Chapter 4

When my senses flooded back, the number on my arm read only 1.

I finally knew that this killer was coming exclusively for Lily and me.

Yet I racked my brain and couldn't think of anyone I had ever crossed.

Then, remembering the strange, uneven limp in his stride, a sickening suspicion took root in my mind.

Could Christian be involved in this?!

This time, I borrowed a cordless reciprocating saw from my neighbor. Instead of running, I hid in the shadows of the seventh-floor stairwell.

I kept my eyes glued to my phone screen.

Soon enough, I heard Christian's voice through the door. Thinking I had returned, he yanked it open.

"Serena, did you seriously take this long just to buy a box of condoms?"

"Who the hell are you? Playing dress-up with a mask in the middle of the night?"

Christian's voice dripped with arrogance.

The killer said nothing, only letting out a wet, guttural hiss.

"Get lost, loser. You're blocking my door."

Christian swore, reaching out to shove him aside.

A second later, a bloodcurdling scream tore from Christian's throat, followed by the violent sounds of a struggle.

"Ah! What are you doing?! You psycho!"

I held my breath, my heart racing.

The killer was attacking Christian, too?

If they were partners, this made no sense.

The killer prowled the hallway, looking left and right as if searching for something.

He already realized I wasn't in the apartment.

Then how did he pinpoint my location on the roof last time?

Suddenly, my phone screen lit up.

A text message from an unknown number appeared: Stop hiding. I know you're in the complex. Come out, and I'll make your death quick.

A chill ran straight down my spine. If someone could see my phone's location, that would explain how he'd found me on the roof in the last loop.

He had an accomplice!

Seeing the killer raise his blade to finish off Christian, I yanked the trigger of the saw and charged out from the shadows.

"You sick bastard! You're the one who deserves to die!"

I lunged forward like a woman possessed. The snarling roar of the electric saw startled the killer, forcing him to stumble back.

As he moved, his sleeve rode up, revealing an arm covered in horrific burn scars.

Recovering his balance, the killer staggered backward, but I kept driving the whirring blade toward him without hesitation.

Cowering by the doorway, Chloe finally broke. Shrieking in sheer terror, she bolted blindly toward the stairs.

"Help! Murder! Somebody help!"

"Don't run!" I screamed.

She barreled straight into me, crashing into my injured arm. The impact knocked the saw's battery pack loose, and the motor died.

The tool clattered uselessly to the floor. My eyes went wide.

Before I could react, the killer thrust his machete straight forward.

"Serena!" Christian shrieked in horror.

The blade plunged clean through my abdomen. A wave of blinding, agonizing pain washed over me.

Blood poured out like an open faucet.

Gritting my teeth, I used the very last ounce of strength in my body to violently tear the mask from his face.

When that familiar face was revealed, my eyes bulged in utter disbelief.

How could it be him?!

In that final second, the truth behind this entire nightmare clicked into place!