Happy Death Day: Fatal Loop

2

I closed my eyes, trying to recall every detail of the night I thought I had killed Casey.

Yesterday was Casey's birthday. After drama club rehearsal, she invited everyone to a sushi restaurant near our shared apartment complex for a birthday bash.

The party wrapped up after 10 PM, and we all said our goodbyes outside the restaurant. I made an excuse about having another engagement and walked in the opposite direction of our apartment.

Once everyone had left, I ducked into a nearby public restroom. I changed into the black clothes I had stuffed in my bag from the morning and put on the "Traveling Frog" mask that had just arrived in the mail that afternoon.

The outfit must have looked ridiculous. As I stepped out of the restroom, a young , chubby guy on an e-scooter nearly toppled over in shock at the sight of me.

But that just proved my disguise worked—no one could recognize me.

I ran as fast as I could and finally caught up with Casey, who was staggering along a dimly lit path near our complex.

I moved quickly, covering her mouth before she could react and plunging the knife into her back.

Casey fell silently, and I dragged her into the bushes beside the sidewalk, ensuring no one was around. I pulled out the knife and fled the scene.

I returned to the restroom, ditched the black outfit and mask, and wandered aimlessly around downtown. As I passed by the South River, I casually tossed the knife into the water.

Looking back, the whole ordeal felt surreal, almost like a meticulously bizarre dream.

I checked my phone for the date—it was June 8th. Today was actually Casey's birthday.

So, what did I actually do yesterday? I strained to remember, but nothing came to mind.

I spent the morning back at the apartment, bored out of my mind. The only event of note was receiving a package before lunch.

It was the "Traveling Frog" mask I had ordered online, intending to use it to kill Casey.

Holding the mask, a surge of murderous intent washed over me. The memories of murder were just a dream, and today, I would act.

The afternoon brought the usual drama club rehearsal, with the director announcing that the leads for the new play "Fatal LOOP" would be revealed tomorrow. Most eyes were on Zach and Casey.

After rehearsal, Casey stood up and invited everyone to her birthday party.

Was this part of my dream too?

Before I could ponder further, I found myself at the sushi restaurant with the others. I forced a smile throughout the party, my mind constantly revisiting the dream from last night.

I had never remembered a dream so vividly, nor had I ever dreamt something so closely aligned with reality.

What was more terrifying was that the method of murder in my dream was identical to how I had planned to kill Casey. And just like in the dream, I excused myself from the party, heading in the opposite direction.

Once everyone had left, I slipped into the public restroom, changed into the black outfit and "Traveling Frog" mask. Just as I stepped out, a young, chubby guy on an e-scooter sped past, nearly falling off after catching a glimpse of me.

Even this detail matched my dream. I didn't want to dwell on it. Suppressing the turmoil inside, I ran towards the direction Casey had left, finding her on a poorly lit path near the complex.

I approached quickly, silenced her, drew the knife, stabbed, dragged her into the bushes, removed the knife, and fled—all just as smoothly as in my dream.

This time, I made sure to check Casey's pulse and breath, confirming her death before leaving.

I felt a mix of exhilaration and emptiness as I wandered to South River.

In the solitude, I disposed of the wrapped knife in the river.

With Casey gone, Zach, the lead role... the present and future, everything that was meant to be mine would return. No one could take them away now!

Lying on my bed back at the apartment, I kept imagining a brighter future, reluctant to fall asleep, replaying the events over and over.