DAYMARE 20: The Fight in the Night

Every story Riegel shared about his past with Hestral was intense. Jethro and I just sat there, quiet, soaking up all his stories.

It is windy and not too hot right now. Perfect weather to listen to Riegel’s side of his story.

Then, out of nowhere, Jethro broke the silence.

“You were there the night she died. Kinda messed up, huh?”

The area went dead silent.

“Yeah, I was there that night when she died.” Riegel lowered his head, staring at the ground. His face was blank, but I could see the pain behind it.

“Jethro!”

I gasped as Jethro suddenly stood and pulled Riegel’s collar.

“Is that all? That’s your reaction? D*mn! How stupid can you be? You just let Hestral die even after she warned you someone was out to get her!”

Jethro’s face was red with anger, and he was ready to throw a punch.

I quickly stepped in, pulling them apart.

“Yeah, it seems that way. Maybe she’d still be here if I’d just followed her instead of letting her brush me off and standing there doing nothing.”

“You sick bastard!” Jethro bawled.

“Wait, Je-” Riegel mumbled, but Jethro raised his fist. “I was one of Santia and Ronale’s victims, too!”

“What?” I asked, stunned.

“I couldn’t stay silent that afternoon and night…”

Finally, Jethro calmed down and let Riegel talk. We all sat back down.

“I kept thinking about what Hestral said all night. I couldn’t find a moment’s peace, like I was trapped in a nightmare. So, I decided to watch over her while her parents were still away. I left our house.”

“What did you do next?” I asked him.

I didn’t waste a second. I grabbed a quick bite, threw on my black jacket, pants, and a dark blue cap, then headed out of our house.

My parents questioned where I was going this hour. I lied and told them I’ll have an overnight stay at a friend’s house. It wasn’t completely a lie because I’ll indeed spend the night at a friend’s house but not for leisure. I have to do this.

I rode a public vehicle, and it led me to my target destination.

By 7:05 PM, I was standing right in front of Hestral’s place. It’s a big house, two stories tall, semi-modern style, and isolated—no neighbors on either side or across the street. The closest house was like a 20-minute walk away.

I found a spot under a huge mango tree on the empty lot by their gate and sat down on its roots. Only a streetlight and some light spilling from Hestral’s windows lit up the dark, quiet street.

The ground floor lights were on, probably in the living room and kitchen. That meant Hestral was probably chilling, maybe eating or watching TV. I couldn’t see inside because of the thick curtains, but the light stayed on until 10 PM.

I might be stalking Hestral, but this is my way of protecting her if she won’t let me do it my initial way. It would have been better if she could have at least spent a night in our house, where we could watch over her, but she refused to.

I’d been watching for three hours, feeling like some kind of thief. Nothing seemed off. I was about to bail when suddenly, the ground-floor light went out, and a light popped on upstairs. It must be Hestral’s room.

I knew the layout pretty well. Their house has a spacious living room, a kitchen, a dirty kitchen, and a powder room downstairs. A master bedroom, Hestral’s room, and a guest room upstairs.

The light in her room meant she was probably getting ready for bed.

Then, after about half an hour, something caught my attention. The light in her room flickered on and off. How strange. She wasn’t a kid messing around. Then the light stayed on again, but the curtain was slightly open. I pulled out my scratched eyeglasses from my jacket pocket and put them on.

What I saw made my stomach drop.

A shadow, a figure, lit by the moonlight. I thought it was just Hestral, but there were two other people.

This can’t be!

Hestral was supposed to be alone. If anyone had come in, I would’ve seen them at the gate or known Hestral let them in.

Without thinking, I bolted to the gate and rang the doorbell.

“Hestral! It’s me, Riegel!”

I pounded and shook the gate, but no one answered. I climbed over the fence but found their main door locked.

“Hestral, this is Riegel. Let me in. Whoever you are, show yourself and don’t hurt Hestral!” I shouted.

I knew someone was right behind that door. The light on the ground floor was on, and a shadow moved at the door sill. I heard the doorknob jiggle.

When the door opened, I saw a woman with a face mask and a ponytail.

*baaam!*

A fist from a man welcomed into me. I ducked.

“No!” the woman shouted.

I turned and saw her; she’s with a man. The man had no mask. I recognized him immediately.

“Santia, Lloyd…” I whispered, looking shocked at him.

“Right, Riegel, Riegel,” Lloyd muttered my name multiple times.

He punched me on my face.

“Hey, stop it. Riegel’s already hurt!” Nicole tried to stop Lloyd.

“Cut the crap! I turned on the light and I didn’t wear a mask.” Lloyd snapped.

“But-”

“You were bold with Hestral, but such a coward with him.” Lloyd ripped her mask off, revealing her face. Ronale, Nicole.

“Traitors,” I mouthed, staring at them.

They were supposed to be Hestral’s friends, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. Hestral warned me about them. But seeing them firsthand was a whole different thing.

DAYMARE 20: The Fight in the Night part 2

“N-No, Riegel. Lloyd and I planned to stay over at Hestral’s tonight because she’s lonely with her parents gone.” Nicole said, forcing a smile.

