You had warned him multiple times—while you were getting dressed, and again as you both stepped out the front doors of the mansion. “Be careful,” you had told him, your voice laced with concern, though you knew he wouldn’t listen.

You knew Jeff. Even at a younger age, he had that same wild, restless energy. As soon as you stepped onto the path through the dense forest, he couldn’t help himself. He was already darting ahead of you, his laughter ringing through the trees like music.

“Catch me if you can!” he yelled back to you, his voice full of excitement as his feet barely seemed to touch the ground. You couldn’t help but laugh, the joy in his voice contagious. Despite everything, despite his usual darkness, there was something so innocent about the way he ran, so carefree.

It was a rare sight, honestly—seeing him like this, not the twisted version of the killer he was destined to become, but just a kid, enjoying life, laughing with abandon. You tried to keep up, but it wasn’t long before he was out of sight, vanishing around a bend in the forest path.

The laughter died down, and that’s when it happened.

You heard the unmistakable sound of him tripping—his feet tangling, his body hitting the ground with a heavy thud. The forest fell eerily quiet for a second before the sound of him crying out pierced the air. Your heart sank as you quickly rushed forward, panic creeping up your throat..