Episode 13

Gerald and Ryan paced the empty hallway outside of the classroom, leaving Aaron and Maren alone. It was quiet for a time while Ryan tried to process what Gerald just told them. Gerald was still white in the face, walking back and forth
"You've seen a lot of dead people," Ryan said, "But this is freaking you out. A lot."
Gerald pulled out his phone again and handed it to Ryan, "Go ahead. Look."
Hesitant, Ryan looked down at the glowing screen. He turned away instantly.
"Oh! What the... How? Who sent you this picture?"
"I have friends," Gerald grunted.
Ryan gagged and shoved the phone away, "Holy crap..."
The door of the classroom opened, and Aaron joined them. He slowly shut the door behind him, "What's going on? You've been out here for a long time. If you're trying not to freak Maren out I think you're doing the opposite. Oh, and me too. You're freaking me out."
Ryan started walking away, one arm covering his torso.
"Where are you going?" Gerald called out.
"Gonna go puke..."
His footsteps echoed as he disappeared down another hallway. Aaron gave Gerald an inquisitive glare.
"I don't want to show you," Gerald sighed.
"I've probably seen worse," Aaron challenged.
Gerald's eyes rolled in a full circle before surrendering his phone for the second time. Aaron glanced at the image, averted his eyes, but didn't threaten to hurl.
"Well... I haven't seen that before," he grunted.
Gerald took the phone and shoved it into his pocket, "When I got the call that Tina was murdered I was surprised... It seemed too soon. Even if word got out to the cult fanatics that her shop had a relic of theirs, they would've needed time to plot or something. I don't know. And then her skin..."
"Have you seen anything like that for this case before?" Aaron asked, "Like... skinning people?"
"Did you?"
"I saw some pretty terrible things... A kid shoved into an iron maiden. A girl shot in the head when she sat right next to me. But I didn't see anyone skinned... Like an animal. You don't think we have a Silence of the Lambs killer, right?"
"It throws me off," Gerald admitted.
"Well, maybe this killer is different... Matt and Taylor are dead," Aaron said, "Do you know for sure the killer is related to the cult?"
"If you look at the picture longer... The killer left a pretty blatant message using the blood and her... eyes. It's the same lettering as on the torch. I think they want us to know they're after it..."
"Her eyes?" Aaron gaped, "Oh boy..."
Commotion. Rustling sounds started coming from the classroom, followed by Maren's loud shouting. Aaron pivoted and swung the door open. A thick cloud of black smog was growing and almost engulfing the entire room. Maren scrambled away from her desk with the torch in hand.
"What the hell is that! What the hell is that!" she almost bulldozed Aaron over.
The cloud thickened until it looked like sludge. Gerald couldn't believe what he saw coming out of the darkness. A figure made of the same sticky black mass stepped out, looking like a human with no real features. Aaron muttered "No way... No way... Oh shit... Oh shit..."
It didn't speak, just stalked towards them.
"Nope," Gerald ushered Maren and Aaron with his arms, "Run, we are running!"
Aaron needed a second to snap out of his deja vu, but Maren was already halfway down the hallway. Gerald couldn't feel an inch of his body as adrenaline rushed them down the school corridors. What was that thing?
"Oh... no. No. No. No." Maren groaned.
Standing by the public restrooms was Ryan accompanied by a man, a real man, dressed in black. A dark mask covered his face, and he held a gun to the back of Ryan's head.  Ryan looked at Gerald apologetically and did his best to stand tall without shaking.
Aaron, Maren, and Gerald came to a halt, waiting with anticipation.
"I've been looking for that," the man in the mask said, "Why don't we make a trade. Your toy for my toy."
He nudged Ryan's head slightly with the front of the gun. Gerald's mouth went dry. He moved to Maren's side and reached for the torch.
"Make the girl do it," the man ordered.
Maren made a terrified hissing sound, "Gerald, who is this guy? Gerald..."
"I don't have all day," the man sang, "I had to drive all the way out here because you people couldn't just have a damn video conference call."
"Huh. Why didn't we do that?" Maren whispered to Gerald.
"Let's go!" The man bumped Ryan's head again. Ryan looked torn between wanting to throw up again or elbow the man in the face.
Gerald and Aaron were frozen in place while Maren slowly made her way to the gunman. Ryan made eye contact with her the entire time. Both looked like they were about to piss themselves.
"Ok," Maren was close but at a safe distance, "Let's... swap."
The man's black gloved hand reached out, but he didn't lower the gun.  As soon as the torch reached his palm, he yanked on it, catching Maren by surprise, and pulled her along as well. With a violent kick, Ryan flew forward to the ground. Now Maren was in the man's clutches.
"What gives!" Gerald said. He rarely ever used his own gun. It made his cases complicated when there were casualties. But his fingers were itching for the pistol he had stashed in his clothing.
"I don't want you losers following me," the man held the gun to Maren's temple.  She shut her eyes tightly, mutterings prayers of some sort.
He started to drag her away, not turning his back on Aaron, Ryan, and Gerald.
"Do you have Alaire," Aaron suddenly said.
The man turned his head to Aaron but said nothing.
"I think you three have bigger problems to worry about."
Gerald was suddenly very aware of the soft whispering from behind him. The dark mist crawled passed his shoes and slithered against the walls. That thing was still with them. When Gerald turned around a wall of darkness greeted him. The wall moved forward along with the dark figure leading the way.
"The freak is that?" Ryan pushed himself off the floor.
"Thanatos," Aaron said.