“I don’t have time for traitors like you.” I mumbled.

“How dare you!” Lloyd lunged to hit me again, but Nicole grabbed him from behind.

“Let go! We have to kill him. He’s a witness!” Lloyed resisted Nicole.

“What are you doing to Hestral?”

“Pretending you don’t know? You should know we’re killing Hestral tonight. She told you, remember?”

I froze at what Lloyd said.

“We were outside her room this afternoon when you visited. We heard everything. No one believed Hestral would die—thought she was crazy. But you came anyway. We expected her to shut up. But now you know something, so you’re not leaving breathing.” He threatened me.

This is why Hestral warned me about Lloyd and Nicole because they’d come after me.

“You’re not getting away!” Lloyd broke free from Nicole and pulled out a knife.

Before he could strike, Nicole grabbed his arm.

“Nicole, stop holding me back!”

“Just Hestral, not Riegel, please…” she begged.

“Are you that stupid?” Lloyd snapped.

“Yes. I can’t forgive myself if…” Nicole froze, then grabbed my arms and cried, “Riegel, I’ll forget you came here. We’ll pretend like you never went here. We’ll let you go as you keep this between us.”

I didn’t expect that. For sure there’s a catch if I agreed with her. I’d known she liked me since grade 7, but I always ignored her about it.

“I’d rather die than be your accomplice.”

Lloyd laughed like it was a joke. “What are you waiting for? Kill him!”

Nicole was speechless. But I was speechless by how Lloyd behaves. At school, he acts as a demure boy. Never seen this side of his until now.

“Here’s the kitchen knife,” Lloyd said, shoving the blade into Nicole’s hand. “If anyone finds out we’re killers, you’ll be the one in trouble. Don’t let your emotions hinder our goal. Do it right.” He pointed at her chest, then turned to leave. “You go first. I’ll watch Hestral. Hurry up.”

I pulled out my phone when they weren’t looking, where I’d already dialed the police and had a message typed.

Blk. 3 Lot 12 on an unknown street. There is a crime happening here.

One quick tap on my phone and the message was sent.

“I shouldn’t have let you live, Riegel,” she whispered through tears before lunging at me.

I thought she was gonna stab me, but she pulled a hammer from her pocket instead and slammed it into my head.

“Ugh,” I grunted.

The pain was instantly felt. My skull is pounding, and my vision is blurring.

I tried to stand, kicked at her leg, but she dodged. She was just a girl. I should’ve been able to handle her.

She swung the knife at me again and again, slicing my left arm before I finally knocked it away and grabbed her wrist.

“Stop this! You’re losing it.” I pushed her away from me.

She took four steps backward after I pushed her.

“No way, Riegel... This has to happen.” She cries.

“You don’t gain anything from this. Surrender now, while you can still walk free.”

I have to get through her. Lloyd is firmer about his decision about harming me and Hestral, but I guess I could negotiate with Nicole. If I could get her to our side, there’s a higher possibility of turning the tables to our favor easily and instantly.

“No... this is our fate. We’re all puppets.”

Before I could process what she said, especially the last part, she sprayed a liquid right at my eyes. But I was wearing glasses—they barely got me.

I tapped her spray away, hoping to snap her out of it. She seems shocked. I needed her to see how wrong this was.

I grabbed the kitchen knife I’d knocked from her and got ready to rush inside to save Hestral. But when something stopped me.

“Riegel!” I heard Hestral’s voice, weak and desperate. “Riegel, help me… mmm…”

It was her! Maybe Lloyd was holding her captive, trying to silence him. I hoped she was okay, but she’s obviously in distress. I just wish nothing severe has happened to her.

The liquid from that she sprayed on my eyes, some of it got into my eyes. It hurt so bad, I feel my eyes went burning. She pepper-sprayed me. Then everything went numb.

Nicole smashed the hammer into my head again, twice as hard. My face slammed into the rough concrete. Blood dripped down, and my glasses shattered completely. I can hear a high pitch after the blow. I feel drained and powerless.

I closed my eyes, gasping, trying to block out the pain.

With blurred vision, I saw Nicole kneeling by my head.

“That’s what you get for looking elsewhere when I’m right here,” she said coldly with an empty expression.

She stood holding a hammer in her hand. She’s looking ready for another blow.

With my last bit of strength, I pulled out my phone from my pocket.

“Good evening, Torinay Police. You sent a message earlier at 10:53 PM? Just confirming the situation at your location…”

Before I could say more, a voice interrupted.

“Hello? Hello? Ma’am? Sir? We’re short-staffed tonight. Might not get there until 12:30 AM.”

Nicole grabbed the phone from me and answered.

“Yes?”

“Hello, Ma’am. We will try to send help sooner if you give us more details of your location.” The female telecommunicator stated.

“I didn’t send any message. Wrong number.” Nicole denied the help I asked for.

“But you’re right—”

Nicole cut the call. She dropped my phone and smashed it with the hammer.

“Thought you could outsmart me?” she smirked.

Then everything went black as she hit me again.