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Sadness and fear war inside of me. Because if I’m right, if this is who I think it is.

Then this person is a friend.

Someone I trusted.

Someone who sat in my dressing room.

Someone who laughed with me.

Someone I cared about.

My chest hurts.

My stomach flips.

Rain and sweat soak through my clothes.

The truth is, I don't have many friends.

Never have.

Women always seemed to treat each other like competitors.

Like enemies.

And I hate that.

I hate believing that.

And I want it to not be true.

Especially right now.

My eyes fill with tears.

“Why are you doing this?” I can’t help but ask.

The masked figure trembles.

“Because you ruined everything!”

“What?”

“You always ruin everything!”

Hysterical laughter follows.

Lightning flashes overhead, followed by rolling thunder so loud it seems to shake the entire building.

The hood slips back a fraction.

And for one horrifying second⁠—

I see eyes.

Familiar eyes.

My heart stops.