybe the stress of midterms was finally getting to her.

" Cazzo, yeah I'll go first. Don't eat all the pizza again! I counted the slices!" She puffed out her chest, shooting a glare to the younger Italian.

" Hey! You eat just as much as me!"

Caterina flipped her off in response, strolling out the kitchen. Ilaria smiled, watching her sister. When the bathroom door shut, only then did her smile falter.

Ilaria hummed to herself, standing at the walkway of the front door. There her younger brother's body lay slumped on the floor, dried blood underneath his fingertips from his failed escape attempt. His sage eyes, now muted, staring up at the ceiling.

" I was really hoping she would break the loop this time." Ilaria muttered.

She crouched down, lifting her brother up with little care. He felt heavier than usual, maybe she should try those workouts with Monika. It would definitely make this part easier.

The soft sounds of indie music played from the bathroom, harmonizing with the running water. Ilaria grunted as she dragged Santino's body down the hall, she propped his body up against her and opened the hall closet. Several copies of Santino piled in the closet— each covered in identical stab wounds, down to the tears at the fabric. Ilaria grunted, pushing the new body in quickly, shutting the door before the bodies could topple out.

" If this happens again, I might have to move him again" she commented to her, sauntering into the living room.

Ilaria fell backward onto the cluttered couch, curling into the cushions.

A steady ticking of clock echoed throughout the apartment, lulling Ilaria to sleep. The clock hands inched closer and closer, before meeting at the top. Signaling an end to the hour.

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Author's Note: First time posting, long time lurker on this site. This is from a HetaOni au I've been playing around with. Maybe I'll continue the rest in the future but for now I'm satisfied with a one-shot.

Reference Note:

Nyo!Romano- Caterina

Seborga- Santin

Nyo!Italy- Ilaria