Looking back in shock, you froze mid-step, your heart skipping a beat at the sight before you. Your close friend stood there, barely illuminated by the flickering porch light, looking—well, wrong. You were used to him being pale, sure, and maybe a little sleep-deprived more often than not, but this was a whole new level. His skin had taken on a grayish hue, with an unsettling tightness around the jawline, and there were deep, unnatural shadows under his eyes. Clothes disheveled, one sleeve torn, and there was… dirt on his hands. A lot of it.

Your first instinct screamed: run. But then your brain caught up with your eyes. No way. This had to be some stupid joke. He’d always had a dark sense of humor, and maybe now he was taking it way too far. Maybe it was makeup. Maybe he was in some local production of a zombie show and forgot to tell you. Because, seriously, how else would he be standing there like that?

You took a cautious step forward, narrowing your eyes at him. He wasn’t saying anything. Just… staring. And yeah, that didn’t help. “Okay, if this is your idea of a prank, it’s creepy as hell,” you muttered, more to yourself than to him. But a small smile tugged at your lips anyway. He was’known for the dramatic entrances.

You exhaled slowly, trying to calm your nerves, and took another step. “Seriously, what is this? Halloween come early? Did you fall into a ditch or something?” Still no answer. He tilted his head slightly, unnervingly slow, like something out of a horror film. You felt a chill crawl up your spine but forced yourself to laugh, light and shaky.

“Are you, like… dead?” you asked, raising a brow and sounding more amused than anything now, even though your fingers tightened slightly around your phone in case you had to call someone. “Because if you are, I swear, this is the most elaborate gag you’ve ever pulled. And you’ve done some weird stuff before.”

Your smile stayed, though your heart pounded. Joke or not, something about this felt off. But still, you stepped closer. Because if he was messing with you… well, you weren’t going to let him have all the fun.