Chapter 4: Witch’s Justice Revealed

The locals soon left, leaving just the three of us, dumbly staring at Mariah’s corpse.

In the end, Mr. Dalton dragged the two of us back to the room.

As soon as we entered, Savannah went berserk, shoving me down by the table and choking me. My vision went white, her figure doubling.

“It was you, it was you!”

Mr. Dalton used all his strength to separate us, collapsing on the side, panting. It was clearly her who pushed Mariah… Why blame me?

Savannah’s nails dug into my throat, her face twisted with rage and terror. Mr. Dalton’s hands shook as he pulled her off me, collapsing into a chair. I gasped for air, rubbing my bruised neck, the taste of blood in my mouth. Why was it always me?

She clutched her head, crazed like a ghost. She ran to Mr. Dalton, eyes wild with fear: “What do we do, she’ll come for revenge, blame me, kill me!”

Mr. Dalton hugged her, quietly patting her back, murmuring comfort.

Savannah sobbed into his chest, her whole body trembling. Mr. Dalton whispered empty promises, but his eyes darted to the door, fear etched deep in his features. I watched them, numb and detached. No one cared about me.

Knock knock—

Someone knocked on the door. My pulse spiked. I froze, then forced myself to open it.

It was the strong man from before. He handed me food without a word and left.

The councilman clearly wanted us dead, so why bring food? A last meal? My stomach twisted.

The plate was heavy in my hands, the sausage and cornbread now looking sinister. I set it on the table, my stomach twisting with dread. The man’s eyes lingered on me a moment too long before he disappeared into the night. Something was off.

After a day of hunger, I was numb. I didn’t care about the sausage strangling people—I just stuffed it in my mouth.

Mariah’s tragic state was still fresh in my mind. After a few bites, I threw it all up.

I kept feeling someone’s sticky gaze on me, and my unease grew.

I looked up, but saw nothing.

The food turned to ash in my mouth. I wiped my lips, shivering. Shadows flickered on the walls, and the feeling of being watched grew stronger with every passing minute. I wanted to scream, but nothing came out.

Then, a pain in my neck, and I blacked out.

My world spun, darkness closing in. I heard muffled voices, laughter, the clink of glass. The last thing I felt was the cold floor beneath my cheek. What was happening?

“This clothing reeks of poverty! I don’t want to wear it.”

“Be good, after tonight it’ll be fine. Tomorrow you’ll definitely get to change back…”

Who’s talking? My mind felt like cotton.

The voices floated above me, warped and distant. I fought to open my eyes, my limbs heavy as lead. The smell of perfume and sweat was overpowering. Where was I?

Fighting the pain in my neck, I propped myself up and finally saw the two people backlit by the lamp. Savannah was wearing my faded flannel shirt, snuggling up to Mr. Dalton, while I was dressed in her silk dress! What was going on?

The silk itched against my skin, the fabric clinging uncomfortably. I wanted to rip it off. Savannah smirked, her hair tucked behind her ear, looking every bit the part she’d stolen from me. Mr. Dalton watched her, his eyes glazed. I felt like I was in some twisted play.

“You’re awake?” Savannah rolled her eyes. “If Mariah comes back tonight, you better not make a sound, got it!”

“If you give us away, you’re dead!”

Her voice was sharp, the threat clear. I nodded, swallowing hard, the taste of blood still on my tongue. No way out.

I stared at her in terror, suddenly understanding everything. She thought changing clothes would fool everyone, so Mariah wouldn’t find her. But a person’s scent can’t be hidden by clothes. Even I knew that. How could she not? Seriously, was she that desperate?

Savannah’s plan was desperate, childish. I almost laughed, but the fear in her eyes stopped me. She was running scared, just like the rest of us.

I tried to rip off the dress. Savannah panicked and slapped me, the taste of blood filling my mouth.

“If you dare take it off, I’ll kill you!”

I had no choice but to nod, staring numbly at the ceiling. My cheek throbbed. Whatever, let her think she was safe.

The two of them hid behind the wooden screen. Not long after, there was frantic pounding at the door. The sound was urgent, rising and falling. A female voice, vicious and shrill.

“Open the door! Open up!”

The voice sent chills down my spine. My hands trembled, the memory of Mariah’s screams still fresh. The pounding grew louder, more insistent. I wanted to hide.

Mariah—it was her voice!

I trembled in bed, peeking out with one eye.

“Hee hee, if you won’t open up, I’ll come in myself…” The door banged open, the girl’s sleeves fluttering in an invisible wind, the air in the room dropping ten degrees. I never believed in ghosts before, but now I understood—when you’re truly scared, your hair really does stand on end. My chest clenched. I shrank into the corner of the bed, my voice trembling. It’s not me, it’s not me…

The temperature plummeted, my breath coming out in white puffs. Mariah’s figure floated toward me, her eyes black pits. I pressed myself against the wall, praying she’d pass me by. Please, just go.

“I’m so itchy… so itchy! You must die with me!”

With that, the door behind slammed shut. She floated up, blood-red nails reaching for me.

Her fingers curled like claws, her skin peeling and raw. The smell of earth and rot filled the room. I squeezed my eyes shut, heart pounding out of my chest. Please, not me.

In the crisis, I didn’t care about the rules and blurted out, “Look closely, I’m Delaney Brooks, not Savannah Whitlock!”

“The one who really killed you is behind the screen!”

My voice was shrill, desperate. I pointed, hoping Mariah would believe me. The truth hung in the air, thick and heavy.

Mariah stopped, her nails inches from my face.

Her skin was paper-white, pupils wide, blood tears streaking from the corners of her eyes. She tilted her head, as if weighing whether I was telling the truth. My heart hammered.

Her breath was cold against my cheek. For a moment, the world held its breath. I didn’t dare move. Don’t pick me, please.

I fought back the nausea and tried to keep my distance from her. Pointing at the two trying to sneak away, I shouted with all my strength.

My voice cracked, but it was enough. Mariah spun, her eyes locking onto Savannah and Mr. Dalton. The air crackled with tension. Everyone froze.

Mariah leapt in front of Savannah, her teeth chattering.