The Night That Changed Everything

Chapter One: The Night That Changed Everything

The fire flickered, sending waves of warmth over the group of friends. Music played from a small speaker, mixing with the laughter and chatter. Anna swayed to the rhythm, arms raised as she spun in circles. The night was alive, and everything felt perfect.

"I told you this was the best idea ever!" she yelled, her voice rising over the music. "I can't believe I was about to miss this."

Catherine grinned and twirled beside her. "Yeah, yeah, you were right," she admitted, laughing.

The others cheered, caught up in the moment. It wasn't every day they got to sneak into the woods for a late-night party. The sky stretched endlessly above them, and the cool night breeze carried the scent of burning wood.

Anna felt free.

No parents. No school. No worries.

Then, Catherine's phone rang. She glanced at the screen, her smile fading just a little.

"I need to take this," she said, stepping away. "I'll be right back."

Anna nodded, watching as Catherine disappeared into the darkness, the glow of her phone screen bouncing against the trees. A water bottle swung in her other hand, catching the fire's light before vanishing.

Anna turned back to the party, but something in her stomach felt uneasy. She ignored it.

The music continued. The fire crackled. Her friends laughed and played games, drinking soda, telling jokes, and making memories. Time passed in a blur.

Then Anna checked her phone. And noticed it was almost midnight.

Catherine had been gone for too long.

Her smile faded as she glanced at the trees where her friend had walked off. The woods looked different now—too dark, too quiet.

Anna shook off the weird feeling and turned to her friends. "Hey, has anyone seen Cat?"

No one seemed concerned. "She's probably still on the phone," one of them shrugged.

Anna frowned. "It's been almost half an hour."

Silence.

That was too long for a phone call.

She stood, brushing dirt from her jeans. "I'll go find her."

A few friends mumbled something, but no one stopped her. Anna stepped away from the fire, her sneakers crunching against dried leaves. The light and warmth faded behind her as she moved deeper into the woods.

The silence felt heavier out here.

"Catherine?" she called.

No response.

Her stomach twisted.

Anna moved further, following the path Catherine had taken. Every shadow seemed to shift. The trees stretched tall, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers.

"Cat, come on. It's late," she called again. "You should be done with your calls by now."

Still nothing.

Then—she saw her.

Catherine stood ahead, completely still, her back turned.

Anna let out a small breath of relief. "Cat! What are you doing? I've been looking for you."

Catherine didn't move.

Did she not hear her?

Anna stepped closer. "Hello?"

No response.

A weird sensation crawled over Anna's skin. Catherine was just... standing there. Motionless. Stiff.

Anna hesitated before placing a hand on her friend's shoulder.

Ice cold.

She pulled back instinctively. "Hey, are you okay?"

Catherine's head turned slightly, just enough for Anna to see her face.

Her eyes looked different. Too dark.

Her lips barely moved, but she whispered something.

Anna didn't catch it.

"What?" she asked, leaning in.

But Catherine only nodded—slowly, stiffly—before turning fully toward her. Her movements were wrong, like a puppet being forced to dance.

Anna felt a shiver crawl up her spine.

Her friend looked like someone who just got hit by something.

But something wasn't right.

"Let's go back," Anna said, forcing a smile.

For a moment, she thought Catherine wouldn't follow. But then, she nodded again.

They walked back together in silence.

Anna didn't know why, but she felt like she had made a mistake.

---

The next Day…

Anna sat at her desk, tapping her fingers against her notebook. The classroom buzzed with conversation, but her mind was elsewhere.

Something was wrong with Catherine.

She glanced toward the front of the room. Catherine was there, seated at her desk, her head bowed low. Her arms hung limp at her sides.

Anna's stomach twisted.

She stood and walked over. "Hey, Cat," she said softly, touching her friend's shoulder.

Cold.

Again.

Catherine lifted her head slightly, and Anna's breath hitched.

Her friend's face was pale—too pale—with deep shadows beneath her eyes. Her lips were cracked, dry, almost colorless.

"What happened to you?" Anna whispered.

Catherine blinked slowly, like it took effort. "I'm fine," she croaked.

Anna wasn't convinced.

"You should go to the nurse."

Catherine didn't argue. She stood—too slowly—as if gravity had doubled around her.

Anna took her arm and led her down the hall. The other students barely noticed them leave.

When they reached the nurse's office, the woman frowned at Catherine's condition.

She checked her temperature. Normal.

Listened to her heartbeat. Normal.

Asked her a few questions.

After a while, the nurse shook her head. "There's nothing wrong."

Anna's chest tightened. "But look at her! She hasn't eaten, she can barely stand—"

The nurse sighed. "She might just be exhausted. Stress can do strange things to the body."

Anna didn't believe that.

Catherine turned to her suddenly. "I need to use the restroom," she murmured.

Anna hesitated but nodded. "Okay. I'll wait here."

Catherine disappeared inside and locked the door.

Silence.

Anna frowned. Something about this didn't feel right.

Then—

A gagging sound.

Anna's pulse quickened. "Cat?"

No answer.

Another gag. Then a wet splatter.

Anna knocked. "Catherine, what's going on?"

Inside, Catherine stood still, hands gripping the edges of the sink. Her reflection stared back at her, wrong somehow. The dark circles under her eyes looked deeper. Her skin seemed stretched too tight.

And when she moved—

Her reflection lagged.

A second too slow.

Catherine swallowed hard and looked down.

The sink was filled with vomit.

And inside it—

Worms.

Wriggling. Alive.

A wave of nausea hit her, but she couldn't move.

She covered her mouth with both hands, her body shaking.

She couldn't scream.

But something inside her wanted to.

Badly.

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