Ghosts in Transit

The grim events of the past week clung to the town like an unshakable fog. With Isaac Chang's mysterious disappearance and Greg Waters' brutal murder, tension simmered just below the surface. Yet, life continued in its eerie mimicry of normalcy.

Alex Harper, Mara Turner, Eli Sanders, and Riley Connors gathered at the university's student center. An urgent email from their film professor, Dr. Marlowe, had summoned them downtown to assist with the final setup for an upcoming horror film exhibition. It wasn't unusual for the professor to rely on his students for last-minute help, but given the recent killings, the timing was unsettling.

"We need to take the subway," Alex muttered, scanning the map on his phone. "Traffic's insane this time of day."

Mara frowned, tugging her jacket tighter. "Subway? Great. Just the vibe I want after everything."

"Relax, Mara," Eli said, flashing his usual grin. "What's the worst that could happen? Someone coughs near you?"

Riley raised an eyebrow. "Given the current body count, I'd say the worst involves a lot more blood."

The group made their way to the subway station, the bustling crowds offering a strange comfort. The city, as always, pulsed with life, indifferent to the horrors lurking beneath its surface. As they boarded the train, Alex couldn't help but notice how many passengers were dressed in Ghostface costumes.

"Must be a sale," Eli quipped, nodding toward a cluster of costumed teens. "Or maybe everyone's just got bad taste."

Mara shook her head. "It's disgusting. People turning this into some kind of joke."

The train lurched forward, the rhythmic clatter of the tracks filling the carriage. Alex took a seat near the door, his thoughts spiraling back to the events of ten years ago. The parallels were undeniable, and he couldn't shake the feeling that history was repeating itself.

A sudden tap, faint but deliberate, broke his reverie.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

It came from the window beside him, the glass rattling slightly under the pressure. Alex stiffened, his pulse quickening. He glanced outside, but the subway was already in motion, the dark tunnels offering no explanation.

"Did you hear that?" he asked, turning to the others.

"Hear what?" Mara replied, her brow furrowed.

Alex shook his head, brushing it off. "Nothing. Probably just the tracks."

The lights flickered, plunging the carriage into brief darkness before returning to their usual dim glow. Alex exhaled slowly, trying to steady his nerves.

He felt a presence beside him and turned to see someone in a Ghostface mask sitting unnervingly close.

"Very funny," Alex muttered, shifting away.

The masked figure said nothing. Instead, they reached up and slowly pulled off the mask.

It was Officer Claire Davis.

Alex blinked in surprise. "Claire? What the hell?!"

"Relax," she said with a smirk, tossing the mask into her lap. "It's Halloween season. Just blending in."

Alex scowled. "You think this is a game? People are dead, Claire. Maybe try reading the room."

Claire leaned back, unfazed. "I'm keeping an eye on things, Harper. Besides, it's better I'm here than someone else."

The tension between them was palpable, but before Alex could respond, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, the screen flashing: Blocked Number.

"Hold on," he said, standing and walking toward the back of the carriage for some semblance of privacy.

He hesitated, then answered. "Hello?"

For a moment, there was only silence, the faint hum of the train in the background.

Then, a voice, low and cold, cut through the static.

"I just hate copies. I think the original is better."

The line went dead.

Alex stood there, phone still pressed to his ear, the weight of the words sinking in.

He turned back toward the carriage, his eyes scanning the crowd of costumed passengers. Suddenly, every mask felt like a threat, every shadow a potential danger.

As the train sped through the dark, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that they were hurtling toward something far worse than anyone could imagine.