Fall quarter had just ended for the students attending Krad University. The hallways were crowded as usual and the campus were filled with all kinds of students from different backgrounds. A tall, slim figure stepped out of one of the university rooms with her drooping. Lily Han breathed a sigh of relief after she had finished the complicated finals for each of the course she had taken. She was in her third year of attending Krad University studying management.
“Finals and all these exams are such a pain!” She grunted. But as soon as she saw the person she wasn’t expecting standing across from her, she changed her tone from annoyance to excitement and ran up to the figure, attacking him with a hug.
For almost six years, Lily and her boyfriend had been in a romantic relationship. They were considered high school sweethearts back in high school and had never fought before. Even after high school, the stayed together and had a child.
They both released each other from the hug and held hands while walking around the campus. “How were the finals?” asked Edward Lu.
Lily pouted. “Don’t remind me of the finals I just took. They were absolutely terrible.”
Edward chuckled at her. “Oh really? I’m pretty sure it wasn’t that bad. But cheer up cause I’ll buy you ice cream later.”
“Alright. It’s already over, there’s no point to complain about them.” She smiled and clung onto Edward’s right arm.
As they were walking, Lily was suddenly concerned about her best friend. “I’m wondering how Alice is doing these days. We would occasionally text here and there, but it’s been almost 10 months since I’ve hung out with her.” She looked up at him after saying that.
Edward felt a little tensed up and avoided eye contact with her but continued to walk. “I’m not so sure as well. I hope she’s doing well though.”
Lily nodded, “Same. We should pay her a visit soon. What’d you think?”
The palms of Edward’s hands were beginning to sweat but Lily took no notice and was waiting for his response.
“Sounds like a good idea, but maybe Alice is really busy these past few months. Maybe because of her family business? It’s best if we don’t disturb her. Besides, we have a child at home, don’t we? We should just focus on our family.”
“You’re right about that. Maybe next time.” She smiled happily and they both continued to walk back to their apartment together after getting a tub of Lily’s favorite ice cream to celebrate the end of fall quarter finals.
Later that evening, Edward had gotten a call from his cell phone. Lily silently walked over and hid behind the wall and listened to the conversation as best as she could.
“What? She’s… Alright. I’ll be there as soon as possible. Thank you.” He hung up and thought for a moment. He felt happy but dared not show it.
Lily approached him with a look of concern written all over her face.
“It’s just a call from the work telling me what happened earlier at the office. It’s nothing to worry about. My boss said I had to come back to finish some of my female co-workers’ tasks.” He lightly kissed her on the forehead and hurriedly walked away while grabbing his jacket.
“I’ll be back soon, and it won’t take long. Watch Leo for me.” He closed the door shut and Lily just stood there.
“Something’s definitely not right…” She started to feel uneasy and was unsure why she was feeling this way. She thought of all the worst-case scenarios that could happen but dismissed it. “He’s for sure not in an illicit relationship… So, what’s up with my uneasiness?”
Lily couldn’t settle down and decided to call her mom over to watch her son. “Mom, something’s going on with Edward. I’m going to check up on him.”
“A-alright sweetie. Be back soon okay?” She left her son with her mom and left quickly out the door.
She drove to Edward’s workplace. Turns out, the company was closed and everyone had already left. Lily took out her phone and texted Edward. No response was given, not even a call back. She left multiple voicemails, but still, nothing. It left her no choice but to follow his GPS tracking location. “Thank god…” She had totally forgotten about it and luckily Edward had his phone and location turned on. The location pointed out to a hospital a couple miles away from the workplace. Lily thought maybe something happened on the way and he was sent to the hospital.
She immediately rushed over to the hospital urgently looking for Edward. As soon as she got to the medical receptionist’s desk, she asked, “Hello. My name is Lily Han. I’m the girlfriend of Edward Lu. I was wondering if he’s okay or if he’s hurt?” The receptionist looked at her funny. “Edward Lu? You mean the person who came here almost half an hour ago? He’s here to see a patient and he’s not hurt at all ma’am.”
“R-really?” A sense of relief washed over her and the anxiety she felt earlier went away. “What hospital room is he in? I would like to check up on him.”
“If I remember correctly, he’s in room 44K.”
“Okay thank you so much.”
Lily got in the elevator and pressed the button to floor 4. “Maybe I was just overthinking…”
“Ding!” The elevator door opened and Lily stepped out to look for room 44K.
As she started to slowly walk up to the destination, she saw two familiar faces and a small baby in their arms.
“No… This can’t be…” All the memories and flashbacks she had started to resurface.
Tears were streaming from her eyes down to her cheek. She wasn’t ready for this. “He lied to me… All this time, I should’ve known he worked at one of Alice’s company. It all makes sense now.” Her lonesome figure stood outside the hospital room from afar and just watched Edward and her best friend fawning over their newborn.
“Oh my. Two lovebirds having a lovely affair. And from that affair, they now have a baby. Isn’t that absolutely appalling?” An unfamiliar voice called out in the distance.
Tears were streaming from her eyes down to her cheek. “He lied to me… All this time, I should’ve known he worked at one of Alice’s company. It all makes sense now.” Her lonesome figure stood outside the hospital room from afar and just watched Edward and her best friend fawning over their newborn.
A dark figure approached the lonely Lily who was in despair. “Hey… don’t give up now. I’ll help you out. Here’s a scalpel…”
Lily looked up at the person who was in a doctor’s attire towering over her. “Wh-why are you giving me this?” She pushed the hand away that was holding the scalpel.
The face of that person was not identifiable and only a sinister smile was shown. “I know how you feel… I want to help you, that’s all… Just cooperate with me.”
The weak and vulnerable Lily looked towards the hospital room where Alice and Edward resided in. The figure slightly tilted its head with a smile still plastered on its face. “Your choice.”
She grabbed the tool and slowly turned the doorknob of the hospital room.
“Just know, on this floor, there are barely any workers or patient. Take your time, my sweet Lily…”
As Lily entered the room, the two on the other side quickly turned their attention to Lily. They were not expecting her to show up.
“Lily… I’ve been waiting to say this to you, but Alice and I are deciding to officially get married by the end of this year.”
Alice sympathetically looked at Lily. “I’m sorry that we hadn’t told you this… We’re still best friends, right?”
Lily did not utter a single word and just stood there with her head down. “I’ll take that as a yes? Friends should always forgive each other. I knew you were the best Lily! I’ll invite you to our wedding!” Alice cheered.
Lily lifted up her head and Edward and Alice saw the evil smile on her face. “That will definitely not happen.” After she left out a hysterical laughter mixed with regret and sorrow, she lunged towards them with a scalpel in the hand like a madman.
That very night, Lily got very busy. She made sure to paint the room a nice red color to surprise the nurses and Alice’s family.
The very next morning, the nurses came into the room and were hit with a tinge of metallic smell that penetrated the room. One nurse screamed and another fainted when they took notice of the body parts cut up into pieces on the hospital floor. The room was so horrendous, but the color plastered all of the wall and on the bed, was a pretty bright red color. No one could forget that sight.
“The monsters we should be scared of the most are those around us, especially ourselves…”
