The Place of Memories
720 Words
Mary led them through the abandoned compound at a fast pace.
“This way,” she said breathlessly. “It’s not far.”
Tedros glanced around, uneasy. “You sound very sure.”
Mary nodded without slowing. “We used to eat lunch there. Every day. Same spot. Same bench.”
Ariella studied her. “You must know Alexa very well.”
Mary smiled sadly. “I tried to.”
Sarah sighed. “Even I don’t know her that well… and I lived with her.”
Mary stopped for a moment, wiping her eyes. “Alexa was the sweetest person I ever met. She laughed easily. She forgave easily.”
Her voice cracked. “That’s why I want her back.”
Ariella stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Hey. We’ll get her back.”
Mary nodded, tears slipping down. “I hope so.”
Tedros motioned forward. “Come on.”
They turned a corner—
—and froze.
Kira lay on the floor.
Foam at the edges of her mouth.
Her eyes wide, shaking.
“KIRA!” Sarah rushed forward.
Tedros knelt quickly and tore away the orange-smoke bindings around her mouth.
Kira screamed hoarsely, “IT’S A TRAP!”
Sarah frowned. “What do you mean—”
SLAM.
Every door shut at once.
CRASH.
Windows sealed.
The air darkened.
Orange shadows poured from the walls.
Mary gasped. “No…”
Slow clapping echoed.
Alexa stepped out from behind a broken pillar.
Casual. Calm. Smiling.
“Well,” she said lightly, “according to the dictionary… being trapped means having no possible escape.”
Her eyes glowed orange.
The flickering lightning across her face pulsed steadily.
“There’s no need to run anymore,” she continued. “Funny thing is… I’ve been the one running.”
Valerina stepped forward. “Alexa, please. Stop this.”
The creatures lunged—
Alexa lifted a finger.
They froze.
“I’ll handle this.”
Valerina struck first, lightning flashing—
Alexa waved her hand.
Valerina flew backward and crashed into a wall.
Tedros charged—
Alexa spun, sending him flying.
Sarah tried to counter—
Alexa slammed her down.
Wendy, Stella, Mia—each fell hard.
Then Alexa turned to Ariella.
With one sharp motion, she flung her across the room.
Ariella hit the ground, sliding.
She pushed herself up slowly.
“Alright,” Ariella said coldly. “That’s enough.”
Ice crept across her skin.
Frost engulfed her body.
She launched forward—
Kicked Alexa with full force.
Alexa skidded backward and dropped to one knee.
Everyone stared.
Alexa lifted her head slowly.
Her eyes cleared—just for a moment.
“Ariella…” she whispered.
Ariella froze. “Alexa?”
“Don’t let it control me,” Alexa begged quietly. “Please. Everything is orange… everything…”
Ariella rushed forward. “Fight it! I’m here!”
Alexa bent forward, clutching her head.
Shaking.
For a second—
Hope.
Then—
She straightened.
Smiled.
Orange flared brighter.
“You almost got us,” she said, her voice layered deeply. “With the ITE.”
She flicked her hand.
Orange fire blasted Ariella backward.
Ariella crashed into debris.
Alexa laughed softly. “Wow. That was a relief.”
Mary stepped forward desperately. “Alexa, I know you’re still in there!”
Alexa turned her head slowly.
“Oh, Mary,” she said sweetly. “You know… you were never confident either.”
Mary staggered back, shaken.
Valerina snapped, “That’s not Alexa talking!”
Ariella stood again, fists clenched.
Tedros positioned himself in front of the group.
Alexa suddenly skipped in a small circle, childlike.
“Oh! I know!” she clapped. “Let’s play a game.”
Fear rippled through them.
They knew the ITE’s games.
Games ended in death.
Alexa grinned. “Get out of this room… and I give you Kira.”
Kira whimpered.
“If you don’t,” Alexa continued, “you all die here.”
She laughed.
“Enjoy.”
Orange smoke swirled violently.
She grabbed Kira—
—and vanished.
Immediately, thick orange gas poured from the walls.
Tedros coughed. “This isn’t normal smoke!”
Sarah gasped. “It’s poisonous!”
Tedros shouted, “We have to get out—NOW!”
The room filled rapidly.
And Alexa was already gone.
- Writer
