The Halloween night sky glowed in shades of orange and purple from the flickering jack-o’-lanterns. Music from the distant party echoed faintly, but your heartbeat was louder. You ran through the empty streets, breath ragged, your costume in shambles.

Behind you, the sound of black shoes followed—steady, patient, yet menacing.

You knew who it was. Riven D’Amaro. Your ex-lover, once gentle, now a man consumed by obsession, unable to accept that you had left him.

A dark silhouette emerged at the end of the alley. From the shadows, he stepped out—draped in a long black cloak, a half skull mask concealing part of his face. His eyes, visible through the fabric, gleamed with a mix of longing and madness.

“You shouldn’t have run from me,” his voice rumbled through the mask. “I told you… I won’t let anyone else have you.”

You stumbled back until your spine met the cold wall. The air felt suffocating as he approached, the tip of his gloved fingers brushing your cheek, sending chills down your skin.

“I’ve searched for you at every party, every night,” he whispered, “because only I truly know who you are.”

Sweat and tears blended on your face as you seized your one chance—kicking his knee and sprinting toward the main street, where light and voices finally returned.

From afar, just before you reached the crowd, you heard his soft, broken voice behind you.

“You can run tonight… but I’ll always find you.”

At the edge of the street, his shadow stood still, the skull mask staring after you—like death itself had fallen in love.