᭙𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ꫝ𝑒 𝑆𝑡ᥲ𝑟𝑠⭑

𝐶𝒍𝒂𝒘𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝐶𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒔

Anasia was in disbelief as she watched the usually shy and quiet Iris take such a bold stand.

"Iris, is this really happening?" she exclaimed, just as Iris slammed the door on Ian after giving him a swift kick out.

Iris spun around to face Anasia, her eyes filled with fire.
"He had it coming! Why are you criticizing me when you stayed silent while he was belittling us?" With that, Iris stormed upstairs to confide in Ena about her so-called crush, leaving Anasia utterly stunned in the living room.

Meanwhile,
*A loud crash echoed through the house*

"Ouch! Why did you just hit me with your elbow? I fell and smashed into this vase!" Ashvin shouted at Ivar.

"I'm not apologizing at all; We just have one candle, and we can't seem to find the stairs after all this time!" Ivar snapped back, clearly frustrated.

"You got hurt with that vase not long ago, and now here we are again! It feels like we're stuck in the same spot!" he added.
"This is just a house without power; we're not princesses trapped in a haunted forest! How can it take so long to locate some stairs?" he continued.

"Is this my fault? Why are you yelling at me?" Ashvin retorted as he picked himself up.

"We're struggling here while Ian is just lounging around!" Ivar exclaimed.

"You were the one who chose to join me in searching for the stairs," Ashvin replied.

"Oh really? I don't recall that," Ivar said, walking away with the candle, irritation etched on his face.

"Wait for me! It's just stairs; we can't give up now!" Ashvin shouted as he hurried after him.

"Five more minutes, and I'm definitely throwing in the towel!" Ivar called back, still moving forward.

*Upstairs*

"Ena, do you know what your so-called less friend but more crush just di-?" Iris paused, flinching at the sudden loud crash.
"Was that Anasia?" Sienna asked, her voice laced with concern.
"Of course! Who else it would be? She just fell; she's the only one down there!" Alira replied, her worry evident.
"Let's head down!" Iris exclaimed, her voice rising as she dashed downstairs. Ena, Alira, and Sienna quickly followed her.

Meanwhile, Anasia heard the sound of Ashvin tumbling and thought Iris had fallen since she had gone upstairs without a candle. A wave of worry washed over her, imagining Iris who was already upset, battling an unseen ghost on the stairs and losing her balance.

Anasia rushed upstairs to investigate as it won't be a surprise if Iris did something like that. However she was still hoping that her fears were unfounded.

* Another dashing sound*
"Oh no!" Anasia shrieked.
"Oh gosh!" Iris exclaimed as both girls collided just beneath the staircase.
"Are you alright!?" they both asked in unison.

Iris couldn't help but chuckle at the coincidence.

"What was that noise?" Iris inquired right after.
"I was just about to ask you the same thing!" Anasia replied.
"Wait, didn't you just fall?" Anasia added, her brow furrowing.
"WAIT, DIDN'T YOU FALL?" Iris asked, her voice rising in surprise.
"No!" Anasia exclaimed, taken aback.

The group exchanged nervous glances.

"Then what on earth was that sound!?" Sienna murmured, her confusion adding a chilling vibe to the moment.

"You don't have to say it like that! We know you love horror stories, but we're not exactly brave, so please cut it out!" Iris scolded Sienna.

"It must be Kio!" Anasia suggested.